NANN-AP Corner

Leanne Nantais-Smith, PhD RN NNP-BC FAANP
NANN-AP Council Chair

Greetings to all as we enter the spring season!

The past months at NANN and NANN-AP have been busy and productive, focused on several important organizational responsibilities:

• A comprehensive review of goals met in our 2022-2025 Strategic Plan and identification of continuing and new goals for our next Strategic Plan.
• Commitment to our mission and goals in a challenging environment.
• Prioritization of future NANN-AP projects and funding resources for the next year.
• Strategic planning to ensure the ongoing growth of NANN and NANN-AP.

Work on the NANN-AP Position Paper and Action Plan addressing NNP critical staffing issues is well underway. A NANN-AP Council Task Force, after a review of twenty applications, appointed a five-author group to work on this critical position paper. Congratulations to Barbara Snapp (Lead), Debra Armbruster, Pamela Harris-Haman, Julie Dyer, and Lisa Jasin. This talented group of experts is busy working on the survey questions for data collection and planning next steps in the project.

We are in an important nomination cycle for open NANN-AP positions. As a leading neonatal advanced practice organization, we must address the challenges in neonatal health care delivery and share our expertise. There is important work to be done on committees, position papers, new and revised educational materials, and in local chapters. We can only achieve our goals with the commitment of all our advanced practice colleagues. Volunteering is easy to do; stay informed on calls for volunteers and commit to involvement in rewarding professional work. Join other talented advanced practice professionals in sharing your experience and expertise to ensure delivery of safe, evidence-based care to our vulnerable neonatal patients and families.

The NANN-AP Council members continue to welcome each new NANN-AP member by email, encouraging them to be active members on committees and in groups, offering guidance for pursuing their membership interests. Additionally, we continue programs, such as APRN and RN You Should Know, to show appreciation for all the important work our colleagues do as neonatal health care providers.

Join us at the NANN 41st Annual Conference, taking place September 9-12, 2025, in Palm Springs, CA. The NANN-AP APRN Summit Task Force is in the final stages of planning our second all-day APRN-focused preconference. Although the main conference will also have APRN content, the task force reviewed feedback from last year’s first all-day APRN Summit and is planning another exciting day of amazing experiences for you. Do not miss this important day of content and activities; register for the APRN Summit.

Together, we have accomplished many of our goals, thanks to the dedication and hard work of an entire team of NANN staff, Board of Directors, NANN-AP Council members and the many volunteers who work selflessly to advance our mission. I look forward to working with all of you to achieve current goals and ensure a successful 2025!