Gov. Ivey Praises Nurse Practitioners, Calls on Alabamians to Celebrate NP Week
AUSTIN, TEXAS — During a special ceremony at the Alabama State Capitol, Gov. Kay Ivey signed a proclamation honoring nurse practitioners (NPs) and announcing November 13-19, 2022, as NP Week.
“Nurse practitioners serve as trusted health care providers for patients in our state,” Gov. Ivey wrote in her proclamation. “More than five decades of research confirms the high quality of care provided by NPs,” Gov. Ivey’s proclamation continues. “NPs are at the forefront of efforts to combat COVID-19, educating patients about prevention and ensuring the equitable distribution of vaccinations.”
Governors across the nation will join the American Association of Nurse Practitioners® (AANP), patients, policymakers, health care providers and communities to celebrate National NP Week this fall. Gov. Ivey is the first governor this year to sign a proclamation for NP Week — a testament to the positive impact made by more than 6,300 NPs in Alabama who provide high-quality primary, acute and specialty care services to patients. Across the U.S., more than 325,000 licensed NPs put their patients first, always searching for opportunities to improve health outcomes.
“Every day, NPs are saving lives and improving the health of our friends and family here in Alabama,” said Robin Lawson, DNP, CRNP, ACNP-BC, NP-C, FAANP, AANP state representative. “As our nation continues to face the unprecedented challenges of COVID-19 and works to eliminate the health care disparities illuminated by this pandemic, NPs strengthen our ability to ensure patients have equitable access to high-quality care.”
NPs provide patients with comprehensive, patient-centered primary, acute and specialty health care services in more than 1 billion patient visits each year. In addition to diagnosing, treating and prescribing medications for acute, episodic and chronic illnesses, NPs practice in nearly every health care setting, including hospitals, private practices, colleges and universities, public health departments and home health locations.
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The American Association of Nurse Practitioners® (AANP) is the largest professional membership organization for nurse practitioners (NPs) of all specialties. It represents the interests of the more than 325,000 licensed NPs in the U.S. AANP provides legislative leadership at the local, state and national levels, advancing health policy; promoting excellence in practice, education and research; and establishing standards that best serve NPs' patients and other health care consumers. To locate an NP in your community, visit npfinder.com. For more information about NPs, visit aanp.org.