Presidents Message - Janet Crawford Dec 2023

Hello to all my Esteemed Colleagues,

It is an absolute honor to address you as the newly elected President of the Utah Nurse Practitioner Association. I am both humbled and excited by the opportunity to serve our incredible community of Nurse Practitioners in the state of Utah. As many of you know, the heart of our association lies in the dedication and commitment of our members. Our membership, in essence, is the lifeblood of our association. It is you, our members, who drive our objectives, fuel our initiatives, and help us strive for excellence in our field. As such, one of my primary focuses as President will be to grow and strengthen our membership. This effort will take the active participation of each of you by recruiting your colleagues, your friends, and assisting us with growth endeavors, committee involvement, and Board membership. I firmly believe that there is power in numbers. The more voices we have, the louder we can be and the more we can accomplish. By increasing our membership, we can further our reach, extend our influence, and foster a more significant impact within our healthcare system. COVID took a toll on Healthcare Associations around our nation and UNP was no different. We currently sit at 8% of the total of 5712 active APRN’s in the state of Utah. We must work tirelessly to attract new members and retain our existing ones. By providing them with valuable resources, educational opportunities, networking opportunities, and a platform to voice their concerns and ideas.

However, increasing our membership is just one piece of the puzzle. Supporting our Nurse Practitioners is equally, if not more, critical. We are living in an era of unprecedented challenges and opportunities in healthcare. It is vital that our NPs feel supported and empowered to navigate this evolving landscape. We will therefore strive to create an environment where every NP feels heard, respected, and valued. We will continue to advocate for our NPs at the state and national levels. We will also prioritize continuing education and professional development, ensuring that our NPs are equipped with the latest knowledge and skills to provide the best possible care for our patients.

We are a community, a team, and a family. Each one of us plays a vital role in advancing our association and our profession. Together, we can shape a future where the Utah Nurse Practitioner Association is known for its robust membership, its unwavering support for NPs, and its commitment to excellence in healthcare. I am eager to embark on this journey with all of you. Together, we will build an association that serves us, supports us, and makes us all proud. Thank you for placing your trust in me. I promise to honor that trust with dedication, passion, and unwavering commitment to our shared goals.

I recognize that Christmas is a widely celebrated holiday that brings joy, happiness, and warmth to people around the world. It is a time for family, friends, and work gatherings, exchanging gifts, and spreading love and cheer. Christmas serves as a reminder to appreciate the people in our lives and to spread kindness and compassion to all we encounter. So, from us here at UNP to all of you, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and Holiday Season!