NPs: HAVE YOU MADE A BIG CHANGE?

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hi friends!

so for the longest i have been known as the super-premed. just recently i learned a lot about nps--met with them, shadowed, asked questions on allnurses. i now know that i am going to pursue this route.

i get a lot of questions from people about why i changed and my answers all make perfect sense. the one thing that people trip me up on is: well with a md you can make big change, you can have big effects on policy in dc, etc. basically just saying that there is more pull with the md name. (i go to stanford, so everyone is about being on top yada yada yada).

i tell these people that i know i can make change as an np. i know that i have passion, drive, and a voice that will be heard and i will make change as an np. but still, people tell me that i won't have as big of an effect as a md.

so, for all of you fabulous nps out there, if you done policy work or just made big change, or know how nps have made big change, may you please send me a line talking about this? i know we are out there and i really want to hear our stories!

thanks so much!!!

--ginillel

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

Good to read of your career plans as APN!!!!!

I made blazing trails at the beginning of my career. Was the first in my area of the state to become an NP. Later, was the first in my area of the state to have hospital staff privileges.

Yes, as an APN we can and do make change for the betterment of the specialty, for our fellow colleagues, and for our patients.

Can't wait to read of others and what they've done.

Thanks for starting this thread, ginillel, and good luck with your goals as NP!!

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Anyone who tells you you can't make a big change as a nurse or NP is sadly misinformed. Nursing as a profession has a long history of social justice and activism. Check out Florence Nightingale & Lillian Wald - those women rocked! A nurse is president-elect of the American Public Health Association (which includes physicians). An NP started the first HIV clinic in my city. A nurse-midwife is decreasing maternal mortality in South America by showing the efficacy of training traditional birth attendants.

I have also worked, and will continue to work politically to protect the care of the underserved in my state. I have written letters to the editor, brought speakers, met with legislators, built coalitions and worked side by side with MD's and med students, PA's, physical therapists, DO's and anyone. It's about the patient, not the letters after your name.

There are so many people in general who aren't politically active - if you are, you will become known. Good luck with your career!

Can't wait until I graduate so I can get more involved in prescriptive authority.... :nuke:

And thanks to all the assertive NP's out there who paved (and are paving) the way!

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I truly admire those of you who have the energy and desire to try and make a change and a difference for the rest of us.

As for me (please, don't flame me!) i just want to go to work, get my paycheck and go home and relax. it seems like I've been going to school forever and I'm too tired and old to take on anything else. I want to finally be able to enjoy my grandkinds. I feel I have done them a great disservice and now I can finally make up for lost time.

But as i said, I have great respect for those of you who have taken the route to fight for change. I know you will be heard.

I can't believe I'm even posting this much. it's late and I think I'm a bit delerious. I haven't been up this late in months so I may be rambling. I think I've posted more in just this one setting than the five years I've been a member!

I always have a fear of appearing stupid, but it's so late I guess my inhibitions have been thrown to the wind. Please forgive me if my posts continue to appear more rattled as the night continues.

Actually, I don't think I'll last much longer. My bed is calling me. This place is just so addictive, it's hard to stop, even when your dog tired!:zzzzz:bugeyes::lol2:

I think I'm starting to bounce off the walls so if I continue to post any longer, please forgive me if I become less coherent!:yawn:

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

We have some wonderfully active APNs on this board. It just makes me so proud to be an APN. I would love to be more politically active but the only thing I did was meet with my legislators last year to try to get our prescriptive authority in IL increased. We did get it passed and it is now law. However, it is still being tied up in the lawyers sector as to how we are going to implement it.

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.
We have some wonderfully active APNs on this board. It just makes me so proud to be an APN. I would love to be more politically active but the only thing I did was meet with my legislators last year to try to get our prescriptive authority in IL increased. We did get it passed and it is now law. However, it is still being tied up in the lawyers sector as to how we are going to implement it.

The ONLY thing? That is admirable, traumaRUs. Great job there!!!!!

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