A note from your VCNP President
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Did you know you can apply for autonomous practice licensure without a physician signature on your attestation form? Official employment records, military service records, Medicare or Medicaid reimbursement records, or other similar records that verify full-time clinical practice in the category for which an NP is certified and licensed can be provided in situations where you are unable to provide a physician signature.
 
Even if autonomous practice won’t benefit you in your current job, applying is an investment in you and the NP profession – and sends a message to legislators about the importance of this licensure. You’re eligible to apply if you have at least two years of clinical experience (equivalent to 3,600 hours).
Virginia NP Practice
The Virginia Department of Health recently shared updates and information about
  • FDA and CDC expand eligibility for COVID-19 booster doses to all adults
  • CDC updates vaccine guidance for people who received COVID-19 vaccine outside the U.S. and people who received COVID-19 vaccine as part of a clinical trial
  • Vaccine administration errors with pediatric COVID-19 vaccine
  • VDH releases new monoclonal antibody locator tool and provides additional updates
VCNP News
Make conference hotel reservations now
The hotel room block at the Omni Homestead Resort is open for VCNP’s March 2022 conference. Please make your hotel reservations as soon as possible as the VCNP group room block may sell out quickly.
Conference registration will open soon. Stay tuned for details.
NP Week updates

NP Week was held Nov. 7-13 with recognitions in many VCNP regions.

PHOTO: All active Tidewater members received two VCNP vinyl stickers to promote their profession and VCNP.
This year’s theme was “NPs: Going the Extra Mile.” Be sure to follow VCNP on social media to see some of our members at work – and keep sharing your “at work” photos!
VCNP PAC
VCNP continues to work to improve health care for all Virginians and move NP practice forward in the Commonwealth. To ensure that our PAC remains healthy, we need your support. Your donations support legislators who champion NP practice and help advance the NP profession in Virginia.
 
If you weren’t able to donate during this week’s Giving Tuesday campaign, make your donation now! Sign up for monthly donations, which can start at $5/month and be automatically deducted from your account. One-time donations are welcome too!
Important Reminders - NP Practice
Submit conference poster presentations by Dec. 10
The call for poster presentations is open for the 2022 VCNP conference, scheduled for March 2-5 at The Omni Homestead Resort. Submit your poster presentations by Dec. 10.
Help support 2022 legislation
VCNP plans to introduce legislation during the 2022 General Assembly that seeks to make permanent the two-year requirement for autonomous practice. (Last year’s bill was passed with the stipulation that it would be reviewed in 2022.) We are looking for NPs who have been able to practice autonomously under the two-year regulation.
Apply for Nursing Preceptor Incentive Program
The General Assembly established the Nursing Preceptor Incentive Program to provide financial incentives for practitioners who serve as otherwise uncompensated preceptors for APRN students. By participating in this program, preceptors will help solidify future funding for preceptors of NPs in both primary and specialty areas. Registration is open now, and only one registration is needed per school year.
Share your stories
As of Dec. 1, there were 1,799 NPs with autonomous licenses in Virginia! If you’re one of them, let us know why you applied and why you think it’s important for other NPs to do so. Send your stories and a photo for use in future VCNP communications.
With the arrival of cold and flu season and another COVID variant, I know many of us will continue to be challenged at work. During this season of giving, I hope you’ll give yourself the gift of rest and relaxation as often as possible. Thank you for your commitment to your patients and our profession.
Becky Compton, DNP, RN, FNP-BC
President, VCNP Board of Directors
vcnppresident@gmail.com