Happy NP Week!

NPs around the country have a special reason to celebrate NP Week this year. Fifty years ago, at the University of Colorado, the first NP program was established. Now, 50 years later.... there are more than 205,000 NPs licensed to practice in the United States, and NPs now have full practice authority in 21 states and the District of Columbia! Dr. Loretta Ford, who developed the first program at the University of Colorado along with Dr. Henry Silver,continues to be an  inspiration, leader and strong advocate for current and future NP practice.  This week provides NP's an opportunity to promote and celebrate in the  recognition of the NP role and to help increase awareness of the exceptional contributions NPs make every day to the health of millions of Americans. It is also an opportune time to help educate legislators and the public about the benefits of NP delivered health care.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Southern Gulf Coast Nurse Practitioner Council, we want to thank each and every one of our colleagues for the all that you do and wish everyone a very happy NP week!  Let's celebrate the next 50 years!