Hauppauge, NY - March 19, 2015 - Suffolk County Legislator Kevin J. McCaffrey (R-Lindenhurst) recently had the opportunity to meet with and be interviewed by Lindenhurst resident and Ph.D. (Nursing) candidate Anneta Osuchukwu. Anneta is in the process of completing her degree requirements, one of which is gaining some experience with the lawmaking process.
Just prior to meeting with McCaffrey, Anneta observed the Public Safety Committee as it discussed topics ranging from the legalization of sparkling devices, to the need for more police officers in Suffolk County. Viewing the proceedings, coupled with her one-on-one conversation with an elected official, provided Anneta with a snapshot of what the legislative and political process involves and how it is relevant to the various professions.
During Anneta’s interview of McCaffrey, she described the importance and growing role of the nursing profession in our healthcare system. Additionally, Anneta touched on the various issues within her profession that will eventually require legislative action. The issue of expanding the scope of practice for nurse practitioners, for example, is getting a lot of attention in Albany and other centers of government today. While such an issue is more of a New York State matter, Anneta was interested in hearing McCaffrey’s views from the local government perspective.
“As the husband of a registered nurse, I am very aware of the profession’s importance and unique challenges, along with its need to evolve,” said McCaffrey. “More often than not, when I go for my routine medical examinations they are performed by nurse practitioners, and this is most likely the wave of the future. The costs of healthcare is rising and so is our population; nurses of all levels can and will fill many of our needs in the industry and do so at less of an expense. Overall, I think that this evolution of the healthcare field is a step in the right direction.”
Once she receives her Ph.D., Anneta will be dedicating her career to scholarly research on healthcare-related issues. “Anneta has a real passion for her particular discipline, and I have a tremendous amount of hope for the future with professionals like her at the helm. I wish her the best of health, success, and happiness in all of her future endeavors.”
