I think it kind of depends on how many health problem you have (or may have in the future, based on family history.)

Are you allowed to see an internist for a PCP? That's always my preference, but it's not always possible.

Another option would be to see a PA (physician's assistant). I've had better luck with them than with nurse practitioners. My problem with nurse practitioners is that I've seen ones that were pretty good and ones that were terrible.

If you don't have any health problems and just need someone to see when you have a respiratory infection or something, I think a nurse practitioner is fine.

I'm guessing that you have mental health problems since you post on this forum, though.

You might check where the nurse practitioners are working. If they are working in a practice with a doctor that you like, maybe you could go to them then switch to the doctor when he/she has an opening for a new patient.

My PCP has a NP and a PA working in his office.

I think the sudden appearance of so many NPs is because there's a shortage of primary care doctors in parts of the US.