Nomination Council Candidate
Campaign Message
Championing Representation. Driving Advocacy. Leading NP Excellence. I am an experienced nurse practitioner leader and educator running for the Nomination Committee to elevate our profession nationally. I will harness my background in leadership development, mentorship, and policy advocacy to: Recruit and endorse a slate of dynamic, diverse nurse practitioner candidates Ensure transparent, merit-based selection processes Amplify underrepresented voices in committee decisions Drive strategic advocacy that expands nurse practitioner practice and access With your support, we will build a nomination process defined by opportunity, representation, and unwavering commitment to advancing nurse practitioners everywhere, while championing the next generation of nurse practitioner leaders.
Bio Sketch
Dawn Mutchko, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, CENP, CGNC, EBP-C, CPHQ, CLSSGB, FNAP, is the Principal Consultant at AdVantage Advanced Practice Consulting and serves as adjunct faculty at the University of South Florida, Wilmington University, and Rutgers University Camden. As a former executive of advanced practice provider services in a healthcare system, she brings 28 years of clinical expertise in interventional cardiology and primary care, as well as leadership and advocacy experience. Her academic credentials include dual bachelor s degrees from the Pennsylvania State University (health planning and administration) and the Medical University of South Carolina (nursing), an MSN (FNP) from Wilmington College, a DNP (advanced practice leadership) from Wilmington University, and a post-doctoral fellowship in evidence-based practice at The Ohio State University. Active in state and national nurse practitioner practice, education, advocacy, and leadership, Dawn co-founded and chairs the Advanced Practice Provider Leader Advisory Group at the American Hospital Association and is a founding member of the American Association of Advanced Practice Leaders. Some of her honors include the AANP State Award for Outstanding Contributions, the NJ Organization of Nurse Leaders Excellence in Advanced Practice Nursing Leadership Award, the NJ Institute for Nursing CARES Award, and fellowship in the National Academies of Practice.
What do you think is the biggest challenge facing NPs in the delivery of health care over the next decade? How should AANP address this issue to support NPs and the populations they serve?
NPs face a critical provider shortage that threatens access for millions 102 million Americans lack primary care, 160 million lack mental health services, and by 2035, a deficit of 40 120,000 providers looms. We must build a competent, confident, empowered NP workforce by boosting resilience and adaptability. AANP must continue to champion work-life balance, mental health support, and streamlined administration to retain practitioners; expand academic excellence, clinical partnerships, and transition-to-practice programs for robust training; and drive health policy reforms so NPs can fully deliver the care they are trained to provide. Our commitment to these strategies ensures care access and NP well-being.
Describe, in detail, leadership and other professional skills that you will bring to AANP and provide at least one initiative or outcome that occurred because of these skills.
As an NP with expertise in practice, academia, advocacy, evidence-based practice, and executive leadership, I will bring strategic vision to the board via nomination selection. My commitment to learning is demonstrated by program completion in NP education, healthcare improvement, and leadership, plus certifications in executive nursing practice and quality/process improvement. As a certified global nurse consultant and National Academies of Practice fellow, I champion advocacy and interdisciplinary collaboration. From serving as a state and national leader and advocate for advanced practice leadership to co-founding the American Hospital Association-integrated Advanced Practice Provider Leaders Advisory Group, I drive leadership and policy innovation.
Identify one major challenge that could impact your ability to fulfill the responsibilities of the position you are seeking. How do you plan to manage this challenge to be successful?
I only accept roles where I can fully commit, so I conducted a rigorous evaluation of the nominations committee position. I studied AANP materials, consulted AANP leadership, and interviewed several prior AANP board members to understand duties, time demands, and required capabilities. I then sought counsel and endorsement from my family and two mentors in NP leadership, policy, advocacy, and education. I have additionally shared this opportunity with employers to gain support. With this thorough vetting and broad support, I am poised to meet and exceed expectations on behalf of the AANP membership.
AANP’s mission is to empower all NPs to advance accessible, person-centered, equitable, high-quality health care for diverse communities through practice, education, advocacy, research, and leadership. If elected, how do you propose to advance AANP's mission and strategic plan?
Our primary objective is a competent and confident NP workforce practicing at full scope. In clinical and academic roles, I enhance NP education didactic and clinical training, transition-to-practice programs, mentoring, project support, and lifelong learning. I foster academic clinical partnerships that yield measurable improvements. Through state and national advocacy, I have championed full practice authority. As a DNP postdoctoral fellow in evidence-based practice (EBP) and nationally recognized expert in advanced practice scholarship, I drive EBP implementation and advance NP leadership structures in health systems. My dedication to identifying and supporting the strongest candidate slates will strengthen AANP s operational excellence and capacity.