Kristina Davis, DNP, ENP-C, FNP-C, AGACNP-BC
Candidate for Wyoming State Liaison (Incumbent)
Campaign Message:
Current Professional Position
Leadership Experience in the Past Three Years
I am currently the AAENP state representative for Utah and interim for Colorado. I have served one term as the AANP Wyoming state liaison. I am also the president-elect for the ENA Wyoming chapter, and will start my term as president in January 2023. Additionally, I serve as a health policy committee member for AAENP. Academically, I serve as the co-chair for the IPE committee and serve of the academic leader counsel.
Biggest Challenge Facing Nurse Practitioners and How AANP Can Help
The biggest challenge facing NPs is two-fold, gaining full practice authority (FPA) and the respect and trust of other medical professionals. Without trust and respect, FPA is challenging to obtain. Many physician groups openly advocate against FPA for various reasons. However, the overall theme is an NPs lack of experience and education. Several steps need to be initiated to address this issue, with education being the core theme. First, NP education programs have become less rigorous. Often these programs are referred to as diploma mills. Although AANP is not directly involved in curriculum regulation, AANP can make evidence-based recommendations as to how to provide high-quality education and to evaluate educational outcomes through the validation of competencies. Educational outcome data obtained from competency-based validation is difficult to dispute. Providing this data to the medical society and the general population will provide evidence of the high-quality medical care an NP will provide. Second, physicians, other medical professionals, and legislators are not fully aware of the true scope of practice of an NP. Educating medical organizations and legislators on the scope and breadth of an NP's capabilities is imperative in gaining support from the medical community and legislators.
Example of Initiative or Outcome of Leadership
I am the emergency nurse practitioner program director. I developed the ENP certification program and then helped develop the MSN FNP/ENP program. Graduate students have passed the ENP certification on the first try after graduation. I improved onsite skills acquisition by incorporating the cadaver lab. This not only had a positive effect in the ENP program and is now being incorporated into the FNP program. During the pandemic I utilized virtual learning tools to allow students to continue to learn valuable hands on skills. Students received a "kit" that included an intubation mannequin, airway tools, suture SIM. incision and drainage SIM and appropriate suturing material. "Thinking outside the box" allowed the students to continue with skills acquisition and led to improved clinical competencies. Additionally, I work clinically in a critical access facility as a sole provider in the ER and hospital. In this role, I direct the care of patients through the healthcare team. To provide evidence-based, high-quality patient care, I must be an effective leader. I initiated protocols and educated staff during the pandemic to increase the ability to care for critical patients.
If Elected, I Propose to Advance the AANP Mission as Follows
My goals and professional beliefs closely align with AANP's mission and strategic plan. Specifically, I believe that education leads to empowerment. Empowerment of NP professionals will bring confident AANP members to the organization. An organization's strength is derived from its members. Therefore, empowered members will strengthen the AANP's organizational standing. AANP's strategic goal A is one I feel the most strongly about. I work in a NP led critical access facility and have been the driver behind several initiatives to reduce the barrier of access to care. I advocate for FPA through actions such as testimony to the state labor committee and educating legislators and other professions on the importance of FPA. Goal B is accomplished through my role as an educator. I created a program that not only addresses needed competencies but also addresses health disparities that are often encountered within the emergency setting. Goal C is addressed through my role as an educator. Students receive education about pay models and encouraged to "know your worth." Often students have a difficult time navigating salary and compensation after graduation. I teach students how to navigate a new position but also make myself available for consultations after they graduate.