A note from your VCNP President |
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VCNP is planning to introduce legislation during the upcoming General Assembly session to make permanent the two-year regulation for autonomous practice. If you are eligible to apply but have not submitted your application, we want to know how the process can be improved and what is preventing you from applying. Responses will be confidential. Please share your feedback with vcnp@vcnp.net.
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VDH updates
The Virginia Department of Health recently shared updates about:
- CDC recommends a booster dose of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine following a primary series for certain populations
- COVID-19 vaccination and pregnancy
- Vaccination for children aged 5 to 11 Years
- Update on monoclonal antibody treatment for COVID-19 distribution
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COVID-19 boosters
Last week the FDA authorized COVID-19 booster shots for adults 65 and older, individuals age 18-64 at high risk of severe COVID-19 and individuals age 18-64 who are at high risk through institutional or occupational exposure. This authorization applies only to individuals who completed their Pfizer-BioNTech primary vaccine series at least six months earlier. A booster dose is not yet recommended for individuals who received Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccines.
As of September 30, more than 5.1 million Virginians had been fully vaccinated, and more than 5.7 million Virginians had received one dose.
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Meet our DNP scholarship winners
Congratulations to Morgan McDowell, MSN, AGPCNP-BC, WHNP-BC, and Alysia Pack, DNP(c), APRN, FNP-C, this year’s DNP scholarship winners. Morgan is the Lynchburg Region president, and Alysia is the Tidewater Region president. Watch for information about the 2022 scholarship next summer.
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Morgan McDowell, MSN, AGPCNP-BC, WHNP-BC |
“VCNP has meant a lot to me as a new NP in a new job and in a new town,” Morgan said. “I was quickly able to meet and network with other NPs in my area and then across the state with the VCNP Conference. I hope to use this scholarship to further advance my career as an NP and a future educator.” |
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Alysia Pack, DNP(c), APRN, FNP-C
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“This scholarship will influence my ability to better serve the needs of our NP profession through advocacy, education, leadership and practice,” said Alysia. “If nursing’s courageous pioneer, Florence Nightingale, were reading these words today- I’d tell her this honor will not be wasted ‘but distilled into actions, actions which bring results’." |
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PAC Challenge thanks
Thanks to everyone who donated to VCNP’s PAC during the membership renewal period. Although you can donate to the PAC at any time, there are targeted times during the year when we ask for your contributions. Your donations support legislators who champion NP practice and help advance the NP profession in Virginia.
Sign up for monthly donations, which can start at $5/month and be automatically deducted from your account. One-time donations are welcome too!
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Free VDH COVID webinars
The VDH is hosting a series of free webinars this fall about topics related to COVID-19. CE credits are available.
Webinar are scheduled for:
Join the webinars at:
Oct. 6 - Dial In: 1-408-418-9388, Meeting Number: 132 916 5219, Webex Webinar Link: Click here to join
Oct. 20 – Dial In: +1-408-418-9388, Meeting Number: 132 605 3945, Webex Webinar Link: Click Here to Join
Nov. 3- Dial In: +1-408-418-9388, Meeting Number: 132 936 7287, Webex Webinar Link: Click Here to Join
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Help us get to 2,000
As of last week, 1,635 NPs in Virginia have received their autonomous practice licenses! You’re eligible to apply if you have at least two years of clinical experience (equivalent to 3,600 hours). Help us reach 2,000 licenses by December 31!
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You will not receive an email when your license is approved. To check the status of your application, log in to your online account about 4-6 weeks after submission. You will not receive a new printed license until your next license renewal. |
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Share your autonomous practice stories
If you’ve applied for or received your autonomous practice license, let us know why you applied, how autonomous licensure will impact your practice and why you think it’s important for other NPs to apply. Send your stories – and a photo – to alissa@commonwealth-pr.com for use in future VCNP communications.
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VCNP’s membership year ended on September 30. If you haven’t renewed your membership, I hope you will do so today. I look forward to what the future holds for NPs and hope you will continue to partner with us through your membership. |
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Becky Compton, DNP, RN, FNP-BC
President, VCNP Board of Directors
vcnppresident@gmail.com
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