A note from your VCNP President |
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The General Assembly is in session, and we need your help to ensure Virginia’s legislators hear from NPs! Make your voices heard during the Virginia Nurses Association virtual lobby days – this Wednesday, January 26 & next Wednesday, February 2. Don’t miss this opportunity to advocate for our profession. You don’t need to be a VNA member to participate. |
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What is the cost of NP practice to you? During the 2022 General Assembly session, we need your PAC donations to support legislators who support NP practice. Donate today so NPs can continue providing greater access to care for your patients, families and friends.
Thanks to these members for their recent donations – Lauren Adams (Blue Ridge), Ann S. McQueen Blair (Piedmont), Carola Bruflat (NOVA), Laurie Buchwald (Blue Ridge), Maribeth Capuno (Blue Ridge), Patricia Cox (Blue Ridge), Christine Daley (Peninsula), Sherrie Doss (Blue Ridge), Lillian Facka (Richmond), Monique Farrington (Tidewater), Laurie Anne Ferguson-Parker (Southwest), Erin Frye (Richmond), Kelly Godsey (Piedmont), Anna Gyurjyan (Peninsula), Patrice Hutton (NOVA), Beth Jaeger-Landis (Piedmont), Judy Jenks (Blue Ridge), Dana Jones-Sheppard (NOVA), Jennifer Kilel (Lynchburg), Brenda Kozak (Lynchburg), Stephanie May (Blue Ridge), Erin Morris (Shenandoah), Olivia Newby (Tidewater), Helen Parke (Lynchburg), Kasey Saunders (Shenandoah), Shaela Shifflett (Piedmont), Kimberly Southam-Gerow (Richmond), Kelly Szerenyi (NOVA), Adrian Thacker (Southwest), Pamela Tetro (Piedmont), Teresa Tyson (Southwest), Beth White (Piedmont), Helen Willis (Richmond), Robin Wright (Blue Ridge), and Paula Wypych (NOVA).
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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General Assembly updates
VCNP is monitoring multiple NP-specific bills this year including HB 1245, which makes permanent the two-year requirement for autonomous practice licensure. If HB 1245 does not pass, NPs are at risk of returning to a five-year autonomous practice requirement. This could force some NPs to restructure practices and find a new collaborating physician. Patients could also lose their NP providers.
If you missed our recent legislative action email, it’s not too late to ask your legislators for their support.
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Watch your email for additional updates and requests to contact your legislators, especially members of the House and Senate health committees. |
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VCNP in the News
In the January 20 edition of the Richmond Times-Dispatch, I wrote an opinion piece discussing reasons to support VCNP’s legislative agenda.
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This weekend, January 28-30, Kim Bednar, VCNP’s Government Relations Chair, and I will be featured in a 30-minute interview on the Virginia News Network. This radio interview will air on more than 40 stations across Virginia. Find your station below or watch for a link to listen to the interview next week. |
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Get involved with VCNP in 2022
Want to help advance NP practice in Virginia? Looking for professional development opportunities or ways to network with your colleagues? Volunteer for a VCNP committee! In the coming weeks we will share information about each of VCNP’s committees. This week, learn about the Government Relations committee. Contact vcnp@vcnp.net to get involved or learn more.
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Chaired by Kim Bednar, DNP, FNP, the Government Relations Committee works to support VCNP’s mission by strengthening the role of NPs in the delivery of quality health care in the Commonwealth through legislative and regulatory advocacy. The committee develops VCNP’s legislative agenda, monitors legislative and regulatory policy and makes recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding legislative action by VCNP. The committee also identifies an appropriate speaker to present at VCNP’s annual conference on a topic of legislative relevance.
- Regular time obligation: Monthly meetings on the fourth Monday at 7 p.m.
- Committee members are responsible for sharing updates regarding legislation with their regions and encouraging their regional members to contact legislators and participate in Calls for Legislative Action. Committee members are often recruited to provide or assist in finding regional members to provide testimony during Virginia General Assembly. Committee members also organize and coordinate annual legislative receptions, work with the Public Relations committee during NP week to obtain proclamations and participate in or help organize any regional during NP week.
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Nominate a stellar NP by January 30
Nominations are open for this year’s NP awards. The following awards will be presented at VCNP’s conference in March - Distinguished NP, Founder’s Award, Education Award, NP Advocate Award and Rising Star Award. Deadline to apply is January 30.
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Register for VCNP conference
Have you registered for VCNP’s conference at the Omni Homestead Resort March 2-5? Hear about the latest advances in acute care, pediatrics, women’s health, mental health and more during breakout sessions, and learn from keynote speakers about topics including opioid therapy, racial disparity, COVID, and professional issues. Register today before breakout sessions and workshops are full. COVID vaccines are strongly encouraged for all attendees.
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If you haven’t made your hotel reservations, please reserve your room as soon as possible. The VCNP room block is almost sold out. |
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Autonomous practice
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. As of January 5, there were 1,857 NPs with this licensure. You’re eligible to apply if you have at least two years of clinical experience (equivalent to 3,600 hours).
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Have you been able to practice autonomously under the two-year regulation? If you’re willing to share your story either with legislators and/or the media, please contact alissa@commonwealth-pr.com. You can remain anonymous as well.
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January 31 deadline to 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 through January 31.
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I hope to see you at VCNP’s conference in March. It will be a wonderful opportunity for professional development and networking with colleagues. Please let me know how VCNP can be a resource for you. |
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Becky Compton, DNP, RN, FNP-BC
President, VCNP Board of Directors
vcnppresident@gmail.com
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