NAPNAP Update

Article Outline

• Leadership
• Advocacy
• Practice
• Education
  • Future Annual Conferences
• Collaborations
• Kudos

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Leadership 

NAPNAP is celebrating its 35th year of service to the pediatric nursing profession. A new Anniversary logo that commemorates NAPNAP’s 35 years of existence will be used on letterhead, envelopes, and appropriate promotional items during this celebration year. In honor of the momentous occasion, NAPNAP is embarking on a “35 dollars for 35 years” campaign, asking that all members donate $1 for each year of NAPNAP’s existence to the NAPNAP Foundation or $1 per year of NAPNAP membership. For more information or to make a donation, please contact the National Office at www.napnap.org or telephone (856) 857-9700; members only: (877) 662-7627.

At the Annual Conference in March 2007, NAPNAP released its 2007-2010 Strategic Direction Summary, Themes, and Goals. NAPNAP’s Strategic Direction focuses on advocacy for children’s health and advancing the PNP/APRN role. Other foci include advancing evidence-based practice, improving the quality of children’s health care, and developing the Association’s presence and position nationally.

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Advocacy 

NAPNAP’s Washington representatives continue to advocate on Capitol Hill on behalf of NAPNAP. Current legislative and appropriations priorities include advocating for increased funding for Health Resources and Services Administration Title VIII-Nursing Education funding and opposing cuts to Medicaid.

NAPNAP recently developed a white paper in support of the reauthorization of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) to sustain health insurance coverage for the children currently in the program. Visit www.napnap.org to view NAPNAP’s briefing.

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Practice 

NAPNAP is looking for persons (must be NAPNAP members) who are “recognized leaders” in their area of expertise and have pertinent clinical experience, and, if possible, some related research background in the area. Participating individuals may be offered the opportunity to participate in various avenues of public education about children’s health care and pediatric nurse practitioner (PNP) practice. Many practicing PNPs have gained personal exposure sharing their expertise on topics for which experience and hard work have earned them the right to be regarded as an authority by the media. Although we have many experts identified, NAPNAP would like to expand our already effective media outreach by adding to its pool of clinical experts. For more information, visit http://www.napnap.org/index.cfm?page=153&sec=166, or for an application, go to http://napnap.org/Docs/ClinicalExpert PanelApplication.pdf.

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Education 

Future Annual Conferences 

29th Annual Conference

April 14-17, 2008, Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center, Nashville, TN (Pre-Conference Day: April 13, 2008).

30th Annual Conference

March 19-22, 2009, Town and Country Resort and Convention Center, San Diego, CA (Pre-Conference Day: March 18, 2009).

31st Annual Conference

April 15-18, 2010, Hyatt Regency Chicago, Chicago, IL.

(Pre-Conference Day: Wednesday, April 14, 2010).

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Collaborations 

In collaboration with the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), NAPNAP has published a brochure entitled “Raising Your Grandchild: Tips for Positive Behavior Today and for the Future.” This brochure offers suggestions and key strategies to grandparent caregivers for promoting positive behaviors and discouraging problem behavior in the grandchildren they are raising. The brochure was made possible through the support of the AARP Foundation: Grandparent Information Center and through the Nurse Competence in Aging Initiative. The brochure is available free of charge from the AARP Fulfillment Center. For additional information about available resources for grandparents and to place an order for this brochure, please visit: bttp://www.aarp.org/families/grandparents/.

As part of the National Alliance for Nutrition and Activity, NAPNAP is working with a broad coalition of organizations on drafting language dealing with nutritional standards for school lunch programs, school-based marketing, obesity prevention programs, and fruit and vegetable programs for the Reauthorizations of the USDA Farm Bill.

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Kudos 

Congratulations to Past NAPNAP President Jo Anne Serota who received the 2007 AANP Pennsylvania State Award for Excellence at the AANP Conference in June 2007. Jo Ann also received the 2007 Nursing Excellence Award from Gwynedd Mercy College and the North Penn Health Foundation. Lastly, Jo Ann was honored as Citizen of the Week in the Ambler Gazette for the week May 1, 2007. Way to go, Jo Ann!!