Michelle Anderson, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, FAANP
Candidate for Idaho State Liaison (Incumbent)
Campaign Message:
Having lived and worked in both rural and urban Idaho, I feel I am uniquely qualified to help our state and national organization develop a strategy for improved alignment. I have experience in grassroots leadership as well as servant leadership training. I have worked with NPs in our state organization and am familiar with the diverse needs of our state. Supporting my candidacy for this position will be a vote to continue to drive positive legislative change, advocate for our role at both a state and national level, and through this, ultimately advance the health and care of our patients together.
Current Professional Position
Clinical Assistant Professor, Family Nurse Practitioner
Leadership Experience in the Past Three Years
- AANP Idaho State Liaison: 2021 - current.
- Nurse Practitioners of Idaho Executive Board – Vice-President: 2019–9/2022
- RN Idaho Editorial Board: 2018–current
- Bonner General Health Executive Board of Directors: 2016-current
- Bonner General Health Long Range Planning and Building Committee (appointed by the President of the Executive Board of Directors): 2018–2021.
- Media, Marketing and Membership Committee Chair for Nurse Practitioners of Idaho: 2017-current
- NONPF Preceptor Committee, co-chair for subgroup 2: 2021 - current.
- Idaho State University Faculty Senate: 2021 - current.
Biggest Challenge Facing Nurse Practitioners and How AANP Can Help
I believe the biggest challenge facings NPs in the delivery of healthcare over the next decade will be the fallout from Covid-19 in regard to professional burnout and the actual health impacts our patient's experience. An additional challenge may be navigating the field of reproductive care and pregnancy care, given the variance between state laws. Finding ways to promote and practice self-care will be a needed proactive consideration. We are essentially at the beginning of the paradigm of understanding what some of the long-range repercussions from this pandemic will be. As barriers to care are readjusted, understanding our role and representation in this will be paramount. There have been changes in delivery of care and with these changes, patient expectations have also shifted. Making sure reimbursement and payment models match this will be equally challenging. In Idaho, NPs provide the majority of primary care in the state and making sure AANP is cognizant of this when it comes to advocacy and continuing educational opportunities is important. We need to stay connected with each other and the struggles we experience and need to see continued support demonstrated from our national professional organization.
Example of Initiative or Outcome of Leadership
I was privileged to be part of the Servant Leadership Fellowship provided by AANP. This experience allowed for mastery of skills utilizing respect, care, and fairness for the well-being of the whole team and supports a collaborative culture. I have integrated the acquired skills into settings where called upon to lead or be a collaborative team member. To me, leadership is about unifying people and ensuring the goal of the team is met by utilizing the strengths of its members. I was a member of the Idaho Healthcare Coalition, appointed by the Governor to represent nursing. During my time on the board, I was able to represent both our patients and our profession. At the conclusion of the coalition, I had the opportunity to participate in how the next team would look. One thing I had noted was that nursing did not have a seat in this new group, despite seats for other healthcare providers. Recognizing this gap, and the importance of nursing and NPs to be at the table on discussions of increased access to care for patients, allowed for me to utilize my leadership skills to acquire us a seat.
If Elected, I Propose to Advance the AANP Mission as Follows
If elected, I propose to implement the AANP Mission to empower all NPs to advance quality healthcare through practice, education, advocacy, research, and leadership, through sharing Idaho’s successes, experiences and representation in those areas. I have practiced independently in rural northern Idaho as well as urban Idaho and am acutely aware of the diverse NP needs within the state. I can work with other AANP members, sharing factors that have led to legislative success in Idaho. I have attended the National Health Policy conference, meeting with state legislators to support NPs in diabetic shoe authorization, inclusion of NP patients in shared savings ACOs, and access for patients who need cardiac rehabilitative services. I urged our congress to support the ICAN Act and improve federal employees’ timely access to healthcare for workplace injuries. I work on the state legislative committee advocating for pay parity, preceptor tax credit, and most recently independent NP credentialing. I led a research team looking at the impact of COVID-19 on Idaho healthcare providers, presenting results at the Nurse Leaders of Idaho Conference. These activities support the AANP strategic plan and my participation and success with them will enhance the advancement of the AANP mission.