Walgreens, NONPF partner in nurse practitioner education

WASHINGTON — Walgreens Take Care Health Systems and the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties are sponsoring a new program to support the clinical education of nurse practitioners, the two announced.

"NONPF is very pleased to have the support of a strong clinical leader such as Take Care Health Systems," president Debra Barksdale said. "The important role that NPs play by providing care at Take Care Clinics and the clinical education of NP students makes this a natural partnership."

The program will include a Preceptor Web Portal containing web-based resources that clinical preceptors — instructors who play an important role in the education of nurse practitioners — use to promote education for NPs nationwide. NONPF and Take Care said additional resources and orientation materials were necessary to help preceptors enhance their abilities to teach students in the clinical setting. The web portal is expected to become available this summer.

"Take Care Health Systems recognizes the valuable role NPs can play toward helping increase access to care for patients and addressing the gaps in care facing the U.S. healthcare system today," Take Care chief nurse practitioner officer and clinical advocate Sandra Ryan said. "We are committed to having a significant leadership role in supporting education of NPs and look forward to bringing together our experience with the resources of NONPF to support preceptors and NP clinical education at the national level."