Message from PAPN Texas President, Sherry Grogan

Dear Psychiatric Advanced Practice Nurses of Texas Members: 

I hope this letter finds you well and enjoying the summer. As the President of PAPN Texas, I would like to take this opportunity to update you on some important matters and invite your active participation in shaping the future of our organization.

First and foremost, it is crucial that each of you exercise your right to vote for the election of our board members. The board plays a pivotal role in the administrative management of our organization, and their dedication and hard work ensure that we continue to thrive. Please take the time to cast your vote and contribute to this democratic process.

Our board meets diligently on a monthly basis to address the administrative aspects of our organization. We have fostered a culture of teamwork and collaboration, which has allowed us to achieve many milestones. Additionally, our annual board retreat provides an invaluable opportunity for us to reflect on our achievements, identify areas for improvement, and strategize our path forward for the upcoming year and beyond.  The board also plays a vital role in developing a budget and evaluating the offerings that bring value to our membership.

I am delighted to report that our Second Annual Conference, held in Austin on March 4th, was a resounding success. The event attracted a remarkable turnout and was packed with insightful information. The speakers covered a diverse range of topics that were of great interest to PMHNPs, and the feedback we received from attendees was overwhelmingly positive. I encourage you to mark your calendars for next year’s conference, which will take place on March 2, 2024, once again at the Thompson Center on the UT Campus in Austin. Better yet, consider joining the Conference Committee and immerse yourself in the planning and execution of this remarkable event.

In the face of recent legislative challenges, our organization, PAPN TX, has been closely monitoring the legislative process. We have dedicated members on the TNP Board and AANP Board and NLAC who provide us with the latest updates. Although it has been a challenging year from a legislative perspective, we must rally together to advocate for our profession and work towards passing more favorable laws in 2025. Your engagement and involvement will be instrumental in our success.

I would like to highlight some recent activities that have fostered camaraderie and professional growth among our members. We had a strong presence at the Spring TNP Conference and are planning a social activity during the TNP Conference in Dallas in October. Another memorable event was our tour of the new John S. Dunn UTHealth Houston Behavioral Sciences Center on the HCPC campus. It was an enlightening experience to witness the beautiful environment and learn about the wide range of services they offer. The opportunity to connect with fellow PMHNPs while enjoying good food made it even more enjoyable.

I would like to give a shout-out to our monthly PAPN TX Case Conferences, which offer an excellent platform for learning and collaboration with your peers. The format entails a designated PMHNP presenting a challenging case, followed by an open discussion among participants. These one hour video conferences provide a valuable opportunity to understand different clinical perspectives, access resources, and enhance your practice.  I also want to highlight the value of our First Year Program, which continues to thrive as an exceptional resource for early career PMHNPs transitioning into practice. If you or someone you know is in their early career stages, I highly encourage you to take advantage of this program and the support it offers.

In closing, I urge each of you to vote for our board members and become actively involved in a PAPN TX committee.  Your contributions and engagement are vital to shaping the future of our organization and ensuring that we continue to meet the needs of our members.  We appreciate your continued support and commitment.  Together, we can achieve great things. 

Take care,

Sherry Grogan, APRN, PMHNP-BC

PAPN Texas President