Colorado Online NP Programs

Joyce Honea is the president of the Northern Colorado Nurse Practitioner Coalition (NCNPC), which promotes health and well-being through the education, advocacy, and community engagement of advanced practice nurses. She has previously served as treasurer and secretary of NCNPC, helping to develop its bylaws and facilitate the 501c process.

Honea has over 25 years of clinical experience as a board-certified family nurse practitioner, including work in the ICU, ED, med-surg, and urgent care, as well as adjunct nursing faculty. She was the first solo practitioner in the region to lead an outpatient wound care clinic. Previously with the Department of Corrections, Honea currently works as a locum tenens in hospice.

NPSchools.com: What’s something you wish people understood about NP practice in Colorado?

Honea: In Colorado, you have to work with a physician to get your prescriptive authority.  A lot of students don’t understand how arduous that is, and how it’s a significant barrier to employment. It can be difficult to find a proctor, and it takes almost half a year, if you work full-time, to get the required 700+ hours.

Also, the difference between an RN and an APRN is like the difference between a CNA and a BSN. There’s a whole lot more training and responsibility. 

NPSchools.com: What are some defining features of Colorado, from an NP’s point of view?

Honea: We have a lot of underserved people because of our rural areas. Even a town like Limon or Sterling can still be very underserved. A healthcare provider may want to be there, but there might not be employment for their spouse, or they may not like the schools—the infrastructure of some of these areas is multifactorial. It’s really difficult to attract and retain qualified healthcare workers in those areas. We have a lot of pockets in Colorado.

NPSchools.com: Do you have any advice for aspiring NP students?

Honea: My advice is to get a very strong understanding of human anatomy. NPs are really good at the medical part of care, and at understanding the ins and outs of a patient’s psychosocial needs. But if they don’t have the fundamental knowledge of the body’s anatomy—not the pathophysiology, which I think NPs do well, but the actual names of various parts: flexor tendons, extensor tendons, the radial wrist—they should incorporate it into their practice. Those terms are foundational. 

The other thing is that many NPs do not understand that they are the ones who have to apply to the Medicare system, have to get their NPI, and have to work with Medicare and Medicaid. That’s a lot of paperwork. Much is done for us when we’re supported by a larger organization, but we are responsible for what’s put on that billing. It’s essential to understand that, especially if you go into private practice. 

What nursing is about is that moment of incredible influence that you don’t expect, that you can help a person, or turn them to a different way of thinking or feeling. It’s a moment of influence that’s larger than you think.