Nurses underutilized in primary care, study finds

Nurses working in primary care at Ohio-based community health centers are underutilized, highlighting the need for clearer roles, targeted development and greater interprofessional collaboration, according to a study published in Nursing Outlook. The researchers surveyed 24 administrators and chief medical officers, as well as 36 RNs to examine RN workforce characteristics within community health centers. They found nurses working in community healthcare settings have variably defined roles, underscoring an opportunity to better align RN practice with their ability to practice at the top of their license, including taking on central roles in care coordination and chronic disease management. The authors say investing in leadership engagement, interprofessional collaboration and academic progression could help community health centers build a stronger nursing workforce. (Nursing Outlook article, 6/5/26)