Note from Your VCNP President
Virginia will move into Phase 3 of its reopening plan on Wednesday, July 1. While the cap on large gatherings will rise to 250, and restaurants and nonessential retail businesses will be able to operate at full capacity, appropriate social distancing and staying home when possible are still encouraged. Virginia’s indoor mask mandate remains in effect.

If you’re looking for resources to share with patients, friends or family members regarding masks, visit these web sites: 
CDC
VDH work group
VCNP was recently asked to participate in a Virginia Department of Health work group regarding credentialing. The first meeting will be held in Richmond on July 6. VCNP members Jeremy Kellems and Katie Page will represent our organization. If you have questions about credentialing or information you’d like VCNP to share, please contact us.

Medicaid/CHIP Provider Relief Fund payment forms and guidance
HHS expects to distribute $15 billion to eligible Medicaid/CHIP programs or Medicaid managed care plans. The payment to each provider will be at least 2% of reported gross revenue from patient care; the final amount each provider receives will be determined after the data is submitted including information about the number of Medicaid patients providers serve. Data must be submitted by July 20.
How can Executive Order 57 benefit you?
If you meet the requirements under Executive Order 57, you are able to volunteer without a collaborative agreement and may be able to provide telehealth services through your employer or one of the telehealth companies that serve Virginia. This order, which allows NPs with two or more years of clinical experience to practice without a collaborative agreement during Virginia’s state of emergency, also allows you to take on new roles outside of your current one and to continue practicing if your collaborating physician retires, moves or passes away. The order remains in effect through September 8.

If you’re able to practice autonomously because of this order, please let us know. We’d like to share these examples with the Board of Nursing and our legislators as we continue to promote the safety and value of NP-provided care.
Assistance with autonomous practice licensure applications
Do you have questions about the autonomous practice licensure process, completing the application, or how this licensure will impact your practice? Contact vcnp@vcnp.net to be connected with a VCNP member who will answer your questions and guide you through the application process.

If you’ve received your license, please share your photo and 1-2 sentences about why you applied for use in future VCNP communications.
Diversity resources
As we remain committed to supporting our brown and black colleagues and patients, we’re providing the following resources. Please share additional resources that may be helpful to your NP colleagues.

VCNP’s on Instagram
In addition to VCNP’s Facebook, Twitter and YouTube accounts, we now have a presence on Instagram. Follow us @vcnpmembers.

And if you haven’t subscribed to our YouTube channel be sure to do so. If you have suggestions for future video topics or are interested in becoming VCNP’s next video star, contact us.
Photos needed
We want to share photos of our members at work, with colleagues, or volunteering in the community. If there are other people in your photo, please confirm that you can share their image, and identify who is in the photo. Please do not send photos that include patients.
As essential workers, I know the last few months are impacting each of you differently. Be sure to take time for yourself, reach out to your NP colleagues for assistance, and let me know how VCNP can continue to be a resource for you. Thank you for your commitment to our profession.
Becky Compton, DNP, RN, FNP-BC
President, VCNP Board of Directors