Meet Louise Kaplan, FNP

Specialty:  Family Practice.
Now Living in: Olympia, WA
How long on the Board: My term began in July 2008. I have been on the Legislative Committee since 2007 and am now serving as its chairperson.

Current work place and position: I am an assistant professor in the Washington State University College of Nursing on the Vancouver campus. I coordinate the FNP program in Vancouver which has over 50 students at this time. I also maintain a clinical practice in a rural clinic in Elma, WA where I have been for over 13 years.

Brief work history: I had many clinical positions primarily in clinics for under served populations before working in my current rural clinic. I have also worked in positions for the Health Care Financing Administration (now the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Studies) and the Medical Assistance Administration (now the Health and Recovery Services Administration), as a researcher for the Hanford Health Network Resource Center as well as doing a short stint in politics working on Booth Gardner’s 1984 campaign for governor and as a legislative aide for a state legislator. For the last 12 years I have been a nurse educator while maintaining a clinical practice.

Why specialty was chosen: Family practice is diverse and provides the ability to understand the multitude of dynamics that affect the individual in the context of being a family member. I especially enjoy seeing people who are of all ages and am never bored doing the same thing over and over.

Why you volunteered for the Board: I want to contribute to the work of an important organization that is improving the practice environment for ARNPs statewide. I know that the more people share in the work the richer the wisdom of the group and the lighter the load any one person needs to bear. I also learn and benefit professionally and personally from working with talented and committed people.

Care most about regarding ARNPs: My primary efforts are in furthering our legislative agenda and improving our practice environment.

Hopes for AUWS: I want to continue the legislative successes AUWS has achieved and see more members get involved in the legislative process.