Are NP Week Celebrations Good for NPs?

Abstract

As the majority of JNP readers will know, the second full week of November is National Nurse Practitioner Week. With so many accomplishments of which we can all be proud and an exciting future, few would argue that there isn’t cause for celebration. But with ongoing efforts to increase nurse practitioner (NP) visibility and credibility, it is worth asking whether publicly celebrating ourselves can also have a downside. Do our celebrations place us in a light in which we would like our patients and colleagues to see us? This month, 2 authors look at this topic, and while both agree that we ought to be very proud of ourselves, they advise that we also reflect. How we choose to celebrate shapes what our patients and the public think of us, which in turn will ultimately affect the role we play in shaping health care. Congratulations and Happy Nurse Practitioner Week!Loretta C. FordLoretta C. Ford, EdD, RN, PNP, FAAN, FAANP, is dean and professor emerita of the University of Rochester School of Nursing. She co-founded the first NP program at the University of Colorado in 1965 and is considered the founder of the NP role. Among her many honors, Dr Ford was named a living legend by the American Academy of Nursing in 1999 and was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame in 2011.Support for NP Week CelebrationsIt has been said, “If you want to change the world, first change yourself.” NPs have changed themselves inwardly and outwardly. These changes have been reflected in the profession of nursing, which first rejected the NP as an advanced practice model but now enjoys the major changes that NPs have brought to the profession. NP organizations are setting standards for education and practice. They have elevated educational standards and practice models, reoriented research to practice, and secured national positions for nursing in fashioning health policy. They have advanced the nursing profession to center stage in the nation’s media and in health policy legislation. The coverage on NPs this past year has been phenomenal; from The New York Times to a recent Consumer Reports, NPs have been receiving tremendous positive reports. From humble beginnings, these achievements warrant celebration.NPs are always quick to credit others. They need to also reflect on the monumental changes their role has made in their self-discovery, self-renewal, self-appreciation, and self-esteem. The awakening of their intellectual potential is a revelation in itself.Most important is the question of public good. In my book, an informed, health conscious, and socially responsible citizenry is of great value to society. NPs have demonstrated their commitment to public service. Data support their willingness to serve the underserved, to practice where others choose not or dare not go, improving access and affordability and being the community resource for health teaching and promotion.Yes, celebratory weeks for NPs are good for personal, professional, and political reasons and for the public good. Recognizing our value provides the opportunity to take stock of our progress, performance, placement, and potential. So, if you ask me, “Are NP celebratory week good for NPs?” Hear me now: Yes, and what is good for NPs is good for the country!What is Your View on This Topic?Point/Counterpoint offers thought-provoking topics relevant to nurse practitioners in every issue of JNP. Two authors present thoughtful but opposing viewpoints on current subjects, from scope of practice and regulations to work ethics and care practices. Your opinion on these matters is also important, so go to www.npjournal.org or scan the QR code here to register your vote for either side of each topic. Comments or suggestions for future columns should be sent to Department Editor Donald Gardenier at [email protected]View Large Image Figure ViewerDownload Hi-res image Download (PPT)Nancy O'RourkeNancy O'Rourke, MSN, ACNP, ANP, FAANP, is a practicing NP with 27 years' experience in emergency medicine and critical care. She is the American Association of Nurse Practitioners Region 1 director and past president of the Massachusetts Coalition of Nurse Practitioners, for which she is actively involved in the legislative committee. She also lectures nationally about the politics of health care reform and how it impacts NP practice.Rationale Against NP Week CelebrationsWhile National Nurse Practitioner Week may seem to be the perfect opportunity to gain public recognition of our profession, we must be mindful that there can be a downside. Often, these types of promotions may be seen as self-adulation, and self-praise is no praise at all. Rather, the goal should be to promote our profession through public recognition of our value to the health care system.NP Week is about showing our value to our target audience, be they legislators, administrators, or consumers. The best way to do that is to give them something that they are interested in, not to just tell them how great we are. It is about spreading the word and showcasing our profession by increasing awareness of our role and value as health care providers.To accomplish this goal while maintaining professional dignity, NP Week celebrations should be carefully thought out and planned. Following the 3 Cs of promoting a message, our celebrations should be confident, concrete, and cohesive. Our words should be scripted and planned, using supportive information such as data and patient stories. This is the most important factor in making sure the activities of NP Week are not seen as self-promoting. Cohesion of our profession is achieved by NPs standing together, with 1 voice. Every state should have the same message, and it should be consistent and clear. While state political agendas may differ, the message used for NP Week should not.The merger of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners and the American College of Nurse Practitioners is the biggest step we have taken in years toward our profession having 1 powerful voice. NP Week offers us another opportunity to move in that direction. I am all for celebrating NPs and the great work we do. Let’s do so while maintaining our principles and keeping our message strong and clear. As the majority of JNP readers will know, the second full week of November is National Nurse Practitioner Week. With so many accomplishments of which we can all be proud and an exciting future, few would argue that there isn’t cause for celebration. But with ongoing efforts to increase nurse practitioner (NP) visibility and credibility, it is worth asking whether publicly celebrating ourselves can also have a downside. Do our celebrations place us in a light in which we would like our patients and colleagues to see us? This month, 2 authors look at this topic, and while both agree that we ought to be very proud of ourselves, they advise that we also reflect. How we choose to celebrate shapes what our patients and the public think of us, which in turn will ultimately affect the role we play in shaping health care. Congratulations and Happy Nurse Practitioner Week! Loretta C. FordLoretta C. Ford, EdD, RN, PNP, FAAN, FAANP, is dean and professor emerita of the University of Rochester School of Nursing. She co-founded the first NP program at the University of Colorado in 1965 and is considered the founder of the NP role. Among her many honors, Dr Ford was named a living legend by the American Academy of Nursing in 1999 and was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame in 2011. Loretta C. FordLoretta C. Ford, EdD, RN, PNP, FAAN, FAANP, is dean and professor emerita of the University of Rochester School of Nursing. She co-founded the first NP program at the University of Colorado in 1965 and is considered the founder of the NP role. Among her many honors, Dr Ford was named a living legend by the American Academy of Nursing in 1999 and was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame in 2011. Loretta C. FordLoretta C. Ford, EdD, RN, PNP, FAAN, FAANP, is dean and professor emerita of the University of Rochester School of Nursing. She co-founded the first NP program at the University of Colorado in 1965 and is considered the founder of the NP role. Among her many honors, Dr Ford was named a living legend by the American Academy of Nursing in 1999 and was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame in 2011. Loretta C. Ford, EdD, RN, PNP, FAAN, FAANP, is dean and professor emerita of the University of Rochester School of Nursing. She co-founded the first NP program at the University of Colorado in 1965 and is considered the founder of the NP role. Among her many honors, Dr Ford was named a living legend by the American Academy of Nursing in 1999 and was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame in 2011. Support for NP Week CelebrationsIt has been said, “If you want to change the world, first change yourself.” NPs have changed themselves inwardly and outwardly. These changes have been reflected in the profession of nursing, which first rejected the NP as an advanced practice model but now enjoys the major changes that NPs have brought to the profession. NP organizations are setting standards for education and practice. They have elevated educational standards and practice models, reoriented research to practice, and secured national positions for nursing in fashioning health policy. They have advanced the nursing profession to center stage in the nation’s media and in health policy legislation. The coverage on NPs this past year has been phenomenal; from The New York Times to a recent Consumer Reports, NPs have been receiving tremendous positive reports. From humble beginnings, these achievements warrant celebration.NPs are always quick to credit others. They need to also reflect on the monumental changes their role has made in their self-discovery, self-renewal, self-appreciation, and self-esteem. The awakening of their intellectual potential is a revelation in itself.Most important is the question of public good. In my book, an informed, health conscious, and socially responsible citizenry is of great value to society. NPs have demonstrated their commitment to public service. Data support their willingness to serve the underserved, to practice where others choose not or dare not go, improving access and affordability and being the community resource for health teaching and promotion.Yes, celebratory weeks for NPs are good for personal, professional, and political reasons and for the public good. Recognizing our value provides the opportunity to take stock of our progress, performance, placement, and potential. So, if you ask me, “Are NP celebratory week good for NPs?” Hear me now: Yes, and what is good for NPs is good for the country! It has been said, “If you want to change the world, first change yourself.” NPs have changed themselves inwardly and outwardly. These changes have been reflected in the profession of nursing, which first rejected the NP as an advanced practice model but now enjoys the major changes that NPs have brought to the profession. NP organizations are setting standards for education and practice. They have elevated educational standards and practice models, reoriented research to practice, and secured national positions for nursing in fashioning health policy. They have advanced the nursing profession to center stage in the nation’s media and in health policy legislation. The coverage on NPs this past year has been phenomenal; from The New York Times to a recent Consumer Reports, NPs have been receiving tremendous positive reports. From humble beginnings, these achievements warrant celebration. NPs are always quick to credit others. They need to also reflect on the monumental changes their role has made in their self-discovery, self-renewal, self-appreciation, and self-esteem. The awakening of their intellectual potential is a revelation in itself. Most important is the question of public good. In my book, an informed, health conscious, and socially responsible citizenry is of great value to society. NPs have demonstrated their commitment to public service. Data support their willingness to serve the underserved, to practice where others choose not or dare not go, improving access and affordability and being the community resource for health teaching and promotion. Yes, celebratory weeks for NPs are good for personal, professional, and political reasons and for the public good. Recognizing our value provides the opportunity to take stock of our progress, performance, placement, and potential. So, if you ask me, “Are NP celebratory week good for NPs?” Hear me now: Yes, and what is good for NPs is good for the country! What is Your View on This Topic?Point/Counterpoint offers thought-provoking topics relevant to nurse practitioners in every issue of JNP. Two authors present thoughtful but opposing viewpoints on current subjects, from scope of practice and regulations to work ethics and care practices. Your opinion on these matters is also important, so go to www.npjournal.org or scan the QR code here to register your vote for either side of each topic. Comments or suggestions for future columns should be sent to Department Editor Donald Gardenier at [email protected]Nancy O'RourkeNancy O'Rourke, MSN, ACNP, ANP, FAANP, is a practicing NP with 27 years' experience in emergency medicine and critical care. She is the American Association of Nurse Practitioners Region 1 director and past president of the Massachusetts Coalition of Nurse Practitioners, for which she is actively involved in the legislative committee. She also lectures nationally about the politics of health care reform and how it impacts NP practice. Point/Counterpoint offers thought-provoking topics relevant to nurse practitioners in every issue of JNP. Two authors present thoughtful but opposing viewpoints on current subjects, from scope of practice and regulations to work ethics and care practices. Your opinion on these matters is also important, so go to www.npjournal.org or scan the QR code here to register your vote for either side of each topic. Comments or suggestions for future columns should be sent to Department Editor Donald Gardenier at [email protected] Nancy O'RourkeNancy O'Rourke, MSN, ACNP, ANP, FAANP, is a practicing NP with 27 years' experience in emergency medicine and critical care. She is the American Association of Nurse Practitioners Region 1 director and past president of the Massachusetts Coalition of Nurse Practitioners, for which she is actively involved in the legislative committee. She also lectures nationally about the politics of health care reform and how it impacts NP practice. Nancy O'RourkeNancy O'Rourke, MSN, ACNP, ANP, FAANP, is a practicing NP with 27 years' experience in emergency medicine and critical care. She is the American Association of Nurse Practitioners Region 1 director and past president of the Massachusetts Coalition of Nurse Practitioners, for which she is actively involved in the legislative committee. She also lectures nationally about the politics of health care reform and how it impacts NP practice. Nancy O'RourkeNancy O'Rourke, MSN, ACNP, ANP, FAANP, is a practicing NP with 27 years' experience in emergency medicine and critical care. She is the American Association of Nurse Practitioners Region 1 director and past president of the Massachusetts Coalition of Nurse Practitioners, for which she is actively involved in the legislative committee. She also lectures nationally about the politics of health care reform and how it impacts NP practice. Nancy O'Rourke, MSN, ACNP, ANP, FAANP, is a practicing NP with 27 years' experience in emergency medicine and critical care. She is the American Association of Nurse Practitioners Region 1 director and past president of the Massachusetts Coalition of Nurse Practitioners, for which she is actively involved in the legislative committee. She also lectures nationally about the politics of health care reform and how it impacts NP practice. Rationale Against NP Week CelebrationsWhile National Nurse Practitioner Week may seem to be the perfect opportunity to gain public recognition of our profession, we must be mindful that there can be a downside. Often, these types of promotions may be seen as self-adulation, and self-praise is no praise at all. Rather, the goal should be to promote our profession through public recognition of our value to the health care system.NP Week is about showing our value to our target audience, be they legislators, administrators, or consumers. The best way to do that is to give them something that they are interested in, not to just tell them how great we are. It is about spreading the word and showcasing our profession by increasing awareness of our role and value as health care providers.To accomplish this goal while maintaining professional dignity, NP Week celebrations should be carefully thought out and planned. Following the 3 Cs of promoting a message, our celebrations should be confident, concrete, and cohesive. Our words should be scripted and planned, using supportive information such as data and patient stories. This is the most important factor in making sure the activities of NP Week are not seen as self-promoting. Cohesion of our profession is achieved by NPs standing together, with 1 voice. Every state should have the same message, and it should be consistent and clear. While state political agendas may differ, the message used for NP Week should not.The merger of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners and the American College of Nurse Practitioners is the biggest step we have taken in years toward our profession having 1 powerful voice. NP Week offers us another opportunity to move in that direction. I am all for celebrating NPs and the great work we do. Let’s do so while maintaining our principles and keeping our message strong and clear. While National Nurse Practitioner Week may seem to be the perfect opportunity to gain public recognition of our profession, we must be mindful that there can be a downside. Often, these types of promotions may be seen as self-adulation, and self-praise is no praise at all. Rather, the goal should be to promote our profession through public recognition of our value to the health care system. NP Week is about showing our value to our target audience, be they legislators, administrators, or consumers. The best way to do that is to give them something that they are interested in, not to just tell them how great we are. It is about spreading the word and showcasing our profession by increasing awareness of our role and value as health care providers. To accomplish this goal while maintaining professional dignity, NP Week celebrations should be carefully thought out and planned. Following the 3 Cs of promoting a message, our celebrations should be confident, concrete, and cohesive. Our words should be scripted and planned, using supportive information such as data and patient stories. This is the most important factor in making sure the activities of NP Week are not seen as self-promoting. Cohesion of our profession is achieved by NPs standing together, with 1 voice. Every state should have the same message, and it should be consistent and clear. While state political agendas may differ, the message used for NP Week should not. The merger of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners and the American College of Nurse Practitioners is the biggest step we have taken in years toward our profession having 1 powerful voice. NP Week offers us another opportunity to move in that direction. I am all for celebrating NPs and the great work we do. Let’s do so while maintaining our principles and keeping our message strong and clear.