President's Message

I am glad I belong to my professional organizations, especially NAPNAP, to keep me informed of the "broader picture of health care & the role of the nurse practitioner."  As a NP in a busy private practice, I very often get totally immersed in the day to day - trying to convince Mothers to vaccinate their daughters against HPV, encouraging healthy eating of at least 4 fruits and vegetables a day, as well as supporting the tearful new Mother as she doubts her ability to breastfeed her newborn. These encounters are important and I feel I can make a difference.  But I must not lose sight of the events that are occurring outside my daily routine. Because some day those events may affect my role and also your role as a NP. I represented our chapter at the recent leadership meeting of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners this past September 29th. Two issues discussed included the Doctor of Nursing Practice initiative and Standards for Nurse Practitioner Practice in retail based clinics. Yes, I have some conflicting feelings on both these issues.

As Nurse Practitioners we need to play a role in the changing landscape of health care. Accessible and affordable health care for children needs to continue to be our goal. NPs need to continue to show how we can successfully address these goals. Our professional organizations allow our individual voices to become collective and effect change. So join locally and on a national level so you can be a part of changing the landscape of health care. And let your NP voice be heard!

"As Nurse Practitioners we need to play a role in the changing landscape of health care"

I want to share another reflection as we enter the holiday season and as we get busy with family and social obligations and activities. When I was attending an asthma training session last month, a participant approached me at the break. She said "Jan, I have always wanted to meet you and say thanks..." These encounters throw me because my almost 50 year old brain "rolodex" isn't as fast as it used to be, and I was frantically trying to place the name and face with no success. She went on to say we had never actually met but had only talked on the phone about 10 years ago. Again, I felt lost, not recalling the call at all. She continued: "I was at a difficult time in my life, especially my career as an economist was not what I wanted and I was in the midst of career counseling. My assignment was to interview people in different jobs." She continued to share how she had called me and we talked for about 45 minutes about my job as a NP. To make a long story short, she went back to school to be a NP and has been a practicing women's health NP for the past 5 years. I would be lying if I told you I could remember our conversation but it did make me feel good I was a catalyst for someone's career as an NP. But what did impress me was that she shared that with me.  So, in the spirit of the holidays, when we take a break from dinner meetings, take a moment and think of a NP who impacted your life. It could be a NP who mentored you through school or the NP who cared for you or your kids.  And reach out and say thanks! Share with them how they were special to you.

Sincerely,

Jan Dalby, President, Virginia Chapter of NAPNAP