Presidents Message

Dear Gulf Coast GAPNA Colleagues,

Happy New Year 2019! It has been my privilege to serve you as the 2017-2019 Chapter President. Because of GAPNA, I can honestly say I have grown more professionally and personally. It is my hope that you will find value in your membership as well and that you will continue to grow with us as we head into 2019 and beyond.

We have many things to look forward to this year. I want to extend my gratitude to Myla Magno for assuming the role of 2019-2020 Chapter President. She will take over leadership in July this year with Shuyan Bi assuming the role of Treasurer. Many thanks to Rebecca Saade for her years of service as chapter Treasurer and to our Sponsors, because most of our meetings would not have been possible without their continued support of advanced practice nurses.

I also want to reach out to thank all the previous board members who have served and volunteered thousands of hours to create this Chapter in 2001 and promote the role of advance practice nursing. I hope this year we have those role models return to the group to share their experience and knowledge with us. We will work with our members scattered across the state to provide the meetings through internet connections, like Zoom or Skype, to promote more participation and educational opportunities.    

On a very serious note, Texas legislators will reconvene this year to make more decisions about the future of advanced practice nursing. It has been said many times, “If you are not at the table, you will be on the menu”. YOU are responsible for your own practice! Why do you assume that someone else is looking out for your best interest? That someone else is talking to the public and the legislators about the value of your practice and skills? If you are not involved and making your voice heard, then you will never make or see a difference in what you do. I STRONGLY URGE YOU to step up and take responsibility and start making contact with your local legislators to teach them the value of our practice. The Houston Area Nurse Practitioners (HANP) are sponsoring a bus to go to Austin on 3/8/19 to TNP’s Legislative Day at the Capitol!  If you can’t make the time, then donate money to the people who work hard for us. The Texas Nurse Practitioners (TNP) and American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) work daily to keep YOUR practice going. Join these organizations this year to help make headway at the state and federal levels to keep your profession relevant, rather than subservient.

In that respect, I want to encourage active members to renew your national GAPNA membership and encourage more non-members to join GAPNA.  For a very small investment, you receive membership in the local chapter and the chapter receives a portion of the dues to provide you with educational opportunities. As you know, our Chapter self-sponsors events where you can receive free CEU credit. The national GAPNA membership provides you a wealth of information, education and resources for you, so please explore this link to join or renew your membership: GAPNA MEMBERSHIP

If you have an idea for improvement, comment or criticism, please contact me right away. I look forward to still working with you and for you in 2019!

Respectfully,

Lisa A Ginapp, MSN, APRN, AGACNP-BC, WCC, DWC, OMS

Chapter President, Gulf Coast GAPNA, 2017-19