Health department nurse practitioners as comprehensive primary care providers

This article examines the extent to which local health department nurse pra ctitioners (LHD NPs) in Georgia are prepared to provide comprehensive prima ry care services. Professional strengths included the fact that LHD NPs wer e established health care providers who provided a range of services, treat ed children and adults, served lower income and rural individuals. and repo rted high levels of professional satisfaction Professional limitations incl uded low educational levels, limited experience treating severe conditions and older adults, and the fact that almost all LHD NPs were white, Implicat ions for providing comprehensive primary care services through local health departments are discussed.