Overview

NONPF - Now 25 in 2005!

Who We Are

The mission of NONPF is to provide leadership in promoting quality nurse practitioner education at the national and international levels. Through the support of the development of instructional skills and scientific investigation in nurse practitioner education, NONPF serves the public interest by assuring the preparation of highly qualified health care professionals.

A Board of Directors consisting of eleven elected members governs the organization. Additionally, there are ten Standing Committees that provide the structure for organizational activities:

• Bylaws
• Educational Resources
• Educational Standards and Guidelines
• Faculty Practice
• Finance
• Global Advancement
• Membership and Marketing 
• Nominating
• Programs
• Research.

The organization also appoints special committees as deemed necessary to fulfill the mission of the organization. At any given time, there are 2-3 active task forces.

Goals

The Board of Directors has identified the following priority goals for NONPF:

• Advancing QUALITY - Promotes continuous quality improvement and evidence-based approaches to nurse practitioner education through the development of standards, guidelines, teaching instruments, resources, and networking exchanges for faculty.
• Influencing POLICY - Collaborates with and leads the nursing community to further NP education and NP educational policy.
• Fostering DIVERSITY - Promotes a culture of diversity throughout NONPF and NP education and advances globalization of nurse practitioner education.
• Promoting SCHOLARSHIP - Enhances promotion and tenure opportunities and advances globalization of nurse practitioner education.
• Strengthening RESOURCES - Ensure the operational strength of NONPF and identifies strategies to ensure the viability of NP educational programs.

History

NONPF's formative years were focused on establishing curriculum guidelines for nurse practitioner education during 1976-1980. The first national meeting of nurse practitioner educators was held in 1974, and from 1976-1980 the National Task Force for Family Nurse Practitioner Curriculum and Evaluation developed guidelines. Upon completion of the curriculum project, the task force members felt the need for continued dialogue on NP education issues and the first organizational meeting of NONPF was held on April 10, 1980, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. NONPF has grown since to a strong organization representing over approximately 90% of all institutions in the US with NP Programs, as well as, faculty from programs in Canada, the United Kingdom, and other countries.