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Good Leaders and Role Models Have Lasting Influence on NPs

2013; Elsevier BV; Volume: 9; Issue: 7 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/j.nurpra.2013.05.007

1878-058X

Marilyn W. Edmunds,

Nursing Education, Practice, and Leadership

A recent search through some of my very old files reminded me of many of the wonderful pioneers who have nurtured the development of the nurse practitioner (NP) role over the past 50 years. What wonderful leaders we have had: Rosemary Goodyear, Linda Pearson, Chuckie Hanson, Dodie Harper, Cynthia Jo Leitch, Susan Wysocki, Carolyn Montoya, Bonnie Bullough, Ingabord Mauksch, Henry K Silver, Judith Stallmeyer, Rachel Booth, Judy Collins, Louise Rauckhorst, Margie Koehler, and Donna Nativio. Some of these individuals are still prominent leaders, faculty, and NP spokespersons. Their influence on curricular design, focus on quality outcomes, and quest for effective research have had lasting influences on what we as NPs are able to do today. For many of you, reading these names brought to your mind the strong NP leaders who were your role models. Each state and many universities spawned their own leader who pointed the way for novice NP faculty and students to follow. These were the leaders whom we chose to emulate and to whom we listened. The power of these individuals to create strong personal and professional alliances with clinicians was 1 of the things that helped maintain their longevity. There are a couple of people that all NPs know, recognize, and applaud for the work they have done to create or sustain the NP role. First, it is always heartening to recognize the contributions of everyone's mentor, Dr Loretta Ford. Since she and Dr. Silver created the first NP program at the University of Colorado and began publishing about their activities, she has been our unfailing leader. Even today she is still clearly pointing the way that NPs should go. We are grateful for her continued presence and guidance. Second, at the recent American Association of Nurse Practitioners' Annual Conference in Las Vegas, it was nice to recognize Barbara Safriet, JD, LLM, who is now a visiting professor of health law at the Lewis & Clark Law School in Portland, OR. In the early days, it was very important to have someone outside of nursing who believed in NPs and to whom other professionals and legislators would listen. Her 1992 article, “Health Care Dollars & Regulatory Sense: The Role of Advanced Practice Nursing” in the Yale Journal on Regulation, presented a compelling argument why NPs should be allowed to practice to the full extent of their education—a message that is being heeded now in many states. Dr Safriet also testified on their behalf before several state legislatures that were debating new regulations for practice. Her leadership was fundamental to getting groups to listen and wresting the conversations from physician domination. I invite you to send me ([email protected]) your recommendations for individuals who should be recognized for influencing NP practice today. JNP can continue to give them both recognition and a voice.