Successful "Day on the Hill"

On October 18, 2017, the Pennsylvania Association of Practical Nursing Administrators (PAPNA) met in Harrisburg to launch our White Paper titled Practical Nursing: Front and Center. The day started with a session in which Linda Rhodes, former Pennsylvania Secretary of Aging introduced the White Paper to over 70 attendees including PAPNA members, PA health care facilities, students and Legislators. This session was followed by PAPNA members and students meeting with Legislators and Policymakers individually to discuss what became known as the "untold story" of the Licensed Practical Nurse. Points stressed included that with the growing numbers of older adults, there will be a increased demand for health care providers including those trained in vocational settings. In addition, there needs to be removal of barriers which keep qualified, caring individuals form entering the health care field.