The important work of OAAPN is made possible by APRNs across the state volunteering their time and energy to advocate for their profession, and none more so than our volunteer board members. This month, OAAPN board members share the reasons why they volunteer, as well as their 2018 hopes for Ohio APRNs and their advice to APRN students.
Name: Meredith Lahl-Foxx
Title/Credentials and Place of Employment: Associate Chief Nurse/Executive Director Advanced Practice Nursing, Cleveland Clinic
OAAPN Regional Chapter: Cleveland
What is your hope for Ohio APRNs and OAAPN in 2018 and beyond? I hope that Ohio APRNs continue to be the best advocates for their patients and families. Further, I hope that that Ohio APRNs put patients first when thinking and speaking about professional practice and legislation. When we put patients at the center, we focus on the right thing. I would like to see OAAPN be “THE” source for everything APRN in Ohio, and a role model for the country!
Why did you feel it is important to volunteer on the OAAPN Board? I have always been a member of a professional organization. I feel it is our duty as a professional to support the organization that advocates for our role. OAAPN serves in the best interest of APRNs in our state, it informs us and supports us. The only way to make change is to get involved.
What advice would you give to current APRN students? As an APRN student, consider your passion surrounding patients and the population you enjoy caring for the most. Consider where your energy is when you are working. Do not just pick a role “because it’s a good schedule.” Consider every clinical rotation a job interview, and be patient when looking for your first APRN role.
Lastly, tell us a fun fact about yourself. I am an avid runner. I have a yellow lab named Homer. And I used to coach high school basketball—it was the hardest job I’ve ever done!
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Name: Joyce Karl
Title/Credentials and Place of Employment: DNP, APRN-CNP, Assistant Professor of Clinical Nursing, The Ohio State University College of Nursing
OAAPN Regional Chapter: Central Ohio
What is your hope for Ohio APRNs and OAAPN in 2018 and beyond? I hope that Ohio APRNs will continue to stay informed, grow personally and professionally, support full practice authority efforts to improve practice, and partner with patients and other health professionals to achieve optimal health outcomes for all Ohioans. I hope that OAAPN will continue to lead efforts as we strive to promote advanced practice nursing; support professional development; participate in and advocate for advanced practice nurses and their patients in the legislative process and funding/reimbursement arenas; and foster collaborative relationships with other nursing and health professionals as well as their professional organizations.
Why did you feel it is important to volunteer on the OAAPN Board? OAAPN has helped me stay informed of practice and legislative issues and grow professionally over my career as a former clinical nurse specialist and current faculty member and adult NP. I feel that it is important for me to give back to OAAPN in my role as Director of Education to continue, improve, and expand educational opportunities and support for our members and Ohioans.
What advice would you give to current APRN students? Work hard in your program. Treat your clinical rotations as potential job interviews. Learn as much as you can from every experience in class and in clinicals; even the less positive ones are opportunities for your personal and/or professional growth. Develop your APRN role elevator speech and deliver it to as many patients, friends, family members, and acquaintances as you can; you never know who may potentially open a door for you. Be positive and support one another – always!
Lastly, tell us a fun fact about yourself. I not only was a soccer mom, but played soccer too.
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Name: Sara Pease
Title/Credentials and Place of Employment: FNP/Director Calcutta Family Care
OAAPN Regional Chapter: Northeast
What is your hope for Ohio APRNs and OAAPN in 2018 and beyond? To continue to provide safe, cost-effective, evidence-based care to all Ohioans. Most importantly, that Ohio APRNs are able to practice to the full extent of our training and certification with the removal of the SCA.
Why did you feel it is important to volunteer on the OAAPN Board? I have been blessed to have many mentors and people in my life to guide me in my career. One of my mentors was one of the first Nurse Practitioners in the state of Ohio. She taught me to never stop working toward the rights for all APRNs and to speak for my patients when they cannot.
What advice would you give to current APRN students? Start looking for a mentor/preceptor before you even start an NP program. But my best advice is yes, it is worth it. Every single difficult moment of school is worth it in the end. Students also need to remember how difficult these days are once they are practicing and precept our future as well.
Lastly, tell us a fun fact about yourself. My favorite thing in the world is to travel while spending time with my family.
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Name: Erin J. Ross
Title/Credentials and Place of Employment: DNP, MS, ANP-BC, CORLN
OAAPN Regional Chapter: Cleveland
What is your hope for Ohio APRNs and OAAPN in 2018 and beyond? Removing restrictions on Ohio APRNs, so we may practice to the full extent of our education and training. Removing these barriers would increase consumer access to health care and reduce unnecessary health care costs. In most states, including Ohio, outdated legal hurdles limit this potential. It is my hope that OAAPN and Ohio’s APRNs can lead the way to removing these barriers.
Why did you feel it is important to volunteer on the OAAPN Board? OAAPN is making a difference not only for Ohio APRNs, but also in the nursing world at large. OAAPN is part of a movement, and by volunteering I get to be part of OAAPN’s movement through their mission and vision. I was really ready to make an impact and be part of something bigger than just my practice as an Ohio APRN.
What advice would you give to current APRN students? Transitioning to APRN practice can be difficult. Schools do not always do a good job preparing APRNs for what is out there in a real practice. I believe this transition to practice can be less difficult by finding preceptors who are supportive mentors. I believe new APRNs and students who join a professional nursing society within the first year are more successful and confident APRNs.
Lastly, tell us a fun fact about yourself. I am an English bulldog nut. I have two dogs and work with local bulldog rescues.
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Name: Eric Snyder
Title/Credentials and Place of Employment: DNP, ACNP-BC Clinical Director, Hospitalist NP, at Trinity Hospital Twin City
OAAPN Regional Chapter: SE Region Director, Tuscarawas County Chapter Leader
What is your hope for Ohio APRNs and OAAPN in 2018 and beyond? My hope from an OAAPN strategic/membership standpoint is to start to grow the chapter presence in the Southeast Region for 2018. My 2018 APRN hopes align with our fellow leadership peers, who have eloquently explained our current Ohio practice environment—which includes barriers both seen and hidden—and continue to engage all stakeholders on all fronts. As APRNs we should resonate to all policy makers, administrators, clinical peers of all backgrounds and, most of all, our patients that WE are the experts of our chosen profession and practice.
Why did you feel it is important to volunteer on the OAAPN Board? I volunteer for the same reasons many people volunteer: To gain experience, acquire new skills, meet new people, expand my network of contacts, give back to my community, and promote a worthwhile cause. I volunteered for all of these reasons as well as to be in a position to further the message and vision of OAAPN. Southeast Ohio is rural, wide and just as in need of the quality care that our APRNs provide as our larger urban counterparts.
What advice would you give to current APRN students? There is quite the learning curve and transition from being an expert experienced RN to a novice clinician APRN. Try to realize that you don’t have to know everything about every disease right away. Just trust that the knowledge will come with time and experience. Listen to and learn from peers, colleagues and patients because they can be some of your best teachers. If you are not getting what you need in this regard, don’t wait for it to happen; seek it out!
Lastly, tell us a fun fact about yourself. I am a third-generation pilot in my family.
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Name: Kimberly Tartt
Title/Credentials and Place of Employment: DNP, APRN, ACNP, FNP
OAAPN Regional Chapter: Central
What is your hope for Ohio APRNs and OAAPN in 2018 and beyond? Full practice authority and removal of all barriers to practice.
Why did you feel it is important to volunteer on the OAAPN Board? I believe serving on OAAPN is vital. Without OAAPN, our profession and patients/Ohioans will suffer.
What advice would you give to current APRN students? Get involved with OAAPN! Even the smallest amount of time you can give is essential.
Lastly, tell us a fun fact about yourself. I love sports, especially softball.
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Name: Sherri Sievers, DNP, APRN, CNP
Title/Credentials and Place of Employment: Family Nurse Practitioner, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital
OAAPN Regional Chapter: Cincinnati
What is your hope for Ohio APRNs and OAAPN in 2018 and beyond? My dream for Ohio APRNs is full practice authority. It is imperative that we do this for the people of Ohio who count on APRNs for their medical care. While it is unlikely we will achieve FPA during this General Assembly, we have a lot of important work to do this year including introducing legislation and getting the word out about our mission.
Why did you feel it is important to volunteer on the OAAPN Board? In my role as APRN leader, I see the need for advocacy at the institutional level. I have a passion for health policy and hope that I can energize APRNs across the state to get involved. I believe that I can further my advocacy efforts and encourage others by serving on a statewide board such as OAAPN.
What advice would you give to current APRN students? Get involved! In my experience, most students do not have a good understanding of APRN regulatory and practice issues. Joining a group such as OAAPN enables students to practice safely and also advocate for the profession.
Lastly, tell us a fun fact about yourself. One of my favorite hobbies is shopping for antiques. On summer weekends, I can often be found at local antique shows searching for interesting historical treasures. I love that there is a story behind each and every unique piece!