Advanced practice nursing in the northwest: "There's a lot happening in our little corner of the state"

Connecticut Nursing News, Sep-Nov 1999 by Capobianco, Marianne

"There's a lot happening in our little corner of the state"

I had been a nurse for over a decade, and a clinical nurse specialist for more than half that time when I decided to go back to school to become a nurse practitioner in primary care. Despite having years of clinical experience and advance practice in my background, for me, this was quite a leap of faith. When I graduated with my nurse practitioner certificate, I imagined I knew how a fawn felt trying to take those first steps on unsteady legs. It was unfathomable to me that I had put myself in a position of "starting over" with this new direction in my career.

I've always practiced nursing in Torrington, Connecticut. It began quite by accident. I had intended to practice in Boston but instead became engaged to be married, and ended up working at The Charlotte Hungerford Hospital in Torrington. Although to some, Torrington may resemble a step back in time, the hospital is rather progressive, and rve become fond of it. Even during the years I left to teach or practice as a clinical specialist, I remained per them at CHH. When it came time to make professional changes to accommodate our growing family, I was welcomed back to work as a staff nurse and a supervisor. It seemed only natural to me after I graduated as a nurse practitioner that I would practice in Torrington. Not because there was a plethora of advanced practice going on, but because I knew the community, the hospital system and its staff so well.

The year I started back to UCONN, there was only a handful of advanced practice nurses in the community and none among the medical/dental staff. In the few months following my course completion, six nurse practitioners were hired into practices in town. I was among the first nurse practitioners to be privileged by the medical/dental staff of the hospital. And although the process was not without delays, it was not met by opposition. There was no precedent for privileges, and so I helped the V.P. of Medical Affairs write the protocol and privilege list for the NPs. The diagnostic departments made changes in their systems to ensure nurse practitioners were listed as the ordering provider and received their own test results. And room was made in the medical/dental staff lounge for more mailboxes! I have been very pleased by the collaborative environment I have found at this non-teaching hospital and within my practice group.

The most support, however, is rendered by my colleagues. Toward the end of my schooling, one of the faculty members Kathy Grimaud invited me to join The Northwest Connecticut Nurse Practitioners Group. The group was started in 1997 by Martha Klay, a Barrington, Massachusetts resident who has practiced as a nurse practitioner for about 15 years. Martha's innovative marketing (and impressive resume) led to the creation of a nurse practitioner position within an OB/Gyn group in town. Once hired, Martha quickly began the networking process and within a short period of time, met for lunch with some local nurse practitioners. The next month, she held the first organizational dinner meeting of The Northwest Connecticut Nurse Practitioners Group. With twelve advanced practice nurses, and the financial support of pharmaceutical companies, the group began meeting monthly to network and enjoy dinner and an educational presentation.

I attended my first meeting in late 1997. There were about 12 of us at the meeting. The educational session was on the topic of depression, and the networking discussion focused on legislative activity in the state. Each month the group grew. I had access to an incredible amount of information, and I gained tremendous support from my colleagues in the group. They helped guide me in the negotiation process for my first job, and kept me clinically and professionally up to date.

At some point, I offered to keep the mailing list current for the group. After two years, what was sparked by one and begun by 12, now boasts a list of 71 names. There are several students on our list of members, and we encourage them to take advantage of the experience within the group to negotiate employment, and gain professional support. Our turn out at meetings varies, but there are generally 40-50% in attendance each month. The meeting begins with a half hour networking sessions and is followed by a lecture. The dinner meeting and educational offering are sponsored by a pharmaceutical company, usually coordinated through Martha. There is no charge to attendees.

Last year, CNPGI held an annual dinner meeting. You may have noticed a poster board bearing the pictures, names, and titles of some of the NPs within The Northwest Connecticut Nurse Practitioners Group. This year, we would need a wall to display our members. We voluntarily come together each month to share a meal and educational session. But more important, we come together to discuss partite-related issues, to share our obstacles and our successes, to support each other, and to celebrate our contributions to health care. Yes, there's a lot happening in our little corner of the state.