The Power of Professional NP Associations

Abstract

Marilyn W. Edmunds PhD, NP A s a nurse practitioner (NP) involved with developing the NP role since its inception, I’ve had a lot of experiences over the years. I have seen many students in NP programs realize the vulnerabilities of NP reimbursement, constraints on scope of practice, and inequities in the system that keep NPs invisible to providers. Without knowing the history of these barriers to practice, nor the gradual cultivation of allies over the years, they want to tackle these problems themselves. They soon realize that they have little credibility within the system and no one willing to listen to them. The truly committed students usually discover that their NP professional association has already been dealing with these issues, and these organizations have earned the credibility to have people listen to them and have made progress on these problems. One of the most touching things I ever witnessed was an impassioned defense of NPs preceding a vote on an NP-related bill in the Maryland House of Delegates. This representative, the husband of a physician, asked his colleagues to support NP legislation. He said his physician wife had implored him to do everything he could to see passage of the legislation because NPs deserved to be able to practice in Maryland—they had earned it by their competent and compassionate care of patients. As members of the NP Association of Maryland, we stood in the assembly hall gallery with tears rolling down our cheeks as we heard this man advocate for NPs when we had exhausted every other means to advocate for ourselves. Our legislation passed, and this was an empowering time for NPs in our state. Through my research and writing about NP professional role development over the years, I have received many letters that suggested that some NPs didn’t belong to any professional NP organization—that the professional journal was “their professional association.” While an NP journal may describe the issues and call for action, it is the local and national NP organizations that make change possible at the state and federal levels, where meaningful policy changes are so essential. NPs can never cease to be vigilant about health care legislation and how it will impact their practice. Our practice is far more fragile than many would ever dream. The easiest way to take this professional responsibility seriously is to support your state and national NP organizations with your dues and your actions in response to their requests for letters or information. Then take your turn serving in these organizations. Share your enthusiasm, your experiences with patients, your own network of connections and supporters. Give a year to support your NP organization. All NPs are busy. The continuing support of ill patients is a heavy weight to carry, the need for continuing education constant, the need for NP risk-reduction practices growing. All these efforts are recognized and supported by your state and national NP organizations. Please stand by your organizations so these groups can stand up for all of us.