Dear CANP Community,
California officially reopened last month, and more than 40,755,894 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered across the state, with NPs continuing to play a critical role in moving the state forward from crisis to recovery. Like many of you, reuniting with family and loved ones has been a time of immense joy, but also deep reflection. As we turn the corner on an extraordinarily difficult period, I’m warmly reminded of how our NP community remained committed to each other through it all.
As an organization, we emerge stronger today because of you. Your continuing participation in CANP helps drive impact, change, and momentum, and we couldn’t be more grateful. Our collective efforts continue to make a difference in the State Capitol and beyond.
We are working vigorously – both legislatively and through the regulatory process at the Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) – to ensure AB 890 (Wood) is implemented to the full intent of the bill, allowing nurse practitioners to practice without physician supervision. There are a couple of important updates I want to make sure you are aware of.
First, AB 852, the follow-up bill to AB 890 also authored by Assemblymember Jim Wood, has become a two-year bill as requested by the bill author. This means it can still move forward in 2022, giving advocates and legislators additional time for key conversations around AB 890 implementation.
Second, CANP is actively engaged in ongoing discussions regarding AB 890 implementation occurring as part of the Joint Legislative Sunset Review of the BRN, as well as at the BRN's Nurse Practitioner Advisory Committee (NPAC), which was established by AB 890. (Note: NPAC will report to the BRN Practice Committee, which will then report to the full Board.) The NPAC is charged with drafting recommendations to the BRN with regards to regulations, which will enable the implementation of AB 890.
We need your voice on July 13 when NPAC holds a virtual meeting for AB 890 Interested Parties. Organized opposition is expected because implementation of the bill means removal of supervision requirements for the majority of practicing NPs in California. We encourage CANP members to participate and voice their support of AB 890 implementation and NP interests. Please use this link to view the agenda for the Interested Parties meeting and access information on attending the meeting. I submitted public comments on behalf of CANP that support full implementation of the bill. You may view the letter here.
Each time we come together, virtually or in-person, amazing things happen. But we’ve certainly missed seeing you beyond the Zoom rooms. Our local chapters are beginning to meet in-person once again. As a reminder, chapters are focused on connecting with and familiarizing their local legislators on CANP’s policy agenda. I also encourage you to save the date for the 44th Annual Educational Conference, supported by NSO, on March 31 to April 3, 2022 – we’re coming back bigger and better than ever in Pasadena! Please be sure to visit our events page for more information about our ongoing educational opportunities and upcoming meetings.
Again, thank you for being a part of our special community and for all that you do on behalf of the nurse practitioner profession.
Sincerely,
Patti Gurney, MSN, PPCNP-BC
CANP President