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

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

• Fatigue is Dangerous: Three Scary Facts About Lack of Sleep
• Men’s Health: Healthy Men Do These Five Things (Are You One of Them?)
• Cancer-free Is Not Worry-free: Why Cancer Survivors Need Your Support
• Alzheimer’s Awareness: Seven Signs Your Forgetfulness Is Really an Early Symptom of Alzheimer’s Disease

The Health Wagon, including AANP Fellows Dr. Paula Hill-Collins and Dr. Teresa Gardner, are “organizing two major health outreach events this summer that will bring free medical services to Southwest Virginia, including one with no-cost veterinary services.” Hill-Collins said, “We are blessed and exhilarated to bring these much needed services to our deserving patients.” Read more.

A research proposal submitted by two AANP Fellows has received the Nurse Practitioner History Research Scholar Award from the Eleanor Crowder Bjoring Center for Nursing Historical Inquiry at the University of Virginia. Carolyn Torre and Dr. Kim Curry submitted a pilot proposal to conduct videotaped interviews with early nurse leaders involved in the evolution of the original state scope of practice laws that enable the practice of nurse practitioners. Learn more.

Congratulations to AANP North Carolina State Representative Dr. Frank Manole, who was recently selected to serve as the Director of Operations for Avance Care. According to a press release, Manole said, “It is incredibly important that we address the patient in front of us in the best possible way, but too often, we handcuff ourselves by not thinking about the impact and the responsibility we have of shaping our health care system.”

A Huffington Post article by AANP member Nadia Santana explained why she is a health care provider without commercial health insurance. Santana wrote, “As both an uninsured patient and a health care provider, I am in a unique position to view our health care crisis from both sides of the spectrum. Being uninsured is a humbling experience and can provoke a lot of anxiety and fear. There’s always an underlying fear of a huge medical emergency happening, one that I won’t be able to afford. I’ve learned that a lack of insurance not only affects a person’s quality of life, but also affects many of the decisions they make.”

Physicians should not feel threatened by Pennsylvania Senate Bill 25, according to an op-ed written by AANP member Heidi Gibbons. “In Pennsylvania, there is an existing shortage of primary care providers — primarily in underserved rural and urban areas,” wrote Gibbons. “Over half of nurse practitioners are educated to provide primary care. Nurse practitioners are twice as likely as physicians to serve rural communities and nurse practitioners in states with full practice authority are more likely to practice in rural areas compared to those states without it — like Pennsylvania.”

“A new training program in Idaho Falls helps prepare nurses to properly examine sexual assault victims at their clinics,” according to a local news report that quoted AANP member Kara Boll. “We are so fortunate to have nurses in the area who want to take part in this program and were willing to help get it together,” Boll said. The program is the only one west of Dallas in the United States.

Congratulations to AANP member Dr. Alvin Mena Cantero, who was recognized by the Good Samaritan Foundation as a Silver Award Winner in the 2019 Excellence in Nursing Awards. “Through the Excellence in Nursing Awards, the Good Samaritan Foundation encourages others to celebrate and recognize individual nurses who excel in their chosen fields. Nurses are nominated by their peers for their passion, leadership, mentorship, and service to our Texas communities.” Learn more.

Nurse practitioners are not giving up the legislative fight in Florida, according to a recent article that quoted AANP Florida State Representative Arlene Wright. “Modernizing antiquated health care statutes gives patients accessibility and choice,” Wright said. “It also decreases preventable delays in care, especially for the outlying, underserved areas. The cost savings are reflected in the decreased utilization of emergency services for nonemergency health care issues and unnecessary referrals. Ensuring that the population has access to preventative health care services will decrease hospitalization rates and reduce length of stays.”

A news article about ways that local organizations are helping survivors of Hurricane Michael in Florida quoted AANP member Denise Miller. Speaking of a mobile medical clinic that increases patients’ access to health care, Miller said, “We offer medical and dental. We take certain insurances. For people that don’t have insurance we go by a sliding scale base, so depending on your income and how many people are in your household, you could be seen first visit for like $25. After that they decide from there.”

Recently, AANP member Kristin Pratt shared health and immunization information with community members in South Dakota. Of vaccines, Pratt said, “Everything has been tested and proven to be safe and effective.” Pratt blamed social media for spreading misinformation, and she urged people to question their sources of information and challenge what they read. Learn more.

A Men’s Health Week article quoted AANP member Monica Schmucker. Health maintenance is “… a little bit like taking care of your vehicles,” Schmucker said. “You’re going to want to do your preventative maintenance, get your oil changed and make sure the tire pressure is correct — those types of things. I think we all understand that’s so we’re going to make sure to keep our vehicle working properly and prevent much more expensive problems down the road. It’s kind of the same thing.”

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

“Participation in professional organizations has substantially shaped my career and has provided me with opportunities to not only become a more productive, informed and engaged nurse, but also a more thoughtful and globally-connected individual citizen,” AANP Fellow Dr. Richard Ricciardi said in an article for George Washington University. Ricciardi, president-elect of Sigma Theta Tau International and past-president of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners, encouraged readers to join one or more professional organizations. “In my own career,” Ricciardi said, “the opportunity to work alongside a diverse group of colleagues on committees or work groups has nudged me to take on new roles and progressively greater responsibility, while also providing me mentorship and support. Nurses represent the largest segment of the health care workforce. As such, nursing organizations play an important role in representing and strengthening the capabilities and value that nurses bring to improving health for individuals, families and communities. Ensure your unique voice is included through active participation as we move our profession forward.”

Ongoing measles outbreaks in the U.S. put elimination status at risk, according to a Pharmacy Times article that quoted AANP Fellow Dr. Mary Koslap-Petraco. Parents make decisions about immunizations on an emotional level, according to the article, and Koslap-Petraco suggested that health care professionals may be able to use that knowledge to help encourage parents to get their children vaccinated. Koslap-Petraco said, “Find something that you can agree about with parents, say something right up front, ‘I know you want the best for your children, and I only want the same,’ and then continue the discussion from there.”

Congratulations to AANP Fellow Dr. Susanne Phillips, who was recently recognized as the Coast Magazine Readers’ Choice Women in Health Care award recipient. In an article about the honor, Phillips said, “Approximately 50 years of research demonstrates we provide high-quality, cost-effective health care equivalent to physicians.”

Those interested in becoming a nurse practitioner (NP) might benefit from reading an article by AANP member Dr. Jolene Cannady, who described how she overcame challenges in her youth to become an NP. Cannady mentioned the key role that a professor played in her life by mentoring and encouraging her. “The sky is the limit in nursing, and it is an amazing career,” said Cannady. “We need people with a passion for caring for others. Come and join me in a profession that will change your life.”

In a local news article about the importance of regular health checkups to prevent and detect colon cancer, AANP member Michelle Deprey said, “Among cancers that affect both men and women, colon cancer is the number two killer, and it is something that we can prevent.” Deprey indicated that although screenings for colon cancer normally begin later in life, “There are some risk factors that people should be aware of that require patients to be screened earlier. So a family history of colon cancer, inflammatory bowel diseases, patients that have genetic syndromes that can lead to needing earlier screening.”

A new NP-led clinic founded by AANP member James Lehman was highlighted in a local news report. Lehman discussed the importance of diet and exercise to stay healthy and said, “We want to catch things early and try to make interventions so we don’t have disasters, long-term.”

Temperatures are rising in most parts of the United States, and a local news article about how to cope with the heat featured AANP member Bryan Combs, who encouraged readers to stay hydrated. Start drinking water a day before heat exposure, Combs encouraged. “Keep in mind, it’s not just water. You are doing a lot of work in the morning and you are sweating, you are losing electrolytes. Potassium, that kind of stuff. You want to replace that as best you can,” said Combs.

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

Please read this special Memorial Day letter to the editor of CentralMaine.com, written by AANP member Peggy Akers, who served in the Vietnam Army Nurse Corps during the Vietnam War. Akers shared heartbreaking memories of her experience helping the severely wounded. The article and its author were then highlighted by CBS News.

“Because patients always come first. In our quest to manage pain, stop hemorrhages, restart hearts, catch babies, comfort children and hold the hands of the dying, we put ourselves last,” AANP member Emily Weston wrote in an article published by KevinMD.com that was written in response to recent comments made by Washington State Senator Maureen Walsh. Read Weston’s account of what it is like to be a nurse.

Red tape delays nurse practitioner (NP) -ordered home care, according to a Campaign for Action article that quoted AANP Vice President of Federal Government Affairs MaryAnne Sapio, AANP Fellow Dr. Sue Mullaney and AANP member Dr. Ron Ordona. According to the article, “The Home Health Care Planning Improvement Act of 2019, first introduced more than a decade ago would allow NPs, clinical nurse specialists, certified nurse midwives, and physician assistants to certify Medicare patients for home health services.”

Congratulations to AANP member Dr. Jennifer Adamski, who was recently elected to serve on the American Association of Critical Care Nurses Board of Directors. Learn more about Adamski from Emory University and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

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

• Teens Are Struggling With Mental Health Issues: Here’s How You Can Help
• Eight Facts About Skin Cancer That Could Save Your Life (You Won’t Believe Number Seven!)

At the end of April, Knestrick was interviewed while attending the 2019 World Health Care Congress in Washington D.C. Watch the interview.

In MD Magazine, Knestrick discussed the many ways that NPs can help alleviate the primary care crisis in America and emphasized the need for NPs to bill under their own names. According to Knestrick, it comes down to accountability. “If NPs aren’t able to practice to the fullest extent of their training, they cannot bill under their own names. Extending that scope will hold NPs accountable for their care and could improve the care they provide. ‘We can’t accurately see what everyone’s doing when they’re not billing under their own name,’ she said. ‘It makes it hard to get clear data. [Allowing it] will improve our data about the high-quality care that we give out.'”

Kudos to AANP member Laura Knisley, who recently received the 2019 Ohio Distinguished Health Educator Service Award from the Ohio Public Health Association. “I am proud to be involved in public health,” said Knisley. “I greatly value the opportunities each day to empower my clients to achieve the best quality of life possible.” Learn more.

AANP member Beverly Haliburton was quoted in a local news article about allergies. “Because of the condition and the warmth and the rain of this climate, we have growing plants all year-round unless we have a freeze,” Halliburton said, indicating that there is no time of year when the area experiences a lower incidence of allergies, unless there is a freeze.

Congratulations to AANP member Dr. Mariea Snell, who was one of ten nurses selected from 300 nominees to be honored by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch as a 2019 Heart of Health Care recipient. Learn more.

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

AANP Fellows Dr. Loretta Ford and Dr. Doreen Cassarino were quoted in a local news article about National Nurses Week and the role that advanced practice registered nurses play in our health care system. Regarding the creation of the nurse practitioner (NP) role, Ford said,  “It was an opportunity to demonstrate what nurses could do. I certainly didn’t expect to have 270,000 nurse practitioners.” Cassarino added, “Nurse practitioners can help provide safe and effective care to people who need it the most where they need it the most. A lot of people don’t have access to quality health care that they need because of lack of providers.”

Congratulations to AANP Wisconsin State Representative Dr. Tina Bettin, who was named the 2019 Alumnus Honoris by the Clintonville Public School District. According to a press release, “Last October, Bettin was recognized as one of seven Wisconsin Nurses Association Advanced Practice Nurses of the Year. Bettin is also one of four NPs from Wisconsin who are AANP Fellows.

An Oprah Magazine article about five nurses who might save the world featured AANP member Sharon T. Smith. According to the article, “As a hospice and palliative care nurse practitioner, Smith tends to the sickest of the sick. She covers four North Carolina counties in her Honda Fit, visiting people where they live.”

Congratulations to AANP Florida North State Representative Dr. Stacia Hays, who was awarded the 2019 Transplant Nurses Day Award from the International Transplant Nurses Society (ITNS). Recognition during Transplant Nurses Day and the award are for “contributions to patient care, patient and public education, nursing research, and the profession of nursing.” Learn more.

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

• The ABCDEs of Melanoma: How to Know When to Worry About Skin Cancer
• National Women’s Health Week Is Coming: Seven Ways for Females to Prioritize Their Health
• Osteoporosis: Four Signs That the Disease Is Silently Putting Your Health at Risk
• Early Warning Signs of a Stroke: Know the Symptoms & Seek Medical Treatment ASAP

An Aldia News article featured AANP member Valerie Caraballo, who said that there are several inaccuracies associated with nursing, including gender- and role-related misconceptions. Caraballo said that nurses think critically, and “We are trained to be able to assess a situation and offer a resolution to it working with the doctor, alongside them, not beneath them.”

AANP VP of State Government Affairs Dr. Taynin Kopanos was quoted in the following articles about state health policy:

• More States Pushing for Autonomy in Scope-of-Practice Battle — Kopanos said, “AANP believes that these requirements are unnecessary for safe practice by nurse practitioners and can impede direct access to patient care. We understand that some state legislators find that this is a political compromise option that they are willing to move forward from. So, the evidence on patient outcomes do not support that there is a difference in quality of care between the two providers.”
• Nurse Practitioners Seen as Option to Meet Growing Primary Care Demand  — Kopanos told reporters, “Nurse practitioners are licensed to provide a higher level of care than what half of the states are willing to allow. What they can provide and what they are able to do legally is what’s driving disparity and inefficiencies in the health care system and putting states in a poor position to address the rising elderly population, the rise in chronic disease, and growing health care costs.”

It’s National Nurses Week, and an awareness video published by the University of Arizona College of Nursing featured AANP member Rudy Valenzuela and the transformative work he is doing at the border between the United States and Mexico.

A local news piece about dangers associated with sunscreen chemicals quoted AANP member Lisa Ball, who owns an NP-led dermatology practice. Ball encouraged readers to used physical, rather than chemical, sunscreens, and she said, “We do know that a lot of those chemicals could contribute to cancer or maybe reproductive or developmental concerns.”

In rural Missouri, interpreters are key to health care for Congolese refugees, according to an article that quoted AANP member Amanda Wilford. Automated translation services were not as helpful as a human translator, according to Wilford, who said the refugees spoke a different dialect of French than the automated translation service.

AANP members Kellie Creaser, Stephanie Ferris, Taylor Lenz, Crysta Sullivan and Jeff Shideman were among the University of Wyoming doctor of nursing practice (DNP) students who participated in a National Outdoor Leadership School Wilderness Medicine for the Professional Practitioner program. According to an article about the program, “In all, 24 students, including nine UW nursing students and two instructors, took part in the two-day training that included patient assessment; treating head, spine and chest injuries; as well as responding to weather-related injuries from cold, heat and lightning. Students also received instructions on group leadership skills.”

An article about male nurses quoted AANP member Daniel Arellano, who mentioned the important role that NPs play in rural communities by increasing access to care for patients. Arellano said, “Nursing offers endless growth potential that may be attractive to men seeking a stable career track.” Learn more.

Many nursing professors, like AANP member Beth Farbotnik, also work in the field as practicing nurse practitioners. Farbotnik told reporters, “My love of teaching came from mentoring the nursing students who came to my unit when I was a staff. I was also inspired by my own nursing educators, whom I have the privilege of working with now.”

Congratulations to AANP member Dr. Diane Daddario, who was recently appointed co-chair of the sub-group on Communications of the International Council of Nurses, Nurse Practitioner/Advanced Practice Nurse Network (ICN NP/APN) along with Sini Hamalainen of Finland. Daddario said, “This is a great honor serving with other advanced practice nurses from around the world, including several from the United States who serve ​on other committees.” Kudos also to the other AANP members who are currently serving on ICN committees, including Li Gao, Deborah Gray, Elissa Ladd and Andrea Renwanz-Boyle. Learn more in the About NP/APNN —Network Steering Groups section of ICN’s website.

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

AANP President Dr. Joyce Knestrick participated in a panel discussion and was interviewed today at the World Health Care Congress. This event “brings together global thought leaders and key decision-makers from all sectors of the health care ecosystem to connect, learn, and share best practices in an elite networking forum resulting in an exchange of valuable strategies.”

Nurse practitioners (NPs) are seen as a solution to help meet the growing primary care demand, according to an article published by The Heartland Institute. The article quoted AANP VP of State Government Affairs Dr. Taynin Kopanos, who said, “Nurse practitioners are licensed to provide a higher level of care than what half of the states are willing to allow. What they can provide and what they are able to do legally is what’s driving disparity and inefficiencies in the health care system and putting states in a poor position to address the rising elderly population, the rise in chronic disease, and growing health care costs.”

Congratulations to AANP Fellow Dr. Safiya George, who was recently named Dean of the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing at Florida Atlantic University. George is a leading scholar in the fields of HIV research, spirituality, religion and health, according to a press release about her new role. George said, “I am both humbled and excited about the opportunity to join the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing and to serve as dean. I truly look forward to working with everyone, including our phenomenal faculty, staff, students, alumni, advisory board as well as members of the community-at-large. I have a passion for people, holistic health, caring and nursing science and I believe that I can contribute to and further support the impressive initiatives and programs at the college and across the campus.”

AANP member Col. Katrina Lloyd recently made history when she was promoted from Lt. Colonel to Colonel. According to a local news report, Lloyd is only the second African American woman to achieve the rank. Coverage of Lloyd’s promotion continued this week. Regarding her motivation to become an NP, Lloyd said, “I think what really pushed me was watching my grandmother take care of my grandfather when he was sick. He didn’t trust the medical community to take proper care of him.” Learn more about Lloyd and her impressive career.

In a special member spotlight, AANP Region 6 Director Capt. James LaVelle Dickens discussed diversity and inclusion in health care—and how we can all be agents of change. Dickens shared ways that other NPs encouraged him along his career path and why he enjoys mentoring others. Read more.

The first NP to practice under new licensure structure in Virginia is AANP member Susan Adamson. In a local news article, Adamson said of the new structure, “It just opens up the future. It won’t change the way that I practice. My care will not change with my patients, but it gives me the ability in the future. If I want to volunteer, say for example there’s a RAM Clinic, a Rural Area Medicine Clinic, I can go and not have to worry about having a practice agreement.”

Congratulations to AANP member Beth Ennis, who was named the 2019 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Childhood Immunization Award recipient for Nevada. According to a press release from the CDC, “Ennis is currently the only vaccinator in this isolated community of 3,000 residents. The closest general practitioner who vaccinates is two hours away.”

A National Public Radio article about artificial intelligence and its role in health care quoted AANP member Chevelle Parker, who was educating a patient with diabetes about the importance of healthy eating to protect the patient’s vision. Read more.

A special nurses edition of AL DÍA will celebrate the new generation of professional nurses who are enriching diversity in the Philadelphia area. The magazine will feature AANP member Valerie Caraballo on the cover of a weekly printed issue. Read the press release.

AANP member Brittany Coburn was quoted in a local news article about a community health fair. The event was designed to help connect community members with local health-related businesses. Coburn said, “I am hoping that we can make connections — community connections.”

A local newspaper highlighted AANP member Karen Scott in a health spotlight. Scott said, “What I want patients to know they have a voice in health care. Even small changes to their lifestyle can make a difference.” Read more.

A new NP-led clinic at Augusta University will be staffed by AANP member Tranika Brown. According to a press release, Brown said that patients might notice positive differences in care provided by the clinic, including NPs being “more in tune with the patient” and caring for the whole patient rather than focusing on one condition.

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

It’s no secret that #WeChooseNPs to improve access to care and improve health. Today, AANP is taking that message to New Orleans. AANP CEO David Hebert and AANP President-elect Dr. Sophia Thomas are pictured below addressing attendees of the event.

The University of Kentucky featured AANP Fellow Dr. Janie Health in an article about its college of nursing. According to the article, Heath “… has more than 43 years of acute and critical care nursing experience … has been awarded more than $12 million for academic and/or research initiatives, generated more than 150 publications and abstracts, served on numerous regional and national task forces for tobacco control and advanced practice nursing initiatives.”

AANP Fellows Dr. Janet DuBois (Fellows Chair) and Dr. Jean Aertker (Region 11 Director) were recently featured in a local news interview about efforts to modernize practice laws for NPs and increase access to health care for patients in Florida.

ScienceDaily published an article about a study on ways geospacial information systems (GIS) mapping of opioid overdoses in real time can help inform clinical practice. The study was published in the Journal of Pediatric Health Care, and AANP Fellow Dr. Donna Hallas was the lead author. Hallas said, “Traditional and nontraditional health care professionals have a unique opportunity to use visual technologies, such as GIS mapping, to identify hot spots early and then assess, diagnose, and treat those for whom opioid use, overdoses, and deaths are major problems. We recommend collaborations between traditional and nontraditional healthcare providers as a strategy that holds promise for combating the opioid epidemic in local communities.”

Congratulations to AANP Fellow Capt. Joel Dulaigh, who has been named the 2019 Whitney Distinguished Lecturer for the University of Wyoming’s Fay W. Whitney School of Nursing and will speak at the school’s annual Research and Scholarship Day today, April 24. Dulaigh serves as chief of staff to the U.S. Surgeon General. Learn more about Dulaigh and his remarkable career.

AANP President Dr. Joyce Knestrick wrote several timely blogs for 30 Seconds, including one to celebrate Minority Health Month and Diversity Month by increasing awareness of what NPs are doing to address minority health issues. Read Minority Health Issues: Four Ways Nurse Practitioners Are Standing Up to Racial Health Disparities and the following selection of blogs:

• Is Your Heart Older Than You? Here Are Five Things That Prematurely Age Your Heart
• Exercise Can Boost Minority Health: Here Are 10 Reasons to Get Moving!
• Public Health: Here Are Five Public Health Victories Worth Celebrating

Congratulations to AANP member Col. Katrina Lloyd, who made history recently when she was promoted from Lt. Colonel to Colonel. According to a local news report, Lloyd is only the second African American woman to achieve the rank.

Palliative care can improve quality of life, according to AANP member Susan Lyons. In a local news article, Lyons explained four common misconceptions about palliative care. Lyons said, “Integrating palliative care earlier in the treatment process has shown to increase life expectancy and the patient’s ability to tolerate the side effects of treatment.”

Congratulations to AANP member Dr. Nycole Oliver, who was recently selected as one of the Arkansas Center for Nursing’s 2019 40 Nurse Leaders Under 40. According to a press release about the award, “Oliver has won numerous awards from the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) and the Emergency Nurses Association. She’s had the privilege of traveling the world and speaking to other nurse practitioners at international conferences, as well as writing content for nursing education guidebooks, the release continues.”

An Alzheimer’s educational workshop was recently held to educate people about the disease, its symptoms, how it progresses and what resources are available to Alzheimer’s patients and their families. AANP member Gail Johnson was quoted in an article about the event and said, “Dementia or Alzheimer’s, which is a type of Dementia, is the sixth leading cause of death in the U.S. Dementia is something we should all know about because the signs and symptoms can be there long before its diagnosed.”

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

We are sad to share that former American Academy of Nurse Practitioners President and AANP Fellow Dr. Mona Counts has passed away. Learn more about her amazing life and legacy.

AANP Treasurer Dr. Kathy Wheeler is a Shot@Life Champion. Read more about her work increasing awareness of the importance of vaccines. Wheeler said, “I would love everyone to become a Shot@Life Champion. The process can be done from home through a simple online training session, and from there you can continue to communicate with members of Congress and educate the community.”

Congratulations to AANP President Dr. Joyce M. Knestrick, who received the 2019 National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF) Policy Leader Award. Knestrick was nominated by AANP Fellows Dr. Melody Wilkinson and Dr. Lenore Resick.

Knestrick was quoted in a Gastroenterology and Endoscopy News article about relationships between nurses and companies in the health care industry.  “AANP is committed to a transparent health care system,” Knestrick said. “We stand ready to work with our members to comply with the Open Payments provisions.”

Knestrick also wrote the following blogs for 30 Seconds:

• How to Dispose of Medications: Four Steps to Safely Clear Out Your Medicine Cabinet
• Diagnosing Autism: Six Questions I Ask Parents to Help Make an Early Autism Diagnosis
• Spring Break Health Smarts: Six Reasons Your Teen Should Seek Medical Care in Paradise
• Nutrition Notes: Five Shortcuts to Better Family Nutrition (You Are What You Eat!)

Congratulations to AANP member Dr. John R. Lunde, who was among 14 nurses who will receive the Circle of Excellence Award from the American Association of Critical Care Nurses in May. According to a press release, “Criteria used to evaluate Circle of Excellence award candidates include relentless promotion of patient-driven excellence; communication skills; true collaboration; effective decision making; meaningful recognition of others; ability to transform thinking, structures and processes; and ability to address challenges and remove barriers to excellent patient care and achieve visible results through leadership.”

“My love of teaching came from mentoring the nursing students who came to my unit when I was a staff nurse,” AANP member Elizabeth Farbotnik told reporters in an article about nurses who combine active service with educational outreach. When Farbotnik was in middle school, she had the opportunity to shadow nurses, and that helped her solidify her decision to become a nurse. Farbotnik said, “I was also inspired by my own nursing educators, whom I have the privilege of working with now.”

Congratulations to several AANP members who were recently elected to serve on the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP) Board of Directors. AANP Texas South State Rep Dr. Jessica Peck was selected to serve as NAPNAP President-elect, AANP member Dr. Jennifer Sonney will serve as NAPNAP Secretary, AANP Fellow Dr. Teri Woo will be a Member-at-Large and AANP member Dr. Daniel Crawford will serve on the NAPNAP Nominations Committee. Learn more.

AANP member Stephanie Byrer joined a local news show to help viewers combat spring allergies and to offer “some helpful advice on how to tell if you are suffering from allergies or a cold or flu.” Learn more.

An article that touts nurse practitioners (NPs) as the solution to California’s health care provider shortage pictured AANP member Ricky Norwood. The importance of diversity was also discussed in the article, and the authors stressed the need to hire health care providers who reflect the diversity of the communities they serve.

A professional profile of AANP member Sarah Rogers was published by Florida Today. Rogers told reporters, “When I made the decision to advance my career from being a Registered Nurse to a nurse practitioner, I knew that I wanted to work in primary care, specifically in family medicine. The idea of working with patients of all ages really excited me. As a former pediatric nurse, I have seen firsthand how well primary care can help mold a patient’s health and set them on a path toward overall wellness. I love that I have the ability to form relationships with my patients, which can potentially last for the rest of their lives.”

A local news article about palliative care quoted AANP member Liane Chlus, who helps patients “manage the symptoms and stress of a serious illness to avoid hospitalization.” Chlus said, “We are here to provide you with support for advanced illness management to help you live a better quality of life when you have a chronic or serious illness. That support could mean helping you manage symptoms (nausea, sleep problems, depression/anxiety, pain, loss of appetite, shortness of breath) related to chronic illness and treatments, maintain the most comfortable, independent and active life possible, or coordinate care …”

AANP member La Wanda Pulley established an nonprofit in 2014 to help improve the economic status, health and lifestyles of people in underserved communities. Now she and her nonprofit have opened a new clinic to care for patients in an underserved area. “And this is just where I find home, this population,” Pulley said in an article about the clinic’s opening.

Many NPs are becoming involved in radiation oncology, and some are working as coinvestigators on quality-of-life studies with radiation oncologists,” AANP member Dr. Dorothy Pierce told Oncology Nursing News in an article about the work that nurses are doing related to radiation therapy research. “Because nurses are at the forefront of patient care, they can help improve practice guidelines.”

Minnesota Attorney General Kieth Ellison recently announced a 15-member task force that will work to lower pharmaceutical drug prices in the state. AANP member Jessica Braun is among the task force members. Read the press release.

Campaign for Action highlighted AANP member Laura Reichhardt in a Nursing Journeys profile. Learn more about Reichhardt’s career path and the lessons she has learned along the way.

AANP CEO David Hebert was recently interviewed by DailyNurse about nurse practitioners and primary care services. “It’s important to remember that primary care can prevent additional health complications for patients, making NPs a vital resource for rural communities. People living in states with laws that reduce or restrict NPs’ scope-of-practice have significantly less access to PCNPs. This finding indicates that such state regulations have played a role in impeding access to primary care. This alone should be cause for concern among policymakers seeking to improve public health.”

According to an article in Dermatology Times, a billing algorithm created and tested by AANP member Dr. Paula Brooks and her physician assistant colleague “improved advanced practice provider (APP)/physician teams’ utilization and efficiency; reduced compliance errors; and increased all providers’ relative value units (RVUs) and collections.” Brooks said, “There were 13 different ways that one could close an encounter in … our electronic medical record (EMR). So, we really wanted to standardize the process for the APPs because they needed to be recognized for the work that they were providing. Many were billing ‘incident to,’ in which they were billing under the physician, which would make the advanced practice provider invisible and the physician would be recognized as the one billing and obtaining the RVUs for the visit.”

AANP member and veteran Navy pilot Jen Kiggans is running for Senate in Virginia. Learn more.

A local news report about the rising costs of insulin quoted AANP member Mary Steward, who said advances made in insulin products are at least partially to blame for cost increases. According to Steward, “We’ve been fortunate in that newer variations and quicker onset formulations have become available, which means it has become easier for the patient to inject and eat immediately and not have to wait, but that’s come with a change in price and a change in cost.”

AANP member Cherrie Cowan was quoted in an article about a community Dash for Diabetes. Cowan said, “Exercise is important for everyone to be healthy, but it’s especially important for people with diabetes to help them control their blood sugar. I’ve been doing diabetic care for 32 years, and this is my event of the year. I love doing this. I love taking care of people with diabetes; it’s very significant to me.”

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 for 30 Seconds.

• Lack of Sleep: Six Surprising Things That Happen When You Don’t Get Enough Sleep (No. 3 Is Scary!)
• Sleep Deprivation: Your Lack of Sleep May Be Causing These Eight Things
• Kidney Awareness Month: Five Easily Overlooked Signs That Your Kidneys May Be in Trouble
• Pediatric Nurse Practitioners: Three Ways Nurse Practitioners Help Kids Live Healthier
• Healthy Moms: Six Steps to Spring Clean Your Health and Life!
• National Nutrition Month: Five Shortcuts to Better Family Nutrition (You Are What You Eat!)

AANP Fellow Dr. Cindy Cooke also wrote a blog for 30 Seconds. Read Sleep Strategies: Six Daytime Habits to Help You Sleep Better at Night.

In a segment about nursing and the law, Johnson & Johnson Nursing Notes Live featured AANP member Joe Flores, who is also an attorney. Learn more about what led Flores to become a lawyer and hear his unique perspective on health care and the law.

The Lancet recently published a study by AANP member Dr. Vincent Guilamo-Ramos on youth at risk of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). According to the study, “… disparities in HIV prevention and treatment outcomes remain a concern, pointing to inadequate progress in curtailing the epidemic among key populations, such as adolescents and young adults aged 13–29 years.”

AANP member Laurel Short was interviewed by a local news station, and she discussed ways that nurse practitioners (NPs) increase access to health care for patients. Listen to her interview in Segment Two, which begins at the 26:07 mark.

Nurse practitioners hold master’s or doctoral degrees, and have advanced training on patient conditions.  They can perform many of the same functions as medical doctors, but individual states can restrict these health care professionals from exercising a full scope of practice. Today, we learned about the impact that has in certain geographical areas and medical specialties.

Congratulations to AANP Michigan State Representative Dr. Ericka Brunson-Gillespie, who recently received the Michigan Council of Nurse Practitioners New NP of the Year Award. See more.

A recent study ranked St. Johns County, Florida the healthiest county, and a local news article about those findings quoted AANP member Marla Capes. “A lot of patients eat healthily, there are excellent restaurants with healthy choices and they get exercise and they know what a healthy diet looks like,” said Capes. Frequent exercise by the county’s residents was also cited as a reason for their health.

Veteran and AANP member Shetila Burrell was motivated by the death of her brother to increase access to health care for patients. Burrell has opened a new, NP-led clinic in what was once a busy mall. Burrell told reporters, “I was looking around trying to figure out how can I help this community because when they come to other places that I worked in Baton Rouge or they missed their appointments, they were like, ‘I don’t have a ride, I don’t have this, I don’t have that,’ so me being conveniently here at Cortana Mall makes it very easy for a lot of people not to miss their appointments.”

An article about healthy choices for people with diabetes quoted AANP member Celia Levesque, who discussed kidney damage. Levesque said, “Micro albumin levels above 30 suggest kidney damage. It’s treatable if caught early, but if you wait until these numbers are above 300, the damage has a tendency to be permanent.”

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

Congratulations to AANP member Dr. Paul Coyne, who co-founded Inspiren, a nurse practitioner-led company that won the SXSW 2019 Interactive Innovation Award for AI & Machine Learning in recognition of the iN: Cognitive Patient Care Assistant. Learn more.

Sharing with the larger group for two reasons. First, we would normally share a link to the award only and mention the company, product and Coyne’s role. This helps us report rather than advertise or promote. Second, I didn’t know if we might have any interest in learning more about Coyne and his career path as we continue to explore the many varied roles that NPs play.

A Daily Nurse article about helping patients navigate the hidden symptoms of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) was written by AANP member Dr. Melissa Rubio and based on findings from a study she authored that was published by The Journal for Nurse Practitioners. Rubio outlined steps that nurses can take to ensure all COPD symptoms are addressed, including helping patients understand their diagnosis, taking time to ask thoughtful question and connecting patients to a support system.

The role of advanced practice providers in pain management was discussed by AANP member Theresa Mallick-Searle in an article for Practical Pain Management. “The growing regulations and patient complexities in today’s acute care settings have gone beyond what the bedside nurse, pain resource nurse, or medical intern can handle alone. Every healthcare organization should have a dedicated pain management team—and yes, Advanced Practice Providers, or APPs, can take the lead.”

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

• Symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer: 10 Subtle Signs You May Be Battling Cancer of the Pancreas
• Tired of Being Tired? Here Are Six Fixes for Bad Sleep Habits

North Carolina State Representative Gale Adcock, who is an AANP Fellow, and AANP Fellow Debbie Varnam were quoted in an article about legislation sponsored by Adcock that aimed to modernize practice for NPs and expand access for patients in that state. Varnam explained what collaborative agreements are and offered examples of ways they create barriers to health care access for patients. Varnam said, “…people are hesitant to talk about how much we have to pay [to collaborating physicians] because they’re afraid that whoever their supervisor is is going to back out on them.” Adcock said the battle over supervision is “… about the income losses that physicians will face when they are no longer able to charge nurse practitioners and midwives large sums for the physician supervision that current law requires although the supervision exists in name only.”

It’s time to expand choice and access to health care, according to AANP Fellow Dr. Kathleen Perrott Wilson wrote an Op-Ed that said, “… some 6.1 million Floridians lack adequate access to primary care. Solving Florida’s access woes will take political will, but the good news is, much can be accomplished to expand access without adding a single dollar to the state’s health care budget.” Perrott Wilson quoted testimony given to a Florida House subcommittee by AANP VP of State Government Affairs Dr. Taynin Kopanos, who said “… giving patients a choice of health care provider and NPs full practice authority ‘is the only solution that is at no added cost to the state, no delay in benefit to the consumer, and it is the only solution that has a track record of 40 years of success in other states around the country.'”

Dr. Courtney Pladsen, an AANP member and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Culture of Health Leader was featured in a Campaign for Action article about her extraordinary effort to help care for a woman who was experiencing homelessness.  “Housing saved Becky’s life,” Pladsen said. “As a nurse practitioner, my job description does not include housing placement, but when you treat the whole person, it becomes easier to identify and address the social and environmental factors that affect health.”

Congratulations to AANP members Anthony Msowoya and Amy Msowoya, who are opening a family practice owned by a husband and wife team of nurse practitioners. According to a press release about the grand opening, Amy Msowoya said, “Everybody should come here feeling welcome, and welcome to come back as much as they need to, or as little as they need to, but also that they were heard.” AANP Fellow Dr. Denise Link was also quoted in the article, and she said, “It is important for everyone to be able to choose who they want for a healthcare provider. There is more than 40 years of research on NP practice in all types of settings with all types of people with all types of health care needs. NPs receive excellent evaluations in studies of patient satisfaction.”

A new NP-owned clinic in Florida was recently opened by AANP member Ronsha Brown. “I wanted to make a bigger impact in our community as well as a fresh view on health care,” Brown said. AANP member Marilyn Bellamy was also mentioned in the article.

Modern Medicine published an article on hematuria evaluation that was written by AANP member Dr. Adele Caruso. “Hematuria is a major reason for a clinic encounter, and the most efficient way to evaluate the condition is not always straightforward,” according to Caruso. The post summarized current evidence and guidance related to hematuria evaluation.

AANP member Karisssa LaClair is the manager of the stroke program at Cone Health, and she recently spoke with a local news network to raise awareness of strokes, including their causes and symptoms. Learn more.

“A passion of mine is community programming that could improve behavioral health care across the continuum of care,” AANP member Anne Thatcher told reporters in an article about her career as a psychiatric nurse practitioner. “I have a lot of ideas in my head about research, and I would love to be able to make a large-scale impact on the status of mental health care in the United States.”

An increase in flu cases was reported by AANP member Cynthia Pippins in a local news update. Pippins said, “I kind of felt like it was a late presentation of the flu this year, and being that we’re still seeing the numbers that we’re seeing at this time when we’re usually going down, I expect it to extend a little longer.”

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

In a Diverse Education article about AANP Fellow Dr. Cindy Munro, readers learn of Munro’s remarkable achievements, which include more than 150 publications and several prestigious awards. Munro was inducted as a Fellow in the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, The American Association for the Advancement of Science and the American Academy of Nursing. Munro said, “To the extent that I have been able to support and encourage their creativity, the success of my students and my colleagues is the best legacy I can have.”

Congratulations to AANP Fellow Dr. Carol Thompson, who was recently designated a Master of Critical Care Medicine (MCCM) by the Council of the Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM). According to a press release about the honor, “As the first acute care nurse practitioner (ACNP) and the second nurse to be president of SCCM, Thompson has made extraordinary contributes to advance acute care nurse practitioner education, clinical practice and scholarship. Now, Thompson is setting history again as the second nurse with the MCCM designation.”

“A hospice patient shouldn’t have to come out of their home to have a provider actually come and look at them, nor should an elder person, or someone that’s truly, really sick,” AANP member Beverly Carbery told reporters in an article about the opening of her new, rural, NP-led clinic. A nurse for more than a quarter of a century, Carbery became an NP four years ago. Of her approach to health care, Carbery said, “My philosophy is, the patient is the conductor; I’m merely the engineer.”

The desire to increase access to health care inspired AANP member Brad Bigford to start his own house call business, even though he has a current full-time position as a nurse practitioner (NP) at a county jail. Of his mobile health service, Bigford told reporters, “I get to sit down and talk with people and get to know them. People love it. They feel like they actually get heard.”

AANP President Dr. Joyce Knestrick wrote a couple of timely blogs for 30 Seconds and We Choose NPs, which is a public awareness campaign developed by AANP.

• Eating Disorder Awareness: 5 Signs Your Teen May Be Struggling With an Eating Disorder Like Anorexia or Bulimia
• You’re Feeling Lousy: How to Tell if It’s the Flu?

Congratulations to AANP member Marika Haranis, who was recently appointed the new Chief Clinical Officer for the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association. According to a press release about the development, “In this role, Ms. Haranis will lead education and research programs and represent HPNA in advocacy efforts.“

AANP member Theresa Simmons was quoted in an article about an NP being added to an ambulance unit in California. Paramedics will evaluate patients on the scene and call the NP if those patients need treatment but do not need to go to the emergency room.