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Potpourri & an Election

I have certainly been keeping myself busy these days! First, I have been immensely busy at my clinical site. Hundreds of flu shots have been given in the last few weeks and I have been inundated with the change of season upper respiratory infections and allergies in what seems like everyone has (really, the care is largely supportive and conservative. I am a big fan of saline nasal irrigation!) 

Second, school work continues in the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology post graduate certificate program as Clinician Leader that I am enrolled in. I am considered full-time and plan on finishing up in May 2012. The amount of work has been intense (an intensity that I thought I was done with following completion of the DNP this past May!) The course work isn't as demanding as the DNP, but there is just so much of it that is condensed into a relatively short time frame. 

Third, I am running for Chair-Elect in the Nurse Practitioner Association of New York's (The NPA) election. Voting will begin next month and for the first time in many years, this is a contested election. It will be an interesting experience and am running against two other seasoned nurse practitioners for the position. (I am currently the Treasurer of the association). As any regular reader of my blog knows, I stand for transparency and accountability, with a sprinkle of common sense. My position statement is:

As your Treasurer, I’ve been responsible for guiding the Association through one of the most challenging economic times in our nation’s history. As a result, the Association enjoys financial stability to enhance member benefits and increase members.

In addition, our strong fiscal policies allows us to retain the best possible advertising and advocacy firms, as well as, professional staff, to ensure that our vision of barrier-free nurse practitioner practice in New York State is achieved. One of the greatest challenges we face are the often confusing and outdated laws that regulate nurse practitioner practice. The NP profession has and will continue to provide culturally competent, evidence based care that is of high-quality and cost-effectiveness. 

Unfortunately, these regulations don’t accurately allow us to provide the care that we were educated and trained for. Therefore, it is essential that we have these laws updated to allow us to care for our patients of today and tomorrow.

If elected, I will work tirelessly to enhance communication and transparency within our association in part by taking advantage of new technologies. My goal is to empower members so that we are the ones shaping and defining our profession. 

If there are any members of the NPA reading, I would appreciate your support in this election. (If you aren't a member and practice as an NP in New York, now would be a great time to join.

I will also be traveling to the NPA's Annual Conference this week and am looking forward to a great program. 

Lastly, I've been regularly blogging (about 2 posts a week) at Online Nurse Practitioner Programs.com since August. Feel free to check that site out as well (if you haven't gotten enough of me already :)

Other than that, I am just trying to maintain balance between my professional life and personal one. My blog has always allowed me to reflect on professional issues, which I fully intend on continuing. It is quite therapeutic. 

Wish me luck and I will be sure to post updates! 
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