Leanne Nantais-Smith, PhD RN NNP-BC FAANP
NANN-AP Council Chair
Greetings to all as we enter the spring season after a long winter for many of our members!
During these last several months, NANN and NANN-AP leaders, members, and volunteers have worked on several important organizational responsibilities focused on attaining current goals and planning future goals.
- At the organizational level, NANN leaders have been working on the 2026-2029 Strategic Plan that will guide us through our work over the next several years.
- We remain committed to our mission and goals in a challenging environment and to growing the organization in both numbers and professional contributions.
- Members and volunteers are working diligently to complete current prioritized projects addressing critical issues in practice, education, advocacy, and healthcare.
Barbara Snapp (lead), Debra Armbruster, Pamela Harris-Haman, Julie Dyer, and Lisa Jasin have been working on the NNP critical staffing survey. Leann Baker and Heather Stephens (co-leads) are working with Task Force members Suzanne Staebler, Pamela Jackson, and Jamie Carey to finalize the Advocacy Toolkit for the Neonatal APRN. The Toolkit is taking shape, and the team has an initial draft goal of October 2026.
Together, we act as the unified voice for advanced neonatal practice professionals to ensure safe, quality, and cost-effective evidence-based care that impacts outcomes for neonates, infants, their families, and communities. We have accomplished many of our goals and continue to work on current goals thanks to the work of many NANN and NANN-AP volunteers. April is NATIONAL VOLUNTEER MONTH. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their ongoing, selfless volunteer work on task forces, committees, and calls to action so that we continue to champion the causes that need solutions in challenging times for our neonates, families, communities, and neonatal workforce. Volunteering is easy to do; stay informed on calls for volunteers and commit to involvement in rewarding professional work.
Collaborate with us to publicly thank our volunteers and neonatal health care providers by nominating them for one of the awards in the APRN or RN You Should Know program. Help us recognize the phenomenal achievements of our neonatal NP and CNS colleagues.
Current NANN-AP Council members continue to welcome each new NANN-AP member individually by text, email, or phone, encouraging them to be active members on committees and in groups, offering guidance for pursuing their membership interests. Encourage our neonatal colleagues to join the organization as a next step in their professional development.
The nomination cycle for open NANN-AP positions has closed. We thank those who have applied, as we can only achieve our goals with the commitment of all our advanced practice members. Consider future opportunities to join other talented advanced practice professionals in sharing your experience and expertise and advancing our goals. It is an enriching and rewarding experience to work alongside such gifted and dedicated colleagues. It is an experience well worth the investment of time and energy.
Soon, we will all be together again at the NANN 42nd Annual Conference, The Art of Neonatal Nursing: Care in Color, taking place on September 15-18, 2026, in West Palm Beach, Florida. The Advanced Practice (AP) Summit Task Force is planning another exciting all-day AP-focused preconference. The Summit will offer exiting new AP content and breakout sessions, and this year there is a special add-on offering: Resuscitation in the NICU Instructor Course. We look forward to seeing everyone, reconnecting, making new connections, and working and having fun together as we move into 2026.
