As a dedicated professional healthcare provider, a “PA-C”, who had the privilege to graduate from a Family Nurse Practitioner/Physician Assistant program, I am compelled to voice concerns that deeply resonate with me and countless others. The Association of PAs and NPs (APANP) firmly opposes the recent decision by the Department of Education’s RISE Committee that fails to acknowledge the complexity and rigor of our field. This reclassification has unforeseen consequences, notably jeopardizing the capacity for future generations of PAs (Physician Associates / Assistants) and NPs (Nurse Practitioners) to access affordable student loans, a cornerstone for many in their journey to provide essential healthcare services.
Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
What is Diversity, Equity and Inclusion?
Diversity is about representation. It is the collective mixture of human beings and their individual identities co-exisiting within a specific space. These identities must be considered holistically to include race, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, sex, disabilities, culture and educational backgrounds.
Equity is about creating a space that promotes fairness for all regardless of their individual identities.
Inclusion is about creating a space where individuals feel they can bring their individual identities without judgement and can feel a sense of belonging and respect. Inclusion in the workplace provides opportunities for people of all identities to participate and have an impact in a meaningful way.
APANP’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
The Association of PAs and NPs represents approximately 150,000 PAs and 56,000 NPs across the U.S. who practice in Family Practice.
APANP is committed to enhancing the diversity of the PA and NP profession, addressing health inequities among patients and fostering a staff culture that is committed to DEI.
Fostering a Staff Culture Committed to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
APANP is committed to fostering a staff culture that embraces the values of diversity, equity and inclusion. We recognize that embracing the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace is essential to improved collaboration and morale as well as greater innovation, productivity and representation in the work we do both internally and externally within our communities.
Working to Enhance the Diversity of the PA and NP Profession
Research shows positive benefits to patients when there is greater diversity among healthcare providers. APANP recognizes that medicine in general is too homogenous and so is the PA and NP profession. We are committed to implementing partnerships and programs that attract more underrepresented minorities to the profession and providing the tools and resources to support them – prior to and during PA and NP school, as well as while practicing.Â
Addressing Health Inequities Among Patients
APANP acknowledges that racism is a public health issue and one of the many social determinants of health, including poverty, unequal access to healthcare, lack of education, and stigma that contribute to health inequities in patients. APANP is committed to empowering PAs and NPs with information, tools and resources to address these inequities in their daily practice and to use our collective voice to support policy solutions when appropriate.
Click here to read the APANP Diversity Statement
Click here for the Congressmen Name and Email of the Health Committee
Women’s Healthcare
The Association of PAs and NPs (APANP) supports all women’s rights to complete reproductive health care. APANP calls for quality reproductive health care appropriate to every women’s needs throughout her life and for assuring that a full array of clinical services be available to women without costly delays or the imposition of cultural geographic, financial or legal barriers.
APANP’s membership is committed to facilitating both access to and quality of women’s health care. Fellows should exercise their responsibility to improve the health status of women in the traditional patient-provider relationships and by working within their communities and at the state and national levels to ensure access to high-quality programs meeting the health needs of all women. Fellows must not discriminate against patients based on race, color, national origin, disability, age, religion, marital status, sexual orientation, perceived gender and or any other basis.