Virginia Council of Nurse Practitioners (VCNP)

The Virginia Council of Nurse Practitioners (VCNP) is a statewide professional organization for nurse practitioners (NPs) licensed in Virginia, NP students, and retired NPs. Our main event is the annual conference held each March, providing over 20 Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits to nearly 400 attendees and dozens of exhibitors.

VCNP work with the Virginia General Assembly to pass bills that improve healthcare access and expand the profession. Our over 1,500 members stay informed about practice, association activities, and member achievements through bi-weekly presidential emails and state and regional social media. Member achievements are recognized and supported through awards and scholarships throughout the year.

The organization of NPs in Virginia began in the regional or local areas of the state. With the growth in the number of NPs throughout the state, Virginia NPs initially organized to become a Professional Practice Group of the VNA. In 1984, the VCNP became a council of the VNA, and as such continued to grow in membership. In 2012 the VCNP separated from the VNA to become an independent organization.

Although there are other specialty NP groups, the VCNP offers an advantage for all NPs in Virginia because of its association with the VNA and the American Nurses Association (ANA) with their broad based membership and the resources available through these relationships.

The goals and purpose of the VCNP include:
• To increase the awareness of and the impact of the role of nurse practitioners on health care and on the professional, educational, and political systems
• To facilitate the advancement of the nurse practitioner role as an integral component of quality health care delivery through public relations, political activism and consultation
• To foster professional and collegial growth through continuing education
• To provide for a communication system for nurse practitioners throughout the state of Virginia