Headlines
Statements on
DNP Education & Certification
NONPF, in collaboration with 6 other nurse
practitioner organizations, has participated in NP Roundtable activities
to prepare statements pertaining to NP education & certification.
The document is available here. The NP Roundtable is a coalition
of NP organizations formed to collaborate, unify, and address issues of
importance to NPs.
ELECTION RESULTS
In conjunction with the 34th Annual Meeting, the Nominating Committee presented the results of the 2008 election:
Vice-President / President-Elect: Shirlee Drayton-Brooks, Widener University
Treasurer: Michael Carter, University of Tennessee Memphis
Board Members at Large: Randolph Rasch, Vanderbilt University
Anne Thomas, University of Indianapolis
Nominating Committee: Cheryl Ahern-Lehman, University of San Diego
Ernestine Kotthoff-Burrell, University of Colorado
NONPF congratulates these members and welcomes the new officers and members-at-large to the Board of Directors. As well, NONPF recognizes the other candidates who participated in the election process and thanks them for their interest in serving the organization. Leadership opportunities aside from elected positions exist within the committee and special interest group structures. See the NONPF Board page for more information about the 2008-2009 Board.
NONPF 34th ANNUAL MEETING SUMMARY
The NONPF 34th Annual Meeting was held April 10-13, 2008, in Louisville, KY. Visit the conference page to read the summary and to view images from the meeting.
NONPF RESPONDS TO WALL STREET JOURNAL ARTICLE
An article that appeared on April 2 in The Wall Street Journal described the growth of doctor of nursing practice (DNP) program and presented the ensuing concerns about the “blurring lines” between nurse practitioner and physician practice. The article focused mainly on the work of Dr. Mary Mundinger at Columbia University and the Council on Comprehensive Care (CACC) in advancing the DNP, as well announced that the National Board of Medical Examiners has agreed to develop a voluntary DNP certification exam based on the same test physicians take to qualify for a medical license.
The NONPF Board of Directors felt that a response from the organization was warranted to clarify the important role of the NP over the past 40 years for primary care, currently and through the DNP evolution. The Board identified numerous shortcomings of the article, notably its limited focus in presenting the DNP and the issue of certification. Keeping in mind the general readership of the Wall Street Journal, the Board kept the response brief and focused on the broad topics of relevance to the public. The Board does recognize that issues such as certification do need further clarification within the profession, notably to ensure understanding of certification at the role and population focus for regulation versus other voluntary certification. The DNP is a degree title – not a new nursing role – and our continued priority is to concentrate on shaping the DNP educational programs that will prepare the NP clinician.
The response submitted to the WSJ and subsequently published follows:
“’Making Room for Dr.
Nurse’ describes the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree as a powerful
innovation in nurse practitioner education. We agree. With a looming
primary care physician shortage on the horizon, qualified primary care
providers are in great demand-and who better than nurse practitioners to
provide leadership to help meet that demand? Over the past 40 years,
nurse practitioners (NPs) have provided high quality, cost effective
care to very diverse patients with complex health care needs.
Like other health professions, including pharmacy, psychology, and
physical therapy, the breadth and depth of knowledge and responsibility
in advanced practice nursing warrants clinical doctorate preparation.
Now, as in the past, nurse practitioners are "not the same as doctors"
as Roger Moore stated nor do we purport that DNPs will be. Ask patients
who see NPs and they will tell you the difference and how satisfied they
are with NPs. NPs have a different approach to managing patients while
using the same evidence based standards of care that physicians use.
Nurse practitioners will continue to provide person-centered, high
quality care to the patients we serve. Doctoral education will enhance
the already important clinical contributions of nurse practitioners.
Most importantly, we agree that "the primary aim of the DNP is not to
usurp the role of physicians", but to address the health care needs of
the nation.
Submitted April 4, 2008 by
Joanne M. Pohl, PhD, APRN, BC, FAAN
On behalf of NONPF Board of Directors
LUCY MARION RECEIVES LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
NONPF honored Lucy Marion, dean and professor of the Medical College of Georgia School of Nursing, with the 2008 NONPF Lifetime Achievement Award. Lucy is recognized as a strong leader with a steadfast commitment to advancing the nurse practitioner (NP) role and NONPF. Through her work within NONPF, notably as president with the first two-year term, she has demonstrated how to identify opportunities for NPs and how to advance organizational work in support. She has contributed significantly to the advancement and sustainability of nurse managed health centers. She currently serves on the US Preventive Services Task Force. See the current issue of the The Mentor for more information about Lucy Marion.
ANNUAL RECOGNITION AWARD RECIPIENTS
NONPF wishes to congratulate the recipients of the annual recognition and grant awards:
Outstanding NP Educator: Barbara Berner, University of Alaska, Anchorage
Outstanding Researcher: Susan Cohen, University of Pittsburgh
Constance Uphold, University of Florida
Outstanding Faculty Practice: Julee Waldrop, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Preceptor Gold Star: Judith Ellington, University of Wisconsin, Madison
Megan Eagle, University of Michigan
NEW AWARDS HONOR HENDERSON AND BLEICH
In 2008, NONPF instituted 2 new recognition awards: Friend of NONPF and Service to NONPF.
NONPF honored Michael Bleich of the University of Kansas Medical Center (soon to be dean of the Oregon Health & Sciences University) as a Friend of NONPF for his volunteer work with Board development. Michael has consulted with the Board during the period of organizational restructuring and has helped the Board to strengthen its skills as a group – and on the individual level – to work cohesively and transparently and to be nimble in leading the work of the organization. He has donated significant time to this work, as well as to being available on an ongoing basis as a mentor to the Board.
NONPF also recognized MJ Henderson of the MGH Institute of Health Professions for her Service to NONPF. MJ Henderson has actively participated in NONPF committees and special projects for over ten years, with particular emphasis on gerontological issues. Her participation also on the Conference Committee is perhaps her most visible activity within NONPF. For years she has helped to bring members together to enjoy the annual conference through her role on the committee and her specific task as Mistress of Ceremonies of the Saturday awards dinner. Although her activities as MC are light and humorous, she brings continuity and a sense of belonging to the conference participants.
SMALL GRANT AWARD FOR DNP SCHOLARLY PROJECT
NONPF awarded the 2008 Small Grant Award of $1000 to support a DNP student’s scholarly project. The grant recipient is Donald Gardenier, a student in the Case Western Reserve University’s DNP program, for his project: “Social Support and Adherence in AIDS Day Health Care (ADHC).” The grant award is sponsored by the Fitzgerald Health Education Associates
APEA OUTSTANDING POSTER AWARDS
The Advanced Practice Education Associates (APEA) and Dr. Mary Neiheisel again sponsored the Outstanding Poster Awards in conjunction with the annual conference. Their generous sponsorship allows NONPF to give a $200 award to one poster per session (Thursday, Friday, and Saturday) and one electronic poster. The recipients of the 2008 Outstanding Poster Awards are:
Exploration of Nurse Practitioner Practice with Clients who are Grieving
Integrating Diversity Issues Into Objective Structured Clinical Exam (OSCE) Cases
A Review of Environmental Health and Nurse Practitioner Education
Electronic Poster - Building Nurse Practitioner Genetic Capacity: Identifying Competencies, Resources and Challenges
REVISED CRITERIA FOR NP PROGRAMS
The National Task Force (NTF) for Quality
NP Education had completed its periodic review and updating of the
Criteria for Evaluation of Nurse Practitioner Programs. The review
process is part of the NTF's commitment to ensure that the document
retains its currency and also to provide the opportunity to refine the
wording and include additional elaboration, as necessary, to enhance
clarity. The third edition of this document is now available in
electronic format -- access the document here. The NTF will be
seeking organizational endorsement of the revised evaluation criteria,
and a printed version of the document will be available late spring with
the endorsements included. However, the NTF agreed to release the
revised document in electronic format now to ensure that NP programs
have the most current information. The evaluation criteria have been
previously recognized by national accrediting bodies, including adoption
by CCNE into their accreditation standards; the NTF is similarly seeking
adoption of the revised criteria into the national nursing accreditation
process.
NONPF 34th
ANNUAL MEETING - Conference Wrap Up
NONPF hosted the 34th Annual Meeting in Louisville, Kentucky, April
10th through the 13th. This
meeting highlighted the theme
Setting the Pace
for Excellence in NP Education. Scenes
from the meeting are not available.
INP/APN
NETWORK CONFERENCE
- September 17-20, 2008
The 5th International Council of Nurses International Nurse
Practitioner/Advanced Practice Nursing Network (INP/APNN) Conference
will be held September 17-20, 2008, in Toronto, Canada. The conference
theme is Leadership in Advanced Nursing Practice: Maximizing Health,
Celebrating Collaboration and Promoting Innovation. Visit
http://www.meet-ics.com/inpapnn2008/en/index.html for logistical
details and preliminary program information.
DNP NP CURRICULUM
TEMPLATE EXEMPLARS & TELEWEB
NONPF is pleased to provide the document
"Sample Curriculum Templates for Practice Doctorate NP Education"
as a resource to NP educators who are developing NP curricula for
practice doctorate education. The document included exemplars for
post-BSN and post-master's models.
NONPF offered a teleweb session entitled Doctoral Education for NPs: Sample Curriculum Templates on October 31, 2007. NONPF has developed exemplars of NP curriculum templates for Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs to provide faculty with sample resources and to foster creative thinking in the curriculum transformation process for quality NP education. This session presented sample post-BSN and post-masters curriculum models and discussion on strategies for curriculum development and integration of NP competencies. Archive program is now available.
RESOURCE FOR APRN CURRICULUM & EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
A new curriculum resource is available for APRN educators: APRN Education for Emergency Preparedness and All Hazards Response: Resources and Suggested Content. Developed by a national panel of APRN organizational representatives and content experts, the document provides suggested curriculum content within a framework that reviews the roles and opportunities for APRNs in all phases of disaster response. The document presents suggested critical content for all APRNs as well as detailed content and Web-based resources as a guide for curriculum development. See the project page to access this highly valuable resource document.
NP COMPETENCY BASED EDUCATION EVALUATION: USING A PORTFOLIO APPROACH
Presented in an easy-to-read format, with
an accompanying CD featuring practical tools for curriculum development,
this publication highlights the
The ABCs of Planning a Competency-based
Curriculum for NP Education. Please visit the
publications page for pricing and ordering information.
NONPF RECEIVES GRANT TO STUDY NP PROGRAMS
NONPF has received funding from the National Council of State Board of Nursing’s (NCSBN) Center for Regulatory Excellence Grant Program for its study Clarification of Nurse Practitioner Specialty and Subspecialty Clinical Track Titles, Hours, and Credentialing. The purpose of the 2-year study is to provide clarity about the current and emerging nurse practitioner programs leading to what has traditionally been called NP specialty and subspecialty practice. Curricular issues involving varying titles in NP clinical tracts which do not reflect role preparation and certification eligibility were the impetus behind submitting the proposal to NCSBN. The 4 phases of the study will involve: Web site reviews to identify the range of specialty and subspecialty graduate NP educational tracks; clarification of track titles, hours, curriculum, and credentialing information through focus groups; validation of findings from the focus groups through a broad survey of NP educational programs; and priority-setting with the NONPF members to provide future direction for NP education.
The project principal investigator is Monica Scheibmeir, ARNP, PhD, the Treasurer of NONPF and an Associate Professor at the University of Kansas Medical Center. NONPF has also subcontracted with Berlin Sechrist Associates to partner in the leadership of the research study. An Advisory Group will provide input into each phase of the study.
To learn more about the study, and the research and advisory team, visit the project Web page.
FAQS ON PRACTICE DOCTORATE
The
NONPF Practice Doctorate Task Force has identified
commonly asked questions about the practice doctorate and provided
NONPF's perspective. See the Frequently Asked Questions section of the
Practice Doctorate Resource Center.
Minority Association Meetings
- NANAINA - National Alaska Native American Indian Nurses Association; October 26-29, 2008, Branson, MO
- PNAA - Philippine Nurses Association of America, Incorporated, International Conference; July 16-20, 2008, San Padre Island, TX
- NBNF - National Black Nurses Foundation, Inc.; July 28, 2008, Atlanta, GA
- NCEMNA - National Consortium of Ethnic Minority Nurse Associations, Annual Conference
- AAPINA - Asian American/Pacific Islander Nurses Association, Annual Conference; May 22-24, 2008, Las Vegas, NV
- NAHN - National Association of Hispanic Nurses, Annual Conference; July 15-18, 2008, Boston, MA
- NBNA - National Black Nurses Association, Inc., Annual Institute and Conference; August 4-8, 2008, Las Vegas, NV
- AAMN - American Assembly for Men in Nursing, October 24-25, 2008, New Orleans, LA
Practice
Doctorate Resource Documents
The
NONPF Practice Doctorate
Resource Center is intended to facilitate the ongoing exchange
of information about this topic and to facilitate dialogue broadly among
NONPF members, clinicians, educators, and the general public.
Visit the Web-based resource center to
obtain NONPF
statements and links for related articles and other important
information.
NONPF Statement on NP Specialization
During the April 2006 business meeting, the NONPF membership approved the NONPF Statement on NP Specialization. The NONPF Board of Directors prepared this statement as a minority report to accompany a consensus statement under development nationally to identify recommendations regarding APN regulation, specialization, and sub-specialization. This consensus statement is being developed by a sub-group of the Alliance for Nursing Accreditation. The NONPF Board of Directors feels strongly that for regulation purposes NP specialization must be at the broad level with the opportunity for sub-specialization to enhance care. NONPF is a proud participant in the APN Consensus Work Group and is pleased that the work group has agreed to revise the statement to integrate the important points of NONPF's statement on specialization. The NONPF Board has voted to withdraw the minority report if the views of our organization are reflected in the final statement. The statement is available here.
Updated Adolescent Immunizations
Statement
"Adolescent Immunizations," the joint statement of the American Nurses
Foundation, the American College of Nurse Practitioners, the National
Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners, the National Association
of School Nurses, and NONPF, was updated in 2006. This statement
addresses what nurses can do help address the Healthy People 2010
objective to increase vaccination coverage rates for adolescents aged 13
to 15 to 90%. Obtain the current statement
here.
Directory
of Nurse Managed Health Centers Available
The National Network of Nurse Managed Health Centers has released the
National Directory of Nurse Managed Health Centers. This directory
provides a breakdown by state of universities with nurse managed health
centers and includes profiles of centers. The directory is available
here as a PDF
file.
NONPF Statement
of on Clinical Evaluation
View the
NONPF issue statement
on the clinical observation of APN/NP students .
The NONPF Board approved this statement in April 2003.
The Educational Standards and Guidelines Committee developed the
statement to reaffirm the organizational commitment to maintaining the
standard of faculty observation of the NP student’s clinical performance
with patients. The statement also identifies
recognized methods for direct observation.
Consultation
Service - Q-NONPF
The mission of NONPF is to provide
leadership in promoting quality nurse practitioner education. To that
end, the NONPF Consultation
for Quality Nurse Practitioner Education Program (Q-NONPF) is a
multi-tiered quality improvement program offered by NONPF faculty
consultants. The consultative service offers support to faculty and
programs in meeting evaluative criteria for their programs, in
developing strong curricula for NP education, and for exploring specific
areas of program development and implementation. The Q-NONPF program
will center on national guidelines, competencies, domains, and criteria
for all NP educational programs and specialties. Visit the
Q-NONPF site for full
details of the different levels of consultation available.
Guidelines for
International Experiences
Under the direction of Dr. Anita Hunter,
the NONPF Global Advancement Committee, developed the
Guidelines
for Establishing International Experiences. The guidelines are
designed to provide faculty in nursing programs criteria with which to
develop, implement, and evaluate international learning experiences.
View the
guidelines here. (Requires the Acrobat Reader to view, which can be
downloaded at Adobe's website.)
Position Statement on
Distance Education Policies Available
The Alliance for Nursing Accreditation
has released a Position
Statement on Distance Education Policies, which has been endorsed by
NONPF. Click here to read
the statement.
National Organization of Nurse
Practitioner Faculties (NONPF)
1522 K Street, NW, Ste. 702
Washington, DC 20005
tel: (202) 289-8044 ● fax: (202) 289-8046
nonpf@nonpf.org
President: Mary Anne Dumas, PhD, RN, CFNP, FAANP