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Virginia Chapter of NAPNAP > President's Message
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4/29/2008
I don't know who said the quote, but I am frequently reminded of in my professional life, "If there is one thing certain in life it is change." How true!! Having been a PNP for over 12 years there sure have been many. Just take the immunization schedule as one example. And one of my most challenging changes recently has been our office's conversion to an electronic medical record. I bring up the topic of change because the NAPNAP organization is proposing some changes as well. Recently as a chapter president I participated in a telephone survey from an independent consulting group on my thought about unification. Unification as I understand it is the concept that all national members are automatically chapter members as well. I don't want to bore you with my thoughts on this change. But NAPNAP is interested in hearing from YOU to see if this is the best for its membership. So make your voice heard. Email national your thoughts. On the www.napnap.org site there is an opportunity to provide confidential information to the consultant.
I applaud our organization for taking such steps to allow the membership to provide input. But the responsibility is now with you. Will this make NAPNAP better for you? The call to action is open until March 30th. I hope everyone in the Virginia chapter voices their thoughts. You can also share your opinions with me or Kris and we will share them at the Chapter President's meeting at the National Meeting in Nashville.
I hope to see some of you in Nashville in April. Please email me at dalbyjn@comcast.net to let me know if you plan to be there. I would love to have us get together. My parents also live in Nashville so if you need some insider information just let me know. Please take time while you are there to explore the area, it is a fun town.
This spring is elections for chapter officers and available positions include president elect (from the Richmond area), and a treasurer. We would love to hear from you if you have any interest.
Sincerely,
Jan Dalby, VA Chapter President 1/22/2008
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!
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"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 |
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