Colleen Leners, DNP, FNP-BC, FAAN, FAANP
Candidate for Region 3 Director
Campaign Message:
I would be honored to serve Region 3 on AANP board.I have always felt that people deserve to have a choice in their elections. Region 3 will benefit from either candidate as I know we are both very qualified ! INNOVATION is required in the nominations process to allow the many qualified candidates we have in this organization to run for office which will hopefully invigorate and encourage a more diverse group of candidates to run for leadership positions at AANP. AANP bylaws need to be revisited and updated to allow qualified candidates to run for a positions on the board if they have had similar or more experience . The democratic process is important in all aspects of our lives so PLEASE take the time and Vote!
Current Professional Position
Director of Policy
Leadership Experience in the Past Three Years
- I serve on Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing Alumni Board for the past 4 years I am currently Secretary.
- I have finished my 4 year term on the National Academy of Medicine Action Collaborative for Clinician Well-Being and Resilience producing the National Plan for Heath Workforce Well-Being.
- The Secretary on the Friends of National Institute of Nursing Research for my last 2-year term.
- I have served on several committees for AANP Heath Policy Committee for the past 2 years, Organizational Restructuring Committee and Nominations Council which my terms have ended prior to 2020.
- I serve on the American Academy of Nursing Nomination committee first term and the 50 Anniversary committee.
- I do not have any future plans for engagement if elected to the AANP Board.
Biggest Challenge Facing Nurse Practitioners and How AANP Can Help
The biggest challenge I think are the barriers to full practice authority (FPA). As you know, in many of the states that have the most stringent practice barriers are the same states with the worst health outcomes, especially for their rural and underserved populations and communities of color. AANP is working with and in coalitions such as the nursing community among others, supporting their state liaison by vetting legislative language working with local officials. They strongly continue to amplify the voice for nurse practitioners providing high-quality, cost-effective care. Although progress to this goal of FPA for all 50 stats seems to be moving slowly our research and measurable outcomes will prevail in removing these barriers especially as the nation moves from paying for quantity (fee for service) to quality and satisfaction of care.
Example of Initiative or Outcome of Leadership
My leadership style encompasses the many aspects of my career. My military career lends itself to a more autocratic style which was important to meet the mission. As I have grown as a leader and mentor my leadership style changes to the situation. I like to think I am more democratic to servant leader as I have held more positions on boards and have worked with people with a very different backgrounds. It is imperative that we as a group have a discussion with goal setting and empathy for others opinions as we move through the decision making process. I think that I bring critical thinking and keeping the needs of the organization above my personal aspirations for the organization. I work with others to promote nursing through consensus and team building using my skills to problem solve such as, why nurses were not being selected for committee or councils at the federal level. I worked with four nursing organization and founded the Nomination Consortium which has increased the number of qualified nurses participating on non-nursing committees by 20 % in the first 2 years We found that building a consensus within nursing it made for stranger candidates.
If Elected, I Propose to Advance the AANP Mission as Follows
I am engaged in my current position as the director of policy to accomplish Goal A subsection Increase provider-neutral language statutes, regulations and health care industry. I have written and continue to write comments to the regulators at Center for Medicare Services to have them review all their regulations to include provider neutral langue in all their proposed rulemaking. I work closely with a APRN coalition to amplify the message for all APRNS to move their agenda forward pertaining to high-quality cost-effective care and access to care for all communities especially the rural and underserved. I currently manage an ADHOC committee that has worked very hard over the last 4 years to have nurses identified and to fill positions on federal committee’s councils, and taskforces. We have grown for 5 nursing organization to now over 26 .We have managed to have nurses selected to serve on MedPAC, ARHQ and NIOSH. This is in direct alignment Strategic plan with Goal B Increase the number of NPs participating in nursing and non-nursing committees, task forces regulatory decision-making roles to ensure equal representation to other professions and to expand visibility on key issues.