Amid a shortage in medical providers across the Bronx, Montefiore Medical Group has launched a Nurse Practitioner (NP) Fellowship in Primary Care program to help address this need, with the first cohort having begun on Monday, Sept. 9.
Supported by Montefiore’s agreement with the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA), this fellowship is meant to provide new and practicing NPs with hands-on experience, including classroom learning and working with patients alongside experienced NP mentors, doctors and other healthcare professionals to deliver patient care and improve clinical skills. The fellowship program will also serve as a pipeline for Montefiore to develop and retain nurses, better ensuring they are trained and ready to meet the needs of the Bronx community.
“This new fellowship will provide NPs with the depth, breadth and intensity of training that primes them for success as primary care providers. By equipping them with essential skills and experience, we’re making a long-term investment in the training of NPs and the health of the Bronx community,” Montefiore Medical Group Nurse Practitioner Fellowship in Primary Care Director Kathryn Tanner, FNP, said.
With the National Institute of Health concluding that New York State is facing an increased demand for primary care providers, nurse practitioners have taken on an increased essential role in a medical setting. This larger role is also due in part to an aging population and a greater need for accessible healthcare. As a result, the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that nurse practitioner jobs are expected to grow by 46% from 2021 to 2031, with an estimated 18,600 nurse practitioners entering the workforce each year over that period of time. With more responsibilities, it is imperative to ensure nurse practitioners receive thorough, hands-on training to meet the growing needs of their communities.
Over the course of a year, the nurse practitioner fellows employed by Montefiore will be trained in direct patient care, specialty rotations in areas such as behavioral health, pediatrics, diabetes management, geriatrics, and urgent care, and will take part in comprehensive educational sessions. The educational sessions will cover multiple important topics, including quality improvement, preoperative assessment, family planning and leadership development.
The top priority of this fellowship is to ensure that participating nurse practitioners will be fully prepared to manage the complex healthcare needs of the Bronx community. Those who complete the fellowship will continue on to work within Montefiore Medical Group facilities for at least two years, providing expert care for their patients.
For more information about Montefiore’s Nurse Practitioner Fellowship program, visit: https://montefioreeinstein.org/patient-care/services/primary-care/nurse-practitioner-fellowship-program.
