Noreen Humphrey, MA, RN, CPNP Child Health Clinic

University of Iowa Hospitals

I tems for NAPNAp Update must be received ap proximately 4 months before publication. Materials should be submitted to Noreen Humphrey, RN, MA, CPNP, Child Health Clinic, University of Iowa Hospital, Iowa City, Iowa 52242.

l NEW YORK PASSES NURSE PRACTICE BILL

On Monday, July 11, 1988, Governor Mario M. Cuomo signed the amendment to the Nurse Practice Act, signaling the long-sought successful outcome to a IO-year campaign waged by nurse practi- tioners in New York State to achieve authorizing legislation.

The bill states that certified nurse practitioners may diagnose illness and physical conditions and per- form therapeutic and corrective measures in collab- oration with a licensed physician in accordance with a written practice agreement and written practice protocols. Devices, immunizations and prescriptions for drugs may be issued by a nurse practitioner, also in accordance with the practice agreement and prac- tice protocols, on completion of a program with an appropriate pharmacology component.

The first attempt to obtain nurse practitioner leg- islation in New York was made in 1980, at which time there were five legislative drafts on the drawing board. Also in 1980 the Coalition of Nurse Practi- tioners of New York was formed. During the next eight years the legislative struggle continued un- abated. Coalition representatives presented testi- mony at public hearings on health issues and sought media coverage in newspapers, magazines, radio, and television. Numerous visits, phone calls, and letters were sent as the nurse practitioners,made friends with legislators.

Representatives of the Coalition met with leaders of the New York State Nurses Association year after year in an attempt to reconcile their differences and agree on a way to remove the restrictions to nurse practitioner practice. The closest they ever came to agreement was in 1985 when the Hospital Code of New York State was amended to allow nurse prac- titioners to practice in institutions regulated by the State Department of Health.

In 1985 the coalition initiated meetings with the New York Medical Society, hoping that they could be persuaded to negotiate on language for nurse prac- titioner legislation. Although the society supported the practice of nurse practitioners in institutions and understood the need for legislative authorization of that practice, society members were basically op- posed to the “independent practice” of nurse prac- titioners and therefore agreed only to the most strin- gent controls.

Despite opposition from the New York Nurses Association and the New York Medical Society, with strong lobbying from nurse practitioners, the bill passed the state senate (45 to 12) on June 22, 1988 without debate. The state assembly passed the bill (85 to 54) on June 30 after one hour of debate. After an intensive telegram effort, Governor Mario Cuomo signed the bill on June 11, 1988. The biIl will go into effect April 1989.

Work remains to be done. The State Education Department has the responsibility ofwriting the rules and regulations. The New York Coalition of Nurse Practitioners is already active in helping to complete this task. The members are also preparing for the public hearing to be held on the rules and regulations.

For a copy of this bill or fbr more information on the grassroots efforts on this important legislative accomplishment contact Elaine Gelman, CPNP, Co- alition of Nurse Practitioners, Inc., Box 123, East Greenbush, NY 12061.

El&m Gehm

m RESEARCH FUNDS AVAIlA8t.E

The NAFNAF Foundation was formed in 1978 to support research f&r nurse practitioners. The grants are available for research related to the delivery of primary health care services to children and their fam- ilies or f6r research demonstrating the effectiveness of the nurse practitioner, lIead& fiJr g2nt appli- cation should be postmarked by Dec. 31, 1988.

JOURNAL OF PEDIATRIC HEALTH CARE 307

308 NAPNAP Update Volume 2, Number 6

November-December 1988

If you would like to make a donation to the f&n- dation or need information on applying for a grant, contact the NAPNAP National Office.

m NATIONAL BOARD OF PNPlAs

Many NAPNAP members are confused about the difference between NAPNAP and the National Board of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners & Associates (NBPNPIA); they are two separate organizations. NAPNAP is a membership association whereas the NBPNPlA is a certifying board that provides a cer- tification examination and certification maintenance program, The following information describes the di.Eerence between the two organizations and re- views the development of the National Board.

NAPNAI? was founded in 1973 with only 400 members. The association moved expediently to es- tablish as priorities the accreditation of PNI? edu- cational programs and the certification of PNP/As.

In 1974 a consortium was formed for the purpose of deveioping an entry level credentialing process for

PNI’/As. The American Nurses Association (ANA), the Association of Faculties of PNP/A Programs (AFPNP/A), NAPNAP, and the American Academy of Pediatricians (AAP) were invited to participate. AU of the organizations, except ANA, participated in the consortium as it met over the following year.

In November 1975, the consortium evolved into the National Board of PNP/As through formal in- corporation. The organizations who participated in the consortium were also invited to become charter members in the National Board of PNP /As through the by-laws. By February 1976, NAPNAP and the AAl? became member organizations of the National Board. ANA declined membership. The AFPNP IA, which was not formally incorporated, made no for- mal commitment at that time but did become a char- ter member organization in 1978.

While the National Board was establishing an en- try level certification examination and developing a time table for administration, the ANA was devel- oping its own multispecialty certification board. Rep-

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF PEDlATRlC NATIONAL BOARD OF PEDiATRlC NURSE ASSOCIATES & PRACTITIONERS NURSE PRACTITIONERS & ASSOCIATES

The National Association of Pediatric Nurse Associates & Practitioners (NAPNAP) and the National Board of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners & Associates (National Board of PNP/As) share a goal of promotion of the PNP/A role and image. NAPNAP achieves this goal by providing various membership services and the National Board of PNPlAs through credentialing services. NAPNAP and the National Board of PNPlAs are two separate, corporate organizations with different responsibilities, services, and offices; therefore, the following information is provided to assist PNP/As in understanding the services each organization provides as well as noting the specific address of each organization.

NAPNAP-a membership association 1000 Maplewood Drive, Suite 104 Maple Shade, NJ 08052 609-667-l 773 m Membership benefits m Local chapter information l Journal and newsletter W Conferences R Grants-in-aid/Scholarships W CEU review process and recording fl Fellow membership category l Legislative activities

National Board of PNPIAs-a certifying board 416 Hunger-ford Drive #411 Rockville, MD 20850 301-340-8213 H Certification (National Qualifying Exami-

nation) B Certification Maintenance Program (CMP) n Self-Assessment Learning Exercise Program of

the National Board of PNPIA n Certification and Certification Maintenance

records n Employer and State Board of Nursing Notifi-

cations (on request)

Journal of Pediatric Health Care

resentatives from the National Association of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (NAACOG), NAPNAP, and the AAI? were invited to participate. The National Board was not invited to participate despite its efforts to be recognized by ANA for representation on their certification board.

The National Board offered the first PNI? certi- fication examination in February 1977, with almost 1000 PNl?s participating. Since then the National Board has offered the National Qualifying Exami- nation annually, ceiti@ng 3430 PNl?/As. All PNP/As certified by the National Board receive the special membership status of NAPNAP Fellow. In 1980 the National Board began the certification maintenance program based on a 6-year cycle. A cer- tificate of commendation is given on the completion of each cycle.

The NAPNAI? Certification Committee Chair represents NAPNAP on the National Board. Because of this close liaison, both organizations work to- gether to provide optimal educational and certifica- tion to NAPNAP members.

Pattk Whitebed Cm$h Chair

n HENRY K. SILVER AWARD

The Henry K. Silver Award will be presented at the 10th Annual NAPNAP Conference in Orlando, Flor- ida. The award is given to a NAPNAP member who has significantly promoted the pediatric nurse prac-

NAPNAP Update 309

IOTH ANNUAL CONFERENCE

Volunteers are needed for the 10th Annual NAPNAP Conference, “PNPs and Families of the Future,” in Orlando, Florida on March 15-18, 1989. The Greater Houston Chapter is coordinating the vol- unteers but still more are needed. Contact Carol Kilmon at the National Office if you would like to helo.

titioner image at the national level, Nomination forms for this award are mailed to all members in the fail. NAPNAP members are urged to partic- ipate in this recognition of an outstanding pro- fessional.

n NAPNAP-MCNEIL SCHOLARSHIP FOR PNP STUDENTS

NAPNAI?, through a generous grant from McNeil Consumer Products Company, awards two annual scholarships of $2000 each to students enrolled in PNP programs. To be eligible for the grant, the ap- plicant must be a registered nurse with experience in pediatric nursing who has atready been accepted at a recognized PNP program. AppBeation deadline is May 341989. For information and an application form, contact the NAPNAP National Oflice, 1101 Kings Highway North, Suite 206, Cherry Hill, NJ 08034.