Nina Ramsey is a long-term AAPPN member who helped create the organization we know today.
In the early 1980s, Nina, Claire Foote, and Rosa Johnson were among the founding members of Northwest Association of Clinical Specialist in Psychosocial Nursing (NWACSPSN), an advocacy organization which took on issues affecting clinical practice. In the early 1990s, Nina, Susan Caverly, Claire Foote, Trudy Levy, and Donna Poole lead the reorganization of NWACSPSN into AAPPN.
Perhaps most importantly, Nina was a key advocate and leader in the successful effort to establish independent practice and prescriptive authority for nurse practitioners in Washington State.
“When this journey began, I wasn’t certain what would happen. I’m very pleased that AAPPN is continuing its original mission to protect our scope of practice, provide education and support to psychiatric NPs, and promote leadership skills.”
More about AAPPN’s early history can be found on the AAPPN website.
Rosa Johnson, a longtime friend, recently sat down with Nina to talk about her journey with AAPPN.
You’ve been a member since the beginning. What are some of leadership positions you held?
I was NWACSPSN Co-Chair with Susan Poulsen from 1983-84. I then was NWACSPSN Treasurer from 1985-88. In 1995, I was AAPPN President. I was also a member of the AAPPN Health Policy/Government Relation from 2008-09.
I’ve also been honored with two awards. In 1993, I was recognized as NWACSPSN Nurse of the Year. In 2005, I received AAPPN’s Nursing Excellence award.
Even though you’re retired now, you continue to be an active AAPPN member. What about AAPPN are you most proud of?
I’m most proud of how AAPPN grew from a 10-person steering committee into NWACSPSN and then into our current AAPPN organization.
When this journey began, I wasn’t certain what would happen. I’m very pleased that AAPPN is continuing its original mission to protect our scope of practice, provide education and support to psychiatric NPs, and promote leadership skills.
I’m also very proud to be one of the earliest supporters of the Lois Price Spratlen Foundation, which grew out of AAPPN’s scholarship program. I continue to be a strong advocate for the Foundation’s mission to provide scholarships to psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner students and encourage members to donate to it.
You’ve seen a lot of changes since AAPPN first began. Do you have any worries about the future?
I’m concerned that, as the organization has grown, individual members have less of a sense of responsibility for the organization and the profession. I strongly encourage all members to consider volunteering with AAPPN and to use their voice to protect independent practice and prescription authority. All efforts contribute to the health and vitality of the organization.
I’m also concerned that while there are more practice opportunities in different settings, there is still the need to remain vigilant to protect our independence.
What is something you’d like to say to every AAPPN member?
Have fun together as colleagues! I think it is important to spend more informal time socializing in conjunction with the more formal events such as conferences and workshops, even committee meetings. I remember after an education event in the early days, being together with other members long into the night in the Edgewater’s “Beatles Suite.” I’m sure I’m not the only current member who remembers this!
What was the best piece of advice you received about your nursing career?
When I was an undergraduate nursing student, I had been considering going into another health care school. However, my mentor told me that I could work in any health care setting doing advanced practice nursing if I became an NP. That made me realize that being an NP offered more opportunities to make a difference in health care.
Many thanks to Rosa Johnson and Nina Ramsey for their help writing this article.