Region Director Candidate
Campaign Message
It has been such an honor to serve as the Region 2 Director during this current term. I have tried to meet as many members from NY, NJ and PR as I can and visited each place to represent AANP. If elected again, I promise to continue to work as hard as I can to represent you. I was actively involved in advocating for Full Practice Authority (FPA) in NY as well as in the implementation and roll out of FPA in the Department of Veterans Affairs. We know as NPs what we do for our patients and decreasing barriers to care is essential. If there is something I can do for you now, please reach out to me. I am so proud to be a member of this organization and promise to do my best if elected to represent you.
Bio Sketch
Dr. Colleen Walsh-Irwin, DNP, RN, ANP-BC, AACC, EBP-C, FAANP, is the Associate Director for Evidence-Based Practice for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Office of Nursing Services in Washington, D.C. Dr. Walsh-Irwin has been an adult nurse practitioner in cardiology for the VA for over 27 years. Dr. Walsh-Irwin has served on multiple committees for AANP and the American College of Cardiology. She holds a Certificate of Specialization in Leadership and Management from Harvard Business School Online, is an Associate of the American College of Cardiology and a Fellow of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. Dr. Walsh-Irwin is an adjunct clinical assistant professor at Stony Brook University School of Nursing. In addition to being a speaker locally, regionally and nationally, she is well-published in nursing textbooks and peer-reviewed journals. She has also served on professional guidelines and done podcasts based on her expertise as a cardiology NP. Dr. Walsh-Irwin has been the recipient of numerous awards including Nurse Practitioner of the Year for the New York State NP Association of Long Island, the VA Secretary s Award for Nursing Excellence and the 2021 AANP State Award for Excellence.
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?
I think the biggest challenge facing NPs are the barriers created that prevent us from practicing at the fullest extent of our education and training. This can include outdated regulations that result in unnecessary restrictions that impede our ability to care for our patients. The AANP State Government Affairs Office should continue to work with our members and local organizations to support removal of these barriers. I am hopeful that states will continue to move toward Full Practice Authority so our patients can have better access to healthcare.
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.
I have had leadership roles both professionally and as a volunteer in many organizations and I hold a Leadership Certificate from Harvard Business School (Online). My style is servant leadership and I work hard to listen to those I represent. This has resulted in increases in membership in organizations that I have represented during my tenure. I have been told that I am inclusive by colleagues which is important to me because I really care about listening to others. I am hopeful that I will have the opportunity to continue to represent the NPs in NY, NJ and PR.
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?
It has been an honor to serve as Region 2 Director this past year. I am passionate about this role and it is a priority for me therefore I do not anticipate any challenges to being able to fulfill this role. Prioritizing the responsibilities of this position and staying organized are key for me and I am very happy to continue to do that if i get the opportunity.
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?
If elected, I would continue to work with members and our regional NP organizations to decrease barriers to NP practice. I was very involved in lobbying and advocating for full practice authority in the VA and in New York and plan to continue to help NJ and PR to get across that finish line. This is so important for us to be able to improve access to care for our patients. I also believe in AANP as an organization , especially all that it offers members and I will continue to promote it to colleagues.