Healthcare Staffing Shortages in Massachusetts: How FNPs Can Fill the Gap

Healthcare staffing shortagesare ongoing throughout the United States. The Health Resources and Services Administration projects a shortage of about 187,130 full-time physicians nationwide by 2037, with nonmetro areas experiencing the greatest shortages. The healthcare system in Massachusetts is feeling these shortages, as well.

In an effort to combathealthcare staffing shortages, many aspiring healthcare workers and current nurses are enrolling in online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs with a focus on family nurse practitioner (FNP) specialization

The State of Healthcare Staffing Shortages in Massachusetts

Numerous government agencies and news outlets paint a grim picture of healthcare in Massachusetts. A 2025 report published by the Massachusetts Health Policy Commission (HPC) found that patients wait more than twice as long in Massachusetts as in other states for new patient appointments. What’s more, 41% of residents said it was difficult to access care at all in 2023, claiming that getting an appointment when needed had become all but impossible.

The president and chief executive of the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers cited administrative burdens such as asynchronous messaging systems, electronic health records (EHRs), prior authorization, and billing woes as elements of the problem, but named the state’s current reimbursement model as one of the most important factors.

The same Massachusetts HPC report noted that the percentage of the approximately 15,000 primary care providers who were either nurse practitioners (NPs) or physician assistants (PAs) rose from 26% in 2018 to 31% in 2022, indicating that the workforce has already begun to shift in an effort to reduce healthcare staffing shortages.

What Is an FNP?

The American Association of Managed Care Nurses (AAMCN) defines an FNP as an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) with graduate-level education and training in assessing, diagnosing, and managing common medical conditions. Like family physicians, they provide primary and specialty care to patients of all ages, from children to older adults. Their patient-centric approach promotes good health, prevents disease, and ensures adequate management of chronic illness.

The Role of FNPs in Modern Healthcare

A 2025 Nursing Outlook study examining 37 systematic reviews on the added value of primary healthcare nurse practitioners identified numerous key skills and competencies that FNPs and other nurse practitioners bring to medicine at both state and national levels. These included:

• Evidence-based clinical knowledge
• Coaching and mentoring skills
• Teaching and education skills
• The ability to make complex decisions, incorporate technology, and think critically.

Furthermore, the study indicated that primary healthcare nurse practitioners, such as FNPs, could play a vital role in addressing healthcare staffing shortages in Massachusetts and globally. The benefits of integrating primary healthcare nurse practitioners into health systems included improved overall patient clinical outcomes, increased patient and family satisfaction, and more efficient healthcare systems.

Becoming an FNP: Requirements, Salary, and Job Outlook

Those who wish to become FNPs must train to become APRNs, an umbrella term covering nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists, clinical nurse specialists and nurse midwives. These individuals earn graduate-level degrees that focus on the specific role they are pursuing.

FNP-Specific Requirements

FNPs must complete an accredited Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program. Only licensed registered nurses (RNs) with a bachelor's degree or higher can pursue these degrees, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

After completing an advanced degree, aspiring FNPs must sit for one of two national certification exams offered by either the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB). Both offer FNP-specific credentialing, allowing for advanced nursing practice in Massachusetts.

The AANPCB’s FNP credentialing examination consists of 150 multiple-choice questions written and developed by practicing NPs. The exam offered by the ANCC is a 3.5 hour exam with 150 scored and 25 unscored questions. Exam costs and credentialing renewal requirements can vary.

Salary and Job Outlook

According to the BLS, the median annual salary for NPs was $129,210 as of May 2024, with those working in state, local, and private hospitals earning more. Positions for NPs are projected to increase by an astonishing 40% between 2024 and 2034 due to the increased demand for healthcare and their ability to provide many of the services of primary care physicians.

Help Mitigate Healthcare Staffing Shortages as an FNP

Healthcare staffing shortages are making it difficult for individuals in Massachusetts to access care when they need it most. As a family nurse practitioner, you can fill the gaps to provide patient-centered, evidence-based care that promotes excellent health, prevents disease, and keeps communities healthy.

The Online Master of Science in Nursing and Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN-FNP) program at American International College can prepare you for a fast-paced, in-demand career as an FNP.

Courses like The Art and Science of Advanced Nursing, Primary Care Clinical Management, and Advanced Concepts of Health Assessment build on your existing nursing knowledge, preparing you to sit for credentialing exams and start practicing as an FNP in healthcare centers across Massachusetts. You can even open your own private practice.

Find out how you can provide primary care to patients of all ages and backgrounds while having a meaningful impact on your community.