This is the inaugural column of Education Matters, sponsored by the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF), the only organization dedicated exclusively to promoting quality NP education. Our partnership with The Nurse Practitioner is an exciting opportunity to disseminate information that will foster the preparation of highly qualified NPs.
This column will offer timely and useful resources for NP educators, preceptors, and interested clinicians. We plan to focus on clinical education issues in preparing NP students for independent practice, as well as broad topics that apply to all NPs. Subjects will range from the needs of faculty NPs who develop curriculum and teach the didactic portion of courses to the needs of practicing NPs who precept students at clinical placement sites. Any issue that impacts our ability as a profession to successfully educate NPs is important to NONPF.
What is NONPF?
NONPF strives to elevate and foster the highest standards of NP curricula and innovative instructional approaches. The organization supports faculty during this current period of changes in healthcare and nursing education while adapting to the diverse needs of students and societal health needs.
The goals of the organization are:
* to advance quality NP education through the development of standards, guidelines, resources, and networking
* to influence policies that will further NP education
* to foster diversity throughout NONPF and NP education
* to promote scholarship of teaching, discovery, application, and integration
* to strengthen resources for NONPF and ensure the viability of NP educational programs.
With more than 1,200 members, NONPF has an 11-member Board of Directors under the leadership of president Dr. Shirlee Drayton-Brooks, Associate Professor of Nursing and Director of the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program and Family Nurse Practitioner Program at Widener University, School of Nursing, Chester, Pa. Four committees engage members in NONPF initiatives and special projects: the Curricular Leadership Committee; the Faculty Development Committee; the Member Resources Committee; and the Capital Development and Marketing Committee. In addition, nine special interest groups (SIGs) facilitate communication within the organization on topics of interests to members. Current SIGs include international, gerontologic, acute care, psychiatric mental health, academic nursing center, distance learning, program directors, research, and sexual and reproductive health.
What does NONPF do?
NONPF is a grassroots organization that relies on member contributions to achieve its goals. Membership is open to educators, preceptors, and anyone involved in NP education. Full details about membership are available on the NONPF website (http://www.nonpf.org).
Some of the most important work of NONPF comes from the development of position statements and white papers, competencies for NP education, and reports. Topics include core competencies for NPs and core NP practice doctorate competencies, population-focused NP competencies, a position on clinical hours for NP preparation in DNP programs, use of simulation in clinical education, mentoring, faculty practice, and the clinical evaluation of NP students. In addition, NONPF led the development of the Criteria for Evaluation of Nurse Practitioner Programs, which are standards for NP educational programs widely recognized by national nursing accrediting agencies. These documents and others are available on the NONPF website.
New avenues of partnership
The partnership between NONPF and The Nurse Practitioner creates a forum for communicating successful innovations in NP education. NONPF is looking forward to sharing the resources and talents of its membership with the journal's subscribers. Comments are welcome at [email protected].