by Matt Batcheldor
April Kapu, DNP, APRN, associate nursing officer for VUMC Advanced Practice has been named president-elect of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP).
Kapu, who is also professor of Nursing at Vanderbilt University School of Nursing (VUSN), will begin her term June 28. The AANP is the largest organization of nurse practitioners in the country, with more than 106,000 members.
“I owe a great debt of gratitude to my nursing and physician mentors here at Vanderbilt, as well as to the amazing advanced practice professionals I am privileged to work with each and every day,” Kapu said. “Our work here at VUMC has been nationally recognized, highlighting the value of APRN practice and strong advanced practice infrastructure. As president-elect for AANP, I will work to improve national programs, conferences, and initiatives supporting clinical practice, education, research and leadership in advanced practice.”
Nurse practitioners and their advanced practice colleagues, physician assistants, make up more than 300,000 clinicians nationwide and more than 1,200 at Vanderbilt alone.
These clinicians are educated in nationally accredited programs, clinically trained and board certified in their area of practice.
“This is a major honor that recognizes April’s leadership and VUMC’s strong position as a center of excellence for advanced practice nurses,” said Marilyn Dubree, MSN, RN, NE-BC, VUMC Executive Chief Nursing Officer.
“April is a tireless advocate for nurses to practice at the very top of their license and a treasured colleague. I look forward to the good work that she will do as president of this prestigious organization. The country needs advanced practice professionals more than ever as we navigate the COVID-19 situation, and April is the right person to lead.”
Kapu joined Vanderbilt more than 15 years ago and received her master’s and doctorate degrees at VUSN.
“I can’t think of a better leader for AANP than April,” said Linda Norman, DSN, RN, VUSN dean and Valere Potter Menefee Professor of Nursing. “I’ve worked with her as a colleague and as an alumna. She’s an articulate, passionate advocate for advanced practice nursing, with a vision for the role of APRNs in health care policy and practice.
“Her critical care and leadership experience will be invaluable as AANP and other stakeholders evaluate the future role of nurse practitioners in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis.”