News

The WCAPN board of directors voted to eliminate the executive director position at its October 3, 2019 meeting.  The board decided not to renew Executive Director Tobi Moore’s contract which expired December 31, 2019.  Eliminating the executive director’s position was a step the board had to take to be able to continue to serve the members and remain financially sustainable.

The Wyoming State Board of Nursing is proposing to amend Chapters 2 - Licensure/Certification Requirements and 5 - Fees. On Monday, December 9th at 8:00 p.m. the WCAPN will be hosting a special Zoom meeting for all WCAPN membership to call in and provide tfeedback regarding the proposed WSBN proposed rules. The WCAPN board will be providing comments to the WSBN regarding these rules, and would like to hear from the membership prior to submitting comments.

The revisions in Chapter 2 are intended to remove licensure barriers for military personnel and certified nursing assistants, recognize an advanced pharmacology requirement for Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) certification exam eligibility, clarify licensure and competency requirements for nurses practicing in dual roles (ie APRN and Registered Nurse (RN)), and require advanced skill certification applicants, (i.e. Licensed Practical Nurses and Certified Nurse Assistants), to submit an application and pay a nominal fee for certification recognition.

Other changes to Chapter 2 were intended to clarify Temporary Permit language, provide retired nurses an opportunity to maintain a license, add language to comply with Senate File 0047 (2019) and to reduce barriers to licensure by changing continuing competency requirements.

The revisions in Chapter 5 are intended to add a nominal fee to cover licensure processing and recognition for advanced skill certifications.

Written comments may be submitted to WSBN by December 27, 2019.

How to Join Monday's Meeting

Direct Zoom meeting link:  https://zoom.us/j/3796228637

Dial by your location 1-929-436-2866 and enter the Meeting ID: 379 622 8637#

To view the complete proposed rules click here. 

Join WCAPN on Monday, November 4th at 3:00 pm at the Governor's office in the Kendrick Gallery, 2320 Capitol Avenue in Cheyenne, as Governor Mark Gordon signs the Wyoming Nurse Practitioner Proclamation promoting NP week.

NP week kicks off November 10^th through 16^th.  

Free Webinar for WCAPN Membership

“Less Burden, More Value: CMS Reimbursement Initiatives in 2020 and Beyond”

Monday, September 9, 2019 | 6:00 to 7:00 pm MST

Presenter: Franklin Harrington, Director of Reimbursement and Regulatory Affairs, American Association of Nurse Practitioners

Direct Zoom meeting link: https://zoom.us/j/4033458464

Dial by your location 1 646 558 8656 and enter the Meeting ID: 403 345 8464#

Call for Treasurer Candidates Deadline Extended

Consent to serve due by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, August 19

WCAPN is seeking interested members who wish to serve in leadership roles within the association. As Treasurer for a two year term starting October 2019 through 2021.

We have extended the call for candidates for the Treasurer position. The “Consent to Serve” form is now due by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, August 19.Each candidate is also required to submit a head shot to tobi@wcapn.org.

Treasurer Position

The Treasurer serves as the custodian of WCAPN funds in collaboration with the Executive Director. Examines monthly financial reports, monitors and evaluates financial affairs, and provides insight and direction regarding financial goals. The Treasurer provides an annual financial summary report for the Board and General Membership at the fall Annual Membership meeting.

Slate of Candidates will be announced to the membership the end of August. Electronic election ballots will be emailed on September 5^th and voting will remain open until September 19^th. Election results will be announced at the annual meeting on Saturday, October 5^th in Lander.

If you have any questions about running for office or need more information on specific duties, email the office at tobi@wcapn.org.

Consent to Serve Form

New this year, present a poster at the Advanced Practice Forum in October

Present a research and evidence based poster during the WCAPN Advanced Practice Forum on Saturday, October 5, 2019 at the Community & Convention Center in Lander, Wyoming. Posters are open to nursing professionals and students.

The following types can be submitted:

• Research

• Quality Improvement—pilot projects, clinical innovation, and change projects.

• Informational

All applications need to be submitted electronically to wcapnevents@wcapn.orgby Friday, September 13. Notification of poster acceptance will take place by September 20, 2019.

Each poster presenter must register for the conference and be available for discussion on October 5. Posters must be displayed on a trifold, free-standing poster board no larger than 3’X4’.

Electronic application will consist of:

• Project type

• Project title

• Statement of purpose/clinical questions

• Framework/background and significance

• Method (design, setting/sample, protocol/implementation)

• Findings/results

• Conclusions/implications

DOWNLOAD THE FORM HERE.

For more information, visit  https://wcapn.org. If you have questions regarding poster abstracts, contact the WCAPN office at (307) 247-4495 orwcapnevents@wcapn.org.

Poster Schedule

Friday, October 4:

4:00 PM – 5:00 PM                Poster set-up

Saturday, October 5:

6:45 AM                                 Set up by this time, if not set up the night before

7:00 – 8:00 AM                      Breakfast and poster area open

10:00 – 10:15 AM                  Attendee break with posters

12:15 –12:45 PM                   Lunch & posters before Annual Meeting

Registration is now open for the 2019 Advanced Practice Forum. Join us at the Lander Community and Convention Center on October 4th through the 5th.

The Wyoming Advanced Practice Forum is designed to support the professional practice and learning needs of nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, advanced practice nurses, physician assistants and other interested health care providers by providing a variety of evidence-based educational topics.

Register here or click on the photo below.

WCAPN is seeking interested members who wish to serve in leadership roles within the association. Elected in 2019 by Statewide Ballot: President-Elect Treasurer Director at Large (2 Positions) The position of President-Elect will serve for three years serving as President-Elect during year one, serving as President during year two, and serving as Past President the third year. The President-Elect serves primarily in a learning role by assisting the President in the business of WCAPN.  The President-Elect will assume the duties of President in the fall of 2020. The President presides over the Board and meetings. Represents (or designates representative of) the WCAPN in business, legislative, and other related activities. The Past President serves in a support/mentoring role for the Board. May assume temporary leadership position in the temporary absence of the President. The Treasurer serves as the custodian of WCAPN funds in collaboration with the Executive Director. Examines monthly financial reports, monitors and evaluates financial affairs, and provides insight and direction regarding financial goals. The Treasurer provides an annual financial summary report for the Board and General Membership at the fall Annual Membership meeting. Director at Large serve as representation of the general membership to advise, participate, and contribute to Board on all matters of the organization. All candidates for office must submit a “Consent to Serve” form by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, August 2nd. Each candidate is also required to submit a headshot to tobi@wcapn.org Slate of Candidates will be announced to the membership the end of August. Electronic election ballots will be emailed on Thursday, October 3, 2019 and voting will remain open until Thursday, October 17, 2019. Election results will be announced at the annual meeting on Friday, October 25th in Des Moines. If you have any questions about running for office or need more information on specific duties, email the office at tobi@wcapn.org

Link to consent to serve: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WCAPN2019ConsenttoServe

WCAPN recognizes that there has been and will be individuals that dedicate time, knowledge and skills to advance the role of the Advanced Practice Registered Nurses in Wyoming in profound ways.

The WCAPN Pinnacle Award was designed in 2016 to have the ability to acknowledge individuals who have contributed to the advancement of APRNs. Award recipients are individuals who have demonstrated an extraordinary dedication and long-term contribution that has influenced the APRN role in Wyoming and made a lasting impression on the profession.

Any WCAPN member in good standing can request the WCAPN board to consider an individual for the Pinnacle Award. The person who is being considered for the Pinnacle Award does not need to be a member of WCAPN or an APRN.

Do you know someone that you would like to be named 2019 Pinnacle Recipient? To make a nomination, send one to two pages of typed information about the person to be considered that explains how the person has impacted APRNs in Wyoming.

Please be sure to include your name, email, address and phone number along with the nominees contact information. The request for consideration needs to be submitted electronically to WCAPN Executive Director, Tobi Moore tobi@wcapn.org by 5:00 p.m. Friday, September 6, 2019.

The Pinnacle Award will be given during WCAPN annual meeting on October 5, 2019 in Lander, Wyoming.

Defending Your License: Strategies for Nursing Professionals

Earn CNE credit* by Attending NSO’s Complimentary Webinar

The webinar will take place on Thursday, July 11th from 2-3:00 p.m. ET. If you can't make the live webinar, sign up via email for the archived recording.

Objectives

• Understand the role and authority of State Boards of Nursing and regulatory agencies
• Describe the license discipline process and potential outcomes
• Discuss possible outcomes of the disciplinary process, along with strategies to proactively protect your license

Speakers

• Jennifer Flynn, CPHRM, Risk Manager, Nurses Service Organization (NSO)
• Susan A. Wagener, BSN, JD, HeplerBroom, LLC