Events in the History of the VCNP
1971
The Board of Nursing was
notified that the University of Virginia was
offering a nurse practitioner course.
1972
In May, the Board of Nursing adopted the Statement of Belief and Proposal for the Extension of Nursing Practice in Virginia, recognizing the need for change in Virginia law and for regulation of nurses in advanced practice.
1973
The General Assembly changed the Medical Practice Act authorizing expanded nursing practice under regulations promulgated by the Boards of Nursing and Medicine.
1974
In January, six nurse practitioners (NP) met in Norfolk with the intention of organizing as a professional group.
1975
The first Regulations Governing the Certification of Nurse Practitioners were adopted. Nurse anesthetists were included under these regulations.
The first NP certified was Barbara T. Walker, then Executive Director of the Virginia Nurses Association (VNA).
The Joint Boards of Medicine and Nursing Committee (Joint Boards) approved VCU/MCV's OB/GYN NP Program and UVA's Emergency Room NP Program.
Richmond organized a Nurse Practitioner Professional Practice Group (PPG) under the VNA.
1976
Nurse Midwives were included in the Regulations Governing NP's. There were then 11 categories of primary care NP's, plus Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist Practitioners and Certified Nurse Midwife Practitioners.
1977
VCU/MCV's Pediatric NP Program and UVA's Adult NP Program were approved
1979
The Board of Nursing recommended an advisory committee to assist the Joint Boards in their work regarding NP's in the state.
1980
The Regulations Governing the
Certification of Nurse Practitioners that went into effect July 1, 1980
included 13 categories of NP (Adult, Family, Pediatric, Family Planning, Ob/Gyn,
Emergency Room, Geriatric, Nurse Anesthetist, School, Medical, Maternal
Child, Neonatology, Midwife).
And
These Regulations provided that the Joint Boards could appoint an Advisory
Committee on the Certification of Nurse Practitioners composed of 4 NP's and
4 MD's to advise the Joint Boards on education and practice issues.
The first Mid-Atlantic Nurse Practitioner Conference was planned and held by the Richmond NP group.
1982
Charlottesville, Tidewater, Southwest Virginia, Northern Virginia, and Lynchburg joined Richmond in becoming NP/PPG's of the VNA.
The first NP representatives to the new Advisory Committee to the Joint Boards included Judy Collins, Patricia Rowell, Debra Sivertson, and Ronald Small.
1984
The NP/PPG became the Virginia Council of Nurse Practitioners (VCNP), maintaining its association with the VNA. The change from PPG to Council status was within the VNA structure. Diane Hanna was the first VCNP president.
The General Assembly enacted legislation creating provisional practice status for NP's pending certification.
1986
The first VCNP Bylaws were developed and approved.
Professional certification of NP's by a national certifying agency was required for state certification to practice as of July 1, 1986.
A 14th category of NP, Women's Health Care NP, was added to the Regulations.
1987
The VCNP formed the Coalition of Virginia Nurses in Advanced Practice (COVNAP).
A crisis occurred when it became impossible for NP's to obtain malpractice insurance. Judy Collins participated in the resolution of this problem.
1988
The status of NP's in the state changed from certification to licensure. NP's became Licensed Nurse Practitioners (LNP) through change in the regulations, which had become the Regulations Governing the Licensure (vs. Certification) of Nurse Practitioners. In addition, the regulations were becoming less restrictive to NP practice through modification of the definition of supervision in the working relationship between NP and MD.
1989
Changes in the law made it possible for Psychiatric Clinical Nurse Specialists to receive reimbursement, which was the first opportunity for APN's to get reimbursement.
1991
The VCNP joined the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.
The General Assembly changed the Medical Practice Act and the Drug Control Act, giving prescriptive Authority to LNP's for Schedule VI drugs.
The Advisory Committee to Assist with the Promulgation of the Regulations for Prescriptive Authority was formed. The LNP representatives on this first committee were Judy Collins (Chair) and Sharon Bailey
Judy Collins became the first LNP to sit on the Board of Nursing.
1992
Nurse Midwives could obtain hospital privileges.
The new Regulations Governing the Licensure of Nurse Practitioners had included material on prescriptive authority, and by September, 24 LNP's has obtained prescriptive authority.
VCNP began to consider contracting for administrative assistance services.
1993
Diane Hanna chaired the Board of Health (1993-95), the first nurse to hold that position.
Prescriptive authority went into effect in January.
The Mid-Atlantic Nurse Practitioner Conference became the Virginia Council of Nurse Practitioners Conference, initially rotating responsibility for the annual education conference among 3 regions, each formed of 2 regional groups.
1996
Janet Younger RN, PhD, LNP was appointed to the Board of Nursing. She has remained on the Board to become President.
1997
The VCNP Bylaws made provision for redistribution of members, to facilitate participation of LNP's in all parts of the state. This change created the possibility of adding regional groups.
1998
The database for VCNP membership was completed after redistricting the regional groups and contracting administrative services.
Three new regional groups formed - Shenandoah, Northern Shenandoah, and Blue Ridge.
1999
VCNP's website came on line in May.
VCNP Bylaws were updated and modernized, the first major change in many years.
2000
Fredericksburg became the newest VCNP regional group.
The law had expanded prescriptive authority to include all drugs except those with the greatest potential for abuse. This was to be accomplished by 2003.
VCNP concerns included: How to increase VCNP's membership, develop other sources of income besides the VCNP Conference, maintain the necessary level of legislative work and involvement, continue the administrative services which had become essential, and maintain forward momentum.
2001
A new category of NP was recognized, the Psychiatric Mental Health Practitioner.
2002
The newly formed Peninsula Regional Group increased the number of VCNP Regional Groups to 11.
The Board of Nursing adopted final regulations on continued competency requirements for licensing and for prescriptive authority.
Legislation passed authorizing NP's to refer directly to physical therapists.
2003
In July, Schedule III drugs were added, so that prescriptive authority included Schedules III - VI.
2004
The Distinguished Nurse Practitioner Award and the Educational Award are being given by the VCNP for the first time.
Legislative issues continue to
be important, needing the persistent surveillance and active participation
on the part of the VCNP. These include: PCP status, reimbursement,
supervision, protocols, prescriptive
authority, supply of NP's, hospital scope of practice, malpractice, and
Provider Neutrality Legislation.
Sources
Dorsey, Corinne F. A History of the Virginia Board of Nursing 1903-2003.
Dorsey, Corinne F. History of the Regulation of Nurse Practitioners in
Virginia, September, 1995.
Histories of the Richmond and Tidewater Regional Groups of the VCNP
Special Joint History Committee of the Virginia Nurses Association and the
Virginia League of Nursing. Highlights of Nursing in Virginia, 1900 - 2000,
May 2001.
VCNP Minutes 1985 - 2000.
Ann F. Bennett, RN, MS, CANP
VCNP, VCNP-TW
March, 2004
VCNP CHAIRPERSONS OR PRESIDENTS
NP/PPG (Complete information not available)
1975 Pat Chancey
1977 Ginger Parker
1982 Anne Sydnor
1983-84 Myra Lindquist
VCNP
1984-85 Diane Hanna
1985-86 Ann Bennett
1986-87 Ann Bennett
1087-88 Jane McMahon
1088-89 Terri Tempkin
1989-90 Donna East
1990-91
1991-92 Beverly James
1992-93 Susan Schaffer
1993-94 Nancy Harvey
1994-95 Lynn Poole
1995-96 Ellen Barbaro
1996-97 Lynn Poole
1997-98 Lynn Poole
1998-99 Micah Scott
1999-00 Susan Donkers
2000-02 Nancy Harvey
2002-04 Elaine Ferrary
2004-06 Adele Young
NURSE PRACTITIONER PROGRAMS IN VIRGINIA
George Mason University
Hampton University
Marymount University
Old Dominion University
Radford University
ShenandoahUniversity
University of Virginia
Virginia Commonwealth University/Medical College of Virginia
VIRGINIA NURSE PRACTITIONERS - NUMBERS
1982 The Board of Nursing obtained a new computer, able to generate annual statistics. That year there were 1,146 Certified Nurse Practitioners (CNP).
| 1984 | RN's | 48,069 |
| CNP's | 1,340 | |
| 1989 | RN's | 59,478 |
| LNP's | 1,759 | |
| 1993 | RN's | 66,374 |
| LNP's | 2,222 (360 with prescriptive authority first year) | |
| 1994 | RN's | 71,579 |
| LNP's | 2,340 (536 with prescriptive authority) | |
| 1999 | RN's | 77,100 |
| LNP's | 3,804 (1,571 with prescriptive authority) | |
| 2003 | LNP's | 4,621 (3,420 with prescriptive authority) |
VIRGINIA COUNCIL OF NURSE PRACTITIONERS - REGIONAL
GROUPS
Blue Ridge
Central
Fredericksburg
Northern Shenandoah
Northern Virginia
Piedmont
Peninsula
Richmond
Shenandoah
Southwest
Tidewater
2005 Annual Conference
Williamsburg, VA
All photos are clickable for larger versions.
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Virginia Council of Nurse Practitioners
2209 Dickens Road
Richmond, VA 23230-2005
804-565-6360
804-282-0090 fax
General VCNP Information:
vcnp@vcnp.net
Membership Information:
vcnpmembership@vcnp.net