NP Development The NP role originated as one strategy to increase access to primary care 9 in response to a shortage of primary care physicians. The first successful program to prepare NPs was developed at the University of Colorado in 1965 under the co-direction of a nurse, Loretta Ford, and a physician, Henry Silver to prepare pediatric NPs with a focus on health and wellness. Working collaboratively with physicians, NPs with this advanced education from non-degree, certificate programs, were able to identify symptoms and to diagnose and manage health problems in children.