A Note from Your VCNP President
If you didn’t get a chance to respond to the survey we posted on our social media channels last week, please take 2 minutes and let us know how you’re improving access to health care in Virginia. We hope to use this information when talking with legislators and as we prepare for the 2022 General Assembly session.
Licensure changes as of July 1
Beginning July 1, NPs with at least two years of clinical experience are eligible to apply for autonomous practice licensure, thanks to the success of House Bill 1737. Assuming the state of emergency ends on June 30 as Governor Northam has indicated, this means Virginia’s NPs will no longer be able to practice without a practice agreement or autonomous practice licensure as of July 1. If you have at least two years of clinical experience (equivalent to 3,600 hours), you have two options –
  • Apply for autonomous practice licensure
  • Re-enter a practice agreement
 
If you have at least five years of practice experience and haven’t already submitted your application, please apply now.
For NPs with 2+ years experience, although we are waiting for the Board of Nursing to update the autonomous practice application, we encourage you to begin collecting information now. The BON has indicated it will begin accepting applications on June 15, which is important for NPs who will not have a practice agreement in place on July 1. The BON has also indicated it will provide an updated application by mid-June, which will be available on the BON website.
Graduation time
Congratulations “Merv” (Mary W.) Baldecchi, MS, BSN, RN, CCRC, on her graduation from VCU’s adult-gerontology primary care NP program.
 
If you’re graduating from an NP or DNP program this spring, send us your name, credentials and program you’re graduating from so we can recognize you in future VCNP communications. Don’t forget to send a photo if you have one. Contact alissa@commonwealth-pr.com.
 
Virginia lifts mask mandates, capacity and social distancing requirements
Governor Northam has lifted Virginia’s mask mandate for fully vaccinated individuals except in healthcare settings, schools, public transportation and congregate settings. Businesses retain the right to require mask usage for staff and customers. People who are unvaccinated or not fully-vaccinated are strongly encouraged to wear masks in all settings.
 
Governor Northam lifted capacity and social distancing restrictions last Friday, May 28. Virginia’s state of emergency will remain in place at least through June 30 to provide flexibility for local government and support ongoing COVID-19 vaccination efforts.
 
Virginia vaccine updates
As of June 2, more than 3.8 million Virginians had been fully vaccinated, and more than 4.6 million Virginians had received one dose. Every person 12 years and older in the United States is now eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, although only the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine has received emergency authorization for anyone under age 18.
 
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.
VCNP members in the news
Judy Jenks, DNP, FNP-BC was featured on WFXR Channel 27 Good Morning News this spring about her medial cannabis telehealth service.
Kathleen Putnam, PhD, WHNP-BC shared highlights from her career during this recent "Living in the Heart of Virginia" interview.
Support VCNP’s PAC
To ensure Virginia’s legislators continue hearing our voice, please consider making a donation to VCNP’s PAC. Thanks to the Northern Virginia region for its recent donation. You can make a recurring or one-time donation at www.vcnp.net/pac. 
Share your autonomous practice stories
Have you applied for autonomous practice under the current 5-year experience requirement? Have you been able to practice under Executive Order 57’s temporary regulations? Do you plan to apply under the 2-year experience requirement? Do you own your own practice? We want to hear from you! Let us know how autonomous licensure is or will impact your practice and why you think it’s important for other NPs to apply. Send your stories – and a photo if you have one - to alissa@commonwealth-pr.com.
I hope you were able to relax and enjoy some time with family and friends over the Memorial Day weekend. Please let me know how VCNP can continue to be a resource for you. Thank you for all you do!
Becky Compton, DNP, RN, FNP-BC
President, VCNP Board of Directors
vcnppresident@gmail.com