Some nurse practitioner programs view long-term care sites as “specialty practice” and do not allow their students to conduct primary care clinical hours in long-term care facilities. Family nurse practitioner programs who do not allow students to conduct any primary care clinical hours in long-term care facilities use the reasoning that the sites will not provide enough exposure to family practice and primary care populations. Adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner programs who limit the number of practicum hours allowed in long-term care settings support that diagnosis, treatment and management of elderly patients with complex medical conditions and social problems is a specialty.
