NANNP Corner

Council Update

Susan Meier, DNP APRN NNP-BC

As we count down toward the NANN Annual Education Conference in Palm Springs, let’s explore some of this year’s educational offerings that may be of particular interest to the neonatal advanced practice registered nurse (APRN).

The conference kicks off on Wednesday with the NANNP Business Meeting and Luncheon, which is open to all NANNP members. Come hear the ”state of the state” updates on national neonatal nurse practitioner (NNP)/clinical nurse specialist issues and review the work the NANNP Council has directed over the last year. Highlights include NANN's collaboration with the American Academy of Pediatrics to define more universal criteria by which NICUs will be assigned a particular level, preliminary 2016 workforce data, and more. For those of you unable to attend, ENSEARCH is graciously providing funding for a video recording of the business meeting, to be posted on the NANN website soon after conference.

The Leadership Summit, a national forum designed for neonatal APRNs, will address pertinent APRN issues and discuss the clinical tracks available. Faculty sessions include: Writing Effective Test Questions, by Dr. Cathy Witt and Dr. Suzanne Staebler, and The Findings of the NCC Survey on NNP Education Programs, by Dr. Suzanne Staebler. Clinical sessions will showcase Lee Shirland, incoming NANNP Council Chair, as she speaks on Leveling the Evidence: A Practical Approach to Performance Improvement and participates in a panel discussing Walking the Mine Fields as a New NNP.

Sessions will adjourn in time to enjoy the Welcome Reception in the Exhibit Hall, which includes an Educational and Research Summit Presentation. But we are not done there. Don’t forget to put your dancing shoes on and join the NANNP Council at NANN After Dark, taking place poolside.

Thursday begins with the Opening General Session: Let's Be Married to the Process, Not the Outcome. Other APRN highlights for the day include a session with the NANNP Council’s own Kathy Newnam, Respiratory: Modes of Ventilation, and the NAPNAP Speaker Exchange Presentation, Long Term Follow-Up Care.

Plan to join us Friday for General Session II: Improving Outcomes for Substance-Exposed Infants and Families—Lessons from 200+ VON Teams with Dr. Madge Buus-Frank. NANNP Council’s own Tamara Wallace will speak on narcotics in her session I Want a New Drug: What Is Known About the Use of Narcotics and Sedatives in the Neonate. New this year is the Special Interest Group Networking Luncheon, where you can connect with others to address priority issues for your area of interest. In addition incoming NANNP Council member Sandi Bellini will present Use of Simulation to Facilitate Role Transition for Graduating NNP Students in an afternoon concurrent session.

We close the NANN Annual Conference on Saturday with so many great choices of sessions for the APRN, I can’t recommend just one. Be sure to stay for the Closing General Session: Parents Panel, Going Home: Emotional Times. The NANNP Council annual meeting will occur on Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning. Burning questions or ideas? Seek out one of the NANNP Council members during conference and let us know! We look forward to seeing all of you at this year’s NANN Annual Conference!

Our Sponsor