Dear CANP Community,
The holiday season is upon us, and there is much to be grateful for. As I reflect on the past year, it’s gratifying to look back on the many accomplishments we achieved together at the California Association for Nurse Practitioners. From bridging gaps in health care to supporting California NPs, we continue making a meaningful impact on the families, patients, and communities we serve.
As you know, CANP is actively engaged in the regulatory process occurring at the Board of Registered Nursing (BRN), which is developing the regulations necessary to implement AB 890. Our team is hard at work to ensure that these regulations, when ultimately adopted, reflect the full intent of the law. I encourage you to read CANP Legislative Advocate Kristy Wiese’s comprehensive update on our AB 890 implementation efforts in this month’s Connections. I also encourage you to review the proposed regulations and provide your feedback to assist us as we determine how best to move forward. This process will continue into 2022. We need your engagement as the process continues to unfold.
In addition, we want to draw your attention to an incredible opportunity to make sure that your expertise is fully utilized. We’re asking for your participation in an evaluation of NP certification examinations by the Department of Consumer Affairs' Office of Professional Examination Services (OPES). The purpose of the linkage study is to evaluate the content of NP certification examinations against a description of California nurse practitioner practice. It is very important that OPES receives input from practicing NPs. To participate, please complete this short application: Nurse Practitioner Subject Matter Expert Application.
Also on the advocacy front, we had several big wins this year on CANP’s priority legislation. The bills we supported – which were passed by the Legislature and signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom – work to expand presumptive Medi-Cal eligibility for persons experiencing homelessness (AB 369 - Kamlager); improve data collection and research on socio-economic factors that contribute to negative birth outcomes while expanding postpartum health care for parents and babies (SB 65 - Skinner); mandate Medi-Cal reimbursement for e-consult services provided by Medi-Cal providers (SB 365 - Caballero); and more. Special thanks to our Health Policy & Practice Committee led by co-chairs Amy Ziegler and Glenmore Hendricks.
We’re extremely proud of what we’ve accomplished this past year despite ongoing challenges impacting our field. In addition to noteworthy policy wins, CANP launched the Health Justice Committee, chaired by Karen Ayers, and convened our first-ever forum on the organization’s efforts to advance diversity, equity, inclusion and allyship. We must be equipped to fully participate in the current conversation on race and inequity as we endeavor to meet the tremendous gaps that exist for far too many.
In the season of giving, I’m also pleased to announce special new member benefits that the CANP Education Affairs Committee and staff have been hard at work developing to support the next generation of NPs. First, CANP is launching the Student Research Data Access Program designed to assist NP students in fulfilling their educational requirements by providing students an opportunity to send their surveys to CANP’s membership and give members the option to participate. We’re also thrilled to unveil the New Graduate Workshop, which is a lecture series from CANP nurse practitioner experts who cover common topics for new graduates preparing to enter the workforce. Stay tuned for an exciting program launch announcement in the coming weeks. Read more about the committee's work in this month's Focus On... column.
We have much to look forward to in 2022, including our marquee event of the year taking place in Pasadena on March 31- April 3. This year’s 44th Annual Educational Conference, supported by NSO — and happening live at last — promises to be one to remember. Past conferences have set the bar very high, and you will not want to miss this one. We’re offering a $50 Early Bird discount on the registration fee if you hop on board by Dec. 15. Get soaring and register now.
As we turn the corner on 2021, I am humbled, grateful, and so very proud of your commitment and service to your colleagues, patients, and families. We thank you for making this important work possible. Whether you’re an individual member, corporate member or school, each and every one of you makes us stronger. And that benefits us all.
Wishing you and yours a happy, healthy holiday season from all of us at CANP. We look forward to seeing you in the New Year: Pasadena here we come!
With deep gratitude,
Patti Gurney, MSN, PPCNP-BC
CANP President