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THE BEST RESOURCE FOR NURSE PRACTITIONERS LIKE YOU.
January 2021 Newsletter
Thank you!
Thank you for all your hardwork and professionalism in serving on the front lines of Covid-19. We appreciate you!
NP RESOURCES
Visit our regional NP groups.
NPAA Store Open for Business!
Visit the NPAA Store! The store is featuring NPAA items like:
  • t-shirts,
  • portfolios,
  • tumblers,
  • bags,
  • phone wallets and
  • lapel pins.
Membership Corner:
Good bye 2020 and Hello 2021!! The 2020 year was filled with many social, political, and public health challenges that continue to test our resolve and resilience. One of the most profound and ongoing challenges is caring for our patients during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Through executive orders, Governor Kay Ivey allowed for an expansion of our scope of practice resulting in increased access to care and a greater presence of advanced practice providers in Alabama. As we bring in the new year, we continue the work of strengthening our presence as advanced practice providers. The Nurse Practitioner Alliance of Alabama providers opportunities for leadership and advocacy for advanced practice nurses throughout the state of Alabama. You can explore the opportunities by accessing the website at www.npalliancealabama.org
MESSAGE FROM NPAA PRESIDENT, D'Ann Somerall
Dear Members,

Thank you to the many members/stakeholders who logged in to the Joint Committee meeting held on Jan. 19th and the Board of Medical Examiners meeting held on the 20th. I think those of you who attended realized that NPs MUST remain vigilant in monitoring the changes that happen legislatively and through Rule Changes that affect our ability to practice. A few questions arose from these meetings:

  1. Explain the function of the JC: The JC recommends rules and regs to the BME and BON regulating the collaborative practice of physicians and CRNPs/CNMs. The JC has the responsibility to review protocols and the formulary. The JC is composed of two physicians licensed to practice in AL, one RN licensed to practice in AL; one physician in a collaborating practice; one CRNP in practice, and one CNM in practice.
  2. In simple terms: the JC has appointees that are not necessarily on the BME or BON Boards and they are to impartially review items for consideration. Once an item is reviewed it is taken back to the respective board for consideration. For instance, the JC approved the issue that was presented allowing NPs to prescribe and insert hormone pellets. But when it went to the BME it was denied for NPs to prescribe the hormones. More to come on this matter!

Please know that this is not the END of the road. We all must remain vigilant in monitoring the political landscape as our practice can be greatly impacted if we are not watching closely.

On a happier note, we are in the midst of planning for our 15th Annual NPAA Conference to be held in Birmingham, AL on October 29 and 30, 2021. If you are interested in serving on the Conference Planning Committee or becoming more involved with NPAA, please email Denise Williams, Administrative Director at denise.williams.npaa@gmail.com

Please know that I can be reached at president@npalliancealabama.org. Alabama Nurse Practitioners have proven we are a strong force when we align! Let's keep the momentum going!

D'Ann

Joint Committee and BME Rule Change Summary
NPAA would like to thank everyone who attended the Joint Committee (JC) meeting and the BME meeting. The version of the rules previously sent you was reviewed line by line and NPAA appreciates Peggy Benson for her excellent job of negotiating the finer points in order to maintain the ground that we have as NPs and to allow us to move a bit further ahead as the 1:9 rule change was included in the updated version, as well as, the oversight of the NP owned clinic rules removed.

The next step will be for the BON and the BME to work on the telehealth ratio. Once that point is adjusted, the Rules will return to the JC for approval. This meeting is scheduled for the middle of February and will be a conference call. NPAA will post the date of that meeting as it should also be a public meeting forum.  

This experience has 100% affirmed that we must ALL be involved in legislation, networking, and being involved in order for us not to lose the small amount of ground we have presently.  The NPAA leadership is consistently monitoring the political landscape and we will continue to inform our members of issues as they arise. 

Again, thank each and every one of you who logged in/attended the JC and BME meetings; had your collaborating MD/DO contact the BME to ask WHY these Rule Changes were needed, and for your continued support of our profession. We must remain diligent in our efforts to improve health care access and outcomes for our patients. 
Governmental Affairs Update
By Dr. Lisa S. Pair, NPAA Vice President of Policy
As the VP of Policy, I would like to encourage members to introduce themselves to their
respective U. S. Senator and Representative, as well as State Senator and Representative. Identifying ourselves with our legislative representative in both the House and Senate at the state and national level as an NP constituent that makes a HUGE difference in how the senator and representative responds. Take the time to choose the advocacy link on the NPAA website, choose the link “Find your Legislature”, then enter your address with zip code into find your elected officials. Choose the website link to obtain their office phone number and email. Take the time early 2021 to place a all to introduce yourself and then follow-up with a quick email. Developing relationships facilitates collaboration.
NPs Highly Ranked in US News & World Reports
US News & World Reports rank NPs as #2 in health care provider jobs, #3 in 100 best jobs, and #3 in best STEM jobs. The article gives an overview of what a NP does, competitive salary, and reviews and advice. Click here to view the article.
Check out NPAA's New Website
NPAA's website has a new look! We are asking all of our existing members to log-in and create their new password and update their profiles. Be sure to check out the new member-only pages! We also have a new preceptor and provider database. You can list your participation in these databases through your member profile.

If you would like to join NPAA, please use our streamlined membership form. It is fast and easy!

For Current NPAA Members, Steps to create a new password and update your profile:

  1. Go to www.npalliancealabama.org
  2. In the upper right-hand corner click View Profile
  3. Enter your email address and click Forgot Password. This will allow you to create a new password.
  4. Log in with your new password and update your profile!

If you have any questions, please contact Denise Williams, admin@npalliacealabama.org