"The farther backward you can look, the farther forward you are likely to see."
-Winston S. Churchill
January 1, 2015 begins a year of celebration for The Nurse Practitioner journal-40 years of bringing nurse practitioners (NPs) information they can trust. The front is adorned with journal covers from the past. How many do you personally remember? The first issue of the journal was published in September/October 1975. Editor Cynthia JoAnn Leitch stated, "Concurrent with social change and the changes in the delivery of primary healthcare, the role of the nurse is also changing. It is our belief that with these changes has come a new need for the dissemination and sharing of information related to the expanded role of the nurse in providing primary care."1 Since then, the journal has been an authoritative voice for NPs. In my first editorial, I made note that as an NP student, one of the first rules for best practice I learned was "You have to read The Nurse Practitioner journal." The scope of the journal has expanded beyond primary care, and the name has changed slightly, but the editorial board and staff at Wolters Kluwer Health, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins still demand high standards of excellence.
Advancing the field
The January issue holds to tradition and includes the 27th Annual Legislative Update by Dr. Suzanne Phillips. Every year, we report on the efforts of advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) in all 50 states. 2014 was the first year that U.S. citizens could directly benefit from securing health insurance through the Affordable Care Act. Despite the rocky start during open enrollment in fall 2013, millions more than expected enrolled in ACA-initiated insurance plans. Many of my patients who were uninsured now come to their visits with smiles on their faces and gratitude for the change in national policy. Although many hurdles still remain, the rules regarding healthcare delivery are changing, and APRNs-particularly NPs-are making sure the nursing profession is part of the change.
Not surprisingly, the first issue of TheNurse Practitioner also contained an excerpt from an interview with Dr. Loretta Ford who said, "Our efforts to advance the field of nursing, which must come about through research, must also influence the potential arena in the development of national health policy. If not, we'll lose the ball game."2 Is it not interesting how history recycles itself?
Decision makers
Pursuant to The Future of Nursing report, more nurses are at the decision tables, and more nurses have run in elections at all levels of government... and won. These are the kinds of efforts all nurses can support. The 6-year midterm elections repeated history with a change in the political party in control of the Congress. No surprise! But looking forward to 2015, what can we expect? How far do we dare to gaze into the future?
The Nurse Practitioner journal
If I had a (reliable and magical) crystal ball, I would hope to see all states achieve full practice authority across the U.S. Collaborative agreements and supervision requirements would no longer exist. I would hope to see all states agreeing on one legislative regulation for NP practice. I would also hope to see every NP not only joining one of the professional organizations but also becoming active, contributing members.
Both time and money are needed to achieve the changes we all work toward. But no matter what any of us sees in the crystal ball, we all must work to achieve it. We appreciate your continued support of the journal. Visit the website at http://www.tnpj.com, download the free iPad app, read our blog, and follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Help us celebrate our 40th year throughout 2015 by letting us know your thoughts and ideas!
Jamesetta Newland, PhD, RN, FNP-BC, FAANP, DPNAP
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF [email protected]
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