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

A patient thought she was having a panic attack, but it was actually a heart attack. AANP member Lori Turner helped her get the testing and treatment she needed. Turner told reporters, “Even though men are at higher risk of a heart attack than women, it’s important that everyone knows the risk factors and signs of a heart attack. It is more likely for women to present without chest pain and have other symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, sweating, nausea and shortness of breath.”

“I think that clarifying our role, competencies and scope of practice is one of the challenges that both dermatology nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs) face,” AANP member and co-chair of AANP’s Dermatology Specialty Practice Group (SPG) Lakshi Aldredge told Dermatology Times in an article about new solutions to challenges faced by dermatology NPs. Aldredge also discussed work that is currently being done by the Dermatology Nurse Practitioner Coalition to publish competencies and standards of practice for dermatology NPs. The coalition includes members of AANP’s Dermatology SPG, among others.

A local news article about ways that modernized practice laws have helped increase access to care for patients in Virginia quoted AANP member Dr. Carole Everhart, who is one of only two health care providers in the rural area where she and her mother opened a clinic in 2012. Everhart’s clinic now serves more than 4,000 patients, who might have lost access to care when Everhart’s collaborating physician retired. Everhart indicated that she was unable to find a new physician who was both affordable and willing to serve in that capacity. Recent changes to the practice environment in Virginia made it possible for Everhart to run the clinic without a collaborating physician.

The U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration awarded a $1.5 million grant to AANP Fellow Dr. Tami Thomas of Florida International University (FIU) to launch the Advanced Nursing Education-Regionally Underserved Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (RUSANE) program. The program aims to nearly double Florida’s number of SANE-certified nurses to aid sexual assault survivors in rural and underserved communities. Florida currently has only 44 SANE-certified nurses in a state where more than a quarter of its 20 million population have experienced rape or sexual assault, proving a large unmet need throughout the state of Florida which this program aims to fill. Read FIU’s press release and a Daily Nurse article about the new program.

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

• Head Injuries in Children: How to Tell if it’s a Concussion
• Kids and Heart Health: Here Are 4 Ways to Instill Heart-Healthy Habits in Your Children
• Is Your Heart Older Than You? Here Are 5 Things That Prematurely Age Your Heart
• Trying to Live Healthier This Year? 5 Reasons Why Seeing a Nurse Practitioner Should Be Part of Your Health Plan

Congratulations to AANP member Onissa Mitchell, who was recently recognized by Black Nurses Rock as the 2018 Advanced Practice Registered Nurse of the Year. Of her work at Bethesda Health Clinic in Tyler, Texas, Mitchell said, “What we do is serve hardworking people who have either no insurance or are underinsured. I’m allowed to pray with my patients and take care of not only their physical needs, but also their emotional needs. So I look at the whole person, not just their physical illness.” Read the press release.

AANP member Sylvia Estrada was quoted in a Cedars Sinai blog about the commonalities and differences between NPs and physicians. Estrada said, “We [NPs] have a focus on disease prevention and health education and counseling. These are unique assets ingrained in our education that enhance our clinical interaction with patients.”

Congratulations to AANP member Dr. Kristen Ostrem-Niemcewicz, who was named a fellow of the American College of Nurse Midwives (ACNM). According to a press release about the honor, “Fellowship in the ACNM recognizes midwives who demonstrate leadership, clinical excellence and outstanding scholarship, and whose achievements have merited special recognition both within and outside of the midwifery profession.”

“It’s February, and the American Heart Association wants you to make sure you’re keeping tabs on your cardiovascular health,” a local Fox station reported. The station interviewed AANP member Katherine Davis, who discussed the importance of people getting their blood pressure and cholesterol checked. Learn more.

At a potluck event to help educate people about the connections between health and nutrition, AANP member Mishell Ellis told attendees, “It’s very important that people understand medication only works as well as your diet does.” According to an article about the event, Ellis has “… seen in her own life the way chronic conditions can be reversed by eating fruits and vegetables, whole grains and nuts instead of burgers and chicken nuggets. Her father died at age 48 of renal failure and diabetes, and when she saw those same conditions manifest in her body, she made a change.”

In a piece about American Heart Month, AANP member Shendry Thom told local news reporters, “We can actually just poke your finger, run your blood sugar and your cholesterol, take your blood pressure and then do height and weight and figure out your BMI. With those numbers, you have a really good idea of what your risk factors are [for cardiovascular disease].” Thom offered suggestions to help people mitigate risk factors. Learn more.

A local news article about influenza quoted AANP member Candyace Dunn, who discussed flu symptoms and stressed the importance of hand hygiene.

In a local news interview, AANP member Sara Dodson discussed the importance of taking safety precautions in icy conditions. “It’s very common to have wrist fractures, arm fractures, hip fractures, concussions, back injuries, strains and sprains …” during icy weather, Dodson said. She encouraged people to wear “boots or shoes that have a slip resistant surface or some ice cleats” to help secure footing and shuffle their feet rather than moving quickly across icy surfaces.

Congratulations to AANP member Dr. Heidi Fantasia, who is a new member of the board of directors for Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health. Read the press release.

A Daily Nurse article about critical care nursing certifications quoted AANP member Denise Buonocore.

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

A Minority Nurse article about the importance of friendships with nursing colleagues and ways that these friendships reduce stress quoted AANP Region 6 Director Capt. James LaVelle Dickens, who said, “Having strong friendships at work is known to reduce stress. I can think of many times when friendships with other nurse practitioners (NPs) have made a difference in my life. Sometimes, it’s having someone lift our own spirits after we’ve delivered a difficult diagnosis to a patient. Sometimes, it’s offering a younger colleague with coaching to help them be the best professional they can be.” AANP member Benjamin Evans was also quoted in the article and said, “Nobody really understands what a nurse does like a nurse, so those relationships provide support, and that support helps bring stress down.” The article was republished by MedPage Today.

“The American Association of Nurse Practitioners would like to commend Congressmen Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and Tom Reed (R-NY) for introducing the Promoting Access to Diabetic Shoes Act,” AANP President Dr. Joyce Knestrick said in a press release issued by Blumenauer about the introduction of bipartisan legislation that would provide diabetic patients with better access to therapeutic shoes. “Nurse practitioners deliver health care in nearly every health care setting, caring for patients of all walks of life, including patients with diabetes,” Knestrick said. “This bill will ensure that Medicare patients who receive care from a nurse practitioner will have timely access to therapeutic shoes. It’s time to make this change to the Medicare program.”

A press release about the re-introduction of bipartisan legislation that would boost access to quality health care in rural areas also quoted Knestrick. “The American Association of Nurse Practitioners applauds Representatives Derek Kilmer (D-WA), Scott Tipton (R-CO), Grace Meng (D-NY), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) and Peter King (R-NY) on introducing the ACO Assignment Improvement Act,” Knestrick said. “Accountable Care Organizations play a key role as our nation transforms from a volume-based to value-based health care system. While current law recognizes nurse practitioners as ACO providers, this legislation ensures NPs and their patients are fully included under the Medicare Shared Savings Program. Nurse practitioners provide high quality care to patients, and it is critical that they are recognized as full participants in the Medicare Shared Savings Program.”

A report released this week by the California Future Health Workforce Commission recommended, among other things, that the state modernize its NP practice laws to help address health care provider shortages. Knestrick participated in a radio discussion about ways that full practice authority for NPs might help improve California’s health care provider shortage.

Knestrick recently wrote several blogs for 30 Seconds.

• Is It a Cold or the Flu Making You Feel Lousy? Here Are Four Signs That Point to Influenza
• Tired of Failed Big Resolutions? Try These 5 Little Life Changes Instead!
• Healthy Hearts: 6 Ways to Give the Gift of Heart This Valentine’s Day!

AANP’s new data related to NP workforce numbers was picked up by several publications, and Knestrick was quoted by Patient Engagement HIT, “NPs are the providers of choice for millions of patients. Current provider shortages, especially in primary care, are a growing concern, yet the growth of the NP role is addressing that concern head-on. The faith patients have in NP-provided health care is evidenced by the estimated 1.06 billion patient visits made to NPs in 2018.”

A HealthLeaders article about transforming patient care shared insights from AANP members Jennifer O’Neill and Shawnna Cunning, among others. O’Neill said, “…the NP and clinical nurse leader can support less experienced nurses and act as a resource.” Cunning indicated that it’s the little things that make the biggest difference to patients, and she stressed that making connections and building relationships with patients can go a long way.

Maygret Ramirez, an AANP member, was the lead researcher in a study that was presented at the American Stroke Association’s International Stroke Conference. Ramirez’s study examined reasons that some people do not call 911 when they experience stroke symptoms. “The fact that hospital preference is the number one reason for not calling 911 tells us we need to provide better education on this issue,” said Ramirez. “People really need to understand that stroke can be a catastrophic event if not treated in time.”

A team of NP students and faculty traveled to Costa Rica to provide health care to patients. AANP Fellow Dr. Valerie Griffin led the team, according to a press release about the mission trip. “Global service requires flexibility and the ability to critically think about the assessment data in order to develop a plan of care appropriate to the patient, as well as using the limited resources available,” Griffin said. “We saw 978 patients in four clinic days and were able to host a new clinic for the first time in that region.” Griffin indicated that both clinical skills and cultural competence were gained by students who participated.

In a local news interview, AANP member Joy Williams encouraged members of her community to hydrate and protect their skin. Williams said, “If your skin becomes too dry you are at a more increased risk of developing a bacterial or fungal infection of the skin. We want to use moisturizing cream because it helps promote a barrier from germs, irritants and allergens that can potentially get inside our bodies and cause infection.” Read more tips to keep skin hydrated.

“Prescribed medicines have become an epidemic, especially with teenagers,” AANP member Julie Emery told local news reporters in an article about the increasing number of prescription drugs being found in classrooms. Emery recommended that parents “keep medicines in a locked space, even if it’s prescribed to your child.”

A clinic in Kentucky is making it possible for patients to obtain health care and dental care in the same building. AANP member Angela B. Grubbs works at the clinic and told reporters, “Patients who have received dental and medical care in the same visit are so thankful for the one-stop shop appointment. Many of the calls we receive are initially prompted by a dental concern. However, during appointments we’ve been able to identify and discuss additional health concerns when needed, bringing to the attention of our patients such issues as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and hypothyroidism. With these conditions identified, we can help patients take steps to improve their overall health.”

An article about the nurse’s role in advance directives quoted AANP member Dr. Deborah Dunn, who shared a story about the importance of displaying sensitivity to a patient’s right to self-determination and “respecting the needs of families when they are confronted with making health care decisions with and/or for their loved ones.” Read more.

Congratulations to AANP member Surani Hayre-Kwan, who recently received an Association of California Nurse Leaders scholarship. Read the press release to learn more.

February is American Heart Month, and to mark the special month, a heart health program that teaches community members about the relationship between food and heart disease was taught by AANP member Mishell Ellis. Read more.

An article about heart health mentioned AANP member Dr. Amy Doneen and the Bale-Doneen Method of Heart Attack Prevention, which she co-developed. The heart attack prevention program was referred to as one of the most effective in the U.S.

Cardiovascular disease symptoms may be more vague for women, according to AANP member Joni Miller, who was quoted in a local news report about heart disease and American Heart Month.

An article about a Heart Month celebration in California quoted AANP member Cindy Peters. “For a long time, heart disease has been thought of as a bigger threat to men than women,” Peters said. “The fact is that women are equally, if not more, affected by heart disease than men. This lack of awareness makes heart disease more deadly in women because the symptoms are often ignored until they become very serious.”

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

AANP released the results of its 2018 National Sample Survey and quoted AANP President Dr. Joyce Knestrick in a press release about the survey results. A Forbes article by Bruce Japsen reported on AANP’s findings and quoted Knestrick, who said, “Current provider shortages, especially in primary care, are a growing concern, yet the growth of the NP role is addressing that concern head-on. The faith patients have in NP-provided health care is evidenced by the estimated 1.06 billion patient visits made to NPs in 2018.”

Congratulations to AANP member Dr. Jess Calohan, who was recently named director of the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Program for Frontier University. Daily Nurse reported that Calohan is a retired Lt. Col. In the United States Army whose “military record includes a list of distinguishing awards like the Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, two Meritorious Service Medals, and eight Army Commendation Medals.”

Missouri State University’s MSU Care clinic is celebrating its third year of providing free health care to patients. AANP member Vanessa McConnell told reporters that years of chronic illness without access to health care has negatively impacted the mental and physical health of some patients … “Where then they can no longer be productive citizens of society, hold down jobs, those types of things, because they need those services and those treatments.” Read more.

Congratulations to AANP member Dr. Michelle Appelbaum, who was recently elected president of the Nurse Practitioner Association of New York State. “Never has there been a more exciting time to be a nurse practitioner in New York State,” Appelbaum said. “Nurse practitioners have gained increasing recognition as vital members of the health care system.” Read the press release.

A local news report about a gala benefiting a medical facility for women who have breast cancer quoted AANP member and breast cancer survivor Casey Waddle. Learn more.

An advanced skills workshop held by a university in New York state quoted AANP member Cynthia Durham, whose “lecture provided comprehensive training on wound evaluation and healing, local anesthesia selection and delivery, instrument choice, suture selection and how to prepare a wound for sutures,” according to a press release. Durham encouraged students to ask for help when they are beginning to learn about suturing. She said, “Learn from you peers, get better and grow your skill set. You’ll learn how to suture more complex wounds as you progress through your career.”

A new NP-owned clinic was recently opened in rural Arizona by AANP member Donna Buchanan. In a press release about the clinic, Buchanan said, “I want the independence. I want affordable health care. We are a cash-pay practice, but we work with people who are uninsured and insured.”

An article about school closures due to illness in Tennessee quoted AANP member Kayla Johnson, who indicated that there were fewer cases of influenza reported than this time last year, but strep throat was currently a concern in that area. Stomach viruses were also reported to be common.

Life After a Stroke was the subject of a local news interview featuring AANP member Megan Millikan. In order to reduce the risk of having another stroke, Millikan suggested the following:

• Manage blood pressure, as a high BP often leads to a stroke.
• Keep cholesterol in check.
• Diabetics should manage their blood sugar.
• Stop smoking.
• Maintain wellness through a good diet and nutrition.

Tips to help patients with pre-diabetes avoid type 2 diabetes were shared by AANP member Pamela Larocque during a public education event. In addition to patients monitoring their blood sugar levels and talking to their health care providers about concerns, Larocque said that type 2 diabetes “doesn’t have to be inevitable. There are a lot of things they [patients] can do to prevent it [pre-diabetes] from becoming diabetes.” Learn more.

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

A new Medpage Today article about recommendations made by policy experts to stop incident to billing quoted AANP President Dr. Joyce Knestrick. “It really masks the true impact of the reliance of the health care system on nurse practitioners (NPs),” Knestrick said. “We know that we provide about a billion visits per year, but we can’t count all the ones that are ‘incident to’ billing. This … undermines the foundation of value-based reimbursement.”

Knestrick also wrote several blogs for 30 Seconds.

• Low-Pressure Resolutions: 5 Healthy Resolutions You Can Knock Out in 5 Minutes (or Less)
• Prostate Cancer: The Symptoms & Stats That Men Need to Know
• Quality Health Care: Here Are 4 Reasons to See a Nurse Practitioner This Year
• How to Get Healthy in 2019: Here Are 3 New Year’s Resolutions That Don’t Involve a Scale
• Autism: A Little Insight for Parents Worried About Autism Spectrum Disorder

A recent Modern Medicine article about salary negotiation strategies quoted AANP Fellow and Dermatology Specialty Practice Group Co-Chair Peggy Vernon, who said, “Nurse practitioners generate revenue for the practice by providing patient care and billing insurances. As part of the provider staff they are in an excellent position to negotiate their salaries based on production and revenue generated.” Vernon also indicated that some large companies may have set salaries, based on a provider’s education and experience.

AANP Fellow Dr. Elda Ramirez serves as the Director of the Emergency/Trauma Nurse Practitioner Program at the University of Texas and was recently quoted in an article about about the Advocates’ Roadmap Report. Ramirez said, “With more than 37,000 deaths and millions of injuries annually on our roads, elected officials throughout the country must move forward with the preventative countermeasures in Advocates’ Roadmap Report. Failure to do so will result in more traffic crash victims in emergency rooms—an outcome no emergency nurse wants to experience.”

A 32-year veteran, AANP member Lt. Col. Katrina Lloyd recently relinquished command of the 2^nd Battalion, 119^th Regiment of the Louisiana National Guard. A news article about the leadership transition commended Lloyd and the contributions she has made to the state of Louisiana.

Congratulations to AANP member Dr. Rozina Bhimani, who is a recent Association of Rehabilitation Nurses/Rehabilitation Nursing Foundation Research Grant award recipient. According to a press release, Bhimani’s research on Effects of Mobilization Patterns on Spasticity Symptom Cluster: Understanding Functional Outcomes will “explore the pattern of mobilization in stroke patients with spasticity symptom cluster (SSC) and determine how this mobilization pattern correlates with functional outcomes over time.”

AANP member Sheri Carson was recently recognized for developing a new, evidence-based child-abuse screening program. “Statistics are showing that hospitals across the country are not doing a good job screening for child abuse,” Carson said. “We have protocols in place to treat it once it’s been identified, but it’s the cases of missed abuse that are the problematic ones. Those are the ones that we’re trying to capture through screenings.” Read more.

“A medical group in southeastern Oklahoma is expanding,” according to a local news report about a merger involving a clinic that was owned and operated by AANP member Kasi Whatley. “Many times, rural offices struggle with finding resources available to patients in regard to referrals and continuity of care,” Whatley said, and she explained that the merger will increase access to resources that will help her clinic increase services for patients.

A recent diabetes awareness event included AANP member Rosary Munoz, who is both an NP and diabetes educator. Munoz shared common risk factors associated with diabetes and encouraged people to consider dietary changes as appropriate. Read more.

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

AANP President Dr. Joyce Knestrick wrote the following articles on timely health issues that were published by 30 Seconds.

• Is Your Health IQ the Biggest Barrier to Better Health? Here’s Your Cheat Sheet!
• Symptoms of Throid Problems: 14 Signs Your Thyroid May Be Out of Whack

Through the I Serve 2 initiative, AANP member Dr. Alicia Gill Rossiter is collaborating with the Biden Foundation on improving the health of military-connected children. Read a recent article coauthored by Rossiter that was published by the Biden Foundation. Rossiter has more than 25 years of combined military service and was selected as both a Jonas Veteran Healthcare Scholar and an American Academy of Nursing Policy Scholar.

Father-son talks about condom use help prevent sexually transmitted infections, according to a study led by AANP member Dr. Vincent Guilamo-Ramos and published in Pediatrics. Additional coverage of Guilamo-Ramos’ research was provided by HealthDay News and published in U.S. News & World Report, NBC News, United Press International and WebMD. “The findings showed that communicating about condom use can be a powerful way to help prevent teen pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections.”

Congratulations to AANP member Dr. Lorna Finnegan, who is the new dean of the Loyola Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing. In a press release about her new role, Finnegan said, “I’m excited to work with Niehoff’s remarkable faculty and staff to advance its mission of preparing students to improve the health outcomes of people and communities locally and globally.”

AANP member Jan Hershberger has returned to her hometown to care for patients, according to a local news article. “I’m looking forward to giving back to the community that helped raise me,” Hershberger said. “I’m also excited to be in the community where my son is going to grow up.”

Congratulations to AANP member Janie McGhin who was recently honored by Caravan Health for “helping patients live better lives and exceeding standards in quality and care.” McGhin received the Outstanding Provider Leadership Award in recognition of her work. Learn more.

It may be difficult for patients to distinguish between common symptoms of several seasonal illnesses. In a recent episode of the Ask the Expert news series, AANP member Ayesha Nutt explained a few distinguishing factors associated with the common cold, strep throat, sinus infections and more. See what she had to say.

AANP member Nyla Fleming also spoke to a local news station about flu symptoms and shared flu remedies and fallacies with viewers. Learn what Fleming recommended to help people protect themselves from the flu.

A recent article about telehealth in elementary schools included a quote from AANP member Lindsey Brough. The program is part of an effort in Indiana to help improve access to health care for children.

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

A Health Affairs article about Primary Care Workforce Data and the Need for Nurse Practitioner Full Practice Authority by AANP Fellows Drs. Joanne Pohl, Anne Thomas, Taynin Kopanos and AANP member Dr. Mary Beth Bigley indicated that “Of all the solutions currently proposed for addressing challenges in primary care workforce development, modernizing NP licensure is the only option with no added costs, no delay and nearly half a century of evidence to support improved health care access without compromising quality or patient safety.”

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services recently presented its 2018 Director’s Award to the Bay County Health Department in recognition of the Bay Community Health Clinic’s excellence in public health and innovative approaches to improve health, well-being and equity. According to an article about the honor, “The clinic utilizes an integrated approach—teaming professionals in nursing, occupational therapy, pharmacy and social work—to address physical and mental health issues for patients with multiple chronic conditions. Those professionals are supported by students who provide help while receiving hands-on training.” AANP Fellow Kathleen Schachman works at the clinic where care is provided to underserved populations and said, “The partnership between SVSU and Bay County Health Department has created this unique clinical training environment that enriches the educational experience of health professions students and benefits the community.”

Congratulations to AANP member Julie Crotts, who was recognized by the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health as a Community Star for her work serving the vital health needs of patients in rural areas. A press release indicated that ““When Julie Crotts was just 14 years young living in rural Kansas, she was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Today, she is a dedicated and driven oncology nurse practitioner; but more than that, she is an inspiration.” Read the press release.

Dr. Sophia Thomas, president-elect of AANP, was featured in a U.S. News & World Report article about her role with AANP. Read the article.

Father-son talks about condom use help prevent sexually transmitted infections, according to a study led by AANP member Dr. Vincent Guilamo-Ramos. A U.S. News & World Report article about the research, “The findings showed that communicating about condom use can be a powerful way to help prevent teen pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections.”

AANP President Dr. Joyce Knestrick wrote several blogs to help readers address a variety of health concerns during the holiday season and new year.

• Video Game Guidelines: 5 Things the Elves Want Parents to Know About Video Games
• Coping With Holiday Stress: Here Are 5 Expert Tips to Help Alleviate Christmas Anxiety
• Holiday Toy Safety: 5 Things to Consider When Making Your Holiday Shopping List for Kids!
• Christmas Fitness: 10 Holiday Chores That Count as Exercise (It’s a Holiday Miracle!)
• Healthy Holidays: 6 Tips to Help Avoid Getting the Holiday Bah Humbug This Christmas
• Lung Cancer Awareness Month: 6 Facts About the Most Commonly Misunderstood Cancer
• How to Get Healthy in 2019: Here Are 3 New Year’s Resolutions That Don’t Involve a Scale
• Family New Year’s Resolutions: 7 Relatively Painless Ideas Everyone Will Love!
• Shattering Myths About Nurse Practitioners: Why NPs Make Great Primary Care Providers

Knestrick was featured in a Nurse.com article about NPs making a difference one patient at a time. She also appeared on Community Accent radio show January 2 to discuss blood donation. Listen to Part 1 and Part 2 of that interview. In an article for Daily Nurse about rural veterans, Knestrick said, “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.”

Congratulations to AANP member Sheri Carson, who was recently named Arizona Pediatric Nurse Practitioner of the Year by the Arizona National Association of Nurse Practitioners. Carson was recognized for her work creating a better tool to help improve child-abuse screening in hospital emergency departments. Learn more.

A Kwanzaa celebration in Georgia included an opportunity for AANP member Carmeka Coe to speak about the health concerns members of the African-American community face. According to a local news report, Coe said, “We can pull together and maybe overcome some of those problems.” Read more.

It is important to know your family health history, according to an article that quoted AANP member Krystal August. Family health history can help with early detection of a variety of health conditions, according to the article. August said, “… we have diagnosed people with breast cancer before the age of 40. Which 40 is the age you should start screening mammograms, and if we can start before that because someone in your family was diagnosed with it before that, that’s a way we can find it.”

“Nevada desperately needs increased access to mental health services, and I am especially passionate about bringing treatment options to my hometown.” AANP member Cameron Duncan said in a press release about Duncan Family Healthcare, an NP-led primary care and mental health clinic in Reno, Nevada.

Holiday foods can cause cardiovascular stress, according to a local news article that quoted AANP member Ram Khattri Chettri. An excess of salt, alcohol and calories may be difficult for the body to process, according to Khattri Chettri, who said, “Moderation is probably the best solution during the holidays.”

A self-help book for Christians with Type-A personalities was recently written and published by AANP member Autumn Hoover. Learn more.

Tera Thompson, an AANP member, was pictured in a local news article about a clinic in a middle school in Arkansas. Thompson works in the clinic and also serves as a member of the school board.

Maryland is currently experiencing high influenza rates, according to a local news report. AANP member Teresa Dyer shared information about the outbreak, provided health tips and encouraged viewers to get vaccinated.

Diabetes in Control recently shared an interview with AANP member Dr. Kathryn Kreider, including seven videos about patients who are experiencing diabetes distress. Learn what to look for in patients with diabetes distress, how to determine a patient’s diabetes distress level, whether depression is associated with distress and more.

AANP member Dr. Stephanie Lynch was among the researchers recognized by Daily Nurse as Nurses of the Week for their efforts to help border residents in New Mexico overcome language barriers to get the health care they need. The researchers are conducting a study to determine the accuracy of technology that can help translate speech instantaneously.

“I knew early on I wanted a career where I could help people, and nursing was perfect for that,” AANP member Jamie VanAuker told reporters in an article about why she chose to become an NP. VanAuker said, “I knew that as a nurse practitioner, I would be able to continue the path of forming strong patient/family relationships while still providing direct patient care.”

A local news show invited AANP member Justine Kuroda to explain to viewers what diabetes is and how it can it can be managed. Watch the clip.

AANP members Dr. Ann Felauer and Dr. Amy Daniels were mentioned in an article about hands-on learning that occurs in the University of Maryland School of Nursing simulation labs. The training helps prepare nursing students for critical health care situations. Daniels said, “These abilities provide realistic responses to the nursing students as they either correctly or incorrectly provide care to the newborn in the simulation setting.”

Congratulations to AANP member Angie Bowman, who recently received a Distinguished Alumni Award from Ivy Tech Community College. A press release about the award said, “As the highest honor alumni can receive, the award is designated for individuals with outstanding professional, philanthropic, or volunteer accomplishments.”

Journal articles are considered open access when their contents are free and readily available to everyone. The purpose of open access is to increase the reach of original research and reduce cost barriers associated with knowledge sharing. Open access journal articles are important to the health care community, because subscription requirements may limit clinicians’ access to essential, current information that is relevant to their practice.

As a nurse practitioner (NP), you need the latest research and evidence-based practice resources at your fingertips to stay up to date with constant changes to health care regulations and recommendations. However, you also know it can be difficult and costly to access and share this information. For those reasons, the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) is committed to expanding your access to original research that is either NP-led or NP-focused.

New Open Access Award

To improve journal article access and shareability, AANP is excited to announce a new Open Access Award. AANP members who have already had their manuscript(s) accepted to a journal are eligible to apply for this award. Funding will cover the fee associated with a manuscript becoming open access at the time of publication, but it will not cover any other fees associated with publishing, such as manuscript editing, page charges, color charges and fees for supplementary material.

JAANP’s Open Access Edition

Each edition of the Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (JAANP) features peer-reviewed articles written to help you stay informed and enhance patient outcomes. Additionally, JAANP provides helpful information about issues encountered in daily practice—for example, workplace fatigue and practice management tips. The January edition of JAANP will be open access. Physicians, physician assistants and other health care professionals will be able to see the high standards of research that NPs bring to the health care community.

Publishing Opportunities for NPs

AANP is devoted to promoting best practices in your work as an NP—and fulfilling your search for the insightful, trusted information you need. AANP members receive free access to two scholarly, peer-reviewed journals. In addition to JAANP, The Journal for Nurse Practitioners (JNP) is an NP-focused journal that meets your clinical and educational needs, helps you stay current on policy concerns and updates you on the latest research—topics that affect your day-to-day practice. If you’re interested in publishing a brief report, systematic review or other scholarly article, learn more about JAANP and JNP and how you can submit a manuscript for publication.

Not a Member of AANP?

Become an AANP member today to receive a free online subscription to JAANP, plus the journal’s AANP-accredited CE. Being a part of AANP is more than just a membership—it’s a real opportunity to make a measurable difference in the strength of your profession and the health of your patients. When you join AANP, you are joining a movement—a vibrant, professional community of NPs more than 92,000 strong.

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

AANP Connecticut State Representative Dr. Lynn Rapsilber and AANP Texas South State Representative Dr. Jessica Peck were featured in an NP Week article detailing the nine best things about being a nurse practitioner. “I love working with patients,” Peck said. “Making a positive impact on families is enough to get me back every day. I love that they can come to me with their questions and concerns and that I can offer preventative care and help them have healthier families.” Rapsilber added, “As barriers to full practice authority are removed, there are more opportunities for NPs to own and run their own clinics. The career opportunities for NPs are quickly expanding.”

Congratulations to AANP member Dr. Laurel Hallock-Koppelman, who is the recipient of the 2019 National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Mentor-facilitated Training Award in Substance Use Disorders (SUD) Science Dissemination. The $12,000 grant ($10,000 to applicant, $2,000 stipend to mentor) will support a mentored opportunity to learn about key areas of SUD and SUD treatment strategies through systematic literature review, attendance at conferences and workshops and interaction with leading experts in the field. Dr. Nicholas Gideonse will serve as Hallock-Koppelman’s mentor. Read more.

A National Public Radio (NPR) report about the role that exercise plays in keeping seniors’ hearts healthy featured AANP member Susan Magrath, who is an avid runner and has run almost every day for 45 years. Magrath, who is 74 years of age, described running as addictive and said, “It’s just such a release, just a wonderful release. I ran today and there were little snowflakes coming down, and I was down by the river and it’s just wonderful. And I think it’s become more of a contemplative meditative process for me.” Magrath participated in a recent study, which found that septuagenarians who exercised regularly were more healthy than those who did not, and they had cardiovascular health that was comparable to people who were in their forties.

Congratulations to AANP Fellow Dr. Beth Haney, pictured below, who was unanimously voted in as Mayor Pro-Tem by the Yorba Linda City Council. Haney was elected to the city council in 2016, and each year, the city council elects the Mayor Pro-Tem and Mayor. Haney will serve as Mayor Pro-Tem until Dec. 2019, and then will serve as Mayor. Haney said, “I am very excited about this opportunity and look forward to serving my community and furthering the NP profession through local and state outreach.”

A new American Heart Association (AHA) scientific statement about the safety of statins was published Dec. 10 in the journal Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology and co-authored by AANP Fellow Dr. Lynne Braun. According to a Health Day article about the report, Braun said, “This is a category of medications where it is clear, very clear, what the benefits are.” Braun encouraged patients to talk to their health care providers about medications, and she encouraged clinicians to welcome these discussions with patients and to explain the benefits and risks associated with statins.  Read the AHA press release about the report.

Congratulations to AANP Fellows Dr. Teresa Gardner Tyson and Dr. Paula E.S. Hill and the Health Wagon, who were among 11 community-based heart health programs that received grants totaling more than $1.16 million from the AstraZeneca HealthCare Foundation’s Connections for Cardiovascular Health^SM program for their innovative approaches to help prevent and control heart disease. According to a press release, the Health Wagon’s program “aims to identify individuals with metabolic syndrome, diagnosed as dysmetabolic syndrome x, diabetes mellitus and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and correlate the risk for cardiovascular disease related to these afflictions, ultimately minimizing and preventing the risk of a cardiac event through the use of health education, screening, medication management and evidence-based practices such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Diabetes Prevention Program.”

Health care crisis? There’s an APP for that, wrote AANP member Jarod Smith in an Op-Ed about the need to modernize practice for NPs and other clinicians in Pennsylvania. Smith wrote, “Unfortunately, the current health care environment fails to recognize the value of advanced practice providers (APPs), and this results in underutilization. For our health care system to become not only efficient but also effective, it needs to be intellectually honest concerning the benefits that such providers offer.”

In other Pennsylvania news, AANP member Dr. Catherine Grant also wrote an Op-Ed that was recently published. “I was the very first nurse practitioner (NP) to own a health center in Pennsylvania. I established my office because I saw a huge need in towns and rural areas,” Grant wrote. “I’ve dedicated 25 years of my life to make sure families have access to health care, because it can be a matter of life and death.”

AANP member Lacey Eden was recently featured as a CDC Flu Fighter Partner! Eden created a mobile application called “Best for Baby” in order to help parents track their child’s upcoming developmental milestones and vaccinations. Learn more about how she encourages patients to get their flu shots.

Many diabetics are not taking as much insulin as they need, because it is unaffordable, according to a recent news report that quoted AANP member Sarah Gossett. “It’s really frustrating that my parents can’t take the medication that they need to stay alive just because of a cost,” Gossett said. Even when patients have insurance, insulin can be cost-prohibitive. Gossett said, “… these are people who have worked their entire lives and have an illness that they need a medication for and they can’t take it.”

Congratulations to AANP member Rand Pennington, who recently won a Healthcare Heroes award from the Wilmington Business Journal. Pennington discussed the importance of diabetes education and said, “… we find that patients who are able to manage their diabetes and understand their diabetes tend to take care of themselves better in the long run and are able to prevent long-term complications of diabetes compared to patients who are not self-educated.” Pennington added, “…I think that as long as we kind of always try and look at things from a patient-centric perspective, as long as we keep a patient at the center and continue to do that then you’ll do good work.”

Last week, AANP President Dr. Joyce Knestrick was quoted in an AANP press release regarding the Trump administration’s recent release of a report entitled Reforming America’s Healthcare System Through Choice and Competition. Knestrick said, “We are encouraged and agree with the administration’s recommendation that patients suffer when faced with barriers to access resulting from outdated [SOP] laws.” Knestrick was also interviewed by Daily Nurse about the role NPs play in prescribing Medication-assisted Treatments (MATs) and expanding critical access to care for patients in need. AANP has formed a collaborative with the American Society of Addiction Medicine and the American Association of Physician Assistants to provide the 24-hour waiver training for NPs and physician assistants. Visit AANP’s CE Center for more information.

Congratulations to AANP member Greg King, who received a Professional Research Consultants, Inc. (PRC) Five-Star Excellence Award for Provider Services and Overall Care. According to a press release, “The five-star award ranks King and the orthopedic practice in the top 10 percent nationally for “excellent” responses in patient satisfaction surveys.”

A wellness studio run by AANP member Lisa Srnka was featured in a Next Pittsburgh article that highlighted four local, holistic wellness treatments. Learn more.

Congratulations to AANP member Nancy Warner, who recently received the Person of the Year Award from the Santa Barbara Coalition of Nurse Practitioners. The award recognizes Warner’s contributions to her community and to the nurse practitioner role.

An article about oral side effects related to fentanyl delivery in head and neck patients quoted AANP member Erin McMenamin and was published by Cancer Network. McMenamin said, “Mucositis is an expected consequence of chemotherapy and radiation therapy to the head and neck. Severity depends on the location, dose and type of concurrent chemotherapy. Opioids are generally the treatment of choice, due to the efficacy and the potential for unwanted side effects from other medications.”

After suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning, AANP member Jodi Reese is educating others about the dangers associated with carbon monoxide, including brain injuries and long-term health issues. Learn more.

AANP member Jennifer Femino recently explained to readers of the Daily Nurse how you can and why you should help your community prepare for flu season. Her tips also appeared in the Hilltop Monitor during National Influenza Vaccination Week.

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

AANP President Dr. Joyce Knestrick wrote several blogs recently:

• Symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer: 10 Subtle Signs You May Be Battling Cancer of the Pancreas
• Lung Cancer Facts: 8 Things Women Need to Know About Lung Cancer
• Lung Cancer Awareness Month: 6 Facts About the Most Commonly Misunderstood Cancer
• Alzheimer’s Disease: 4 Ways an Alzheimer’s Diagnosis Can Help Patients
• Men’s Health: 5 Reasons Men Are Living Sicker and Dying Younger (and What You Can Do About It)

A response written by Knestrick to a recent article about the value of NPs to medical practices was published in Medical Economics. Knestrick said, “NPs have been providing primary, acute and specialty care to patients of all ages and walks of life for nearly half a century. NPs’ abilities to assess patients, order and interpret diagnostic tests, make diagnoses, and initiate and manage treatment plans, including prescribing medications, make us neither mid-level nor an extension of our physician colleagues, rather a critical provider of patient-centered care.”

Knestrick was also quoted in an AANP press release regarding the Trump administration’s recent release of a report entitled Reforming America’s Healthcare System Through Choice and Competition. Knestrick said, “We are encouraged and agree with the administration’s recommendation that patients suffer when faced with barriers to access resulting from outdated [SOP] laws.”

Congratulations to AANP Fellows Dr. Terri Allison and Dr. Rene Love, who received a Fellows of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners grant to “study the impact DNP-prepared nurse practitioners have on patient and organizational outcomes.” According to a press release, Allison and Love “will examine how changes in education — specifically, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing and National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties recommendations that the DNP degree be the entry into practice for nurse practitioners — affects the growth and distribution of nurse practitioners in the workforce.”

AANP member Mary BenBenek was quoted in a recent article about a new NP-led clinic that was opened by the University of Minnesota to “expand personalized treatment and primary care for the University community.” According to an article about the clinic opening, Benbenek said, “[Our perspective] is based on patient interaction. Yes, we might take a little bit longer with a patient, but we’re trying to listen and hear their story.”

“Partnering with your primary care provider (PCP) will go a long way toward keeping you at your best level of health and avoiding unnecessary visits to the emergency department,” AANP member Michelle Poston wrote in an Op-Ed published by a local paper. Poston explained which clinicians may be PCPs and which health conditions might warrant routine or emergency care.

A new clinic owned by AANP member Rachel Wilson is helping to increase access to health care for patients in Meriden, Kansas. “Instead of becoming a nurse practitioner somewhere else and continuing on with that model of the current health care, I just decided to open up my own practice,” Wilson explained to reporters. Learn more.

“The need for nurses, as well as the variety of job settings available to nurses, translates to strong job opportunity at all levels,” according to a recent article about nursing shortages that quoted AANP member Brooke Caldwell. The article reveals why Caldwell chose to become an NP. “As a supervisor, I was managing nursing, staffing and assisting where I could when nurses were overwhelmed. It was at that point that I felt if nurses had more support from a provider, their job would go a little easier,” Caldwell said. “When I decided to go back to nurse practitioner school, I swore I would be the provider that wouldn’t complain when nurses called me, and I would educate them. I wanted to find a way to make it easier on nurses because they have to do a lot. I also wanted back on the floor with the patients.”

More Maine babies are born exposed to opioids, and hospitals are struggling to treat them, according to a local news report that quoted AANP member Alane O’Connor. “If they try to detox on their own, they get so sick they feel like they are going to die,” said O’Connor. “It’s about getting them stabilized on medication. But counseling is also a big piece in terms of their recovery.”

“Many rural inhabitants, including the elderly and disabled, would rather avoid a visit to the doctor’s office than face an hour (or more) drive to get there,” according to an article about the need to increase access to care in rural areas. The article featured AANP members Dr. Nicole Rouhana and Frances Munroe. “We have great need for more rural nurse practitioners,” Munroe said. “The problem has existed for a while, but now it’s growing. We believe nursing is both a science and an art. There is a way to combine the digital aspects with physical connections to provide the best care for the patient.”

“If you think about a young mom with three kids at home, the last thing you want to do is lug them to the doctor’s office, have them crawling around a dirty floor,” AANP member Tamara Brown told reporters in an article about a house call service in Tempe, Arizona. Brown also indicated that the service is beneficial to patients with limited mobility.

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

Congratulations to AANP member Jason Gleason, who was recently recognized on the floor of the U.S. Senate by Senator Steve Daines and designated Montanan of the Week for his work in stroke care as an NP for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. According to a press release, Gleason “spent 20 years in the Montana Air National Guard, retiring as lieutenant colonel. He regularly speaks to health care providers across the country about stroke prevention and treatment and received the Montana State Department of Health and Human Services Stroke Hero of the Year Award.”

People with chronic diseases like diabetes need to take special precautions during flu season, according to a U.S. News & World Report article by AANP member Edwin Torres. “The best way to stay safe is to get your flu vaccination as soon as possible from your health care provider or local pharmacy,” said Torres. “This is especially important for people with diabetes because they are at high risk of developing serious flu complications. Remember, the flu vaccines are updated each season to keep up with changing viruses.” Read several other things Torres wants people with diabetes to know about the flu.

Kidney failure is one of many complications that can result from improper management of diabetes, according to an article that quoted AANP member Mary Shick, who recently conducted a diabetes education seminar. Shick said, “When you are diabetic, too much or too little sugar can cause damage to other organs. If you manage your sugars, you can live to be 90 with diabetes. This doesn’t have to happen.”

Diabetic foot disease, and the importance of preventing it, was discussed by AANP member Dr. Kristen Marjama in an article for Contemporary Clinic’s Pharmacy Times. According to Marjama, “Not only does diabetic foot disease have an impact clinically and socially, but the economic burden is great. In the United States, medical costs for managing diabetic foot disease range from $9 billion to $13 billion.” Marjama encouraged health care providers to conduct foot exams.

AANP President Dr. Joyce Knestrick wrote a blog for 30 Seconds on diabetes prevention. Read Worried About Your High Blood Sugar? Do These 4 Things to Help Prevent Diabetes!

Congratulations to AANP Fellows Dr. Christopher Blackwell, Dr. Mimi Secor and Dr. Wendy Wright and AANP members Dr. Wendy Fletcher, Elvisa Kurtovic and Christina Treppendahl, who recently received 2018 America’s Top Nurse Practitioner Awards from Point of Care Network. A press release about the awards quoted Blackwell, who said, “NPs are invaluable to our healthcare system because they are bridging a major gap in care delivery in both primary and acute settings. NPs, which are all educated at the graduate level, are meeting patient needs across the lifespan, making major impacts in the lives of patients through evidence-based practice.”

Wright also received the Advanced Practice Nurses of the Ozarks (APNO) 2018 William David LaFevers Memorial Lectureship. The Lectureship honors advance practice nurses who embody the ideals demonstrated in the professional and personal life of former AANP Missouri State Representative Dave LaFevers.

Congratulations to AANP Colorado State Representative Dr. Michelle Edwards, who was recently named a 2019 Thomas C. Dolan Executive Diversity Program Scholar by the American College of Healthcare Executives. Learn more.

AANP Fellow Dr. Dawn Garzon Maaks currently serves as president of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP) and was recently interviewed by Nurse.com regarding adolescent developmental, mental and behavioral health. Garzon Maaks said, “We need to assess for adverse childhood experiences and all children, especially those older than 11, must be screened for anxiety and depression. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for people 10 to 24 years of age and, in some states like Utah, it is the leading cause of death. We lose thousands of children each year to suicide.”

A recent article about epidemic teen suicide rates quoted AANP member Aaron Garcia, who expressed concern about the amount of information that adolescents can access. Garcia said, “I’ve been reading articles that found children are now so fully stimulated (with information) that their brains can’t catch up to what’s going on, so that increases stress, anxiety and depression.”

AANP member Nikki Hunter-Greenaway co-founded the first freestanding breastfeeding clinic in Louisiana. According to a press release, the center was established “to provide accessible and evidence-based lactation support to families in the greater New Orleans area, with a special emphasis on women of color. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Black infants are 21 percent less likely to have ever been breast feed than white infants. In addition, one in four infants is exclusively breastfeed by the age of six months old.”

Congratulations to AANP member Dr. Sheri Carson, who recently received the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner of the Year Award from the Arizona Chapter of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners. According to an article about the honor, Carson said, “I absolutely love being a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, and having the chance to advocate for children, provide quality care for them and their families, and help educate future nurses, nurse practitioners and physicians about pediatric health care.  To receive an award that recognizes my hard work and passion solidifies for me that I chose the right path and that I really am making a difference in the lives of children and their families.”

Are you a people-pleaser? On Good Morning Washington, AANP member Dr. Eileen O’Grady recently discussed the harm people-pleasing can cause and how you can regain control. Watch the discussion.

Eileen Flavin, an AANP member, started Anywhere Urgent Care after she took her son to a traditional Urgent Care and felt that she was charged too much. “Everything was great until I got the bill. It was $660, and because it was so outrageously expensive, I decided to open my own practice as a mobile Urgent Care,” Flavin said. Learn more about Flavin’s experience and her new business.

“Patients needing hospitalization in the hurricane affected Florida Panhandle have fewer options these days,” according to an article that quoted AANP member Stan Whittaker. The hospital in Blountsville has not reopened since it was damaged during the storm. “This hospital is here to help out this rural population, and statistically a rural population has more healthcare needs,” Whittaker. “They’re not as healthy.”

AANP member Dr. Donna Rolin was quoted in a Health Leaders article that discussed using robots to teach NP students about telehealth. According to the article, the program is designed “to familiarize students with telehealth and to improve patient access to mental health care, especially for patients who live in remote areas and may not have access to a mental health care provider.” Rolin said, “In a rural state like this [Texas], where there is such a lack of mental health providers, I think we have to be innovative and creative and figure out what we can do without being face-to-face.”

Measles is a risk for those who are not vaccinated, according to an article that quoted AANP member Valerie King. “The more we can immunize people, the better we can prevent outbreaks in the community,” said King. Read more.

AANP member Elizabeth Weissbart Wasik also encouraged people to vaccinate their children. According to Wasik, “…our collective memory is fading and this is increasing our individual and associated communitywide vulnerability to communicable diseases. The truth is, every legitimate shred of scientific evidence points toward the safety and efficacy of vaccines.” Learn more.

Choose an NP to be your health care provider, AANP member Dr. Brenda Strysko urged readers of the Bennington Banner. Strysko said, “As clinicians that blend clinical skill in diagnosing and treating health conditions with consideration for disease prevention and health management, NPs provide comprehensive care to patients every day.” Read more reasons to choose an NP at the We Choose NPs website.

A diabetes education event was recently held for patients, according to an article that quoted AANP member Rosary Munoz. In addition to sharing patients’ concerns about changing their diets, Munoz encouraged people to take advantage of the free diabetes screening.

The Arlington Catholic Herald recently highlighted a free clinic that cares for underserved patients. AANP member Barbara Vassallo volunteers at the clinic and was quoted in the article.

AANP member Amy Johnson recently opened a new NP-led clinic in Montana. According to a press release, Johnson said, “My philosophy is I am there as a part of your team, if you’re a patient of mine,” Johnson said. “We’re a team, and my job is to tell you what my knowledge base is, to educate you and then you’re your own boss.” AANP member Geof Rohrlach also cares for patients at the clinic and said, “We aren’t just thinking on the pathological side or the pharmaceutical side. We’re looking at how everything works.”

Congratulations to AANP member Rand Pennington, who was among the health care providers recently recognized as Health Care Heroes by Wilmington Biz. According to a press release, “Rand’s desire to provide the best care possible leads him to continuously look for ways to improve processes that lead to improved patient outcomes.”

Nurse practitioners play a pivotal role in the treatment of lung cancer patients, according to a recent article published by OncLive^®. The article quoted AANP member Mary Pasquinelli, who said, “Often, as a nurse practitioner, I will see that patient throughout their course of treatment and then the oncologist and I work with that patient together to see the patient when they have scans or if they have progression of disease. Otherwise, I do a lot of the symptom management and diagnose, prescribe, and treat for any of the side effects.”

AANP member KC Arnold was quoted in a press release about recent FDA approval to expand certification to NPs and PAs for implantation of a specific continuous glucose monitoring system for people with diabetes. Arnold said, “Many health care providers are ready and willing to learn and perfect these types of in-office procedures with the goal of helping more patients in their practice manage their diabetes with the latest technology available on the market.”

NPs are increasing access to health care for patients in Grays Harbor, Washington, according to a recent article that quoted AANP members Ron Oman and Katha Gazda. “I worked in the ER for ten years as a nurse, and I saw patients at their worst,” explained Gazda. “I decided I’d rather work on preventative care to try to keep patients out of the ER, so I went to graduate school to become a family nurse practitioner.”

A teddy bear clinic was recently held to help familiarize children with health care visits. AANP member Theresa Hurley was quoted in an article about the event and said, “We can work through their questions if they have any fear of needles we can explain why it’s important for the vaccinations.” Hurley expressed hope that the clinic would remind parents to schedule annual physicals for their children to help clinicians diagnose diseases earlier and improve both health management and patient education.