A Note from Your VCNP President
Thanks to everyone who has sent questions and applied for autonomous practice licensure under the new regulations. As a reminder, Virginia’s state of emergency ended on June 30 so all NPs must now have a practice agreement or autonomous practice licensure. As of July 6, there were 1,289 NPs with this licensure in the commonwealth!
 
NPs with at least two years of clinical experience (equivalent to 3,600 hours) are eligible to apply for autonomous practice licensure. Note that 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 license until your next license renewal.
Share your autonomous practice stories
Have you applied for autonomous practice? We want to hear from you! 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.
 
New PAC year begins
The new PAC fiscal year began on July 1. Start the year off with a BANG and sign up for monthly donations, which can start at $5/month and be automatically deducted from your account. One-time donations are welcome too!
 
Thanks to Sharon Simon (NOVA) and Carole Everhart (Southwest) for making the final donations of the 2020-2021 year and to Jonathan Messing (NOVA) for making the first donation of the new fiscal year.
 
VCNP uses these funds to support members of the insurance and health committees in Virginia’s Senate and House of Delegates. Donate at www.vcnp.net/pac.
 
VDH updates
The Virginia Department of Health recently shared updates about:
  • Myocarditis and pericarditis following mRNA COVID-19 vaccine
  • Monoclonal antibody update
  • Updates on the Delta and Epsilon variants
  • New CDC viral testing tool
  • Preparing for heat-related illness
Calling pediatric primary care providers: help advocate for pediatric mental health resources
Virginia Mental Health Access Program is looking for primary care providers who treat children and adolescents to provide insights on the mental health of children as the fall school year approaches. The Virginia Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics is leading this effort in coordination with a number of organizations including DBHDS, MSVF and VMAP. These results will help advocate for funding and resources dedicated to the mental health of Virginia’s pediatric patients.
Vaccine resources for providers and patients
Dr. Daniel Carey, Virginia’s Secretary for Health and Human Resources, is offering new resources to encourage medical professionals to address patient concerns and answer questions regarding the COVID-19 vaccine. The VDH can help facilitate these conversations through Teletown Halls. The VDH is also allowing providers to order the vaccine in small quantities. For more information, read this letter.
 
Virginia vaccine updates
The CDC continues to recommend COVID-19 vaccination for everyone 12 years of age and older, given the risk of COVID-19 illness and related, possibly severe, complications.
 
As of July 6, more than 4.3 million Virginians had been fully vaccinated, and more than 5 million Virginians had received one dose. Please encourage your patients, family and friends to use Virginia’s centralized system to preregister for free COVID-19 vaccines – online at vaccinate.virginia.gov or by phone at 877-VAX-INVA (829-4682). 
A web site helps individuals locate clinics, pharmacies and other locations that are offering vaccines in their area. Visit www.vaccinefinder.org.
Calling WHNPs: Volunteer to represent NPs in Virginia
As part of our effort to increase the visibility of NPs in Virginia, VCNP is assembling a list of NP volunteers who may be interested in serving on local and state-wide boards. We are currently looking for a WHNP to serve on the Maternal Health Data Task Force. If you would like to be considered for this position or future board service, please send your name, professional interests, work location and specialty to vcnpgovernmentrelations@gmail.com.
 
Members in the news
Patrice Malena received the 2021 Virginia Women Veterans Lifetime of Service Award for exceptional service to the veteran community at the Virginia Women Veterans Virtual Summit in June. Patrice is a certified FNP and served as the Women Veterans Program Manager at the Hampton VA Medical Center from 2012-2020.
As we settle into the heat of the summer, I hope you were able to take time for yourself over the holiday weekend. VCNP is your professional organization so please let me know how VCNP can be a resource for you. Thank you for your dedication to your patients and our profession.
Becky Compton, DNP, RN, FNP-BC
President, VCNP Board of Directors
vcnppresident@gmail.com