Spotlight on NPs highlights exciting achievements and activities of American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) members.

AANP Colorado State Representative Dr. Michelle Edwards was featured by Elsevier as a Nurse Leader. Edwards told Elsevier, “Without question, the future for nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and other advanced practice providers (APPs) is quite promising. The demand for these providers has never been higher, and not without good reason. There is substantial evidence to show APPs increase patient satisfaction and have patient outcomes equivalent or superior to physician outcomes in primary care. And when deployed strategically, APPs not only expand the therapeutic reach of the care team through improved access, they add revenue to the bottom line! The value of the APP role is undeniable.” Read more.

Congratulations to AANP Fellow Dr. Scharmaine Baker, who recently received a 2018 Primary Care Community/Research Leadership Award from the Patient-Centered Primary Care Collaborative. Baker was recognized for starting “the first nurse practitioner-owned house call practice in Louisiana in order to improve access to primary care.” She authored Housecalls 101, “a best-selling book, that outlines how to start a successful house call practice. Nurse.org published an article about Baker and her “Nola the Nurse” children’s book collection. They also discussed her efforts to care for patients affected by Hurricane Katrina.

Congratulations to AANP Louisiana State Representative Dr. Sattaria Dilks, who will soon become president-elect of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA). According to a press release, Dilks will begin her term of office in late October.

AANP President Dr. Joyce Knestrick wrote several timely blogs that were recently published by 30 Seconds and Thrive.

• Prostate Cancer: They Symptoms & Stats That Men Need to Know!
• Childhood Obesity: Here Are 4 Easy Steps to Help Your Child Fight Obesity
• Childhood Obesity: 4 Signs Your Child’s Obesity Is Doing More Damage Than You Think
• Chronic Pain Is Not All in Your Head: 5 Ways It Can Change Your Life
• Breast Cancer Facts: 7 Things You May Not Know About Breast Cancer
• Halloween Safety: 4 Ways to Make Fall Traditions Kid-Friendly
• We Need More Than Breast Cancer Awareness: How to Use What You Know to Save Your Life
• Health Education Saves Lives: 3 Conversations Everyone Should Have with Their Provider
• It’s Not All in Your Genes: 5 Ways to Lower Your Breast Cancer Risk
• Are You Practicing Good Lung Health? Here Are 5 Tips to Help You Breathe Easier!

Before Congress passed H.R. 6, the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act, AANP Indiana State Representative Angela Thompson was quoted in an article about the bill. Thompson urged legislators to, “Retire that sunset clause so it would be indefinitely that nurse practitioners and physician assistants could provide those services.”

Karen Bensinger and Nancy Crane-Roberts are AANP members who were among the authors of a recent article about ways that full practice authority for NPs in Pennsylvania could help patients. According to the authors, “There is overwhelming evidence that full scope of practice for nurse practitioners would improve health in Pennsylvania. A report by the Bay Area Council Economic Institute and Duke University School of Law concluded that granting Pennsylvania’s nurse practitioners full-practice authority would benefit Pennsylvanians by increasing access to comparable or better health care at lower costs and would save at least $6.4 billion within the next 10 years.”

Congratulations to AANP member Sandra “Sam” Christensen (pictured below), who recently received the Dr. Raymond E. Dietz Meritorious Service Award from the Obesity Medicine Association (OMA). The award recognizes an individual who has made continuing contributions to OMA. As an advocate for the OMA and for her patients, she always takes the initiative and puts her heart into projects, most recently: helping to develop the primary care obesity certificate program for NPs and PAs. Christensen and AANP Fellow Dr. Angela Golden were both invited speakers at the Obesity Medicine Summit held in Washington, D.C.

Daily Nurse published an article about ways to honor veterans with innovative nursing care, and AANP member Dr. Shannon Munro was mentioned. Munro and her team have “significantly reduced the risk of developing hospital-acquired pneumonia by providing consistent oral hygiene during hospital admissions,” according to the author.

Advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) may be the answer to the health care provider shortage in Hawaii, according to AANP member Bryan Chin. In his letter to the editor, Chin suggested that health care organizations in Hawaii could establish residency type programs for new NPs to “retain more providers, save on costs and fill the shortage gap, which will otherwise only get larger as our community population grows.”

After Hurricane Florence, health care volunteers like AANP member Leah Stewart helped patients in North Carolina access the care they need. Read more about the relief efforts.

“Patients with type 2 diabetes are at greater risk of cardiovascular disease—they’re 2-3 times more likely to die of heart disease or to have a stroke, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,” MD Magazine reported in an article about cardiovascular outcomes for patients with diabetes. The article quoted AANP member Lucia Novak, who said, “I tell my patients ‘it’s not just about your sugar, sugar. Diabetes to me is heart disease, and so when I’m looking at treating the diabetes I have to take into consideration this underlying heart disease that they likely have.” Novak shared ways that clinicians can help bridge gaps in diabetes care.

AANP member Dr. Olivia Newby was featured in an article about diabetes prevention efforts at her health care clinic. The report said, “A doctor of nursing practice, she is a crusader for diabetes prevention focused on the disproportionally high rate in African Americans. Her Healthy Living Center in Norfolk is one of only five programs in Virginia that has achieved full recognition for diabetes prevention by The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.”

During a local patient education event, AANP member Rachel Gray shared tips to help patients with diabetes and kidney disease thrive. Gray said, “To avoid things like kidney disease, or gastroparesis, try to reduce sugary foods and keep blood pressures normal. Blood sugar is controlled by exercising. If you want to eat cake, a better option would be a sponge cake with some freshly cut fruit on top. Moderation is key.” Read more.

In an article encouraging readers to get their flu shot, AANP member Hannah Anderson told reporters, “There are several reasons people may get sick after receiving the flu shot. It takes two weeks for the vaccine to work, so if you’re exposed to the virus during that time, you can still fall ill.”

A partnership between a local school district and hospital makes it possible for children to receive well-child check-ups, patient education and other health care services from a clinic at their elementary school. Healthy children learn better, according to an article about the clinic, which featured AANP member Anne Norwood. Learn more.

Spotlight on NPs highlights exciting achievements and activities of American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) members.

Congratulations to AANP Fellow Dr. Scharmaine Baker and AANP member Capt. Beverly Dandridge who were recently honored by the National Black Nurses Association (NBNA). Baker received the Nurse Entrepreneur of the Year Award and Dandridge was recognized as the Uniformed Services Nurse of the Year. Learn more.

A comprehensive educational program designed to combat opioid overdose was developed by AANP Fellow Dr. Gina Dahlem and highlighted by The Michigan Daily. Dahlem said, “We have an opioid epidemic and naloxone is an antidote. To reverse it, we need people alive, therefore I believe training to have people respond to overdose has made a huge impact in the counties. Our motto is, ‘Dead people do not recover.’”

In a meet the expert blog post for Mayo Clinic, AANP Fellow Dr. Amanda Chaney discussed her work related to liver transplants. Chaney also shared information about her partnership with Mayo Clinic’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion and said, “I want other nurse practitioners and physician assistants to know there is so much more opportunity to make a difference than just your day job; including quality improvement work, education, and research.”

Congratulations to Dr. Kathleen Broglio, an AANP member who received the 2018 National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) award and was recently interviewed by AANP. Learn more about Broglio’s experience as a NIDA grant recipient, and apply for the 2019 NIDA grant opportunity by October 17.

A recent discussion paper on ways to implement optimal team-based care to reduce clinician burnout was co-authored by AANP Fellow Dr. Susan Corbridge. The authors concluded that “High-functioning health care teams come in a variety of compositions, yet all possess key features that make them successful. High-functioning teams have tremendous potential to promote clinician well-being, which is foundational to effective and efficient health care.” You may also access additional information about the National Academy of Medicine’s Action Collaborative on Clinician Well-Being and Resilience and resources for clinicians.

AANP President Dr. Joyce Knestrick wrote several blogs for 30 Seconds.

• Flood Waters: What You Need to Know About the Health Risks from Flooding
• Female Cancers: 4 Facts About Ovarian Cancer Every Woman Should Know
• The Hurt of Chronic Pain: 5 Reasons Why It Is Often Misunderstood

Congratulations to AANP Fellow Dr. Carolyn Montoya, who recently received a Zia Award from the University of New Mexico Alumni Association in recognition of tremendous accomplishments that have made a significant positive impact on the university, her community and beyond. Learn more.

AANP Fellow Dr. Diane Snow was among the guest editors of the Journal of Addictions Nursing’s special edition on nursing and the opioid crisis. In a guest editorial, Snow shared clinical pearls that could help improve outcomes for patients who use opioids. Snow concluded, “We each bear a responsibility to take action to address opioid problems wherever we work, wherever we have influence.” Read a press release about the special edition.

Get your flu shots now, AANP member Kayla Johnson urged readers of the Times Free Press. Johnson said, “The flu is more than just a ‘bad cold.’ Many people are hospitalized and/or die from the flu every year.” Read more.

AANP member Dr. Virginia Prendergast knew that she wanted to be a nurse when she toured a hospital at the age of five. Forty years ago, Prendergast began working for that hospital where she now heads a special team of neuroscience nurses. Learn more about Prendergast’s passion for nursing.

How do you take over management of a patient whose previous clinician prescribed high-dose opioids? AANP member Theresa Mallick-Searle drew upon her more than 15 years of experience in pain management to answer that question for readers of Practical Pain Management. Read Mallick-Searle’s recommendations.

Congratulations to AANP Fellow Dr. Bernadette Melnyk, who was recently awarded one of two 2018 Hillman Emergent Innovation grants. Melnyk is the principal investigator for a study that will examine ways to turn sick care into well care for homebound older adults and their pets. Learn more about the grant.

AANP member Lonnie Orman was highlighted in the Muskogee Phoenix for his work to nurture others both as a nurse practitioner and as a pastor. Orman said that he became an NP because he “… wanted to be a provider of care, not only a caregiver.”

Spotlight on NPs highlights exciting achievements and activities of American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) members.

Opioid overdose awareness was the subject of a talk that kicked off a new Penn State Shenango Nursing Program lecture series. AANP member Dr. Joan Humphrey was among the presenters and said, “With the ever-increasing concern about opioid overdose in our area, we feel it is so important to continue to bring awareness to our community. If hearing what one of us has to say can help save or give support to someone who is addicted or to someone whose loved one is suffering because of opioid abuse, then we have done our job as health care and emergency care providers and will continue to hold these types of programs until this epidemic is no longer an issue.” Learn more.

Congratulations to AANP member Michelle Anderson, who was recently voted the best doctor of Bonner County Idaho for the fifth year in a row in a contest conducted by the Bonner County Daily Bee. Anderson owns an NP-led clinic and is the first NP to serve on the board of directors for Bonner General Health. Anderson also received the 2018 AANP Idaho State Award for Excellence NP Advocate Award in June. A snapshot of the recognition is on the left.

AANP President Dr. Joyce Knestrick wrote a Labor Day themed blog for Thrive on indications that your job might be causing excessive stress levels. Read Knestrick’s six signs that job burnout is making you unhealthy.

Congratulations to AANP member Mary Vigeant, who was commended by the New Hampshire Nurse Practitioner Association (NHNPA) for her efforts to “change hospital bylaws to include NPs as fully credentialed medical staff members.” According to NHNPA, Vigeant worked with her colleagues to propose bylaws changes that were recently passed and implemented, allowing NPs to “hold any office within the Medical Staff and to be credentialed as voting members of any Medical Staff committee.” Read more.

Spotlight on NPs highlights exciting achievements and activities of American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) members.

AANP President Dr. Joyce Knestrick wrote several articles recently for the popular blogs 30 Seconds and Thrive.

• Summer Bliss to School Ready: How to Use the Last Days of Summer to Ease the Back-to-School Transition
• Labor Day: Why You Should Celebrate the Holiday By Taking a Break From Work for Your Health!
• Nurse Practitioner Primary Care Provider: How It Can Save You a Lot of Headaches This School Year
• Back to School Means Back to Worrying: Tips to Help Parents Manage the 5 Biggest Health Concerns for their Kids
• Confused About Whether to Immunize Your Child? Talk to Your Provider.

Dr. Cindy Cooke, an AANP Fellow and past president, wrote several articles for the 30 Seconds blog site.

• Primary Care Providers: 5 Reasons People Are Choosing Nurse Practitioners
• First-Day Jitters: How to Help Your Child Cope with Back-to-School Anxiety
• Vaccine Exemptions Threaten Kids Heading Back to School: Here’s What Parents Need to Know
• Parents: Here’s Why Your Child’s Blank Medical Form Is Really a Cry for a Primary Care Provider

The United Nations Foundation’s Shot@Life campaign was highlighted by AANP Fellow Dr. Deborah Gray and Janice Hawkins in an article about ways members of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing are making a global impact one vaccine at a time. Several AANP members have also become Shot@Life Champions. Read more about ways AANP members have supported Shot@Life.

Congratulations to AANP Fellow Dr. Robin Lawson, who recently received a $650,000 grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to launch the BAMA-Care program at the University of Alabama, which will prepare NPs to increase access to care for patients in Alabama. In an article about the program, Lawson said, “We will create longitudinal immersive clinical experiences in rural and underserved areas for our family and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner students to facilitate their employment in those same settings upon graduation.” Lawson was also featured by Daily Nurse as the Nurse of the Week for her work creating BAMA-Care. Listen to the short interview.

AANP member Bradley Bigford shared insights about his house calls business on the Idaho Matters program broadcast by a local NPR station. Bigford explained the importance of removing a variety of barriers to health care access in order to improve patients’ health. Bigford also discussed the NP role and shared information about the services that NPs provide.

Nurse.com highlighted the importance and scarcity of advanced practice nurses (APNs) who specialize in geriatric care and quoted AANP Fellow Dr. Valerie Sabol.  “Nationwide, less than 1 percent of nurses are certified as geriatric nursing specialists and only 10 percent of medical schools require geriatric care training,” Sabol said. “In addition, since changes were made to integrate adult and geriatric populations into one graduate-level NP curriculum, geriatric specialization was eliminated. As a result, the numbers of gerontological specialists, including clinical nurse specialists and nurse practitioners, are dwindling.”

Residencies for NPs were the topic of a Hartford Courant article that quoted AANP President Dr. Joyce Knestrick, AANP Fellow Dr. Margaret Flinter and AANP member Nichole Mitchell. “It’s a very difficult transition to go from excellent nurse practitioner training to full scope-of-practice provider,” said Flinter. “There’s a lot of debate within the [NP] community,” said Knestrick. “We already have good outcomes to show that our current educational system has been effective. So I’m not really sure what the benefit is for residencies.”

Congratulations to AANP Fellows Dr. Teena McGuinness and Tess Judge-Ellis and AANP members Lt. Col. (retired) Jess Colohan and Dr. Brenda Marshall, who are among nine exceptional psychiatric-mental health nurses selected to receive 2018 American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA) Awards. According to a press release, the awardees included “nurses who have served three tours in Iraq, originated a nationally recognized training program on treating schizophrenia, and brought psychiatric-mental health education to rural, underserved areas.”

AANP member Joe Flores was recently interviewed by Johnson & Johnson’s Campaign for Nursing and featured in a Nursing Notes podcast. Flores is both a family nurse practitioner and an attorney focusing on health care law and medical negligence.

In preparation for Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, women in Toledo, Ohio, are being encouraged to sign up for mammograms. “It is always a good idea to talk about it [breast cancer] because you can’t emphasize enough how important it is to be screened,” AANP member Jill Johnson told reporters. “If the breast cancer is caught early, which is the purpose of any screening, the chances of treating it and surviving it are much higher than obviously a late found or an advance stage breast cancer.”

Veronica Southerland is a member with an entrepreneurial spirit. She lost $4 million after changes in the health care landscape sent her home care business spiraling and is building a new business on hydration therapy. Learn more.

Spotlight on NPs highlights exciting achievements and activities of American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) members.

The Center for Health Journalism recently published an article about the ability of NPs to solve the primary care provider shortage in the U.S. The article quoted AANP President Dr. Joyce Knestrick and referenced a study conducted by AANP member Dr. Hilary Barnes. The study examined the “the proportion of NPs, physicians and physician assistants in both rural and nonrural primary care practices from 2008 to 2016. By the end of that period, NPs made up more than 25 percent of providers in rural practices, up from 17.6 percent in 2008.”

Another article about the important role NPs play in delivering primary care quoted AANP Fellow Dr. Mary Jane Hanson. “The human factor is vital…,” said Hanson. “It’s important we see every patient as an individual and respect their belief system. We make it clear that we treat the patient versus just treating disease.”

Congratulations to AANP Fellow Dr. Charon Pierson, who received the The Margaret Comerford Freda Award for Editorial Leadership in Nursing Publication at the 2018 meeting of the International Academy of Nursing Editors. The award recognizes outstanding achievements or contributions by an editor in pursuit of excellence in nursing publication. Dr. Pierson was selected from a field of 12 nominees for the annual award. In presenting the award, INANE officers cited her track record of publishing in her specialty area as well as serving as journal editor, her record of consulting with schools and developing students as authors, and her active involvement and leadership in COPE, the Committee on Publication Ethics. Additional details will be shared soon.

In response to an Op-Ed, AANP member Carol Tanzio wrote a letter to the editor that was published by a local Pennsylvania newspaper. The letter defended the role of nurse practitioners and clarified several points of contention related to prescriptive authority, collaborative agreements and the prescription of controlled substances. Tanzio cited a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Internal Medicine with data that suggested “…NPs are more conservative in prescribing a controlled substance than their physician counterparts.”

A study conducted by AANP member Mary Pasquinelli and others found that national lung cancer screening guidelines are insufficient for minorities. The study was recently published in JAMA Oncology, and it was highlighted in The American Journal of Managed Care. Pasquinelli concluded, “Although lung cancer screening is effective, these data show that the guidelines should incorporate more expansive, risk-based screening in order to address racial disparities in lung cancer outcomes.”

Congratulations to AANP Fellow Dr. Scharmaine Lawson Baker and AANP member Dr. Jessica Harrison who were recognized by Nurse.org for their entrepreneurial efforts to redefine affordable health care. According to the article, Baker is a business owner, clinician, author, publisher and instructor. Harrison is also the owner of an NP-led practice and increases patients’ access to care through telehealth and mobile health visits.

Advanced trauma training was recently provided to National Guardsmen by AANP member Christopher Powe and the Global Training Institute (GTI). Powe is a founding partner of GTI, and according to a local news article about the training, “GTI gives the high speed and intensity that national guardsmen and others in the armed forces have to one day be prepared for. This includes everything from smoke to loud music and even surgery on cadavers in the dark.”

Congratulations to AANP member Dr. Paul Coyne, who was recognized by Becker’s Hospital Review among the Rising Stars: 90 Health Care Leaders Under 40. Coyne co-founded Inspiren, a health care startup that created an artificial intelligence patient safety monitoring and staff engagement platform.

AANP President Dr. Joyce Knestrick wrote a blog for 30 Seconds about immunizations. Read Are Childhood Vaccines Helpful or Harmful? Here Are 4 Things Parents Need to Know!

Amanda Wyatt is an AANP member and clinical nurse specialist in the diabetes management program for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Department of Health working to prevent diabetes for Native Americans. A recent article in the Muskogee Phoenix reported on recent patient education efforts, and Wyatt told them, “We primarily do a lot of coaching of the patients and creating an environment for them where we monitor their physical activities, their coping skills and look at the medications they’re taking — we build a rapport with the patient. If we’re not getting good results, we take a different route.”

A free symposium on tips for advance care planning will feature AANP member Karin McDonald, a palliative care nurse practitioner. According to a press release, topics will include, “advance directives, palliative vs. hospice care, estate planning, funeral and burial options, writing your own obituary and much more.”

Congratulations to AANP Fellow Dr. Chris Winkelman, who was awarded an American Association of Critical-Care Nurses/Sigma Theta Tau Grant titled, Does Nursing Certification Contribute to Implementing Mobility Interventions? Winkelman said she will be attending the AANP National Conference in June 2019 and she “looks forward to participation by the members of AANP to help discover whether certification in a population focus at the advanced nursing practice level influences practice in intensive care units. Additional details will be shared soon.

Nearly 4,000 nurse practitioners (NPs) have come together to make a difference for their patients and profession by sharing health insights through NPInfluence, an online NP panel. NPs have unique experiences and perspectives that need to be distinguished from other health professionals and shared across the health care industry.

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Spotlight on NPs highlights exciting achievements and activities of American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) members.

Forbes shared insights from a study conducted by AANP members Bernadette Fulweiler and Dr. Rita John that found mind-body practices like meditation and yoga may help teens with anxiety. The Forbes article indicated that the authors found, “A growing body of evidence supports the implementation of mind-body practices as a low-risk and cost-effective strategy in the management of adolescents with anxiety. Biofeedback, mindfulness, yoga, and hypnosis are all promising forms of mind and body practices in the battle against rising rates of adolescent anxiety. The literature supports the use of mind and body practices in the home, the classroom, and in clinical settings.” Eureka Alert also published an article about the study and highlighted the important role that NPs play in screening adolescents for anxiety and “creating a personalized plan to combat anxiety, when present.”

AANP President Dr. Joyce Knestrick recently wrote the following blogs for 30 Seconds:

• Shattering Myths About Nurse Practitioners: Why NPs Make Great Primary Care Providers
• The Bug Bites of Summer: 5 Insects You Should Never Ignore

AANP Fellow and recent past president Dr. Cindy Cooke told readers of 30 Seconds that there are several great reasons to opt for a staycation instead of planning a getaway. In addition to saving money, Cooke reassured readers that staycations could be a rewarding and relaxing option.

Congratulations to Sara Kavalauskas, an AANP member who was recently appointed to the American Health Council Board of Nurses. A press release about the appointment commended Kavalauskas for her “clinical proficiency and commitment to patient care during her 19 years in the healthcare industry.”

Preprocedural checklists can improve patient satisfaction in interventional radiology departments, according to a study conducted by AANP member Dr. Valerie White and published in the Journal of Radiology Nursing. Radiology Business reported that White wrote, “Workflow efficiency in interventional radiology is exceptionally challenging because of the mixture of inpatients and outpatients being scheduled throughout the day, using the same rooms, for procedures of fluctuating lengths. Efficiency is a crucial issue for revenue stream in for-profit organizations, and improved efficiency allows more procedures to be executed for the same cost in not-for-profit institutions.”

Congratulations to AANP member Dr. Anna Hamrick, who was recently recognized by Great 100, Inc. as a “Great 100 Nurse” for 2018. According to a press release about the honor, “A Great 100 nurse is a registered nurse who is exceptional for accomplishments in the workplace and in the community.”

Heat related illnesses are a growing concern, and AANP member Justin Shannon advised members of his community to prepare for exposure to the heat. Shannon recommended that people seek shade, when possible, and that they drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.

Congratulations to AANP member Ron Byrd, who recently opened a new NP-led clinic in Arizona. Learn more.

Spotlight on NPs highlights exciting achievements and activities of American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) members.

“Nurse practitioners have been stepping up to keep truckers healthy and our roads safe,” according to Jennifer L.W. Fink, who recently wrote two articles that featured several AANP members and their role in performing DOT health exams for truck drivers. The articles and a new podcast, featuring AANP Fellow Wendy Paracka, were created in collaboration with Charting Nursing’s Future—a project of the Future of Nursing: Campaign for Action. Listen to the HealthCetera podcast. Read the articles: Nurse Practitioners Help Keep the Roads Safe–Why Not the Rails and Skies? and Nurse Practitioners Help Truckers Keep on Trucking.

NPs provide a viable health care option, AANP President Dr. Joyce Knestrick told WIBW News in an interview about We Choose NPs, AANP’s new public awareness campaign. “Nurse practitioners are registered nurses who then have additional education at the masters or doctoral level,” said Knestrick. “Nurse practitioners assess, we make a treatment plan, we prescribe medications, we order tests, all of those things and we also focus on prevention.” For more information about AANP’s public awareness campaign, visit wechoosenps.org.

Recent blogs by Knestrick and AANP past president Dr. Cindy Cooke include the following:

• Why Picking the Right Primary Care Provider Matters: 5 Smart Questions to Help You Make Your Choice – Joyce Knestrick
• Sick on Vacation? 4 Ways NPs Can Help Salvage Your Time Away – Joyce Knestrick
• Mental Health Stigmas Are Hurting Minorities – Joyce Knestrick
• The Bug Bites of Summer: 5 Insects You Should Never Ignore – Joyce Knestrick
• Heat Stroke: 7 Signs That Your Body Is Overheating & What to Do – Cindy Cooke

Congratulations to AANP Fellow and North Carolina House of Representatives member Gale Adcock, who recently received the American Nurses Association Barbara Thoman Curtis Award in recognition of Adcock’s decades of political work impacting policy and nursing practice.

Picture courtesy of the North Carolina Nurses Association via Twitter

Congratulations to AANP Massachusetts State Representative Dr. Nancy O’Rourke, who recently received a lifetime achievement award from the Massachusetts Coalition of Nurse Practitioners. O’Rourke was nominated for the honor in recognition of her outstanding career, which includes decades of clinical practice and health policy leadership to help advance the professional role and practice of nurse practitioners. Learn more about the award.

Contemporary Pediatrics recently featured an article by AANP Fellow Dr. Donna Hallas about strategic ways to avoid diagnostic errors. In addition to examining root causes, Hallas asserted that “Problem-based education is the key to prevention of diagnostic errors.” According to Hallas, “Educators must facilitate student discovery and excite students to be inquisitive, active learners searching for scientific evidence to support all decisions.”

The diagnosis of a rare tropical disease caught the attention of local news reporters, who highlighted the role AANP member Brett Auclaire and her colleague Becky Traquair played in treating the patient. The chikungunya diagnosis was the first in the U.S. this year, according to the report, and nationwide, only 114 cases were diagnosed last year. Learn more.

In a local news article, AANP member Diana Vardeman indicated that the clinic where she works reported caring for its first brown recluse spider bite victim of 2018. Vardeman said the patient knew he had been bitten by a brown recluse, and the bite “…looked like it started to get a little bit of pus which is a little bit of infection, so I started him on some antibiotics and gave him all of the precautions.” Vardeman recommended reducing spiders’ access by removing bed skirts.

AANP member Abby Gray was quoted in a local news article about a recent increase in mosquito bites and the need to protect against them to prevent exposure to West Nile virus and other mosquito-borne illnesses. “In Wyoming, the West Nile virus has been detected in every county,” Tupper said. “But then, just simple bug bites in children, who are very reactive and get swollen, have been pretty common too. Definitely more than in previous years.”

Congratulations to AANP member Dr. Alvin Mena Cantero, who was recently recognized by Walden University as an Alumni Ambassador. According to an article published by the university, “Cantero has traveled to India, Mexico, Egypt, Croatia, China, and Honduras to provide health care services and educate local medical professionals about health promotion and disease prevention.” He has also served as a clinical preceptor for more than 150 NP students.

Liquid facelifts, using Botox and fillers, were discussed by AANP member Jennifer Russell in an interview for a local news network. Learn more about the information she provided on nonsurgical rejuvenation options.

Good luck to AANP member Margaret Whiteman, who is competing to be on the cover of Muscle & Fitness Hers magazine. In a local news article, Whiteman indicated that she works hard to remain fit in order to be a role model to her three children.

Spotlight on NPs highlights exciting achievements and activities of American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) members.

In a recent article, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Future of Nursing: Campaign for Action is highlighting the role of NPs who are assessing the health of DOT truck drivers. Several AANP Fellows and members are mentioned in the article. A second article quoted AANP Region 11 Director Dr. Jean Aertker and CEO David Hebert. Regarding the role of NPs in performing DOT truck driver health assessments, Hebert said, “Authorizing nurse practitioners to fulfill these roles increases access to care and allows patients to select their provider of choice.”

AARP reported that AANP Fellow Dr. Elizabeth Ellis is the only primary care provider in her rural area. Read more to learn how Full Practice Authority for NPs could help improve access to care for patients.

Congratulations to AANP Fellow Dr. Jaibun Earp, who is the new dean of the Abraham Bladwin Agricultural College School of Nursing and Health Sciences. “Nursing is a professional discipline that combines the art and science of caring and curing,” Earp said. “Teachers are the facilitators for the students’ learning process. Students do very well on their own but we can help them to make better decisions if we are facilitators, not just force feeding them the information.” Read the press release.

AANP Fellow Dr. Denise Coppa was quoted in an article about ways that University of Rhode Island nurse practitioner students are preparing for the future of home-based health care. According to Coppa, “A very important part of the role of a nurse practitioner is health promotion and prevention, a lot of which will be done in the home. The value of this program is showing our students that they see patients differently in home-based care.”

Listen to AANP President Dr. Joyce Knestrick and AANP Fellow Dr. Denise Link discuss the growing importance of the NP role. The interview was played on KJZZ radio. Knestrick had several articles published on Thrive.

• Five Reasons an NP May Be Your Ideal Pediatric Primary Care Provider
• Finding the Right Provider Can Improve Your Child’s Autism Prognosis
• Eight Hidden Signs You May Have Lyme Disease

Nurse practitioners are meeting the needs of rural veterans. Knestrick told Va.Gov, “NPs are one of the most significant factors in expanding patient access to primary, acute and specialty care, especially at a time when demand is high and physicians remain concentrated in more urban and affluent areas.”

Knestrick was also quoted in an Advance Web article about the colorectal cancer screening survey that AANP conducted in collaboration with Healthy Women and Exact Sciences. “Nurse practitioners are leaders in colorectal cancer screening, encouraging their eligible patients to be screened,” Knestrick said. “However, only two-thirds of NPs surveyed said that their patients often or always complete CRC screening, with the most common reason for non-compliance being the disruptive nature of test preparation.“

A mobile health care clinic led by AANP member Richard West provides basic medical screenings for those in need. West told local news reporters, “Every metropolitan area has people who have to fend for themselves – those who do not have the resources the average person has. Part of what Quality of Life has always done is provide, resources, direction and care for those who need it most.”

A new clinic led by AANP member Karen Fegely began with the NP doing blood work from a Kmart parking lot, according to a local news article. Fegely said, The clinic was started because there was a need for it, and because I wanted to provide a resource for people to know where to go and have their basic health needs met.” Read more to see how far Fegely has come.

Jaimy Lee, News Editor for Healthcare at LinkedIn covered the AANP 2018 National Conference in Denver and interviewed two AANP Fellows. Learn more about keynote speaker Rear Admiral Susan Orsega, who serves as assistant surgeon general and chief nurse officer of the U.S. Public Health Service. Lee also interviewed integrative health and wellness expert Dr. Deb Kiley about clinician burnout and ways to avoid it.

The American Journal of Nursing reported from the conference in Denver and interviewed Rear Admiral Susan Orsega, who “focused on the critical role of NPs in addressing health inequities,” and Dr. Joyce Knestrick, who highlighted the rapidly growing numbers of nurse practitioners.

Clinical Advisor published several articles based on their coverage of the AANP 2018 National Conference. Links to the articles are listed below, reflecting the wide variety of research presented at the conference.

• Discharge Tools, Follow-Up Calls Reduce Readmission for Congestive Heart Failure
• Preoperative Testing, Management: Addressing a Potential Hospitalist NP Gap
• Assessing a Comprehensive Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptive Program
• Nursing Faculty Ill Prepared to Educate Students on Transgender Patient Care
• Project ECHO: Educational Support to Improve Hepatitis Care
• Ribociclib Prolongs Progression-Free Survival in Premenopausal Breast Cancer
• Lofexidine a Non-Narcotic Option for Opioid Withdrawal Symptoms
• NKTR-181 for Chronic Lower Back Pain: SUMMIT-07 Results
• Screening for Tardive Dyskinesia Associated with Antipsychotic Treatment
• Oxycodone Substitute Shows Lower Abuse Potential
• Transition to Naltrexone in Opioid Use Disorder Benefits from Psychosocial Assessment
• Demographic Insights Into Hepatitis Vaccination Practices
• Home Blood Pressure Monitoring Systems Quality Assessment
• Tiotropium Once-Daily Plus ICS Maintenance May Improve Airflow Obstruction in Adult Asthma
• Budesonide ER for Ulcerative Colitis Safe Regardless of Gender, Age
• Rifaximin May Improve Abdominal Pain Symptoms in IBS-D
• More NPs Ordering Multitarget Stool DNA Test for Colorectal Cancer Screening
• Osteoporosis Fracture Risk Awareness Lacking in Postmenopausal Women

Portland Monthly‘s Top Nurses guide highlighted the important role NPs play in solving our nation’s health care crisis and quoted AANP member Dr. Diane Solomon, who was listed among the honorees. Solomon indicated that the rising profile of NPs may indicate a shift toward relationship-based care, and she credited increased listening with greater results.

AANP member Sharon Prince was profiled in a local news article about being an NP student and transitioning into the nurse practitioner role. Prince works in a plastic surgery clinic and said, Our nurse practitioners have years of experience and extensive training to help patients achieve their non-surgical aesthetic goals. Also, they continue to research and learn about new enhancement techniques to provide the most effective surgical and non-surgical treatments for the patients.”

Spotlight on NPs highlights exciting achievements and activities of American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) members.

AANP President Dr. Joyce Knestrick, AANP Fellow Dr. Margaret Flinter and AANP member Nichole Mitchell were quoted in a Modern Healthcare article about residency programs for nurse practitioners. “We already have good outcomes to show that our current educational system has been effective,” Knestrick said. “So I’m not really sure what the benefit is for residencies.”

The Health Wagon, including AANP Fellows Dr. Teresa Gardner Tyson and Dr. Paula E.S. Hill, will be participating in a free medical, dental and vision clinic organized by Remote Area Medical in Wise County Virginia. The event is scheduled to be held July 20-22. Learn more.

AANP Fellow Dr. Thomas Mackey was quoted in an article by Healio that indicated NPs are well-positioned to improve colon cancer screening rates. The article referenced a survey conducted in collaboration with HealthyWomen, Exact Sciences and AANP. “Nurse practitioners are engaged in colorectal cancer screening,” Mackey said. “But one of the things we also found is that there needs to be in increased awareness of other options for [CRC] screening than just colonoscopy and just fecal occult blood test. Those are some opportunities that this survey brought out.”

Congratulations to AANP Fellow Dr. Dawn Garzon Maaks, who will become president of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP) on July 1. According to a press release, Garzon Maaks will focus on mental health issues, including youth suicide. “The beauty of what we do as pediatric-focused advanced practice registered nurses is provide that developmentally grounded perspective to the care of children and families, in whatever setting they need regardless of what types of health care they need,” Garzon Maaks said.

After being a nurse for 45 years, a new NP-led clinic was recently opened by AANP member Marilyn Husby. According to an article about the opening and increased access to health care for patients, “…in 2015, the Minnesota Legislature passed a law allowing nurse practitioners the ability to operate their own clinic instead of requiring a doctor at the facility.” Husby said, “I thought, ‘You know I’ve always wanted to do that.’ With all my experiences in nursing and clinics, it would be fun to put together the clinic of my dreams.”

AANP member Dawn Nahrstedt will also be managing a new clinic that offers a variety of health care services. “What we would like to do is to serve patients who do not have a primary care provider,” Nahrstedt told reporters. “Sometimes it is very difficult to get into practices, so they can come here. We can see them over and over again and establish a relationship and treat them for chronic diseases and acute care illness, too.”

When Elizabeth Ellis, an AANP member, opened the a clinic in Texas last year, she became the first primary care provider based in the small town of Bedias in more than 80 years. “Rural health is why I became a nurse practitioner,” Ellis told AARP. “As big as Texas is, as big as our health care needs are, we need to get with the future,” she added.

Congratulations to AANP member Mike Holtz who recently held a ribbon cutting ceremony for the expansion of his primary care clinic. Learn more.

A local news article featured AANP member Diane Tremain, who described a recent spike in illness in the Osarks. According to Tremain, “We’ve seen an uptick in some viral illnesses,” Tremain said. “Where patients have been coming in and they have been running some fevers and feeling achy all over.”

Congratulations to AANP member Denise Buonocore, who is the new board chair of the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses. According to a press release, Buonocore will serve a two-year term of office.

30 Seconds blog featured several articles from AANP President Dr. Joyce Knestrick and Immediate Past President Dr. Cindy Cooke.

• You Have a Tick Bite, Now What? Do These 5 Things Right Now!
• Sick on Vacation – 4 Ways Nurse Practitioners Can Help Salvage Your Time Away
• Vacations Matter: Here Are 5 Reasons a Summer Vacation is Good for Your Health
• Five Get Healthy Tips for Men that Don’t Involve Sweat or the Scale
• Summer Camp Safety: 5 Ways to Help Your Kids Beat the Heat & Have Fun
• How to Treat Bee Stings: Tips to Know if that Insect Bite is an Emergency

Advance Health Care covered AANP’s new national awareness campaign and quoted Dr. Knestrick, who said,  “NPs are the provider of choice for millions of families across the United States. We conduct over one billion patient visits each year.” Read more.

NPs are less likely to prescribe unnecessary antibiotics, according to a recent study by Athena Health. “It’s really hard, particularly in primary care, to explain to patients why they shouldn’t get an antibiotic, because everybody wants a quick fix,” said Knestrick. And that’s where NPs’ training kicks in. “I try to give the patient a little bit of control with some choices,” says Knestrick. “‘So I [say], ‘We can give you some cough medicine or decongestants,’ and we talk about increasing fluids. That helps delay the person from insisting on an antibiotic. Beckers Hospital Review also reported on the study.

Research conducted by AANP member Dr. Hilary Barnes continues to reach new audiences. Consumer Affairs cited Barnes’ study in a recent article that asserted NPs are the answer to the growing health care shortage. News Medical also reported on the study.

Three pearls to keep children safe during the summer were shared by AANP member Cami Kesler. Swimming safety, sunscreen use and hydration were among Kesler’s suggestions.

An article about a hospital granting a patient’s final wish mentioned AANP member Melissa Price and detailed her role in helping to organize a wedding, complete with a wedding cake, for a dying patient.

Congratulations to AANP member Peter Oates, who was honored for his service in the LGBTQ community by Essex County New Jersey’s LGBTQ advisory board. Read more.

AANP member Jess Calohan was featured in a Health Data Management article about ways that genomic tests and medication management systems can help improve prescribing accuracy. Learn more.

Congratulations to AANP member Dr. Heidi Rogers, who was appointed Director of Interprofessional Education for the University of New Mexico. “The Interprofessional Education program is collaborating on important, innovative and cool educational experiences for all our students,” Rogers said in a press release. “I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to work with faculty, staff and students from across the HSC campus to support the mission of interprofessional collaboration, as well as improved models of patient-centered care.”

What does a nurse practitioner do? AANP member Angelique Mason answered that question for readers of the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Need suggestions to help you stay healthy in the heat? AANP member Kimberly Webber shared pro tips in a local news report. “Water keeps the balance of everything that we need,” said Webber. “It’s the number one part of what our body is made of, what it functions on. Water is the best thing to keep us hydrated.”

Minority health was the subject of a local news interview featuring AANP member Nyla Fleming. The discussion highlighted the Inshape Indiana Black and Minority Health Fair, which aims to increase minority awareness of diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, hypertension and cancer.