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The winds of change
N AT I O N A L A S S O C I AT I O N O F P E D I AT R I C N U R S E A S S O C I AT E S & P R A C T I T I O N E R S
President’s Message
The Winds of Change
W
e are all familiar with the harbingers of change. In our daily lives the robin tells us that spring is truly on its way, and later the leaves, as they turn their glorious and colorful hues, remind us of the winter that is yet to come. In our professional lives we help young women anticipate menarche and what this event signifies, and we support young men as their voices slide from treble to baritone, an equally significant occurrence that heralds a major change in their life cycle. As this point in our organizational life, NAPNAP has its own harbinger of change, Bob Hall, our new executive director. We welcome Bob for his energy and enthusiasm, for his knowledge and skills in association management, for his support of us as PNPs, and for his belief in our mission to advocate for all children. For the past 17 years NAPNAP was thoughtfully and capably managed by Mavis Maguire. As a PNP, Mavis was an integral part of the growth of NAPNAP. She helped us realize our potential and guided NAPNAP to the position of strength it holds today. As NAPNAP has grown and increased its inner forces, so has the world around us. Outside forces such as the trends in demographics, social change, information technology, and government and regulatory changes have altered the environment in which we op-
Barbara R. Kelley, RN, EdD, MS, MPH, CPNP President & Fellow
erate. Now is the time for us to address our need for change to meet the demands of these trends that are shaping the future. As we open the door to welcome Bob into our midst, we have also let in some new and different air, a breeze from another direction, a force for change. In the best of times, change presents us with a dilemma. It is exciting and challenging to think of doing business in a new way, of using different techniques and skills, of following different models to achieve our desired outcomes. However, this type of risk taking, of leaving a comfortable way of doing
things, can also be a little scary. What if things do not go as smoothly as we planned? What if the direction we take leads us astray from our purpose? What if, heaven forbid, we fail? These are all legitimate concerns for NAPNAP as we face the future. However, we all know that any organization that does not grow and change to meet the demands and pressures of its members and member needs will cease to be an effective organization and eventually die. I have every confidence that NAPNAP will embrace this change and be re-energized. Not only will we meet the challenges of the future, but NAPNAP will continue to be a strong leader in support of PNPs and as advocates for the health needs of our children. Our value base of professional commitment, responsibility, and autonomy is strong. We have demonstrated our ability to care for children across the United States, in urban centers, rural areas, the suburbs, schools, clinics, private offices, and the military. Wherever children are, so are PNPs. As Americans encounter almost daily changes in the health care delivery system, as PNPs continue to be battered by forces that would deny our legitimacy as primary care providers, rest assured, NAPNAP members—one thing will not change. We have a clear sense of who we are, a strong commitment to the children and families we serve, and an unyielding willingness to remain on the front lines of this struggle.
J Pediatr Health Care. (2000). 14, 21A-23A. Copyright © 2000 by the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Associates & Practitioners. 0891-5245/2000/$12.00 + 0 25/8/103737
January/February 2000
21A
President’s Message
The Winds of Change
W
e are all familiar with the harbingers of change. In our daily lives the robin tells us that spring is truly on its way, and later the leaves, as they turn their glorious and colorful hues, remind us of the winter that is yet to come. In our professional lives we help young women anticipate menarche and what this event signifies, and we support young men as their voices slide from treble to baritone, an equally significant occurrence that heralds a major change in their life cycle. As this point in our organizational life, NAPNAP has its own harbinger of change, Bob Hall, our new executive director. We welcome Bob for his energy and enthusiasm, for his knowledge and skills in association management, for his support of us as PNPs, and for his belief in our mission to advocate for all children. For the past 17 years NAPNAP was thoughtfully and capably managed by Mavis Maguire. As a PNP, Mavis was an integral part of the growth of NAPNAP. She helped us realize our potential and guided NAPNAP to the position of strength it holds today. As NAPNAP has grown and increased its inner forces, so has the world around us. Outside forces such as the trends in demographics, social change, information technology, and government and regulatory changes have altered the environment in which we op-
Barbara R. Kelley, RN, EdD, MS, MPH, CPNP President & Fellow
erate. Now is the time for us to address our need for change to meet the demands of these trends that are shaping the future. As we open the door to welcome Bob into our midst, we have also let in some new and different air, a breeze from another direction, a force for change. In the best of times, change presents us with a dilemma. It is exciting and challenging to think of doing business in a new way, of using different techniques and skills, of following different models to achieve our desired outcomes. However, this type of risk taking, of leaving a comfortable way of doing
things, can also be a little scary. What if things do not go as smoothly as we planned? What if the direction we take leads us astray from our purpose? What if, heaven forbid, we fail? These are all legitimate concerns for NAPNAP as we face the future. However, we all know that any organization that does not grow and change to meet the demands and pressures of its members and member needs will cease to be an effective organization and eventually die. I have every confidence that NAPNAP will embrace this change and be re-energized. Not only will we meet the challenges of the future, but NAPNAP will continue to be a strong leader in support of PNPs and as advocates for the health needs of our children. Our value base of professional commitment, responsibility, and autonomy is strong. We have demonstrated our ability to care for children across the United States, in urban centers, rural areas, the suburbs, schools, clinics, private offices, and the military. Wherever children are, so are PNPs. As Americans encounter almost daily changes in the health care delivery system, as PNPs continue to be battered by forces that would deny our legitimacy as primary care providers, rest assured, NAPNAP members—one thing will not change. We have a clear sense of who we are, a strong commitment to the children and families we serve, and an unyielding willingness to remain on the front lines of this struggle.
J Pediatr Health Care. (2000). 14, 21A-23A. Copyright © 2000 by the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Associates & Practitioners. 0891-5245/2000/$12.00 + 0 25/8/103737
January/February 2000
21A