A Note from Your VCNP President
With COVID cases rising across the Commonwealth, Governor Northam recently enacted new measures to slow the spread. Measures include limiting all public and private in-person gatherings to 25 individuals (down from 250) and requiring that everyone age five and older wear face coverings in indoor public spaces (down from age 10).
Temporary autonomous practice regulations extended
Governor Northam has signed the Special Session Budget, extending EO 57 to allow NPs with two or more years of clinical experience to practice without a written or electronic practice agreement until the end of the public health emergency. No application is needed to practice under these temporary regulations.
Support VCNP’s 2021 legislation
During the 2021 General Assembly session and with the support of Del. Dawn Adams, VCNP is introducing HB 1737, which reduces from five to two the number of years of clinical experience an NP must have to be eligible to practice without a written or electronic practice agreement.
We need your help now! Please reach out to your legislators, and ask them to sign on as co-sponsors of HB 1737. It’s also never too early to ask for their support of this legislation.
Apply for autonomous practice 
Until HB 1737 passes, the five-year requirement for autonomous practice remains in effect. Even if autonomous practice won’t help in your current job, legislators will be looking at these numbers as they consider future legislation. Please submit your application, and show your support for NPs in Virginia.
If you have questions or need assistance with the application process, contact staff.
Share your autonomous practice stories
Have you received your autonomous practice license? Have you been able to practice under the temporary 2-year regulations during the state of emergency? We need your stories! Let us know why you applied, how autonomous practice is impacting your practice and why you think it’s important for other NPs to apply. Send your stories – and a photo if you have one.
Free clinics meet critical need in Virginia
Did you know there are more than 60 free clinics serving more than 60,000 patients across Virginia? 96% of these clinics offer pharmacy and medical services while 54% provide dental services and 24% offer behavioral health services. Clinics operate with 14 volunteers for every one paid staff member.
Register for racial equity in healthcare webinar
Registration is now open for “Moving toward Racial Equity in Healthcare,” a virtual CE program led by Dr. Kristina Johnson, assistant professor of family medicine at UVA, on Monday, December 7 from 7-8 pm. There is no charge for VCNP members. Cost is $25 for non-members.
Acknowledge an important year in your NP career
To ensure that Virginia’s legislators continue hearing from NPs, we need your help! Recognize an important year in your NP career, and consider making a one-time or recurring monthly donation to VCNP’s PAC in that amount. Maybe it’s the year you graduated or the year you received your DNP or autonomous practice license.
With the surge in COVID-19 cases, I know many of us are feeling exhausted and overwhelmed. I hope you can find time to relax and recharge in the coming weeks. I’m thankful for your efforts and dedication to our profession. As always, please let me know how VCNP can be a resource for you. Best wishes for a safe, happy and healthy Thanksgiving.
Becky Compton, DNP, RN, FNP-BC
President, VCNP Board of Directors
vcnppresident@gmail.com