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Braginsky Receives AANP Nurse Practitioner State Award for Excellence

UH Manoa assistant professor Nafanua Braginsky, PhD, APRN Rx, NP-c, received the 2014 American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) State Award for Excellence at the annual AANP National Conference in Nashville, Tennessee in June 2014. This prestigious award is given annually to dedicated nurse practitioners in each state who demonstrate excellence in their area of practice. Braginsky was selected based on demonstrated excellence in clinical practice; serving as a role model for other NPs; precepts future NPs; significant contribution to improving care of individuals, families, and communities; utilizing current research to enhance quality of care; and having a positive impact on patients and colleagues.

Braginsky has been a nurse practitioner for more than 11 years and currently teaches undergraduate and nurse practitioner students. She is the first Samoan RN to earn a PhD from the University of Hawaii.

Nafanua Braginsky smiles for photo The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) provides financial support for its members including nurse practitioner students. As a student, Braginsky received a scholarship award from AANP and was offered an opportunity to travel to the conference but was unable to attend. It has come full-circle and Braginsky was able to travel to Tennessee to receive this award. She is humbled and honored to be recognized by members of the AANP Hawaii chapter.

National conference speakers were motivating and invigorating. Topics included implementation of the Affordable Care Act, the value of the “e-Patient” in participatory medicine, and improvement of care using evidence based practice. The conference also offered lecture presentations and skills workshops offering continuing education credits. Additionally, Braginsky networked with nurse practitioners from other states and was excited to learn that 19 states have full scope of practice for their nurse practitioners. Locally, it is a goal to increase the number of APRNs across the state.

Braginsky shared the celebration with Hawaii State Senator Roz Baker (6th District, South and West Maui) who received the 2014 State Award for Nurse Practitioner Advocate in recognition of her contribution towards increasing the awareness and acceptance of nurse practitioners. Senator Baker has championed numerous bills in the State Legislature promoting global signature rights and full, independent prescribing authority for NPs. She is a long-time advocate for issues that affect quality of life, such as access to health care, equity in the workplace, and equal rights for all.

For more information about the AANP Hawaii Chapter contact AANP’s Hawaii State Representative Pua Gandall Yamamoto, MSN, APRN-Rx, FNP-BC at pyamamot@hawaii.edu. Nominations for the 2015 Hawaii State Award for Excellence are being accepted online at http://www.aanp.org/.

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