Houston Area Nurse Practitioners Announcements

AANP National Public Awareness Campaign

Thu, 17 May 2012 10:41:13 GMT

Great news! AANP has launched a national campaign to increase public awareness of the NP role in the

U.S.

health care system – an initiative that was featured in Sunday’s Washington Post. For the article, go to: http://goo.gl/9EDpY. Read a letter about the campaign from AANP
President Penny Kaye Jensen, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, FAANP at
http://goo.gl/nwc27. For more details about the campaign visit
http://awareness.aanp.org/. Additional announcements will be
made on June 20^th at the AANP National Conference. We look forward to seeing you there.

Nancy McMurrey
Director of Communications
American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
PO Box 12846
Austin, TX 78711
Direct Line: (512) 276-5906
Fax: (512) 442-6469

Report Released Shows Increased Utilization of APRN's Will Benefit Texas Economy-Corrected Link

Tue, 15 May 2012 11:52:27 GMT

I just returned from the Texas Capitol where I represented TNP in a press conference to announce a major economic study by Dr. Ray Perryman that showed increased utilization of APRN's will result in major economic benefit across Texas. To be specific, the study showed that over 90,000 jobs could be created and billions of dollars in economic benefit are possible by letting APRN's practice without having restraints by man-made regulations promoted by the Texas Medical Association. The leadership of every nursing association is excited about this new development and what it means to our potential for success next year at the Texas Legislature.

We are also excited about the increased awareness and support from groups like the Texas Association of Business, the Texas Public Policy Foundation and the Texas Conservative Caucus Research Institute. These groups are coming forward to join our effort to increase access to health care while saving the state and our patients millions of dollars every year.

However, like any legislative effort, we need the financial support of our members to maintain our presence at the Texas Capitol and promote our advocacy of your role in the health care marketplace.

Please consider joining or increasing your commitment to help us in this important effort. We appreciate everyone's involvement and we will keep you posted on future developments in this newly invigorated campaign to promote a more collaborated approach to health care in Texas.

To view the video of the press conference and to contribute to our long-term PR plan, please click on the following link:http://www.texasnp.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=63 (If you have any problems opening the link, please copy it and paste it into your internet browser.)

Sincerely,
Sandy McCoy
TNP President

IRONMAN VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Sun, 13 May 2012 21:48:15 GMT

IRONMAN VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES We still have a special place for you, your friends and your family members to participate in The Memorial Hermann Ironman Texas event coming up on Saturday, May 19 right here in The Woodlands.
There are a number of “Aid Stations” throughout the Ironman Course. Memorial Hermann is in charge of one of the Aid Stations, the ‘best’ one - Aid Station #2. It is located at Northshore Park – where all the action is! To work in an Aid Station during an Ironman event is a memory you will have forever! The workers in the Aid Stations will help with preparing and handing out drinks and snacks and other miscellaneous duties. Workers will receive a volunteer shirt to thank them for their time.
We are looking for a total of 120 volunteers that will assist at The Memorial Hermann Aid Station. There are three different shifts for Aid Station #2: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (shift #1); 2:30 – 7:30 p.m. (shift #2); and 7 – 11:30 p.m. shift #3). To register you, your friends and your family members (children must be 11 – 14 with an adult) please go to this site: http://www.doitsports.com/volunteer/join-protected-group.tcl?event_id=212474
• In the drop down menu for GROUP NAME, look for shift 1, 2 & 3 titled, “Memorial Hermann-Run Aid #2” • Enter password: mhimtx12
Your team captains are: Shift #1 Captain Robert Nygaard / Shift #2 Co-Captain Linda Mobley / Shift #3 Co-Captain Jimmy Seiford
A note from Captain Nygaard: I will be at the event all day 5:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. to setup and take down the booth. To contact me please call 713.504.3851. I want to thank you for your help and say have a great day.
Memorial Hermann Ironman Texas is one of the most exciting athletic events offered in Montgomery County. Come and be part of this experience! Register now!

Article by Jane Nelson, State Senator, re: healthcare access

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 01:52:38 GMT

Texas must increase access to primary health care

Texas' 25 million residents are served by approximately 18,000 primary care physicians who - in addition to providing nonemergency medical services - play the important role of coordinating care for their patients. Without proper access to... more »

By State Sen. Jane Nelson Houston Chronicle4 days ago

You may be interested in the above article published in The Chronicle on February 10th, 2012. State Senator Jane Nelson discusses importance of primary care and access for Texans, with no mention of Nurse Practitioners and the part they play in primary care.

Consider writing The Chronicle so readers can be educated about our role!

Can you believe this?

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 18:57:08 GMT

Read the black print

TNP Advocacy Program

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 03:04:04 GMT

TNP’s Fundraising Committee is already hard at work and have started planning the TNP100 fundraising campaign in action. The goal is to raise $100,000 by the end of the 2012 TNP Conference.

TNP_Advocacy_Campaign_February_2012.pdf

HRSA Nursing Education Loan Repayment Program

Sun, 15 Jan 2012 18:22:53 GMT

Opportunity for NPs for loan repayment. Application deadline February 15th, 2012.

Click on link below for more details.

http://www.hrsa.gov/loanscholarships/repayment/nursing/

AANP foundation Scholarship & Grant Program

Sun, 15 Jan 2012 18:18:09 GMT

I just saw the announcement of the 2011 AANP foundation Scholarship & Grant Program Winners.

Click here to follow the link to see all the recipients.

CNAP Interim Update #4

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 02:06:05 GMT

This is from CNAP mailing list.

CNAP Interim Update #4

Coalition for Nurses in Advanced Practice

Lynda Woolbert, MSN, RN, PNP, FAANP

December 15, 2011

In this Issue:

Final Days for Texas APRN Practice Survey

CNAP’s New Executive Director - Jennifer Fontana, CAE

Medicaid Provider Update: Attention CNMs & THS providers

Regulatory Update

Legislative Districts for 2012 Elections Not Final

20 Years with CNAP and What’s Next

APRN Practice Survey

In order to represent APRNs at the Texas Capitol, CNAP needs to know where APRNs practice and what populations they serve. The only way to get that information is through regular surveys.

Our new APRN survey is brief and will just take 3 to 5 minutes of your time. We announced the survey with a bright yellow insert in CNAP’s fund raising letter sent in early November, and announced the survey would close on December 1. However, we extended the active dates for the survey through the remainder of the year. If you have not already completed the survey, please Click Here. The survey will close at midnight on December 31.

Legislative Day Registration Open: Group Leaders Needed

Registration is now open for APRN Legislative Day 2012 in Austin on Monday February 13, 2012. CNAP is planning another great day beginning at the AT&T conference center. State Representative Lois Kolkhorst, Chair of the House Public Health Committee, will be the keynote speaker. The rest of the content for the morning seminar will give attendees the knowledge they need to visit legislators and staff at the Capitol in the afternoon.Click Here to view the schedule and register.

Registration is limited to 450, and registration will close when we reach that number. The registration fee is $50. Late registration, on or after February 1, is $75. The special CNAP room rate of $139.00/ night is a great price for the AT&T conference center. The last date to receive that rate is January 23, 2012. However, the block of rooms we reserved is filling quickly. To be assured the special rate, we recommend you reserve your room ASAP. Call 877-744-8822 and reference CNAPLD0212 or register for a hotel room online.

We need lots of APRNs who are willing to serve as group leaders for the visits to the Capitol. As usual, we will have an optional orientation for group leaders on Sunday evening. Lisa Campbell, DNP-PHN, GNP, graciously volunteered to recruit and organize group leaders for 2012. If you are willing to lead a small group on Legislative Day and have not already volunteered, please email Lisa at lisacampbelldnp@gmail.com. Please include your phone number and home address.

Changes at CNAP Continue

The REAL New CNAP Executive Director is Jennifer Fontana

Occasional false starts are inevitable and CNAP just experienced one with our new Executive Director. Fortunately, CNAP had several outstanding applicants and Jennifer Fontana was a person who clearly landed at the top of the search committee’s list. This time the contract is definitely signed and CNAP is delighted to welcome Jennifer Fontana as CNAP’s real Executive Director.

Jennifer has worked in association management since graduating from UT. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication from the University of Texas at Austin, and she is a Certified Association Executive. Jennifer is the perfect person to lead CNAP through the changes and challenges ahead as I retire from CNAP.

Public Policy Director Search

CNAP will interview candidates to fill the position of Public Policy Director in January. APRNs with experience in advocacy and public policy are encouraged to apply now. For more information contact the chair of CNAP’s search committee, Sandi Peters, CRNA.

Medicaid Provider Update

New Requirement for CNM Medicaid Providers

CNMs enrolled in Texas Medicaid or CHIP are required to report the physician with whom they have an agreement for consultation and referral by March 18, 2012. Currently, the Texas Medicaid & Healthcare Partnership (TMHP) is not planning to withhold payments to CNMs who have not reported that information, but TMHP could do so at a later date. In most cases, CNMs will report the physician who delegates prescriptive authority.

CNMs who are current Medicaid providers must complete and submit a Provider Information Change (PIC) from. Under “Type of Change” check “Other” and then in the “Comments” field report the physician’s name, Texas Medical License # and the effective date for the consultation and referral agreement. The CNM must also enter her TPI or NPI number, the primary taxonomy code, physical address, benefit code (if applicable) and then sign and date the form. (A benefit code is a data element that TMHP uses to identify certain state programs. Examples are benefit code EP1 for Texas Health Steps Medical providers and CCP for Comprehensive Care Program providers.)

For more information, see the TMHP Banner Message dated November 10, 2011, and the correction published as banner message #8 and #16 in the messages dated 12/5/11 and 12/9/11).

APRNs May Not Direct and Bill for THS Exams Performed by RNs

Some APRNs who are Texas Health Steps (THS) providers would like to be able to hire specially trained RNs to perform THS exams. Unfortunately, this is only possible if a physician is on site or immediately available to offer direction and assistance and the service can be billed under the physician’s provider number.

Earlier this year, CNAP requested that HHSC review and revise its policy that requires a physician to delegate performance of the THS exam to RNs. HHSC declined to do so and recently published a banner message affirming HHSC’s current policy.

For 20 years NPs, CNSs and CNMs have been permitted to enroll as independent Texas Health Steps (previously EPSDT) Medical providers. Nothing in this announcement changes that fact. However, CNAP still believes HHSC should revise its policy to allow APRNs to direct specially trained RNs who provide TSH exams and allow the APRN to bill for those services.

Changes if the THS Medical Checkup Schedule Effective 12/1/11

All providers must comply with the THS periodicity schedule. Changes to that schedule are listed in theJanuary/February 2012 Texas Medicaid Bulletin (No. 239), pages 67 - 69. The article also informs providers they may be reimbursed for a new patient THS checkup and a new evaluation and management visit performed on the same date of service, as long as the client meets the requirements as a new patient.

Wound Debridement may be Billed by NPs and CNSs in Outpatient Settings

Effective for dates of service on or after January 1, 2012, NPs and CNSs are among the providers who may be directly reimbursed for wound care management procedure codes 97597 and 97598 performed in office and outpatients settings. However, only physician, dentists and podiatrists will be reimbursed for the same procedures in inpatient settings. For more information on this and other changes and explanations concerning the wound care management services benefit, see the notice posted on November 11, 2011.

HCPCS Changes Posted by December 31

The first day of each year brings changes to the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS). Look for changes in benefits for the Texas Medicaid and the Children with Special Health Care Needs Programs published in the January 2012 HCPCS Special Bulletin, No. 4, on the TMHP Website by December 31, 2011.

Regulation Update

Safe Harbor and Whistleblower Protections Open for Comment

The BON proposed rule amendments to implement provisions in SB 192 passed by the Texas Legislature earlier this year. The amendments expand safe harbor and whistleblower protections for nurses by extending protections to persons who advise nurses of their rights and obligations to invoke safe harbor and request nursing peer review as permitted in BON Rule 217.20. The proposed amendments also expand the protections to include any type of retaliation that results from a nurse’s good faith request for peer review of an assignment the nurse believes is not in the best interest of the patient, or otherwise violates the Nursing Practice Act or Board rules. You can find the proposed rules in the November 18^th issue of the Texas Register.

Pharmacy Board Adopts Accelerated Refill Rule

Consistent with H.B. 2069, the Texas State Board of Pharmacy (TSBP) proposed rules allowing pharmacists to dispense up to a 90-day supply of a “dangerous drug” if the prescription and refills totaled 90 days or greater. CNAP was concerned about the wording in the rules. The rules proposed on September 23^rd refer only to physicians being permitted to prohibit dispensing a 90-day supply. Also, pharmacists are only required to notify physicians that a 90-day supply was dispensed. To read the amended rule, see 22 TAC §291.34(b)(9).

I discussed the problem with the TSBP’s Director of Professional Services, Allison Benz, R.Ph, M.S. She assured me that, despite the inconsistency in the language of the bill and the rules, pharmacists are expected to follow the directions of any licensed prescriber who specifies on the prescription that dispensing the initial quantity followed by refills is medically necessary. However, given the wording in the rule, it is only reasonable to assume that pharmacists may not notify APRNs when accelerating refills on a prescription signed by an APRN. If you encounter problems that affect patient care, please advise Ms. Benz. Her email address isAllison.Benz@tsbp.state.tx.us.

TMB Withdraws Office-Based Anesthesia Rules

While Texas Medical Board (TMB) Office-Based Anesthesia Rules only apply to anesthesia services provided by physicians, CNAP and the Texas Association of Nurse Anesthetists (TANA) always keep a close eye on those rules. Texas law requires that the TMB and BON office-based anesthesia rules are consistent with each other. In this case amendments proposed on September 16, mainly affected terminology so neither organization opposed the amendments. However, it is good that the TMB is not amending these rules without coordinating with the Board of Nursing as required by law.

Board of Pharmacy Proposes Electronic Prescriptions Rule for Schedule II Controlled Substances

While physicians in Texas are still prohibited from delegating prescriptive authority for Schedule II drugs, there is a more efficient way for APRNs’ patients who require these drugs to obtain them. The TSBP proposed rules on December 9^th to implement provisions in SB 594 that allow electronic transmission of prescriptions for Schedule II drugs. SB 594 went into effect on 9/1/11 so delegating physicians who have e-prescribing applications that are certified to be compliant with DEA requirements can send prescriptions for Schedule II drugs directly to the patient’s pharmacy. This will save many patients a return to the office to pick up the signed triplicate prescription.

Click the link to read the TSBP proposed amendment, 22 TAC §291.34(b)(4)(C). For more information on federal regulations regarding electronic prescribing for controlled substance, see the Q&A for practitioners on the Office of Diversion Control website.

Legislative Districts for 2012 Elections In Dispute

If you are following the news on redistricting, you know the boundaries for the Texas Congressional, Senate, and House Districts are not final. On November 23^rd, the federal District Court for the Western District of Texas ordered new redistricting plans (posted on the Texas Legislative Council Redistricting webpage). Now the U.S. Supreme Court granted a stay on basing the 2012 Texas Congressional Elections on the Court-Ordered Interim Plan. The U.S. Supreme Court will hear that case on January 9^th. A Washington D.C. federal court will hear testimony on January 17 – 26, to determine if the Congressional, Senate and House redistricting plans drawn by the Texas Legislature comply with the Voting Rights Act. Final arguments in that D.C. trial are not scheduled until February 5^th.

In the meantime, the federal court in San Antonio extended the filing deadline for all federal, state, county and local offices in Texas from December 15^th to the 19^th, and will allow candidates to amend their filing applications when the redistricting maps are finalized by the courts. The date for the Primary Election (originally slated for March 6, 2012) is still in question. For more information on the controversy, see statesman.com and theWashington Post blog by Aaron Blake.

None of this changes who Represents you now until the start of the 2013 Congressional and Texas Legislative Sessions. Your current legislators remain in office until that time. To find your current legislators, go tohttp://www.fyi.legis.state.tx.us/. If you wish to see what districts you would live in if the court-ordered interim maps are upheld, go to http://www.tlc.state.tx.us/redist/redist.html and click on each of the interactive maps. From each map, click on “Find” in the upper left corner, and then click “Address” from the pull down menu. Then enter your address and zip code.

Reflections on Twenty Years with CNAP

I never envisioned a career advocating for APRNs, but life took an unexpected turn when I attended my first CNAP meeting in November 1991. I was inspired by CNAP’s founding mothers, Elaine Brightwater, CNM, Carol Cody, WHNP, Zo DeMarchi, WHNP, and Ira Gunn, CRNA. Their commitment to their professions and creating a vehicle for APRN organizations working together at the Texas Capitol was visionary.

As providence would have it, I also met another inspiring woman at my first CNAP meeting. CNAP interviewed Kathy Hutto to lobby for APRNs that day. By December 1, 1991, Kathy signed her first contract with CNAP. We all embarked on a journey that began with educating each other about our practices and learning about the legislative and regulatory language that can remove barriers or create setbacks for each type of APRN. (Click the links for more on CNAP’s history and achievements.)

Kathy took a group of legislative rookies and taught us how to educate legislators and state agency staff and board members about APRNs. I will always remember the masterful way in which Kathy led CNAP’s first successful effort at the Texas Department of Human Services (at that time the Board that established policy for the Texas Medicaid program). By the end of 1992, the Texas Medicaid program changed its rules from limiting reimbursement to only those groups of APRNs required by federal law to reimbursing all types of APRNs. The Texas Medicaid program also increased the reimbursement rate from 65% for CNMs and 70% for CRNAs, FNPs and PNPs to 85% for all APRNs. From that time, to now, Kathy’s knowledge about, and devotion to, APRNs far exceeded what CNAP’s founding mothers expected. She has been the ultimate mentor for me and a guiding light for CNAP.

Dozens of statutes and state agency regulations include APRNs because CNAP has been there to protect and advocate for all APRNs. I continue to believe wholeheartedly in the basic founding principle of CNAP…. APRNs can reach their potential to improve health care in Texas if all APRN organizations cooperate and continually advocate together.

Changing statutes and rules to permit APRNs to assume their appropriate role in health care is frustratingly difficult in Texas, where the most powerful and politically active medical associations in the country reside. Change in our health care system is inevitable, but APRNs will only take their rightful place in that system if APRNs relentlessly work together in politically astute organizations like CNAP. But the ultimate fate of APRNs depends on each of you. CNAP can only continue to work for APRNs, if APRNs contribute money and time. If you do not already donate regularly to CNAP, please Donate Now.

What’s Next for Lynda?

While retirement from CNAP means more time in my life for family and travel, supporting the health care services APRNs provide is still my professional focus. I will continue as a resource for APRNs through my consulting firm, APRN Consulting. I will focus on helping APRNs and those who employ APRNs, comply with the laws and regulations that govern APRN practices. I am taking December off to complete my work at CNAP and celebrate the Holidays. I will launch APRN Consulting in 2012.

Chronicle (Newspaper) article

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 02:01:09 GMT

CNAP lobbyist Kathy Hutto thinks this is a significant article since it is written by a physician..Pass it along. Please encourage everyone to pass this along to their Representative and Senator. Thanks, Melanie

Melanie Dossey, RN CNM

CNAP Chair

www.chron.com/opinion/outlook/article/Texas-will-need-10-000-new-physicians-over-the-2264817.php

National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment/Scholarship

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 01:59:38 GMT

Check out the link for HRSA scholarship/loan repayment program. NPs can get up to $200,000 for school by agreeing to work up to 6 years in a Federally designated underserved population. Yes, most of Texas counts. The patients you take care of also count. Just need to fill out some forms to get it designated if not already. Can't beat the deal. Did I mention I sat on the scholarship board last summer? Here is the link. Ask if you need help.

Kevin

http://nhsc.hrsa.gov/

$1 billion grants from CMS for Health Care Innovation challenge

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 00:38:36 GMT

http://innovations.cms.gov/initiatives/innovation-challenge/index.html

Health Care Innovation Challenge

The Health Care Innovation Challenge will award up $1 billion in grants to applicants who will implement the most compelling new ideas to deliver better health, improved care and lower costs to people enrolled in Medicare, Medicaid and CHIP, particularly those with the highest health care needs.

The objectives of this initiative are to:

Engage a broad set of innovation partners to identify and test new care delivery and payment models that originate in the field and that produce better care, better health, and reduced cost through improvement for identified target populations.
Identify new models of workforce development and deployment and related training and education that support new models either directly or through new infrastructure activities.
Support innovators who can rapidly deploy care improvement models (within six months of award) through new ventures or expansion of existing efforts to new populations of patients, in conjunction (where possible) with other public and private sector partners.

Awards will range from approximately $1 million to $30 million for a three-year period. Applications are open to providers, payers, local government, public-private partnerships and multi-payer collaboratives. Each grantee project will be monitored for measurable improvements in quality of care and savings generated.

The Health Care Innovation Challenge will encourage applicants to include new models of workforce development and deployment that efficiently support their service delivery model proposal. Enhanced infrastructure to support more cost effective system-wide function is also a critical component of health care system transformation, and applicants are encouraged to include this as an element of their proposals.

Application Information

Potential applicants must submit a letter of intent (LOI) by December 19, 2011 in order to be eligible for a funding award. Please refer to the FOA for more information on the LOI process. When you're ready, click here to submit your LOI.

All applications must be submitted electronically through www .grants .gov. Applicants are strongly encouraged to use the review criteria information provided in the “Application Review Information” section in the funding opportunity announcement (FOA), to help ensure that the proposal adequately addresses all the criteria that will be used in evaluating the proposals.

Note: All prime awardees must provide a Dun and Bradstreet (D&B) Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number in order to be able to register in the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Subaward Reporting System (FSRS) as a prime award user. Further, registration with the Central Contracting Registration (CCR) at www .ccr .govis also required in order to apply. Please refer to the FOA for further application information.

Important Dates

Letter of Intent: December 19, 2011
Applications are due, January 27, 2012
Anticipated Award Date: March 30, 2012

Webinar Reference Materials

Health Care Innovation Challenge Webinar: November 17, 2011
- Slide (PDF) Audio (mp3) Transcript (PDF)

For more information, please direct your questions to InnovationChallenge@cms.hhs.gov.

To learn more about the Health Care Innovation Challenge and information about the application process please read the Funding Opportunity Announcement.

To read an overview of the Health Care Innovation Challenge, including important deadlines, please read the Fact Sheet.

To read answers to the most Frequently Asked Questions, visit the Health Care Innovation Challenge Frequently Asked Questions page.

To submit your Letter of Intent to Apply to the Health Care Innovation Challenge, visit the LOI page.

AANP mentorship program

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 02:11:48 GMT

FAANP Mentorship Program

Application

The Fellows of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (FAANP) invite applications to the 2012 FAANP Mentorship Program. The FAANP Mentorship Program was established to match NP experts with NPs who are novices in aspects of their career development. The Fellows of the AANP are recognized leaders in their fields who have made outstanding contributions to education, policy, clinical practice, and research. They are committed to the mission of AANP, willing to share their expertise to promote career development of others, and dedicated to the enhancement of the NP profession.

Applicants must be active, full members of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) and possess personal and professional qualities that ensure success in relationship building and likelihood of goal attainment through program participation. The mentorship program requires a one-year commitment from both expert and novice. Mentors and mentees must be able to invest time, energy, and resources into their relationship in order to participate fully and benefit from the experience. Both mentor and mentee are required to submit summary progress reports quarterly. The mentee and mentor are expected to attend the AANP 27^th National Conference in Orlando, Florida in 2012, where the FAANP Mentorship Program will formally begin with an orientation of the program. The Mentorship Program Selection Committee will review only completed applications.

Timeline for the 2012-2013 FAANP Mentorship Program cycle:

· November 15, 2011: Application period opens, program announced

· November 15, 2011 through January 14, 2012, mentee applicants complete their application by submitting required documentation

· January 15, 2012: Deadline for submitting all required, completed documentation

Submit via email to: mentorship@aanp.org

· January 15-February 28, 2012: Completed applications are reviewed

· Mid-March 2012: Applicants are notified of review decisions

· Late-May 2012: Mentorship orientation conference calls

· June 2012: Mentorship Program orientation meeting at the AANP 27^thNational Conference, Orlando, FL

· Mid-October 2012: First summary progress report due

· Mid-March 2013: Second summary progress report due

· June 15, 2013: Final summary progress report and program evaluation due

Required Application Information & Documents:

Please download the following required document templates, complete, then submit via email to: mentorship@aanp.org, by the deadline, January 15, 2012.

Part I: Mentee Profile

Part II: NP Professional Reference Supporting Statements

Part III: Mentee Career Development Plan

Email questions or comments regarding the application process to:mentorship@aanp.org

NP week photo

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 01:59:39 GMT

Houston Area Nurse Practitioners are celebrating Nurse Practitioner Week along with nurse practitioners nationwide, this week, November 13th to 19th. Mayor Annise Parker has issued a proclamation declaring it to be Nurse Practitioner week in Houston. We are celebrating all week, including taking a picture with the Proclamation tomorrow, November 17th, 2011, at 12:00 noon, at 6550 Bertner, street level in front of Trevisio's, in the Texas Medical Center. If you send a camera person, you are welcome to photograph HANP members with the City of Houston Proclamation, and interview some of our members. As you may know, nurse practitioners provide a vital service in our community, caring for people in various settings and in all stages of life. We invite you to help us celebrate!
Sara Wood RN, PMHNP
HANP Secretary 2011 - 2012

Call for volunteers from TNP

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 01:51:51 GMT

I (David Williams) live in Austin and it rained this weekend. In fact, two inches filled my rain gauge Saturday morning. I am sure plenty of people in and around Austin did a rain dance or prayed night and day that water would fall from the skies. It finally did and it made me happy.

TNP needs volunteers and I hope I don’t have to dance or pray to make it happen. However, if that is what you all require, I will do it.

Plan to Win

I (David Williams) played sports in high school and hardly ever lost. In fact, my football team lost a total of 6 games my entire 4 years of high school. I (david Williams) hate losing.

To me, the 82nd Session of the Texas Legislature was depressing, made me irritable, and I felt defeated. Not until Saturday morning when I looked at the rain gauge did I finally come out of my funk.

Leading up to the successful TNP conference gave the team some time to develop and recommend to the TNP Government Affairs Committee (GAC), a plan to build legislative support for the 2013 legislative session. We crafted an aggressive, yet very doable plan of action. The GAC spent considerable time reviewing the plan and we are now ready for its implementation.

Volunteers Make Things Happen

Your TNP lobby team can advocate long and hard at the capitol for nurse practitioner autonomy and other priorities. However, unless legislators are also hearing from you – their constituents – in support of our priorities, they aren’t going to give much attention to lobbyists who don’t have appreciable support from people like you.

Today, I (David Williams) am asking each TNP member to help implement our plan by agreeing to volunteer your time, in your hometown, to help us prepare for the 2013 legislative session. Our legislative goals depend on deploying our best assets, nurse practitioners, to meet face-to-face with your hometown legislator.

You may wonder why your legislators will listen to you. I can give you at least three reasons why your voice is so important to our cause. First, access to care is a serious problem that government can address with sensible solutions. Second, you are unique because you are on the frontlines of providing quality and affordable health care and can speak directly to the points of safety, quality, cost, and how current regulations prevent full deployment of all health providers. Third, you are a voter in your legislator’s district.

You Will Not Be Alone

I (David Williams) promise that you will have all the help, support, and information you need to prepare you to make visits with your legislator. The team has already developed one-pagers, talking points, sample meeting request email, sample letters, timelines, and other materials needed for your meetings. In addition, we will plan conference calls to help work through all issues that may arise during a meeting.

If you don’t want to go alone, I will do my best to pair you with another nurse practitioner or I will come make the meeting with you. In addition, members of the TNP Board of Directors and the GAC are also willing to help where they can.

This is a team effort and you will be provided all the support you need.

The Plan

The plan we are implementing calls for each targeted legislator to have 3 meetings with each volunteer between now and June 2013. As I mentioned earlier, the materials for each meeting have already been developed and ready for use.

Each volunteer should view these meetings as an opportunity to build a relationship with their legislator. It is always easier to ask a friend for something than to ask a complete stranger.

When possible, having multiple nurse practitioners meeting with one legislator is the best scenario. There will also be times when local candidates and office holders have small-dollar fundraisers. These are ideal settings for you to get in and show them that you support them financially but only if they are supportive of nurse practitioners. It is another opportunity for you to have a positive and direct impact to the relationship you are building with a potential legislative supporter.

Conclusion

I (David Williams) know this plan is aggressive but for us to be successful, it has to be. If you want to have a positive impact, it is in your best interest to get involved and start building positive relationships with your state legislators.

We have to make the most of each opportunity and utilize the resources we have available to us. I promise you will have a positive experience and we will provide you with everything you need to make it successful. It’s time for nurse practitioners to take control of their chosen profession.

I (David Williams) hope you will volunteer today by emailing me at david@texasnp.org. Although we made great progress last session, I don’t want to feel the sting of defeat again.

TNP Interim Update #6

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 01:09:56 GMT

News from TNP

National NP Week is quickly approaching (November 13-19) and now is a good time for you to help us generate some good press. To help facilitate this process I have a simple request that I would like to ask of each TNP member. If you have not already done so, please try and obtain a proclamation from your local county or city elected officials. If you are successful in getting your local mayor, city councilman, or county commissioner or judge to issue a proclamation, try and schedule an opportunity with the official for you to receive the honor with press and photographers present. This is a good way to promote nurse practitioners as well as independent practice through free earned media. Let me know what I can do to help make this happen.

Another option to help us get good press is to go to www.texasnp.org and download the proclamation from Governor Rick Perry and send that to your local news editor and ask that it be printed in your hometown newspaper. In addition to sending the proclamation, also include some facts on nurse practitioners that would be useful in a local story. Also consider writing a letter-to-the-editor on the skills, abilities and benefits of nurse practitioners. If you need any assistance, I am happy to help as needed.

I want to also note that we have picked up support for nurse practitioner plenary authority from two state representatives. TNP is implementing a very aggressive plan to win the support of members of the Texas legislature and we need our nurse practitioners meeting with their elected officials. The recent addition of these two state representatives directly correlates with this plan and I thank each one of you who has volunteered to help us reach our goals. Without folks like Anna White, Cyndee Malowitz, JoEllen Wynne, Rosie Morales, Shelagh Larson, Sheri Innerarity, Monica Alleman and Priscilla Reid taking an active volunteer role in this organization, we would have no shot at success next legislative session. However, because of these folks and many others just like them, I know victory is around the corner.

If you will join us in making visits in district to your elected officials, I will provide you with all the help and coordination you need. We have prepared the talking points, one-pagers and compiled quality research studies that need to be delivered with our message to your legislator. Agree to volunteer and I will schedule a call with you to get you started toward helping us meet our goals.

Talk to you soon…………….I hope at a meeting with your legislator!

David H. Williams
Public Affairs Director
Texas Nurse Practitioners
4425 S. MoPac Expressway
Building III, Suite 405
Austin, TX 78735
Phone: 512-291-6224

SANAP APRN Legislative Conference Nov 19th San Antonio

Fri, 04 Nov 2011 01:32:39 GMT

See the event calendar for details for this conference.

Article in NY Times cites use of NPs would save money

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 23:57:33 GMT

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/19/health/policy/19health.html

Scholarships

Sun, 25 Sep 2011 10:57:13 GMT

The deadline for application of scholarships is approaching. Don't miss by not submitting the papers correctly completed by October 15.

To view complete details, log in (you must be a member first!), go to members only tab, then committees, then scholarship committee.

A Needless Limit on Healthcare

Tue, 06 Sep 2011 22:43:29 GMT

This story appeared in the Corpus Christ newspaper. It was written by TNP president Sandy McCoy. Click on the link to read:

http://www.caller.com/news/2011/sep/06/a-needless-limit-on-health-care/