As the demand for skilled healthcare professionals surges nationwide, Keuka College is equipping the next generation of nurse practitioners with the tools to lead.
Graduates of the College’s Adult/Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP) programs are entering a job market ranked No. 1 by U.S. News & World Report for 2025. That ranking is backed by U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projections showing a 37% growth in NP employment through 2033—far outpacing the 3% average for all occupations.
The boom is fueled by three major factors: a rapidly aging population, a shortage of physicians, and a growing appreciation for patient-centered care. Seniors are expected to make up 22% of the U.S. population by 2040, and rural areas like Yates County face severe shortages in primary care providers. With a faster and more cost-effective path to practice, nurse practitioners are filling critical gaps.
“Keuka College has stayed at the forefront of nursing education for over 80 years, and we’re ready to meet increased demand for skilled and compassionate clinicians,” said Dr. Beth Russo, director of the College’s AGPCNP master’s and post-master’s programs.
Dr. Russo, a former Veterans Administration NP, said the role offers more than just job security. “The strong job outlook for advanced practice providers is just one motivator,” she said. “It’s also a professional move that offers greater autonomy and earning potential.”
The College’s graduates are already making an impact. “I’m in a completely different role from nursing—I’m a provider in a primary care office with a great collaborating physician,” said Sarah Brimmer ’17. “Instead of following orders, you’re giving them.”
In states like New York, where NPs have full practice authority, hospitals with more nurse practitioners per patient see improved outcomes and higher satisfaction. Studies show that having three or more NPs per 100 hospital beds leads to the best results in pain management and reduced readmissions.
As the healthcare system evolves, Keuka College’s nurse practitioner programs remain a vital part of the solution.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to [email protected].