New programs further POCN’s mission to support NPs’ and PAs’ professional advancements through thought leadership and growth opportunities

PARSIPPANY, N.J. – Mar. 18, 2021 – POCN, the largest NP and PA network in the U.S., today launches two programs to support NPs and PAs professional advancement — the Ambassador Network and Mentoring Program. The Ambassador Network provides advanced practice professionals (APPs) such as NPs and PAs with a platform to become recognized for their leadership and clinical subject matter expertise, while the mentoring program supports AAPs looking for guidance from peers and leaders in the NP/PA community.

Ambassador Network
The intent of the Ambassador Network is to influence NPs and PAs to improve patient outcomes by empowering these APPs with the ability to be among the first to learn about new treatment protocols or the latest innovations in medicine, and empowering them to educate or share these advancements with their peers. Representing all therapeutic areas, POCN Ambassadors receive exclusive opportunities to access and contribute to clinical research studies, practice advocacy issues and therapeutic specialty news. In addition, Ambassadors are able to earn honoraria through live speaking engagements, webinar and webcast presentations, advisory board participation, and market research activities (including focus groups, interviews, and surveys).

“Being a POCN Ambassador has allowed me to share my knowledge and expertise with many more clinicians, both NPs and PAs, through live presentations and webinars on POCN+,” said Dr. Mimi Secor, a Women’s Health specialist in Boston. “POCN is a great organization to work with. They’re dedicated to NPs and PAs, and I appreciate the opportunities they have provided to me.”

Ambassadors will be selected based on several factors such as community service, previous teaching or publication experience, and demonstrated leadership or leadership potential as indicated on their CV’s. POCN is encouraging all NPs or PAs interested in becoming an Ambassador to apply.

Mentor Program
In response to demand from the NP/PA community, POCN has developed a unique mentoring program to help support NPs and PAs with their professional growth. The need for peer mentoring among APPs is especially great at this time. Because there are fewer opportunities for APPs to connect to others as they had in the past at live medical congresses, many APPs are lacking peer connections and are feeling isolated. The goal for the POCN NP/PA Mentoring Program is to help to cultivate professional development and enriching support through peer connections.

The POCN Mentoring Program is exclusive to US-based Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants. Mentors and mentees who register for this program will be matched based on professional development interests. Mentoring will kick-off in June and run continuously through December. The program is free for mentees. Qualified mentors will be paid an honorarium for their time and commitment to support their mentees throughout the course of six months. Registration opens on March 15.

“The mentorship program is another way POCN is helping the next generation of NPs and PAs learn and connect,” says Richard Zwickel, CEO of POCN. “By pairing APP mentees with mentors who match their professional interests, participants receive peer coaching from outside of their immediate practice and clinical areas. This is especially important because there are still many APPs who are not able to access peer mentoring through their own institutions.”

Peer Coaching Opportunities
For APPs who want to help coach other NPs and PAs but can not commit to mentoring others over the course of six months, POCN offers other opportunities for peer coaching. POCN encourages APPs to share their best practices and teach others through its communication network to reach thousands of other APPs nationwide. Several NPs and PAs are already sharing their best practices in managing patients through COVID-19 or sharing case studies on patient management.

To learn more and apply to become a POCN Ambassador, visit www.pocn.com/ambassadorprogram. For more information about the Mentor Program or other peer coaching opportunities,visit, www.pocn.com/mentor-program.

About POCN
POCN is the largest and most informed network of 400,000 NPS and PAs, trusted by providers, pharma and life sciences companies to create opportunities and improve care. As the role of NPs and PAs continues to evolve and expand in the healthcare landscape, POCN is dedicated to providing free membership to the network to access opportunities to Learn, Earn, Care and Connect, specific to their role and needs. For more information, visit www.POCN.com.