Special Interest Groups Special Interest Groups (SIGs) are formal groups within NONPF formed for the purpose of providing additional opportunities for participation within the organization and networking among faculty.  SIGs facilitate communication within the organization on topics of interest to members.  As well, they provide a ready list of identified members with an interest and expertise in a particular area.  Members of NONPF can join SIGs for $15 each, during their membership renewal process.  SIG memberships are active September 1 - August 31st.  For more information on joining a SIG, when it is not during the membership renewal process, please click here.    Academic Nursing Center (ANC) SIG Chairperson: Ramona Benkert Co-chairperson: Patricia Dennehy Description: The Academic Nursing Center SIG addresses issues related to the growth and sustainability of academic nursing centers (ANCs) and discusses other related topics for faculty.    Acute Care SIG Chairperson:Julie Settles Co-Chairperson:  Kathy Magdic Description: The Acute Care SIG is a special interest group that addresses issues related to Acute Care Nurse Practitioner education and practice.  This SIG did preliminary work in identifying entry-level competencies and has served as a resource to the National Panel currently finalizing consensus-based competencies for the Acute Care NP.    Distance Learning SIG Chairperson: Joyce Knestrick Description: The Distance Learning SIG addresses issues related to the development and design of NP distance learning programs, innovations in technology, and informatics for NP practice.  This SIG developed the Guidelines for Distance Learning in Nurse Practitioner Education and organized a preconference session at the NONPF 2002 annual meeting.   Gerontological SIG Chairperson: Laurie Kennedy-Malone Co-Chairperson: Mary Cadogan Description: The Gerontological Nurse Practitioner SIG addresses issues related to gerontological content for NPs and the GNP role.  This SIG held its first meeting in April 2004.   International SIG Chairperson: Patricia Krauskopf Co-Chairperson: Lee Ann Eissler Description:  The International SIG is a group of national and international faculty involved in APN education, research and practice in the global nursing community. The members of this group focus on collaborating across borders, oceans and continents in an effort to enhance the preparation of APNs in their own nation. The overall goal is to facilitate dialogue about global health issues that affect education and practice of the APN in the international community through the sharing of ideas, materials, methods, outcomes and contextual or collegial exchange.  The SIG collaborates closely with the Global Advancement Committee.   Program Directors SIG Chairperson: Carol Savrin Co-Chairperson: Veronica Wilbur Description: The Program Director SIG addresses issues related to program administration and funding and other related topics.   Psychiatric Mental Health SIG Chairperson: Susan Adams Co-Chairperson: Diane Snow Description: The Psychiatric Mental Health Special Interest Group addresses issues related to Psychiatric-Mental health nurse practitioner education and practice.  This SIG initiated development of the PMHNP competencies, served as a resource to the National Panel that identified the consensus-based competencies, and organized a symposium on implementation of the competencies for the NONPF 2004 annual meeting.   Research SIG  Chairperson: Susan Buchholz Co-Chairperson: Joan Bloch Description: The Research SIG addresses issues related to nurse practitioner research and the research needs of nurse practitioner faculty members. The Research SIG formed in 2007 after the NONPF Board restructured and the Research Committee was dissolved. The Research SIG seeks to promote participation and excellence in clinical scholarship of all NONPF members.   Sexual and Reproductive Health SIG Chairperson:  Joyce Cappiello Description:  The Sexual and Reproductive Health SIG facilitates dialogue on strengthening the capacity of nurse practitioners to provide evidence-based, culturally competent counseling and care to meet the sexual and reproductive needs of women and men throughout the life span. The SIG formed in 2010.