Two CANP Members Named to BRN’s Advanced Practice Registered Nursing Committee
Two CANP members recently earned a new opportunity to promote the nurse practitioner profession when they were appointed to the Board of Registered Nursing’s Advanced Practice Registered Nursing Committee.
Charlotte Gullap-Moore and Mitchel Erickson were appointed February 15 to fill two of the four seats on the committee allocated to NPs. They were selected from among 21 nurse practitioners who applied for the positions.
Gullap-Moore is the former President of CANP’s Channel Islands Chapter, and currently serves as Co-Chair of the Association’s Health Policy & Practice Committee. Through Moore On Health, she provides primary care via a collaborative partnership with a medical director managing two long-term care / skilled nursing facilities located in Santa Barbara and Ventura. Erickson, a member of CANP’s San Francisco Bay Area / Golden Gate Chapter, is the Director of Advanced Practice at UCSF Health.
Coming from different professional backgrounds and settings, the two bring unique perspectives to this new opportunity.
“In my Director position at UCSF Health overseeing the practice of 500 professionals, I recognized the complexities of health care delivery and the interface advanced practice providers have within those complex systems,” said Erickson. “I now have a greater understanding of payer requirements, compliance concerns, and current state laws all combined to potentially creating unnecessary barriers to the California public's access to needed health care services that APRNs are trained to provide.”
“My long-standing membership with CANP and the network of professionals that it affords, has permitted me to become enlightened to the legislative process and value of educating politicians on the role APRNs can play in the domain of health care for Californians,” he continued. “I have been fortunate to have had pioneering nurse practitioner positions, engage in my interest in global health and social justice, and hold board positions on an international NGO. This diversity of experience has prepared me for representing the interests of APRNs at it relates to the mandate of the BRN.”
“The BRN is responsible for protecting that the public's health and welfare by assuring that safe and competent nursing care is provided by all licensed nurses. As a nurse practitioner I too want to help improve and maintain a high level of competency within the APRN profession serving the California healthcare community at large,” said Gullap-Moore. “I believe this committee will serve as a sounding board for Nurse Practitioners, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetics, Midwives and Certified Nurse Specialist by providing guidance and feedback to the BRN.”
As described by the BRN, the purpose of the committee is to provide recommendations to the Board on issues involving nursing advanced practice. The goals of the committee are to:
- Clarify and articulate sufficiency of the four advanced practice roles and recommend changes to the Nursing Practice Act and rules
- Develop recommendations for joint statements related to scope of practice and advanced practice nurse functions
- Review national trends in the regulation of advance practice nurses and make recommendations to the board
- Collaborate with other Board committees on matters of mutual interest
The committee is comprised of nine members: four NPs, two Clinical Nurse Specialists, two Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists, and one Certified Nurse Midwife. Committee members serve two-year terms and meet twice each year.
Both new appointees have high hopes for how their participation on the committee can ultimately help to advance the NP profession in California.
“I feel one of the BRN's purposes is to protect the public good,” said Erickson. “It should ensure all licensed professionals under its jurisdiction have met a standard knowledge foundation to practice through national board certification. A national board certification requirement in California for all APRNs to practice, as in some other states, and the requirement for CMS and some other payers as a billing provider make it essential.”
“This is an opportunity to help increase the public’s understanding about our advanced profession and how we execute a vital role within the health care system,” said Gullap-Moore. “From a personal standpoint, I am grateful for my mentors throughout my life that guided me through my nursing career. Therefore, my blessings are not for me to keep, but to share as a servant and leader in the APRN profession. I believe it is imperative to give back what was received and assist the next generation. as well perpetuate what our nursing profession has achieved.”