What Risk Are You Willing To Take?

Abstract

As I write my first message as President of National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP), I am struck by the pride I feel to be part of this organization and to have the opportunity to serve as its 34th president. Thank you, NAPNAP members, for your support and confidence in me. In my candidate's speech last year in San Diego, I talked about how pediatric nurse practitioners (PNPs) and NAPNAP have a long history of sticking our necks out and taking risks to provide the best possible health care to children and their families. In health care and in life, risk often has a negative connotation. We refer to risk factors for disease, a high-risk pregnancy, high-risk infants, risky adolescent behaviors, at-risk populations, environmental risks, and being an insurance risk. Yet without risk, there is little opportunity for change and progress. Think about the lowly plodding turtle that makes progress only when sticking its neck out. If we look at risk from a positive perspective and view it as stretching ourselves, moving out of our comfort zone, and taking a step into uncharted waters to advance NAPNAP's mission and vision, we are faced with exciting possibilities rather than immobilizing fear. Taking a risk means taking advantage of an opportunity for change to improve the future and to make a difference in the future health care of children and their families. I would like to share an example of a person taking a risk. While attending a national Policy and Leadership Summit, I met a young woman who is a family nurse practitioner and who is completing a DNP program. She is running for the legislature in her state, has a passion for nursing, and aims to increase the visibility and voice of advanced practice nurses (APNs) in health care. The result of her campaign is yet unknown, but win or lose, she was willing to take a risk and to make her voice heard. Whatever the outcome, she will have made a difference in increasing awareness and visibility of NPs in her state.I challenge each of us to take a risk in the coming year, to do something that has the potential to make a difference, to take a specific action that will promote children's health. Running for political office may be a risk many of us would consider too great, perhaps even one to avoid. However, I believe each of us has a passion that can be tapped by taking a risk to advance NAPNAP's mission, vision, and strategic direction. I challenge each of us to take a risk in the coming year, to do something that has the potential to make a difference, to take a specific action that will promote children's health. Leadership in promoting optimal health for children is at the core of NAPNAP's strategic direction model. Each of the five areas of NAPNAP's focus provides an opportunity for leadership to advance the mission. The possibilities are endless and need not be daunting. Consider the following brief list of actions you could take:•Advocating to improve children's health: Contact your state and national legislators about access to care, reimbursement, and funding for advanced nursing education.•Advancing the PNP/APN role: Know your state's scope of practice issues, speak out, and become a resource for your legislators.•Advancing practice through education, collaboration, research, and scholarly inquiry: Attend professional conferences, promote evidence-based practice through a journal club or quality improvement initiative, or collaborate with faculty at your local college or university to study a clinical or professional issue.•Enhancing access to information: Write an article for a professional journal or parent publication such as NAPNAP's Ready, Set, Grow. Volunteer to speak at community events or to your local media.•Developing NAPNAP's presence, position and relationships in multiple communities: Volunteer for your chapter or to serve on a board at the local, state, or national level. As I reflect on my year as president-elect and embark on my year as president, I marvel at all I have learned and have yet to learn. I marvel at the doors that have been opened to NPs through the willingness to take a risk and through the diligent work of my predecessors, the NAPNAP Executive Board and staff, and the many members who have volunteered countless hours toward ensuring that NPs have a place and a voice. We have come a very long way because so many persons have stretched themselves, moved out of their comfort zones, or taken a step into uncharted waters. However, the journey is far from over. Opportunities abound, but obstacles continue to arise. What risk are you willing to take?