Illinois Society for Advanced Practice Nursing award further highlights convenient care industry

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — The news that Take Care Clinic nurse practitioner Penny Strong has been honored by the Illinois Society for Advanced Practice Nursing is important as it further promotes and supports the convenient care industry at large.

(THE NEWS: Illinois Society for Advanced Practice Nursing honors Take Care Clinic NP Penny Strong. For the full story, click here)

As the article states, Strong has been awarded the Marie Lindsey Spirit of Advanced Practice Nursing award for her commitment and achievement in advanced practice nursing. Among her notable achievements: Advocating for Take Care Clinics to serve as training sites for nurse practitioner students.

Nurse practitioners and retail-based health clinics currently play an important role in the U.S. healthcare system, and, looking ahead, their importance will grow. Not only is the convenient care industry on track for a second wave of expansion, but also the U.S. healthcare system will face an even greater strain as 32 million uninsured gain coverage beginning in 2014, amid an ongoing primary care physician shortage.

According to Kalorama Information's recent report, "Retail Clinics 2011: Market Assessment, Supplier Sales, Key Players and Trends," retail clinic sales have risen dramatically since their inception in 2000. The firm estimated retail clinic sales at $733.4 million in 2010, an increase of 81% per year since 2005. Through 2015, sales are expected to continue expanding, rising by 19.3% per year to reach $1.7 billion.