We’ve made it to 2021!
In a typical year, I could make some analogies that might capture the majority of our experiences, but a phrase I heard last May still resonates: We are all on the same sea but not in the same boat. Although I hope our seas also have some ICU Nurses and paramedics–We can do a stellar job of helping everyone decompress the stresses of the journey, but I’m not sure how much I trust a bunch of Advanced Practice Psych Nurses to reset the broken bones and treat shark bites. Ha!
AAPPN is looking forward to another great year of supporting our growing membership! We are thrilled to have an almost 50% increase in membership over the past four years, including a strong balance of clinical and student members. Like many of you, I joined this organization as a student, and have continued to be impressed with the drive in the people and the work done every year.
My volunteer experience with AAPPN: Appreciative, active, and fun!
We have Kirk and Chris as our part-time operations team, but AAPPN remains a volunteer-driven organization. Please join me in a hearty thanks to all the Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses who volunteered in 2020 on our five committees and on the Board, as they added helping AAPPN to the increased demands of navigating home and practice and education life with COVID. I urge you to consider joining our volunteer team. Explore the possibilities.
Despite the stresses, it is an exciting time to be in practice! Payment parity is on the legislative agenda for the new session, telehealth continues to change the landscape of delivery of care, and patients seem to get increasingly complex.
We are thrilled to have our new lobbyist, Devon Connor-Green, in our corner, as he has proven himself to be a skillful but genuine representative for our profession. The ongoing insurance and regulatory changes certainly add a layer of complexity to an already challenging job, but I am optimistic that things will settle down soon, and our care systems will evolve to become more equitable for patients and providers.
We also look forward to AAPPN continuing to support connecting all of you in whatever ways possible. The fall conference was a lot of fun! Thank you to all of you who attended, and to our presenters. We look forward to delivering another educational opportunity in the spring, and a conference again in the fall. Every month stay tuned for other chances to connect with your fellow PMHNPs, students, and retired members.
Thank you to YOU for your continued support of AAPPN through your membership. We are excited to continue to do good work for you and with you. Your feedback is always welcome. Please connect with me, Kirk, or Chris with your ideas for speakers or educational topics, to offer your time for even 2 hours of project-based volunteering, or if you have any questions about the goings-on of the organization. We value your taking the time to engage with us–your stories and dialogue and presence are the lifeblood of AAPPN.
Cheers to a new year!
Kristine Highlander, MSN, PMHNP-BC
AAPPN President 2021, President Elect 2019-2020, Membership Committee Chair 2017-2020