A note from your VCNP President
Top Story
The 2022 General Assembly Session began this week. VCNP has introduced House Bill 896, which makes permanent the two-year requirement for autonomous practice and allows NPs with autonomous practice licensure to have collaborative agreements with NPs who do not have their autonomous practice licenses.
 
You may remember last year’s bill was passed with the stipulation that it would be reviewed in 2022. If this year’s bill does not pass, NPs are at risk of returning to a five-year autonomous practice requirement, forcing some NPs to restructure practices and find a new collaborating physician. Patients could also lose their NP providers.
 
Please continue watching your email and VCNP’s social media channels for important updates and action items. We’re going to need to make our voices heard again this year!
 
Have you been able to practice autonomously under the two-year regulation? If you’re willing to share your story either with legislators and/or the media, please contact alissa@commonwealth-pr.com. You can remain anonymous as well.
AANP News
AANP news
Congratulations to this year’s AANP State Award for Excellence Recipients. Virginia’s honorees are Carole Everhart, president of VCNP’s Southwest Region, who was awarded the NP Award, and Senator Jen Kiggans, who received the NP Advocate Award.
Senator Jen Kiggans
VCNP Southwest Region President, Carole Everhart
VCNP PAC
What is the cost of NP practice to you? During the 2022 General Assembly session, we need your PAC donations to support legislators who support NP practice. Donate today so NPs can continue providing greater access to care for your patients, families and friends.
 
Thanks to these members for their recent donations – Barbara Baxter (Piedmont), Kim Bednar (Piedmont), Becky Compton (Piedmont), Katherine Eichin (NOVA), Steve Fetcho (Piedmont), Brittany Gay (Blue Ridge), Teresa Golden (Lynchburg), Renee Hammel (Richmond), John Henry (Shenandoah), Kristen Johnson (Richmond), Celestine Jones (NOVA), Renee Keast (NOVA), Jacqueline Laraway (Southwest), John Lyons (Tidewater), Felecia McBride (Southside), Karen Oaks (Southside), Alysia Pack (Tidewater), Courtney Penn (Peninsula), Sharon Rhodes (Tidewater), Melanie Rosin (Shenandoah), Lori Rutherford (Blue Ridge), Melinda Simpson (Blue Ridge), Dana Stallings (Tidewater), Reagan Thompson (Piedmont), Seleste Upshaw (Lynchburg), Nancy Wallace (Richmond), Helen Willis (Richmond), Valerie Wrobel (NOVA), and Alexander Yvette (Lynchburg).
 
Sign up for monthly donations, which can start at $5/month and be automatically deducted from your account. One-time donations are welcome too!
Virginia NP Practice
VDH Updates
The Virginia Department of Health recently shared updates and information about the following -
  • New declaration of limited State of Emergency in Virginia and Executive Order 84
  • Updated recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines and staying up to date
  • Update on Omicron surge and therapeutics
  • CDC shortens isolation and quarantine periods
Apply for Nursing Preceptor Incentive Program by January 31
The General Assembly established the Nursing Preceptor Incentive Program to provide financial incentives for practitioners who serve as otherwise uncompensated preceptors for APRN students. By participating in this program, preceptors will help solidify future funding for preceptors of NPs in both primary and specialty areas. Registration is open through January 31.
 
Questions? Contact Olivette Burroughs at olivette.burroughs@vdh.virginia.gov or 804-864-7431.
Insurers required to pay for home COVID tests
Earlier this week, the Biden administration released rules requiring private health insurers to pay for up to eight at-home COVID-19 tests per month per person. The new rules, which take effect Jan. 15, allow insurers to cap costs at $12 per test at non-network pharmacies if they pay for tests upfront at preferred pharmacies and retailers.
VCNP News
Nominate a stellar NP
Nominations are open for this year’s NP awards. The following awards will be presented at VCNP’s conference in March - Distinguished NP Award, Founder’s Award, Education Award, NP Advocate Award and Rising Star Award. Deadline to apply is January 30.
Discounted conference registration ends January 15
Reservations are open for VCNP’s conference at the Omni Homestead Resort March 2-5, 2022 – but discounted registration ends this weekend. Hear about the latest advances in acute care, pediatrics, women’s health, mental health and more during breakout sessions, and learn from keynote speakers about topics including opioid therapy, racial disparity, COVID, and professional issues. Register today before breakout sessions and workshops are full. COVID vaccines are strongly encouraged for all attendees.
If you haven’t made your hotel reservations, please reserve your room as soon as possible. The VCNP group room block is selling out quickly.
Get involved with VCNP in 2022
Want to help advance NP practice in Virginia? Looking for professional development opportunities or ways to network with your colleagues? Volunteer for a VCNP committee! In the coming weeks we will share information about each of VCNP’s committees. This week, learn about the Nominations & Awards committee. Contact vcnp@vcnp.net to get involved or learn more.

The Nominations & Awards Committee includes regional representatives and members at large who are interested in serving the VCNP. Committee members are responsible for providing input on the selection of annual awards recipients, selecting the VCNP scholarship recip­ient and assisting in collecting nominations for elected board positions. Committee members also work with regions to create gift basket for annual conference basket raffle to benefit the annual scholarship program.
Reminder - NP Practice
Autonomous practice
Even if autonomous practice won’t benefit you in your current job, applying is an investment in you and the NP profession – and sends a message to legislators about the importance of this licensure. As of January 5, there were 1,857 NPs with this licensure. You’re eligible to apply if you have at least two years of clinical experience (equivalent to 3,600 hours).
Earlier this week, U.S. News & World Report released its 2022 Best Jobs rankings. It should come as no surprise that NP was listed as the #1 best health care job and #2 best job (after information security analyst). The number of NPs in Virginia continues to increase, and VCNP is here to support our members. Please let me know how we can be a resource for you.
Becky Compton, DNP, RN, FNP-BC
President, VCNP Board of Directors
vcnppresident@gmail.com