Category Archives: All News

VCNP Shenandoah Region February 2021 Meeting Minutes

News - Shenandoah

VCNP-Shenandoah Region

February 2021 Meeting Minutes

February 18, 2021

Members in attendance:  Erin Morris, Haley Tusing, Susan Adamson, Monica Heck, Maretta Yoder

Guest Speaker:  Amy Sales, CMP, Deputy Executive Director, Virginia Council of Nurse Practitioners 

NP Students in attendance:  None

Meeting Location:  Zoom Meeting

Business Meeting:  

  1. Susan Adamson gave an update on the Harrisonburg Rockingham Free Clinic closure.  Plan to open new clinic named Blue Ridge Free Clinic.  Returning to the old model of volunteerism, no barriers clinic, navigation of health care system, ACA enrollments, and will host short and long-term patients.  Susan is currently serving as President of the new Free Clinic Board of Directors. 
  •  Amy Sales

-reviewed changes to VCNP website and resources that are available to members and leadership, including state-provided platforms for meetings and connection (GoToMeeting/Constant Contact- which do require password)

-vcnp@vcnp.net/434-906-1778.  This is Amy’s email and work cell for any questions.  In Amy’s absence, Betsy Crowell will be our liaison. 

-Amy reinforced that the VCNP goal is for the Shenandoah region to thrive. 

-The VCNP is working on election syncing of regions to assist with onboarding of new leadership and committee members.  Current elects are due in October with placement of newly elected members in March of 2022. 

-Amy informed the group that we do not need to have a sitting President; however, attendance at board meetings for voting purposes does require an elected member.  Amy will check to ensure that non-elected members can attend the board meetings for representation, but will likely be dismissed for the “executive” portion of the meeting. 

-CME education information/questions should be directed to Helen Willis or Betsy Crowell at vcnpconference@gmail.com or betsy.crowell@easterassociates.com

-Amy also informed the group that other than a board report, there is no financial report required of our group at this time. 

3.  Monica Heck shared with the group regarding Membership Committee. 

               -They meet once a month.

-Membership is slightly down, but expected to increase pre-conference and at graduation.

-Currently Shenandoah membership is at 67.

-The Membership Committee is working on ways to increase engagement.  Getting members involved is a statewide problem.

4.  Maretta Yoder- currently sitting secretary and unofficial meeting planner.  She will begin   pursuing in-person meeting options for May of 2021 and 2 meetings in the fall. 

Current to-do list and plan moving forward:

  1.  Amy Sales will send Erin Morris the statewide emails for now.
  2. Try to get a credit card to assist with meal payment and ease of purchasing stipends/etc…
  3. Attendance at pending board meetings for 3/10/2021, 6/19/2021, ? 10/2/2021
  4. Erin will work on board report for 3/10/2021.
  5. Need to mentor nurse practitioners to fulfill leadership roles. 

The meeting was then adjourned.

Respectively submitted.

Maretta Yoder, Secretary

We did it!

We did it! Yesterday Governor Northam signed HB 1737, which will be effective July 1, 2021. In the meantime, NPs with two or more years of clinical experience can continue practicing autonomously under EO 57 during Virginia’s COVID-19 state of emergency. Thanks to everyone who supported our efforts, and congratulations!

HB 1737: Ask the Governor to sign our bill!

HB 1737 has been communicated to Governor Northam. Because this has been done with sufficient time left until the Special Session concludes, it is now considered a seven-day bill. This means the Governor now has until midnight on February 26 to sign, veto, or amend the legislation.

Contact Governor Northam now and ask him to sign HB 1737!

VCNP Members: Log in and visit the “Advocacy” page or check email for the link to connect with Governor Northam

Non-members: Join us! Receive advocacy updates and the other VCNP members benefits by becoming a member today!

VCNP Member Benefits

HB 1737: Our bill passed the Senate

Thank you for all of your work!

Great news! Our bill passed the Senate. Depending on when our bill is communicated to the Governor, there is a possibility he will sign, amend or VETO this legislation prior to February 27, when the General Assembly adjourns. Otherwise the Governor will have 30 days to do so after they adjourn.

We will be in communication with the Governor’s office as he reviews the bill.

Quick THANK YOU and request to keep contacting your legislators!

Quick THANK YOU to ALL of you who have contacted your legislators. We have sent nearly a dozen blasts, and they will continue. Each time we contact you for help, it’s in response to specific committee discussions. Your legislative contacts are answering legislator questions and educating them every step of the way to move our bill forward!

This session is moving very quickly and our bill is progressing! THANK YOU for your quick response and legislative contacts.

YOU ARE MAKING THIS HAPPEN!

Members will continue to receive emails with requests to contact legislators. Please respond and share with colleagues, friends, and other NP supporters!

HB 1737 Update: Our bill is advancing – continue to contact your legislators

HB 1737 UPDATE

HB 1737 will be heard in full committee on Tuesday, January 26.

Today the Health Professions Subcommittee of the House Health, Welfare and Institutions Committee heard Delegate Dawn Adams’ legislation, which would permanently reduce the clinical experience needed for autonomous practice from five years to two years. Speaking in favor of the legislation included VCNP president Becky Compton as well as Clareen Wiencek, advanced practice program director at the University of Virginia School of Nursing, who presented solid testimony emphasizing the considerable education and training NPs receive in school. Also speaking in favor were Mary Kay Goldschmidt for the Virginia Nurses Association and Elizabeth Cushing of AARP. We are pleased to report that our bill received unanimous support in subcommittee and both Delegate Adams and Delegate Robinson spoke in favor of the legislation during debate.

Click here to watch the full debate

Speaking against the bill included MSV and its specialty societies for medical students, emergency room physicians and family doctors. Some of these concerns were later raised again by Delegate Karrie K. Delaney, who we knew was on the fence about how she was going to vote on this bill. She said through the testimony given, she was more comfortable that NP education and training was sufficient for autonomous practice but that she would be considering additional information before committing her final vote in full committee. The full committee will next meet at 9 am on Tuesday, January 26. Typically bills that are heard in subcommittee are not reheard in full committee, unless a member on the full committee wants to re-open the debate. It is important that the full committee continue to hear from VCNP members over the weekend and throughout Monday in order to keep this bill moving forward.

How can you help? Here’s how!

Use the Muster advocacy system to contact your legislators. VCNP Members received an email this afternoon with information on how to connect, or they can log in to their member profile and look for the latest Muster campaign under the “Advocacy” tab.

Not a VCNP member? Join us!

Join us! VCNP offers NP resources, educational programs, professional discounts, and more. Contact VCNP staff for more information.