President's Message

Now that we are into the New Year, it's time to think about our annual business meeting which this year will occur in Reno at the NAPNAP conference. The AFPNP would like all members of NAPNAP who are faculty or preceptors in PNP/FNP programs to attend our business meeting and educational session. Your are also welcome to bring new issues to our attention and join our association. We welcome your insights and perspectives. For your planning purposes I have included a brief synopsis of our meetings at the Reno conference.

Wednesday, April 10, 2002:12:45-2:45 PM -- AFPNP Board Meeting

Thursday, April 11, 2002:9:00AM-11:45 AM -- AFPNP Business Meeting

Thursday, April 11, 2002: 2:00-3:20PM
#231 PNP Education: Innovations, Strategies, and Recommendations. This session will consist of two timely presentations on topics in PNP education. The first given by Arlene Sperhac, PhD, RN, CPNP, recipient of the 2001 AFPNP Research Award, will explore the findings of her study that used multiple data sources for curriculum revision. In this age of advancing technology and rapid change, program content must continually be evaluated and revised. The second presentation, given by Pat Ludder Jackson, MS, RN, PNP, FAAN, will share findings from the FNP Survey of PNP Content in FNP Programs. Issues and recommendations for educational standards to ensure quality care for children and families will be discussed. Both studies were funded in part by the AFPNP.

Friday, April 12, 2002: 7:00AM -- Awards Breakfast. The AFPNP hopes to present its second Excellence in Research Award. Nominations have been extended to February 15, 2002 so there's still time to nominate a colleague!

We realize this conference conflicts with the NONPF conference this year. We have apprised the leadership of both groups of this conflict and hope it can be avoided in the future. With this in mind all AFPNP events at NAPNAP have been scheduled to allow those members who are trying to attend both meetings to do so! We faculty are overachievers! Please mark your calendars and plan on joining us for these important sessions focusing on education.

The AFPNP Fall Board Meeting was held October 19, 2002 by conference call. Many important issues were discussed. I have summarized the issues from our minutes taken by Marty Swartz, Secretary, and provided additional updates.

Updates:

National Task Force on Quality NP Education

Michelle Beauchesne attended the first meeting of this newly convened task force 6/21/01 in DC. All major educational and certifying groups were represented. The previous 1997 document was carefully reviewed and evaluated based upon feedback from educators and other sources since the implementation of the 1997 document. A final draft was just submitted this month. On February 15, 2002 there will be a conference call of the NTF to discuss the next steps. We will also be discussing this revised document written by National Task Force on Nurse Practitioner Quality Education at our annual meeting. Currently it is still in draft form but is scheduled to be finalized by that time.

NCBPNP/N

Cathie Burns is our new representative to this important group. Susan Van Cleve continues as our other representative until Summer 2002.

Beth Richardson, our outgoing representative (along with Susan Van Cleve and Cathie Burns) will be attending the January board meeting as part of a transition process. Because of recent events, the fall NCB board meeting was until postponed until January 2002. Thus, all three AFPNP reps will attend. Beth was officially off as of November 1, 2001. At their January meeting, NCBPNP/N will be discussing a new structure of relationship with AFPNP. Since we just recently changed our by-laws, it has been requested by AFPNP that any new proposal be received soon so that there will be plenty of time for review and discussion prior to the April AFPNP board meeting. We look forward to distributing our representatives' report on this meeting. An invitation by the NCBPNP/N on 7/6/01to archive our materials in conjunction with theirs was declined at this time due to our current need to set priorities for the membership, and because many of our materials our now filed electronically.

NAPNAP

In August, AFPNP officially signed on to the KYSS campaign and agreed to support this effort through advertising. No money has been donated to the campaign at this point.

The NAPNAP Strategic Plan Fall Board meeting which was scheduled for October 13 and 14, 2001was also canceled. Michelle Beauchesne had planned on attending but instead a written report was submitted. The general board meeting was not rescheduled. A major topic was to have been NAPNAP's strategic planning model. Please see the PNP newsletter for excellent summaries. There still seems to be a need to explore the role of the AFPNP in education, and the overall articulation of AFPNP with NAPNAP within the new model. Our Board will discuss this issue further and request it be on the agenda for NAPNAP's spring general board meeting to be held in Reno. Michelle will be present.

In November and December, 2001, The AFPNP joined NAPNAP and the NCBPNP to draft a response to a request by the New York PNPs regarding the Age limits of pediatric practice. The attached letter may be helpful to those in other states. NCBPNP/N sent an individual response where AFPNP sent a joint one. Dolores Jones of NAPNAP coordinated these efforts and was a great facilitator of this thoughtful response.

NONPF

Michelle Beauchesne is on Consultation task force. AFPNP's consultation proposal went out last summer. No response noted. Perhaps there is a need to revisit this issue. The Board discussed need to further explore this relationship as specified in MUO.

Upcoming elections - A reminder to all: candidates are needed to run for the offices of President-elect, Secretary/Treasurer, and member at large. Participating in the leadership of this group is an excellent opportunity for PNP faculty to have a strong voice in the direction of PNP education and practice. As a board member you are in a position to be on the cutting edge of the national scene. Please consider running for office this year.

Please send me any items for the Bulletin board. See you in Reno!