The Florida Nurse - June 2015

OFFICIAL BULLETIN OF THE FLORIDA NURSES FOUNDATION 

Volume 63 • No. 2 QUARTERLY PUBLICATION DIRECT MAILED TO 271,000 REGISTERED NURSES IN FLORIDA June 2015 

Mission Statement 

Serve and support all Registered Nurses through professional development, 

advocacy and the promotion of excellence at every level of professional 

nursing practice. 

Tallahassee 2015: 

A Call to Action 

for Nursing 

Edward Briggs, DNP, ARNP-BC, President 

The 2015 legislative session in Tallahassee has 

now ended and some would interpret the events 

as another disappointing year for nursing. Bills 

that would have expanded nurse practitioner scope of practice, developed 

safe staffing regulations, and expanded access to care failed to progress. 

The psychiatric nurse bill that did pass included provisions that many 

were disappointed to see. It seemed, to many, as status quo for nursing in 

Tallahassee. 

However, this interpretation fails to recognize the real and dramatic 

change that is occurring in Tallahassee and should be seen as a call-to-arms 

for nursing. 

The 2015 legislative session was remarkable for the fact that in all 

discussions regarding solving the problems of healthcare in Florida, the 

profession of nursing was recognized as a large, and integral, part of the 

solution. Key legislators now advocated for advancing the profession of 

nursing as a means to solve many problems that our state faces. Increasingly, 

the input of nursing leaders was sought by legislators regarding healthcare 

challenges and proposed solutions. There was clear recognition that the 

participation of nursing was essential at every level of the healthcare debate, 

including appointments to State Commissions. 

With the leadership of Senator Grimsley and Representative Pigman, 

nursing bills that would have expanded nursing scope of practice moved 

further than they ever have before and would likely have passed had it not 

been for the unexpected early end of session by the House of Representatives. 

The debate regarding expanding Medicaid grew into a larger debate of 

how to ensure low-income families have access to adequate healthcare 

services. The debate ceased being about whether to help individuals’ access 

to healthcare, but instead what was the most effective method of improving 

access. There was a clear comprehension by legislators that attention to atrisk 

and rural communities is essential to resolving Florida’s healthcare 

challenges, and that nursing was best situated to access these communities. 

There was also increased understanding by legislators that health care was 

not limited to allopathic medicine, but needed to include both dental, vision, 

and mental health services. 

It is important that we remember that these advances did not occur 

spontaneously, but were the product of years of advocacy and outreach by 

the Florida Nurses Association - its board, members, and lobbyists. The 

Florida Nurses Association has developed relationships with key legislators 

and built coalitions with other organizations that share our priorities and 

goals. Through these connections, FNA has been able to educate elected 

leaders to see the importance of advancing our profession. 

The record attendance of nurses at the 2015 FNA Nurse Advocacy Days 

(formerly Lobby Days) did not escape the attention of legislators and 

demonstrated a growing commitment by nurses to work towards improving 

health policy in our state. Our presence throughout the halls of the capital 

sent a clear message to legislators that nursing is a substantive force working 

for positive change. The dedicated efforts of the attendees influenced many 

legislators to reconsider their position on essential nursing issues and even 

convinced legislators to become co-sponsors to our Safe Staffing Bill. 

The 2015 Legislative Session has been a remarkable year for our profession 

and has demonstrated that a strong professional association coupled with 

dedicated members can advance our agenda in the legislative arena. In the 

2016 Florida legislative session, there is real potential to pass bills that will 

expand nursing practice, improve access to care, ensure safe staffing, and 

provide for safe work environments. But to succeed in these efforts, we 

need not only a strong professional association, but also, a membership that 

ensures its voice is heard. 

So, now is your chance to join your colleagues in advocating for your 

profession. Become an active participant in steering your association 

and guiding health policy in our state. Together, let us build upon the 

momentum of 2015 and make 2016 the Year for Nursing. 

Because, ultimately, positive change is what nurses do! 

current resident or 

Non-Profit Org. 

U.S. Postage Paid 

Princeton, MN 

Permit No. 14 President’s Message. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 

Notes from the Executive Director ................2 

Student Forum ..............................3 

Advocacy Days ..............................4 

2015 Candidate Biographies and Statements .....5-7 

Legislative Update ...........................8 

Regional News ........................... 9-12 

Florida Nurses Leadership Academy .............10 

LERC/Professional Practice Advocacy ............13 

2015-2016 Calendar of Events .................14 

Partners in Nursing ..........................16 

Members in the News ........................18 

Where are the Florida Clinical Nurse Specialists? ...18 

Another One of Our Own is Gone Too Soon ........19

Page 2 The Florida Nurse June 2015 

Willa Fuller, RN 

Executive Director 

As our President 

Ed Briggs addresses 

in this issue, it is 

essential that nurses 

are actively involved 

in advocacy for our profession and for the future 

of healthcare in our nation. One thing we know 

for sure is that we cannot continue as a strong 

organization without the current students and the 

new graduates that are entering our profession. 

As we move forward, it is important to carry on 

the 106 year legacy of nursing advocacy of The 

Florida Nurses Association. In looking back on 

the past century, member Jan Hess, compiled a 

history of accomplishments of the association in 

the political arena. This process was a revelation 

of many successes and a contribution 

We have worked closely with the Florida 

Nursing Students Association to make sure we 

were partners in education and involving students 

in our nurse advocacy efforts. We are proud of the 

student presence at your Conferences, particularly 

Advocacy Days and Membership Assembly. 

We have had student liaisons welcome on our 

committees and task forces and the FNA Board of 

Directors. There is often a difficulty in navigating 

this model due to the schedules and demands of 

student life, but over the year some outstanding 

young leaders have emerged and continue to hold 

membership in FNA. 

While not a current 

new graduate, one of the 

long time standouts who 

made the transition is 

Belita Grassel, who has 

been a member since her 

graduation from nursing 

school. She served as a 

district president and 

recently she really stepped 

out on a limb and ran 

for the Florida House of 

Representatives. We supported her in her efforts 

and are proud of the campaign that she ran. She 

continues to be available and active in FNA’s 

advocacy efforts. 

The past two chairs of 

the Bylaws Committee 

have been new graduates 

and past FNSA Board 

Members. Rosa Yi and Lisa 

Fussell have both done 

as excellent job as bylaws 

chair and showed great 

composure and knowledge 

when conducting the 

A Tribute and a Call to Action to 

our New Graduates 

bylaws hearings at Membership Assembly. Their 

experience as student leaders translated directly 

into competence in their performance. Rosa has 

moved on to Georgia but Lisa continues as the 

current bylaws chair. They were also both selected 

in the Inaugural class of the Florida Nurses 

Leadership Academy for their accomplishments as 

student leaders. 

C.J. Birge has run for 

state office and serves on 

the Bylaws committee. 

He has been vocal in our 

Membership Assembly 

contributing to the 

discussion appropriately 

with sincerity and passion 

for the profession. 

Murielle Joseph recently 

resigned as Chair of the 

Nominations Committee to 

throw her hat in the ring 

for state office. She is cur 

rently chair of the New 

Graduate Special Interest 

Group and is featured 

in our Membership 

Promotion Video which 

can be found on the 

homepage of our website 

at http//www.floridanurse. 

org. 

As the current leaders 

in the profession age, we are looking to the future 

by education young nurses about the importance 

of advocacy beyond the bedside. Politics is the 

allocation of scare resources and we must be at the 

table to get our piece of the pie. The value of these 

new voices with innovative ideas and boundless 

energy is essential to the future strength and 

influence of our profession. 

There is a lot of discussion around generational 

differences and “how we can engage and work 

with the “XYZ” generation.” In my personal view, 

this is not the best approach. I would like to see 

a model where all generations come together to 

share what they bring to the table and that all 

input is respected and considered. Merging age, 

experience and wisdom and creativity with youth, 

energy, curiosity, innovation and new ideas can 

not only be productive but a fun and enjoyable 

way to do important work. 

Together, we can create an association that 

works for everyone with a menu of resources and 

activities that supports nurses and the work that 

they do. This is an exciting time for nurses from 

all generations our diversity is truly our strength. 

To all of our new graduates, join us! 

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Acceptance of advertising does not imply endorsement 

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advertisement does not imply a product offered for advertising 

is without merit, or that the manufacturer lacks integrity, or that 

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Published quarterly, March, June, September, and December 

by FNF, a constituent member of the American Nurses 

Association. 

Editor - Vicki Sumagpang, 1235 E. Concord St., Orlando, FL 

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of FNA receive the newspaper as a benefit of membership. 

COPIES of The Florida Nurse are available on 35mm 

microfilm, 106mm microfilm, article reprints and issue copies 

through Bell & Howell, 300 North Zeeb Road, Ann Arbor, 

Michigan 48106 

Board of Directors 

2013-2015 

Officers 

Edward Briggs, DNP, ARNP-C, President 

Leah Kinnaird, EdD, MSN, RN, President Elect 

Barbara Russell, MPH, RN, CIC, Vice President 

Monte Beane, MSN, RN, Secretary 

Linda Howe, PhD, RN, Treasurer 

Directors 

Daniel Berman, DBA/HCA, RN, FACHE 

Sue Hartranft, PhD, ARNP 

Shirley Hill, BSN, RN-BC, CCM 

Deborah Hogan, MPH, RN 

Marsha Martin, RN 

Denise McNulty, DNP, ARNP 

Patricia Posey-Goodwin, EdD, RN 

Jill Tahmooressi, MSN, RN 

FNA Office 

Willa Fuller, BSN, RN, Executive Director 

Jeanie Demshar, Esq., 

Director of Professional Practice Advocacy 

Vicki Sumagpang, MSN, RN 

Director of Programs & Member Engagement 

Alisa LaPolt, Lobbyist 

Robert Levy & Associates, Lobbyist 

http://www.floridanurse.org 

Special Thanks to these New Graduates who recently renewed! 

We are grateful for your continued support! 

Published by: 

Arthur L. Davis 

Publishing Agency, Inc. 

Michael Adalia 

Lily Azcona 

Athena Barco 

Kimberly Betz 

Jacqueline Cameron 

Katrina Dever 

Nancy Dingus 

Kristin Gardner 

Kelsea Gass 

Clare Gruneisen 

Susan Harrison 

Judy Holtz 

Alina Huneke 

Donna Jackson-Sharpe 

Murielle Joseph 

Dorothy Lejeantus 

Danielle Lesane 

Polly Marrero 

Alyssa Masud 

Gayna Mc Donald 

April Montgomery 

Abi Jireh Paraon 

Rachel Reising 

Kathleen Spates 

Sofia Thomas 

Hector Torres 

Tammy Vann 

Justin Wilkerson 

ATTENTION FNA 

MEMBERS! 

YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS IS NEEDED. FNA 

communicates via email throughout the year. In 

order to receive all email updates, please send 

your personal email address along with your 

name and member number to membership@ 

floridanurse.org as soon as possible.

June 2015 The Florida Nurse Page 3 

Tiffany Massey, RN 

April has been a spectacular 

month for FNSA! We attended 

the NSNA national convention 

in Phoenix, AZ. The state of 

Florida is proud to have passed 

6 resolutions on a national 

level. All were adopted and 

will be in the works over the 

next year, being sent out to various 

organizations and campaigns, to help 

implement them into the nurse world. Florida 

students also presented posters about research that 

are currently in the works or have already been completed. Many students 

and schools won awards and were recognized throughout the week. FNSA is 

very proud with how much Florida nursing students have accomplished this 

past year with NSNA and we hope that the following year is just as eventful. 

In the coming months, FNSA is continuing its partnership with the 

Florida Nurses Association and putting on our annual Leadership Retreat. 

Currently, the FNSA board is in the works of putting some wonderful guest 

speakers together for the students, who will talk to them and encourage 

them within leadership. This will be a daylong event where students will get 

information on leadership within FNSA. 

The week of April 20th was an incredibly special week for the FNSA. 

Along with Sharee Castillo, a nursing student from Broward County, 

the FNSA is partnering with the Forget Me Not Campaign, a student led 

organization that helps to aide in Alzheimer research, education, support, 

and treatment. We were able to have a conference call with those at a 

national level of the Alzheimer’s Association to give us ideas on how to move 

forward. 

Tiffany Massey is an RN-BSN student at Florida Atlantic University. She is 

currently a Woman’s Health nurse in North Florida and is pursuing her longterm 

goal of becoming an ARNP. She enjoys helping students with questions 

from class to questions about leadership. She enjoys fishing, hiking, and 

being in nature in her free time. 

FNA WANTS TO SEE YOU BLOOM 

Here are some ways that FNA is offering 

assistance to new grads: 

If you are an FNSA member & graduate after March. 31, 2014, 

your first year of FNA membership is FREE! This is only 

applicable for 60 days post graduation. 

If you were an FNSA member, your second year of 

FNA membership is 50% off at $145.50. 

The ADP option (taking monthly 

from your bank account) is also 

available for FNSA grads so you 

can spread the payment out over 

the whole year! 

Membership Doesn’t Cost… It Pays! 

Questions? 

membership@floridanurse.org | 407.896.3261 

Join or renew online today at floridanurse.org 

Or scan the code below to download a 

membership application and learn more about FNA. 

Correction 

In the 2015 March issue of The Florida Nurse, the 

author’s name was printed incorrectly for the article 

entitled “Residency Programs Aren’t just for New 

Graduates.” The article was written by Jean Shinners, 

PhD, RN-BC. 

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Advocacy Days Sparked Interest in Political Advocacy 

Barbara B. Little, DNP, MPH, RN 

Senior Teaching Faculty 

Florida State University 

Florida State University Doctor of Nursing 

Practice (DNP) students attend FNA Advocacy 

Days conference as part of their curriculum. As 

I read my students’ reflections on attending the 

two-day event, I was touched by their enthusiasm, 

interest, and appreciation for gaining health policy 

experience in our state capitol. Claire Winfree 

shared she was “struck by how important it is 

for us to share our opinions and meet with the 

legislators who make decisions that directly affect 

our professional lives. We have many allies and 

friends in the legislature, and they are counting on us to speak up, share our 

stories, and represent the nurse practitioner profession well.” 

FNA staff and lobbyists do a phenomenal job of planning an informative 

conference and organizing visits with local legislators. This year, in addition 

to meeting with legislators and staff, we were able to observe the House 

Health Innovation Subcommittee debate HB547 relating to APRN full 

practice authority. Hearing testimony from a variety of constituents and 

stakeholders illustrated the challenges of addressing a variety of viewpoints 

while negotiating complex policies. DNP student, Hannah Cameron, 

described her reaction, “Chills ran across my arms when Chair Roberson 

of the House Innovation Subcommittee read the final verdict: 9 yays and 4 

nays, HB 547 Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Full Practice Authority 

passes. To sit in the committee room and watch history unfold in support of 

ARNPs was quite emotional.” 

In the fall semester, students take the Health Care Policy course that lays 

the cognitive foundation on advocacy and the legislative process. Then, 

in the spring Nursing Leadership course, students research their local 

legislators and develop talking points on nursing and healthcare related 

bills and issues in preparation for their visit to the capital. Visits with their 

legislators and observations of committee meetings is what really brings 

the legislative process to life, helps synthesizes their learning, and propels 

students to become more politically active. 

Prior to attending Advocacy Days, political issues were not of interest 

to DNP student Brittany Enders. Now, Enders says she has a new outlook, 

“Attending Advocacy Days was definitely an experience that helped me 

become more active in political issues in the nurse practitioner field. I have 

found myself following the important bills regarding nurse practitioners and 

nurses ever since the experience.” 

Meeting with their local legislators helps nurses feel comfortable with the 

legislative process thus providing a foundation for future advocacy efforts. 

Jill Koepke plans to meet with her legislators regularly “to offer my opinions 

and experiences now that I understand how much they value the input of 

their constituents and how much they need education on issues outside of 

their expertise. After this experience, I feel much less intimidated by not 

only the process of lawmaking, but the people as well.” 

Enders explains the experience well when she said, “This experience 

helped me become more knowledgeable in current healthcare issues and 

honestly this has sparked my attention to be more active in advocating for 

nurse practitioners and nurses for the future. What a great experience!” 

Through these experiences, students gain an appreciation and increased 

level of competence in their advocate role. What more could an educator 

ask for in an experiential learning experience? And, I believe experienced 

nurses would also enjoy the conference and leave inspired to educate their 

legislators and community members about policy changes to improve 

healthcare quality, access and patient outcomes. I hope to see you there next 

year! 

FSU Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) students gained health policy 

experience at the Florida Capitol during the Florida Nurses Association 

Advocacy Days Conference in March. 

University of West Florida Nursing Students and Faculty at the 

Legislative Reception 

Southeast Region Members on the way to a 

legislative appointment 

Captive audience at the 

Capitol Luncheon 

2015 Advocacy Days at the 

FSU Student Union 

FNA Would Like to Send Special Thank Yous to our Wonderful 2015 

Advocacy Days Sponsors 

Robert M. Levy & 

Associates, Inc 

Government & Public 

Relations Specialist


2015 Candidate Biographies and Statements 

President-Elect 

Kappa Chapter (South University) President 2011 

to 2012; FNA Treasurer 2011 to 2013; FNA Finance 

Committee 2010 to present; GAPNA: President 

2012 to 2013; APNA: Treasurer 2009 to 2014; 

GAPNA Treasurer 2012 to present; STTI Education 

Work Group 2012 to present; Present Office - 

GAPNA Treasurer. 

Professional Organizational Activities: Core 

member South Region Leadership Council since 

2013; First South Region Director (2010-2011); 

FNA Transition to Regions Taskforce; Certification 

Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology 

(CBIC): President (2012); Occasionally contacted 

by IPN to address Infection Control related issues; 

Vice President of FNA (Current); Secretary of 

The Nurses Charitable Trust; Chair of the Royce 

Foundation (JMH School of Nursing Alumni 

Association. 

Janegale Boyd 

For the position of: President- 

Elect and Representative to the 

ANA Membership Assembly 

I want to work to position 

FNA, its members, and the 

nursing profession to be seen as Vice President 

the statewide leaders for nursing 

practice. Nurses have a powerful Murielle Joseph 

and knowledgeable voice to 

For the position of: Vice 

contribute to the changing dynamics of health 

President 

Secretary 

care. 

As VP, I would represent FNA 

Region: North Central – Jefferson County 

if the President or President- Darlene Fritsma 

School(s) of Nursing: Tallahassee Community 

Elect is not available. Moreover, 

For the position of: Secretary 

College 

the VP also serves as chair of 

I served on the FNA Board of 

Degree(s): ADN 

the Membership Committee, so 

Directors, Director of Practice, 

Place of Employment and Position: Leading Age 

I would use this opportunity 

for two terms 1988-92. I desire to 

Florida, President/CEO – Retired 2014 

to facilitate growth in active 

devote time and energy to serve 

Professional Organizational Activities: FNA FNA membership through this committee and 

my professional association. 

member since 2000; Big Bend Hospice Board encourage the same via the Special Interest 

Over my 28 years at FNA, I have 

Member (current); Healthyways, Inc. Board Groups (SIGs) and Regions. 

served as District President, 

Member; Florida Society Assoc. Executives – Region: Southwest – Fort Myers 

FNPAC Board of Director, and 

Chair (current); North Florida Community College School(s) of Nursing: University of Florida Secretary HP-SIG. 

Foundation Board Member; Florida Tax Watch Degree(s): BSN, BA in Spanish 

Region: East Central – Winter Park 

Board Member (current); Elected Member of the FL Place of Employment and Position: Lee School(s) of Nursing: University of Florida; 

House of Representatives – State Office, District Memorial Health System, 6 West Progressive Care Rollins College; Brevard Community College 

10, for two terms (1996 - 2000); FL-AC Nursing Unit, Staff/Charge Nurse 

Degree(s): MSN, ARNP 

Steering Council and Leadership Committee Professional Organizational Activities: FNA Place of Employment and Position: University 

member. 

member; FNLA scholar (2013); past FNSA Region of Phoenix, Associate Faculty; Current ARNP 

2 Director and Communications Chair; FNA Retired 

George Byron Peraza-Smith 

Nominating Committee Chair (2013 – 2015), Professional Organizational Activities: 

For the position of: President- FNA New Grad SIG Chair; FNA Leadership Member, Central Florida Region; FNPAC Board of 

Elect and Representative to the Development Committee. 

Directors, State. 

ANA Membership Assembly 

We are at a critical tipping Barbara Russell 

Shirley Hill 

point. We have an opportunity to 

For the position of: Vice 


create our future and the future 

President 

I have really enjoyed serving 

of nursing in Florida. I will 

I have had the honor of 

as a director on the FNA Board. 

explore ways to remain relevant 

currently serving as Vice 

I am ready to move on in a 

for our current and future 

President and would like to 

different capacity and would like 

members. We have a rich history from which to 

continue and be able to represent 

to serve as secretary, bringing 

build a strong, thriving Association. 

FNA as called upon to do. Now 

my experience, knowledge, and 

Region: West Central – Tampa 

more than ever, we need to 

understanding of the working of 

School(s) of Nursing: Case Western Reserve 

increase membership to be able 

the board. 

University; Brandmand University; University of to continue all the great things we do. 

Region: East Central – Ormond Beach 

South Florida; The University of Texas; Houston Region: South – Miramar 

School(s) of Nursing: University of Central 

Community College 

School(s) of Nursing: University of Miami; Florida; Navarro College 

Degree(s): DNP; Post-Doctoral Certificate – Florida International University; Jackson Degree(s): BSN, RN, BC, CCM 

AGPCNP, Post-Graduate Certificate GNP; MSN; Memorial Hospital School of Nursing; Infection Place of Employment and Position: Retired 

BSN; ADN 

Control courses: Center for Disease Control 

Professional Organizational Activities: 

Place of Employment and Position: South Degree(s): MPH, BSHSA, RN, CIC 

Current East Central Region Director (Served in 

University Adjunct Professor 

Place of Employment and Position: Director this position for the last 4 years); State of Florida 

Professional Organizational Activities: Tampa Infection Control and Sterilization and Linen, Employee for 20 years. 

Bay Advanced Practice Nurse Council – President Baptist Hospital of Miami. 

2011 to 2012, Secretary 2010 to 2011; STTI Phi Candidate Biographies continued on page 6


Candidate Biographies continued from page 5 

Jill Tahmooressi 


As an FNA Board member, 

South Region Director, for nearly 

2 terms, I am well exposed and 

versed in the secretary role. 

I expect to bring my robust 

enthusiasm to drive results using 

my expert structural process 

skills to the role. My goal is 

to streamline and improve the communication 

process to both members and the Board of 

Directors. 

Region: South - Weston 

School(s) of Nursing: Nova Southeastern 

University; St. Petersburg College; Miami Dade 

College; Jackson Memorial Hospital School of 

Nursing 

Degree(s): MBA, BSN, ADN, Diploma 

Place of Employment and Position: Nicklaus 

Children’s Hospital, Nursing Director 

Professional Organizational Activities: South 

Region Director (appointed May 2012- present). 

Treasurer 

Ann-Lynn Denker 

For the position of: Treasurer 

Nursing is a fundamental/ 

powerful force. I am a tested 

nursing practitioner with 

in-depth experience in 

practice, research, education, 

administration, ethics, health 

policy, and regulation. My 

contributions endure at local, 

state, and national levels. Most importantly, I am 

committed to the FNA team in leading the Future 

of Healthcare through nursing. 

Region: South – Miami 

School(s) of Nursing: University of Miami; 

University of Florida 

Degree(s): PhD, MN, BSN 

Place of Employment and Position: Barry 

University; Florida Action Coalition SIP Grant; 

Consulting 

Professional Organizational Activities: Member 

of the South Region (Planning group of the annual 

conference; Representative to the Annual FNA 

State Membership Assembly; Florida Board of 

Nursing Chair (Member past 5 years); National 

Council of State Boards of Nursing; Institute of 

Regulatory Excellence Fellowship; At Present: 

Board of Directors: Health Council of South 

Florida; STT (Beta Tau (U of Miami – Board of 

Directors; Condominium Board member; Board 

member of Temple Emanu-El – Miami Beach. 

Join Florida Nurses 

Association Today! 

Visit floridanurse.org 

or scan for complete 

information. 

Linda A. Howe 

For the position of: Treasurer 

As the current Treasurer 

of FNA, I would like the 

opportunity to continue to offer 

my financial and investment 

expertise to the organization. I 

have managed to prevent deficit 

spending and gave advice on 

several issues of investment and 

services to be offered members. I also presented a 

very transparent presentation to the membership 

at the assembly of the financial status and 

developed ideas to improve it. 

Region: East Central - Oviedo 

School(s) of Nursing: Columbia Hospital School; 

University of Texas; Texas Woman’s University; 

The Citadel; and the University of South Carolina. 

Degree(s): PhD, MSN, MA, BSN, Nursing 

Diploma 

Place of Employment and Position: Associate 

Professor at the University of Central Florida 

Professional Organizational Activities: Current 

FNA Treasurer; FLN Board member (2014 – 2016); 

NLN Board of Governors (2008 – 2014). 

Directors at Large (Regional) 

Northwest Region 

Suzanne (Suzie) Farthing 

For the position of: Northwest 

Region Director 

If elected as the FNA’s 

Northwest Region’s Director, I’ll 

work diligently to support and 

promote our beloved profession, 

the association, and its causes. 

I’ll also work to increase 

membership while engaging our 

region’s members. I believe every nurse matters, 

and the FNA is the way our united voices are 

heard. 

Region: Northwest – Pensacola 

School(s) of Nursing: Walden University 

(Graduating June 2015); Pensacola Junior College 

Degree(s): RN-MSN, ASN 

Place of Employment and Position: I am a 

MSN education student (graduating June 2015) 

preparing to transition into a nurse educator role 

in the next few months. My nursing experience 

includes: Emergency department, Step-down/ 

Critical Care, Medical-Surgical, Cardiac Care. 

Professional Organizational Activities: FNA 

Northwest Region Member 

North Central Region 

Marsha Martin 

For the position of: North 

Central Region Director 

I would like to continue to 

represent the North Central 

Region at the state level. I would 

also like to continue to work on 

growing the Region. 

Region: North Central - 

Gainesville 

School(s) of Nursing: Albert Einstein School of 

Nursing 

Degree(s): Nursing Diploma 

Place of Employment and Position: Shands 

Healthcare, Surgical Trauma ICU, staff nurse and 

charge nurse 

Professional Organizational Activities: Current 

President, Shands Bargaining Unit (executive 

committee position) (2012-Present); FNA North 

Central Region Director (2013-2015), LERC Chair, 

FNA Staff Nurse SIG Chair (facilitator); Co-chair 

FNA Workforce Violence Taskforce; FNA Ebola 

Taskforce; Florida Center for Nursing Director; 

ANA’s Department of Health, Safety and Wellness 

Council Representative. 

Northeast Region 

Doreen Perez 

For the position of: Northeast 


As a registered nurse, 

who supports professional 

organization membership, I 

believe working within an 

organization such as Florida 

Nurses Association can make 

a difference in the professional 

lives of our nurses and our community’s health. 

As a nurse, I have always had a voice but being a 

member of FNA my voice is louder and stronger. 

If elected as Director, I would work to increase 

membership and participation both locally and 

statewide. 

Region: Northeast - Duval 

School(s) of Nursing: University of North 

Florida; University of the State of New York 

Degree(s): Masters in Health Promotion; BSN, 

ASN 

Place of Employment and Position: University 

of North Florida; Director of Student Health 

Services 


Northeast Region Leadership Committee; FN 

Political Action Committee (FNPAC); American 

College Health Association (ACHA): Past 

President and annual meeting program planner; 

International Society of Travel Medicine Nursing 

Interest group; ACHA Chair of Nursing section 

(exp. 5/15). 

East Central Region 

Janice Hess 

For the position of: East 

Central Region Director 

I strongly believe that 

professional organization 

membership requires member 

participation in supporting 

the mission and goal of that 

organization. Therefore, if 

elected as East Central Regional 

Director, I will act as liaison between the board 

and members regarding regional activity while 

soliciting member input in a manner that offers 

them a voice in their professional organization 

and its advocacy efforts. 

Region: East Central – Volusia 

School(s) of Nursing: University of Florida; 

Southern Missionary College; Brigham Young 

University; Orange Memorial School of Nursing 

Degree(s): DNP, FNP-BC, ARNP, MSN, BSN, 

Adult NP Certificate, RN Diploma Program 

Place of Employment and Position: ARNP 

Daytona VA Outpatient Clinic; Clinical Director 

(Volunteer) Good Samaritan Clinic 

Professional Organizational Activities: Chair 

of Volusia – Flagler Advanced Nursing Council; 

FNPAC Legislative Coordinator (Volusia/East 

Central Region); FNA Health Policy SIG member; 

FNPAC Board member; Vice Chair FNPAC; Florida 

Nurses Association Foundation Board Member; 

Florida Coalition for Advanced Practice Nurses; 

CCNE Clinical team member for College of 

Nursing accreditation visits. 

West Central Region 

Lisa Fussell 

For the position of: West 

Central Region Director. 

I would like to increase 

communication, involvement, 

and membership within the West 

Central Region. I would also like 

to increase collaboration with 

other regions within the state. 

Region: West Central - Polk 

School(s) of Nursing: Polk State College, 

University of South Florida 

Degree(s): BSN, ASN 

Place of Employment and Position: Lakeland 

Regional Health Systems, ICU, Staff RN 


Lobby Days 2012 & 2014; FNA Membership 

Assembly 2014; FNA Bylaws Committee 

Chairperson 2013-2014 and 2014-2015; and FNA 

member since 2012. 

Southeast Region 

Deborah Hogan 

For the position of: Southeast 


Having served in this position 

for the past two years, I would 

like to continue to represent 

the nursing members in the 

Southeast Region, working with 

them to offer local programs and 

keeping the members updated on 

FNA issues and activities. I hope to build on what 

we have done in the past two years.


Region: Southeast – West Palm Beach 

School(s) of Nursing: Mastin School of Nursing; 

Medical College of Georgia; Tulane School of 

Public Health 

Degree(s): MPH, BSN, RN Diploma 

Place of Employment and Position: Department 

of Health, Palm Beach County – Community 

Health Nursing Consultant 


Regional Director & Board Member – Southeast 

Region (2013-2015); FNA Ebola Committee; 

President, State Employees Health Care 

Professionals Bargaining Unit; President, LERC 

(2013-Present). 

Southwest Region 

Theresa Morrison 

For the position of: Southwest 


As liaison between the FNA 

Board and the Southwest Region, 

I will continue our legacy of 

offering social events, legislative 

events, and address other 

important issues of our members. 

Together, we can increase FNA 

membership, support nurse leaders within the 

region, and promote, protect, and grow the nursing 

profession. 

Region: Southwest – Naples 

School(s) of Nursing: Duquesne University; 

Vanderbilt University; University of Maryland 

Degree(s): PhD, Post Master’s Certification 

Education, MSN CNS, BSN 

Place of Employment and Position: NCH 

Healthcare System Clinical Nurse Specialist 


Organized Collier County Legislative Forum 2015; 

Co-founder Collier County FNA; SWONE Collier 

County Director; TAU Zeta STTI Leadership 

Succession (Chairman); FNA Workforce Advocacy 

Committee 2014 (Chair); CCRAB Florida Cancer 

Control & Research Advisory Council; CNS –SIG 

co-founder and co-leader; International Society of 

Nurse Geneticists ANCC Content Reviewer. 

South Region 

Debra Hain 

For the position of: South 


As an active member of 

FNA South Region for 6 

years, I realize the value of 

strong leadership and team 

collaboration as a way to achieve 

success. My future goals include 

continuing current successful 

initiatives and working with members to discover 

other opportunities to increase and maintain 

membership. 

Region: South – Broward 

School(s) of Nursing: Florida Atlantic 

University; Florida International University; 

Gateway Technical College - Wisconsin 

Degree(s): PhD in Nursing, Doctor of Nursing 

Science, MS in Nursing Gerontological Nurse 

Practitioner, Post-Master’s for Adult Nurse 

Practitioner, BSN, BA in Management and 

Communication, Associate Degree in Nursing 

Place of Employment and Position: Florida 

Atlantic University, Christine E. Lynn College 

of Nursing, Associate Professor, Lead AGNP 

Faculty; Cleveland Clinic Florida, Department of 

Nephrology, Nurse Practitioner 


Volunteer leader of FNA South Region Leadership 

Council; FNA South Region Legislative Liaison; 

Florida Chapter President of the Gerontological 

Advanced Practice Association; South Florida 

Flamingo Chapter President of the American 

Nephrology Nurses Association; Research 

Committee Chair for the American Nurses 

Nephrology Nurses Association; Member of the 

Geriatric Advisory Board, American Society of 

Nephrology; Member Renal Standing Committee, 

National Quality Forum. 

Lolita McCarthy 

For the position of: South 


I have been a member of the 

voluntary council for South 

Region for the past two years. 

I admire and applaud the 

leadership of the current South 

Region Director and would like 

the opportunity to take the South 

Region to the next level of service for our nursing 

colleagues. 

Region: South - Miami 

School(s) of Nursing: Barry University, 

University of Phoenix, University of South Florida 

Degree(s): PhD in Nursing, MSN, MBA, BSN, 

AA 

Place of Employment and Position: University 

of Southernmost Florida, Instructor of Nursing 


South Region Volunteer Council; FNA Ethics SIG; 

FNA Ebola Taskforce; ANA; STTI-Lambda Chi 

Chapter – Treasurer since 2013. 

Nominating Committee (Elect 5) 

Camille Baldwin 

For the position of: 

Nominating Committee 

This position is an 

opportunity to serve and become 

more involved in the local and 

state nursing community. This 

opportunity will allow me 

to grow my leadership skills 

and pursue my passion for the 

nursing profession. I want to see the Florida nurse 

become a more united and cohesive group to bring 

positive change to our profession. 

Region: Southwest – Fort Myers 

School(s) of Nursing: West Texas A & M 

University, Florida Atlantic University, Nova 

Southeastern (current for EdD) 

Degree(s): MSN, BSN, 

Place of Employment and Position: Nova 

Southeastern University 

Professional Organizational Activities: Sigma 

Theta Tau membership committee and chapter 

delegate (Upsilon Chi); FNA; ANA; NLN: Kappa 

Delta PI International Education Honor Society. 

Mary Lou Brunell 



It is important to have a full 

slate of qualified candidates from 

which members may choose 

when they submit their votes. My 

past experience and positions 

held provides a good source of 

information for the work of the 

nominating committee. 

Region: East Central - Orange 

School(s) of Nursing: University of 

Pennsylvania; Kent State University 

Degree(s): MSN, BSN 

Place of Employment and Position: Florida 

Center for Nursing; Executive Director 


Past Treasurer; FNA Past President; Chair of the 

Constituent Assembly; ANA Board Member. 

Shannon Hiser 



Leadership begins with the 

Nominating Committee. In 

my 25 years of nursing, I have 

demonstrated ethical, impartial 

judgment. I am a strong advocate 

for integrity and ethical behavior 

and have served on the facility 

Ethics and Compliance Committee and chaired a 

bio-ethics committee. I represent a large portion of 

nurses that may not necessarily be at the bedside 

but still provide strong clinical skills and patientcentered 

care. 

Region: North Central - Leon 

School(s) of Nursing: University of Phoenix; St. 

Luke’s Hospital School of Nursing 

Degree(s): BSN, Diploma 

Place of Employment and Position: HCA 

North Florida Division; Division Director of Case 

Management/Clinical Documentation Integrity/ 

Denials 

Professional Organizational Activities: Case 

Management Society of America, American Case 

Manager. 

Mavra Kear 

For the position of: Nominating 

Committee 

Recognizing future leaders 

is essential to the continued 

existence and success of any 

organization. As a member of the 

nominating committee, I will 

draw on my experience in various 

state offices to help identify FNA 

members with leadership potential. I commit to 

consider diligently the qualities of all applicants. 

Region: West Central 

School(s) of Nursing: University of South 

Florida; University of Florida 

Degree(s): PhD, MSN, BSN 

Place of Employment and Position: Peace River 

Center, Nurse Practitioner 


President (2011 – 2013); FNA Treasurer (2009 – 

2011); FNA Director at Large (2005-2009); ANA 

Delegate (2013, 2012, 2010). 

VACANT 

For the position of: Nominating Committee 

www.frontier.edu/FLnurse


Considering Mindfulness Practice 

as a Primary Intervention for 

Bullying and Burnout of Nurses 

Alisa LaPolt 

Legislation that would more tightly regulate 

assisted living facilities and require psychiatric 

nurses to be advanced registered nurse 

practitioners are among the few bills that passed 

during a tumultuous session of the Florida 

Legislature. 

The bills were among 231 that passed both 

the House and Senate before the House abruptly 

adjourned its session April 28, three days before 

the scheduled end of the session. 

HB 1001 provides more oversight for assisted 

living facilities and removes language that allows 

the Department of Health to limit by rule what functions a registered nurse 

can perform in these facilities. The legislation was sponsored by Rep. Larry 

Ahern and Sen. Eleanor Sobel. 

HB 335 by Rep. Rene Plasencia and co-sponsored by Sen. Grimsley gives 

psychiatric nurses the ability to examine and release individuals who 

have been Baker Acted, so long as they have a protocol agreement with a 

psychiatrist. Psychiatric nurses under this new law must be a certified 

ARNP who has a master’s or doctoral degree in psychiatric nursing, holds 

a national advanced practice certification as a psychiatric mental health 

advanced practice nurse, and has two years of post-clinical experience 

under a psychiatrist. 

After much research and conversations with hospitals, universities, ARNP 

groups, RNs and others, FNA took a neutral position on this legislation due 

to the indeterminate effect on psychiatric registered nurses who would need 

new ARNP certification. The FNA also recognized that psychiatric ARNPs 

would have new authority under this bill. 

The two bills are on their way to the governor for his consideration. 

Meanwhile, the Legislature has called a special session June 1-20 to consider 

a state budget. Lawmakers failed to pass a budget during their regular 60- 

day session due to disagreements over payments to hospitals to offset charity 

care and funding to make an additional 800,000 uninsured residents eligible 

for Medicaid health plan coverage. 

The good news is that HB 281, which would allow nurse practitioners to 

prescribe controlled substances, made the short list of bills that lawmakers 

will address during the special session. HB 281 is sponsored by Rep. Cary 

Pigman, and a similar bill was filed in the Senate by Sen. Denise Grimsley. 

Other noteworthy actions: 

• SB 1252 by Sen. Kelli Stargel attempted to limit four-year degree 

programs at community colleges by placing 5 percent cap on the 

number of students who could enroll in a baccalaureate program. This 

would have adversely affected future nursing programs at a time when 

a national movement is underway for 80 percent of RNs to have their 

BSNs by 2020. The bill was among those that died during the regular 

session. 

• In the wake of media reports and legislation addressing lax oversight 

of inmate health services, the FNA advocated for taking that function 

away from contracted providers and putting it back into the hands 

of state employees. Lawmakers continued to move forward with 

legislation that increased oversight of inmate health services and other 

prison activities (HB 7131), but that bill was among the casualties of the 

aborted legislative session. 

• House Speaker Crisafulli dropped plans to pursue legislation that 

would have shifted new state employees from traditional pension 

plans into 401k-style plans. This decision came after an actuarial study 

showed that the move would be more costly to the state. 

• The FNA - pursued SB 1342 by Sen. Oscar Braynon would have 

established a nurse staffing committee in each hospital; requiring the 

hospital to post and publicize the nurse staffing plan and schedule, etc. 

This bill did not get off the ground. We anticipate further discussions 

about this bill and look forward to continuing this effort. 

Jennifer Meighan Hanson-Englis 

BSN-RN, LMT, CDT 

As voiced in the February and March 2015 

publications of The Florida Nurse, nurse burnout 

and work place bullying continue to plague 

nursing. The stress of our profession is no 

surprise to those of us in practice regardless of 

environment. This stress can cause professional 

nurses to unintentionally create work 

environments less than conducive to professional 

health. It is not enough to simply say we need to 

stop, or not stand for these maladaptive behaviors. 

In patient care, we know we must offer tools to 

patients to help themselves. I ask are we formally 

embracing tools of self care, and if not, why? I 

ask us to consider, could we be violating our own 

ethics, in that we are not giving to ourselves what 

we give to our patients, proper nursing process (2015, ANA). 

I began asking myself about interventions for these issues. I believe that 

mindfulness training and practice in nurse education has the potential 

to elevate our practice through intentional development of critical 

thinking (CT), empathy for patients, each other, and ourselves, resulting 

in sustainable conscientious nursing practice. Recent research shows that 

healthcare professionals trained in mindfulness practices and strategies 

experienced improved empathy, reduction in burnout, improved attitude, 

and better patient relationships (Asuero, 2014). Cognitive based compassion 

training (CBCT) with the Emory-Tibet Partnership in 2014 (Emory-Tibet, 

2015), has aided students and professionals alike in learning how to 

create and maintain stable nervous systems, more conducive empathy 

development, and exercising critical thinking. 

In nurse education, these holistic health management techniques such as 

meditation are touched on, but the underlying principles, which cultivate 

CT and its many gifts, are not consistently required by nursing curriculum 

to be practiced or demonstrated as students proceed through clinical or 

theory experiences. Consequently, when stress presents, colleagues resort 

to old coping mechanisms including bullying, blaming, or group mind 

biases. But, why? I assert it is because the behavior was never changed in 

the formation of the graduate nurse. We failed in our own process of Assess, 

Diagnose, Plan, Implement, and Evaluate. 

We can now take this opportunity to cultivate, teach, and exemplify 

behaviors of awareness, reflection, perspective taking, and collaboration, 

and to self-assess before we criticize. Until we address the causes of 

bullying and burnout, the symptoms will persist. By utilizing therapeutic 

behaviors with each other, including empathy development, perspective 

taking, and assertive communication, we can see our practice environments 

transform. Burnout and bullying can become part of our past. 

Jennifer is a graduate of UCF and SSC with a practice background in 

Home Health. She also teaches LPN and RN students at Med Tech Institute, 

Orlando, and plans to begin her MSN with UCF in the Spring of 2016. 

Jennifer enjoys engaging her students and inspiring them to know the power 

of nursing, by understanding their role as nurses and to keep their vision 

fresh regarding why nursing has chosen them as members of our profession. 

References 

American Nurses Association (2015). Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive 

Statements. Retrieved from: http://www.nursingworld.org/MainMenuCategories/ 

EthicsStandards/CodeofEthicsforNurses/Code-of-Ethics-For-Nurses.html. 

Asuero, A. Q.-R.-B. (2014). Effectiveness of a Mindfulness Education Program in 

Primary Health Care Professionals: A Pragmatic Controlled Trial. Journal of 

Continuing Education In The Health Professions, 4-12. 

Emory-Tibet Partnership (2015). Cognitive Based Compassion Training. Retrieved 

from: http://tibet.emory.edu/cognitively-based-compassion-training/history/ 

index.html, 

RN to BSN Program 

Our BSN program is nationally accredited by the Commission 

on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and is predominantly 

online. 10 three-credit hour courses taught in 7 weeks 

semesters. Clinical experiences are conveniently scheduled. 

On-campus experiences are published a year in advance so 

students can easily schedule work/personal activities. 

The coursework content includes transitioning to 

professional practice, culture, advanced health assessment, 

pharmacology, research, ethics, leadership and management, 

global finance, community health, and population-based 

nursing across the lifespan. 

www.sfcollege.edu/healthsciences/


Shirley Hill 

Regional Director 

hillshirley313@gmail. 

com 

Volusia, Lake, Seminole, 

Orange, Osceola, Brevard, 

Flagler, Sumter Counties 

East Central Region Update 

Marsha Martin 


mamartin74@aol. 

com 

Leon, Wakulla, Jefferson, 

Madison, Taylor, Hamilton, 

Suwannee, Lafayette, 

Dixie, Columbia, Union, 

Gilchrist, Alachua, Levy, 

Marion, Gadsen, Citrus, 

Bradford Counties 

A full room at the 2015 North Central Region 

Conference: Survival Tools for the Passionate Nurse. 

The past few months have been busy with 

members preparing to participate in activities at 

the capital for the legislative session. Reports are 

that we had good representation and members 

were enthusiastic about the meetings. 

There was a good turnout at the Orlando Magic 

game and the CE offering on March 22, 2015. 

Linda Henning, UCF Adjunct Professor, got the 

attendees out of their chairs and “Shaking It Off” 

to Taylor Swift’s video. She stressed that dance 

can improve mental and physical health. 

We continue to have meetings quarterly at the 

FNA office in Orlando, at which we have good 

participation, and members are appreciative of 

the CE offerings. I would like to thank Marti 

Hanushick for serving as the event coordinator 

for the Orlando area and appreciate the time and 

preparation for each meeting. She has done an 

outstanding job! 

In celebration of Nurses Week, on May 6, 2015, 

we had a dinner meeting at Stonewood Grill and 

Tavern in Ormond Beach, FL. This was sponsored 

by Grand Canyon University, and we appreciate 

their support for our organization. 

As always, I encourage members in different 

areas of the Region to plan meetings in order 

to network with other members. If you have an 

idea and are interested, please contact me at 

hillshirley313@gmail.com. I would be glad to 

assist you. 

Please watch the calendar on the FNA website 

for upcoming events. 

I hope everyone has a great summer! Be safe. 

North Central Region Update 

Over seventy persons attended the Fourth 

Annual FNA North Central Region Conference 

at Advent Christian Village Conference Center 

in Suwannee County on April 11, 2015. The 

conference topic was Survival Tools for the 

Passionate Nurse. Four outstanding speakers, 

Cynthia Mikos, Alisa LaPolt, Paula Johns, and 

Rose Rivers, shared their time and expertise with 

the group. Attendees were allotted dedicated time 

for speaking to fifteen poster presenters. Posters 

were presented by faculty from the North Central 

Region, senior honors students, and graduate 

students. Regional leaders are grateful to all 

who assisted and attended this conference and 

especially to FNA staff who provided invaluable 

office support. 

Attendees allotted time to visit 15 

poster presenters. 

Regional News continued on page 10 

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Florida Nurses 

Leadership 

Academy 

Regional News continued from page 9 

Denise McNulty, RN 

The Florida Nurses Leadership 

Academy (FNLA) is a partnership 

program of the Florida Nurses 

Association (FNA) and the Florida 

Nurses Foundation (FNF) with the 

purpose of developing future nursing 

leaders. The goal is to provide tools, 

education, and opportunities to 

registered nurses to assist them 

in becoming active members and 

skillful leaders in the Florida Nurses 

Association. 

The FNA Leadership Development 

Committee was restructured and 

charged with the task for revamping the 

FNLA. The Committee Members are: 

Denise McNulty, Murielle Joseph, Rose 

Rivers, and Palma Iacovitti. 

The Committee revised the FNLA 

application, eligibility criteria, and 

expectations at the end of 2014 and are 

pleased and proud to announce that we 

have six Florida Registered Nurses who 

have been selected for the 2015 Florida 

Nurses Leadership Academy! 

The six FNLA Nurses are: Jennifer 

Avros (Southwest Region), Marlene 

Brennen (Southeast Region), Pamela 

Delano (Northeast Region), Carmen 

“Vicky” Framil (South Region), Marc 

Rupp (West Central Region), and 

Debra Stiffler (Northeast Region). 

Congratulations to our six FNLA 

Nurses! We are all very proud of you! 

We would also like to thank six 

Nursing Leaders who have agreed to 

serve as Mentors for the six FNLA 

Nurses: 

• Patricia Posey-Goodwin (Mentor for 

Jennifer Avros) 

• Linda Howe (Mentor for Marlene 

Brennen) 

• Leah Kinnaird (Mentor for Pamela 

Delano) 

• Sue Hartranft (Mentor for Carmen 

“Vicky” Framil) 

• Ed Briggs (Mentor for Marc Rupp) 

• Marsha Martin (Mentor for Debra 

Stiffler) 

As part of the enhancements for the 

FNLA, each Leadership Development 

Committee Member has adopted a 

Mentor/Mentee to serve as additional 

support if needed throughout the year. 

We wish our FNLA Nurses all the 

very best as you embark on this new 

journey! 

Doreen Perez 


doreen4910@ 

gmail.com 

Patricia Posey- 

Goodwin 


ppgoodwin@uwf. 

edu 

Baker, Bradford, Clay, 

Duval, Nassau, Putnam, 

St. Johns Counties 

Northeast Region Update 

The Northeast Region nurses of FNA would like 

to thank Doreen Perez for stepping up and filling 

the Director’s position left vacant when Dr. Dan 

Berman resigned. We would also like to wish Dan 

well in his future endeavors. 

The Leadership team met on April 30 and 

developed new goals for the next year. The 

main goal discussed was to encourage greater 

participation from the nurses in the Northeast 

Region. 

The leadership team would like to wish all 

nurses in our region a very special “Nurses day” 

and to encourage them to get involved in some of 

the opportunities we are planning to increase our 

networking events. 

Our next educational event which was 

scheduled for June 13 has been postponed to 

the end of July to give the team more time for 

planning. 

Guest speakers will address nursing ethics, 

evidence based practice, and preparation for the 

FNA Assembly in September 2015. 

Please log on to FNA‘s Region website for 

updates and announcements of local meetings. 

Escambia, Santa Rosa, 

Okaloosa, Walton, 

Holmes, Washington, 

Jackson, Calhoun, Gulf, 

Liberty, Franklin, Bay 

Counties 

Northwest Region Update 

Things are happening in Northwest Region. The 

2nd annual NW FL FNA Region mini conference, 

featuring Nontraditional Nursing in Northwest 

Florida, was a success. Members want to keep 

it going, making it an annual event. Conference 

planners are already looking for speakers for next 

year. If you are interested in presenting, please 

let Patricia know at ppgoodwin@uwf.edu. Plans 

are on the table for region activities beginning 

September 2015 for the region. We hope to have 

a group attend the Membership conference in 

September and have several activities during 

the year in the various regions. Please let Suzie 

Farthing know (suzie.onelovefornursing@gmail. 

com) if you are interested in hosting a FNA region 

activity. We plan to have a NW FNA Facebook 

and Twitter account up soon. Welcome, Jacquelyn 

Stalnaker, as the new NW FL FNA Legislative 

liaison. She is already busy planning an activity 

to help the legislators in the panhandle become 

acquainted with issues related to nursing practice 

and the needs of those we serve. 

Jill Tahmooressi 


Jill.Tahmooressi@ 

mch.com 

Broward, Monroe, Miami- 

Dade Counties 

South Region 

The South Region conducted the 5th Annual 

South Region Florida Nurses Association 

Symposium and Awards Ceremony on April 

11, 2015 in Davie Florida with 300+ registered 

nurses and nursing students. The Symposium 

offered a value packed experience with 25 

vendors in attendance; 35 peer-reviewed 

scientific research, evidence based practice and 

review of the literature posters; net-working; 

scholarships; awards; and a two hour content 

hour presentation. The Key note address 

“Translating Magnet Standards into Practice: 

Enhancing the Work Environment through 

Service-Academic Partnerships” by Mary Jo Assi, 

DNP, RN, NEA-BC, FNP- BC; Director of Nursing 

Practice and Work Environment, American 

Nurses Association; was followed by a panel 

contribution by Lynne M. Dunphy, PhD, APRN, 

FAAN; The Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing 

Florida Atlantic University; Beverly M. Fray, RN, 

MSN, PHCNS-BC, Jackson Health System; Amy 

Pettigrew, PhD, RN, CNE, ANEF, Dean, Benjamin 

Leon School of Nursing Miami Dade College; & 

Leah Kinnaird, EdD, RN, President Elect, Florida 

Nurses Association. 

Florida Nurses Association President, 

Edward Briggs, DNP, MS, ARNP, FNP, addressed 

the participants as well as the voluntary 

South Region Leadership Council served in 

contributing roles resulting in an extraordinary 

day of nursing pride and professionalism: 

South Region FNA 

Voluntary Leadership Council 

Alina Diaz-Cruz, MSN, RN, Member of South 

Region FNA Awards Selection Committee 

Peggy Davis, DHSc, MSN, MEd, RN, Member 

of South Region FNA Awards Selection, Poster & 

Scholarship Committees 

Ann-Lynn Denker, PhD, ARNP, Chair South 

Region FNA autumn Advocacy- Health Policy 

event 

Marie Etienne, DNP, ARNP, PLNC, Member of 

South Region FNA Program Selection Committee 

Sheree Mundy, MSN, BSc, ARNP, Member of 

South Region FNA Awards Selection Committee 

Steadley Foster, MSN/Ed., FNP, Chair of South 

Region FNA Program Selection Committee 

Debra Hain, PhD, ARNP, AGNP-BC, FAANP, 

South Region FNA Legislative Liaison & Chair of 

South Region FNA Poster Selection Committee 

Leah Kinnaird, EdD, RN President Elect FNA, 

Chair South Region FNA Vendor Committee 

Lolita McCarthy, PhD, MBA-HCM, RN, 

Member of South Region FNA Awards Selection 

Committee 

Patricia R. Messmer, PhD, RN-BC, FAAN, 

Chair The Nurses Charitable Trust, Chair Florida 

Nurses Foundation & Member of South Region 

FNA Scholarship Selection Committee 

Elizabeth Olafson, MSN, MSEd, RN-BC, Chair 

of South Region FNA Scholarship Selection 

Committee 

Carol Petrozella, MSN, MSEd, EdD, RN, Chair 

Contact Hour Program award 

Barbara Russell, BSHSA, MPH, RN, CIC Vice 

President FNA, Member of South Region FNA 

Scholarship Selection Committee 

Karen Sinclair, MSN, MBA, RN, South Region 

FNA Activity Manager, Member of South Region 

FNA Awards Selection Committee


Jill Tahmooressi, MBA, BSN, RN-BC, NCSN, 

South Region Director 

Maxine Jacobowitz, BSN, RN, CPN, Chair of 

South Region Gifts Committee 

Gene Majka, MS, ARNP, Retired Honorary, 

Photographer 

The keynote address was sponsored by The 

Nurses Charitable Trust. New this year was 

the announcement of a five year exclusive Gold 

Level Sponsorship of the South Region, Florida 

Nurses Association Annual 

Symposium and Award 

Ceremony by: 

Rotation Manager makes 

clinical rotations easy and 

compliant by bringing 

students, hospitals and colleges 

to one unified platform. Schools cut down on 

operational costs, hospitals increase compliance 

with Joint Commission standards, and students 

are provided with a portfolio to manage their 

clinical experience. 

“If you have clinical rotations, you need 

Rotation Manager.” 

Max Cacchione, President and CEO 

6850 Coral Way, Suite 405 • Miami, FL, 33155 

Phone: (888) 670-2234 • Rotationmanager.com 

Key note presenter Mary Jo Assi, ANA, pictured with Miami Dade College Benjamin Leon School of 

Nursing symposium participants. 

The scholarship awards presentation was 

funded by the following, Royce Foundation 

Academic Nursing Scholarships, Nurses 

Charitable Trust Academic Nursing Scholarship, 

and the Dr. Sarah Fishman Memorial 

Scholarships with five fortunate student 

recipients. The program culminated in the South 

Region Florida Nurses Association 2015 Nursing 

Excellence Awards: 

Community Action Award 

Recipient, Yolanda Niti, Miami Dade College 

Benjamin Leon School of Nursing, Finalists: 

Maxine Jacobowitz, Nicklaus Children’s Hospital 

formally Miami Children’s Hospital & Mureen L. 

Shaw, Barry University College of Nursing and 

Health Sciences. 

Registered Nurse Practice Award 

Recipient, Emily Zubiria, Nicklaus Children’s 

Hospital formally Miami Children’s Hospital, 

Finalists: Marlene Cuellar, Nicklaus Children’s 

Hospital formally Miami Children’s Hospital, 

Melissa Gomez, Doctors Hospital Baptist Health 

South Florida and Marjorie Lozama, Coventry 

Worker’s Compensation Services. 

Nursing Leader Administration/ Academia 

Award 

Recipient, Deborah Hill-Rodriguez, Nicklaus 

Children’s Hospital formally Miami Children’s 

Hospital 

Advanced Practice Nursing Award 

Recipients, Katty Guevara, Doctors Hospital 

Baptist Health South Florida and Debra Hain, 

Cleveland Clinic Florida Consultant/ Florida 

Atlantic University, Finalist, Mutessa Murra, 

West Kendall Baptist Hospital Baptist Health 

South Florida 

Nurse Educator Award 

Recipients, Claudette Chin, Barry University 

College of Nursing and Health Sciences and 

Andres Caiaffa, Miami Dade College Benjamin 

Leon School of Nursing, Finalists, Triffina Brown, 

Broward Health Medical Center, Anne Dahnke, 

Florida Atlantic University, Elena Ortega, 

Nicklaus Children’s Hospital formally Miami 

Children’s Hospital 

Nurse Researcher Award 

Recipient, Tanya Cohn, West Kendall Baptist 

Hospital Baptist Health South Florida 

Promoting Environment for Excellence in 

Nursing Award 

Recipients, Victoria McCue, West Kendall 

Baptist Hospital Baptist Health South Florida, 

Chest Pain Clinical Decision Unit, Broward 

Center Left: Mary Jo Assi, ANA Keynote Presenter; Center Right: Jill Tahmooressi, 2015 South Region 

Nurse of the Year with South Region Voluntary Leadership Council Members. 

Health Medical Center, Finalist, Eva Mirtra, West 

Kendall Baptist Hospital Baptist Health South 

Florida 

2015 Outstanding Nurse of Year Award 

Jill Tahmooressi, Nicklaus Children’s Hospital 

formally Miami Children’s Hospital. 

SAVE THE DATE: 

South Region Florida Nurses Legislative 

and Healthcare Advocacy Event 

Columbus Day Nursing Advocacy & 

Legislative Action Meeting. 

Time: 6-8 pm light dinner. 

No charge. 

Monday October 12, 2015 

Nicklaus Children’s Hospital formally 

Miami Children’s Hospital Auditorium 

3100 SW 62nd Avenue 

Miami, FL 33155 

Deborah Hogan 


capitallass@ 

hotmail.com 

Indian River, Okeechobee, 

St. Lucie, Martin, Palm 

Beach Counties 

Southeast Region Update 

We invite all of our nurse colleagues who live in 

the Southeast Region, who belong to FNA, to join 

us on our monthly call on the first Tuesday of each 

month. During these calls, we plan activities for 

our Region, like our Legislative Forum in January, 

and our Nurses Day Program on Nursing Ethics 

that was held on May 7 at FAU with our guest 

speaker, Jill Winland-Brown. 

We also discuss all the activities that FNA 

has planned, so you can be involved on both 

the Regional and State level. For example, our 

Membership Assembly is coming up in September 

2015. We look forward to talking with you and 

having you join our FNA Nursing family! 

Regional News continued on page 12


Regional News continued from page 11 

Denise McNulty 


dmcnultyrn@ 

cs.com 

Hendry, Glades, Lee, 

Collier, Charlotte Counties 

Southwest Region 

Hope everyone had a great Nurses Week 2015! 

The Southwest Region hosted a special Dinner 

Meeting in honor of National Nurses Week on May 

6, 2015 at Moorings Park in Naples. Over 100 FNA 

Members and their Guests attended the Dinner! 

Currently Hiring for PRN shifts and local contracts: 

RN: $33-$40 per hour • Case Managers $50 per Visit 

Elite offers FREE Health Insurance, PTO, voluntary dental, 

vision, life and disability insurance and many other benefits. 

Apply online at www.elitemedicalstaffing.net 

or call 407-865-7999 for more information. 

For information regarding Case Manager positions, 

please call 800-381-1458. 

*Interested in a Travel Assignment? Call our Travel Department at 580-336-2200 

The evening began with an opportunity for 

networking followed by a brief meeting and 

dinner. Nancy Dion, RN shared inspiring words 

to remind our Southwest Florida nurses of the 

importance of giving tribute to our local nurses 

who leave this world and the wonderful legacy 

that they leave behind for all of us to reflect on. 

In paying respect to our colleagues, we have an 

opportunity to reflect on our own legacy and 

the legacy we aspire to leave the world and our 

profession. Our Community is fortunate to have 

the Nightingale Tribute Nurses Society to remind 

us of the need to remember those nurses who have 

passed. 

Our Keynote Speaker for the evening, Dr. 

Victoria Rich, PhD, RN, FAAN, former Chief Nurse 

Executive for the University of Pennsylvania 

Health System and current Faculty Member at the 

University of South Florida, presented “A Tribute 

to our Nurses from one of our Country’s Great 

Nursing Leaders.” Dr. Rich shared her wisdom 

and insight about our profession and a promising 

future! Dr. Rich is nationally recognized for her 

leadership in healthcare, business, and nursing 

education. We were truly honored to have Dr. Rich 

join us for this great celebration of our profession. 

Thank you Dr. Rich for all that you do for Nursing! 

If you live or work in Lee, Collier, Charlotte, 

Hendry, or Glades Counties, please consider 

joining FNA Southwest Region. We have a great 

group of nurses who support one another and 

our profession. Our focus is on networking, 

professional development, and celebrating 

with our Members! Enjoying time together and 

learning with nursing colleagues outside of the 

work environment can be very motivating and 

inspiring. Giving back to our profession in the 

spirit of service can be very rewarding! 

Sue Hartranft 


suehartranft@ 

yahoo.com 

Hernando, Pasco, Pinellas, 

Hillsbourough, Polk, Manatee, 

Sarasota, Highlands, Citrus, 

DeSoto Counties 

West Central Region 

The West Central Region celebrated Nurses Week 

with a new and a traditional activity. The new 

event was a repeat showing of the documentary The 

American Nurse at Sundial Theatres in St Petersburg 

on May 6. Approximately, 15 people attended to view 

this documentary, which follows 5 nurses as they go 

about their daily work. This was my second viewing 

of the film, and I found myself moved once again by 

this marvelous profession of nursing. 

Our traditional activity was a night with the 

Tampa Bay Rays, held May 11. Although I do not 

know the final count of health care attendees, I will 

say we were outnumbered by the Pinellas County 

Teachers group. Let’s see if we can beat the Teachers 

in attendance in 2016! 

On Friday May 8, I had the privilege of representing 

FNA at the pinning and hooding ceremony at the 

University of Tampa. I spoke briefly with the graduates 

about FNA, their professional organization, and urged 

them to join now and make it a life time commitment. 

I do hope one and all had a Happy Nurses Week.


Dealing with Mean Girls in Your Office? 

You’re Not Alone. 

Jeanie Demshar, Esq. 

I receive numerous 

calls from nurses 

and other health care 

professionals who are 

being bullied by their 

“mean girl” coworkers 

and/or supervisors. Do you sometimes feel like 

your workplace has converted to the hallways of 

your old middle school or high school? Maybe 

it’s a coworker who ignores you or won’t look you 

in the eyes. Maybe you aren’t invited to lunch or 

after-work gatherings. One thing is clear – some 

mean girls have grown up and left high school, 

but they have never changed. 

Woman-on-woman harassment is on the rise. 

Thirty-five percent of Americans reported being 

bullied at work, according to a 2010 survey by 

the Workplace Bullying Institute (WBI). Both 

men and women are very capable of unkind 

behavior. Men can be nasty to each other – and 

women, but their meanness is usually expressed 

overtly – by lashing out verbally or even 

physically. Female bullies, on the other hand, 

more frequently engage in covert, subtle, and 

indirect behaviors such as sabotage, abuse of 

authority, neglect, boycotting another employee’s 

ideas or projects, etc. A female coworker may 

be nice to a coworker but then cut her out of a 

project or roll her eyes when the person speaks. 

“A mean girl at work is a woman who 

practices some form of covert competition or 

indirect aggression toward another woman,” 

says Katherine Crowley, psychotherapist and 

co-author of “Mean Girls at Work: How to Stay 

Professional When Things Get Personal. 

Why do women pick women as their targets? 

Probably because we are our own worst enemies. 

One reason may be because we think we “can 

find a less confrontational person or someone 

less likely to respond to aggression with 

aggression,” says Gary Namie, research director 

for the WBI. 

Despite the different forms of meanness, 

consider the following strategies before you 

respond: 

Never counterattack. No matter what your 

coworker does or says, don’t roll your eyes at her 

or snap at her. Counter-attacking exacerbates the 

situation and locks you in a power struggle. 

Let your anger go. Find a way to neutralize 

your experience and let go of the toxins. Perhaps 

you need to release your negative feelings by 

exercising or by talking about the issue with a 

trusted friend or advisor outside of work. 

Do not make it personal. Respond in a way 

that addresses only the work issue. If a coworker 

doesn’t invite you to an important meeting, 

instead of yelling at her or ignoring her, try 

saying “It may not have been your intention to 

leave me out of this meeting, but in the future, 

please remember to include me.” 

The goal in handling any “mean girl” situation 

is to address the situation, which keeps you 

out of a power struggle. When in doubt, always 

take the high road. This takes some rehearsal or 

a study of good communication techniques. It 

might be helpful for you to take the time to write 

down some appropriate responses to negative 

behaviors and actual “practice” them aloud in 

exercises that can be called cognitive rehearsal. 

This has been shown to be helpful to nurses in 

some work environments. 

While researching this topic, I recognized 

that there are types of women who bring out my 

own mean girl. When women are rude to me, I 

have a tendency to be respond in kind. I learned 

that, while I consider myself to be a pleasant 

and reasonable person, there are women who 

bring out the darker side of my behavior, and my 

challenge is to respond in a professional manner. 

In order to be more effective, I encourage you 

to do the same. It is well documented in the 

nursing and in the human resources literature 

that this behavior not only affects the persons 

involved but can have a devastating impact on 

the safety and quality of care. 

If you have been a victim of a “mean girl” 

(or anyone inappropriate for that matter) in 

the workplace and would like to share your 

experience and stories with me, I can be reached 

at 407-896-3261 or by email at jdemshar@ 

floridanurse.org.


2015–2016 

Calendar of 

Events 

August 20, 2015 

East Central Region Meeting 

FNA Headquaters 

1235 E. Concord Street 

Orlando, FL 32830 

SEPTEMBER 11 - 12, 2015 

2015 FNA Membership Assembly 

World Golf Village Renaissance 

500 South Legacy Trail 

St. Augustine, FL 32092 

SEPTEMBER 30 - OCTOBER 1, 2015 

LERC Labor Institute 

B Resort & Spa 

1905 Hotel Plaza Blvd. 

Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830 

October 12, 2015 

South Region FL Nurses Legislative & 

Healthcare Advocacy Event 

Nicklaus Children’s Hospital 

3100 SW 62nd Ave. 

Miami, FL 33155 

OCTOBER 22 - 24, 2015 

2015 FNSA Convention 

Hilton Resort Oceanwalk Village 

100 N. Atlantic Ave. 

Daytona Beach, FL 32118 

JANUARY 19 - 20, 2016 

2016 FNA Advocacy Days 

Location TBD 

Tallahassee, FL 

BEING INVESTIGATED? ACCUSED OF DRUG DIVERSION? IPN? 

EMPLOYER ACCUSATION? LEGAL PROBLEMS? NEED ADVICE? 

Carole C. Schriefer, R.N. (Colo.), J.D. 

Member: The American Association of Nurse Attorneys ( TAANA) 

Carole’s practice concentrates on 

litigation in state and federal court 

as well as administrative agencies. 

Her nursing background and legal 

experience encompass health law, 

nursing law, professional licensing 

and credentialing matters, Board of 

Nursing representation, administrative 

hearings, contracts, licensure issues, 

corporate matters, transactional 

matters, Medicare and Medicaid 

audits, products liability litigation and criminal defense litigation. 

Statewide Task Force on Prescription 

Drug Abuse and Newborns Update: 

Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome 

Data Summary 

Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) is a 

condition experienced by neonates exposed to 

opioid prescription or illicit drugs during the 

prenatal period. Withdrawal symptoms usually 

occur 1-3 days post-delivery. With the increase 

in prescription drug abuse, the diagnosis of NAS 

statistically increased in prevalence across the 

state. In 2011, Governor Rick Scott signed the 

“anti-pill mill” bill (HB 7095) to put in place 

tougher criminal and administrative penalties for 

doctors and clinics distributing opioids. With the 

new law in place, the efforts of law enforcement 

and health care professional regulations reduced 

the rate of Florida doctors dispensing high 

quantities of oxycodone. 

In 2013, the Florida Legislature convened the 

Statewide Task Force on Prescription Drug Abuse 

and Newborns to better understand this problem. 

The task force was assigned to better understand 

the magnitude of the NAS epidemic, evaluate 

strategies, and develop policies to curtail the 

problem. Recommendations were to add NAS 

to the List of Reportable Diseases/Conditions in 

Florida and initiate a passive surveillance system 

of NAS. The purpose of the surveillance system 

was to investigate and document prevalence rates 

from 2011 through 2013 by selected maternal 

demographics. While these actions did not show 

drastic reductions, a stabilization of PRs was 

observed from 2011 through 2013. Results showed 

that infants born to white non-Hispanic women 

have the highest PR of NAS, as well as, births to 

women with less than high school education. NAS 

PRs by county revealed three areas of very high 

concern: north central to northeastern Florida, 

western panhandle, and southwest Florida. PRs 

in central, south, and eastern panhandle are 

low. Despite limitations, such as missing data 

report fields, the use of existing regulations 

allows community leaders to respond to local 

concerns and provides insight into the epidemic of 

prescription drug abuse and its effects on babies, 

especially those in high maternal risk populations. 

More investigation is needed to determine 

why high concern areas have such elevated 

rates of NAS and what can be implemented to 

reduce the prevalence. Future steps include 

exploring sensitivity, specificity, and bias that 

are potentially related to the use of a surveillance 

system for the identification of infants born with 

NAS in Florida (Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome 

Data Summary, 2015). For the full report, visit 

http://tinyurl.com/cwst9bu. 

2015 FNA Proposed Bylaws Changes 

Current Bylaw Proposed Change Rationale 

Article IV: Officers and Directors 

Section 2. Directors 

A. There shall be eight 

Directors representing each 

of eight Regions. 

B. The directors are elected 

by members and are 

accountable to the 

membership. 

Section 2. Directors 

A. There shall be eight 

Directors representing each 

of eight Regions and one 

additional Director who is 

a recent graduate. 

C. The directors are elected 

by members and are 

accountable to the 

membership. 


Section 5. Duties 

H. The Directors shall 



No current bylaw exists. 

Add section I. 


H. The Region Directors shall 



I. The Director - Recent 

Graduate shall: 

1. Be a recent graduate of a 

generic nursing program 

within five years or less. 

2. Serve as facilitator of the 

New Graduate Special 

Interest Group (SIG). 

3. Serve as liaison between 

the new graduates 

and the FNA Board of 

Directors. 

4. Coordinate activities for 

members who are recent 

graduates of their initial 

nursing program. 

5. Serve as a member of the 

Membership Committee. 

This mirrors ANA and provides 

an opportunity for new graduate 

participation and input. 

To delineate the recent graduate 

position from the existing 

directors. 

To add a position that 

specifically addresses the new 

graduate and creates function 

and involvement for this sector 

of the membership with specific 

needs. The five year span gives 

time for the graduate to have 

acclimated to work life. 

River Point 

Behavioral Health/ 

Wekiva Springs Center 

Are You Interested 

in Working in 

Psychiatric Nursing? 

FT, PT and PRN positions are available. 

Check out our openings at 

www.riverpointbehavioral.com or www.wekivacenter.com 

or contact Cathy Calhoun at 904-724-9202 ext. 3945 

By Appointment 

37 N. Orange Ave., Suite 500 

Orlando, FL 32801 

(407) 331-6620 

MAIN OFFICE 

1101 Douglas Avenue 

Altamonte Springs, FL 32714 

(407) 331-6620 

By Appointment 

201 E. Government St. 

Pensacola, FL 32502 

(850) 439-1001 

We look forward to talking with you about starting an 

exciting career with us! 

EOE/DFWP


Janice Hess, DNP, FNP-BC 

When Nursing 

Ethics is considered, 

nurses generally think 

of ethical practices 

related to working with 

patients and families. 

The revised Code of 

Nursing Ethics was 

recently published by 

the American Nurses 

Association (2015). 

The first provision of 

the revised Nursing 

Code of Ethics relates 

to the importance of maintaining compassion 

and respect for the dignity and unique attributes 

of every person (p. 8). The summary of the Code 

of Ethics provision is explained and defined 

well within the publication. However, it is 

not this writers intention to dwell so much on 

the individual components of nursing ethics 

rather, the purpose of this article is to generate 

a discussion regarding nursing ethics from a 

different perspective-that of how nurses treat 

each other. Do nurses practice an ethical approach 

to working with other nurses? Is there compassion 

and respect for our colleagues as we work 

together? Do our actions communicate the basic 

caring values of our profession to each other? 

Curtin (2015) raises an interesting question 

regarding what nurses owe each other, pointing 

out that often little attention is paid by nurses 

to the need for maintaining compassion and 

respect for each other. She comments “As a 

caring profession, nursing involves not only 

care for and of patients, but also care of and 

for nurses...although challenging, nurses 

professional interdependence demands a special 

relationship among them: one worthy of ethical 

reflection” (p. 50). Curtin’s discussion on this 

important component of nursing ethics, led 

this writer to reconsider an age old question 

Ethics and Nursing 

regarding the nursing profession being an 

oppressed profession undervalued by outside 

entities such as other healthcare professionals 

(doctors), organization, legislators and at times 

the public. Is the oppression externally generated 

or are we overlooking the importance of internal 

factors related to nurses actions toward each 

other? Devaluation and lack of respect by nurses 

regarding other nurses and at times the nursing 

profession can become evident when you take 

the time to listen to conversations of nursing 

colleagues. The divisions within the nursing 

profession can be subtle while at other times 

extremely obvious as you observe interactions 

of nurses. How nurses relate to one another is 

based on beliefs and values associated with 

the individual nurse’s perception. Differences 

in nursing roles, power of position, level of 

nursing expertise and/or education, generational 

difference related to work ethics all can be 

contributing factors in how nurses view each 

other. Individuals are not born with bias or 

prejudice rather, they develop attitudes and beliefs 

through socialization within their professional 

and personal environments. Buresh & Gordan 

(2006) comment that nursing groups can downplay 

or devalue each other while elevating their own 

“elite” status related to their role in advanced 

practice, administration, and/or academia (p. 4). 

As an advanced practice nurse, this writer has 

observed such nursing elitism occurring within 

the practice setting. At times, the attitude of 

superiority observed was related to an advanced 

practice nurse interacting with an RN. While at 

other times the interaction observed was related 

to an experienced nurse offering a less than 

nurturing environment when it comes to working 

with new graduates or novice nurses. 

In conclusion, there is no place for a division 

among nurses related to an elite attitude among 

different nursing groups/roles. Nor is there a 

place for a work environment where vertical or 

horizontal hostility among nurses is allowed or 

supported. Nurses must learn to embrace the Code 

of Nursing Ethics not only from consideration of 

their interactions with patients but the nursing 

perspective that compassion and respect for 

the dignity of all with whom they work is an 

important component of that Code. If nurses do 

not value, respect and support each other and 

their profession, how can they expect others to 

respect, support and value the significant role 

nurses play in healthcare delivery? 

Janice (Jan) Hess has been an RN for 48 years 

and ARNP for 38 years. She is a board member 

of FN-PAC and Florida Nurses Foundation. As 

FN-PAC Legislative District Coordinator, Jan has 

sought to keep nurses in her region informed 

and involved in FNA’s political activism efforts. 

Recently she wrote a summative review “FNAs 

First 100 Years of Political Activism and Beyond.” 

She will be donating all the proceeds from the 

electronic book sales to FN-PAC. Jan is a diploma 

graduate from Orange Memorial School of 

Nursing; received her Adult NP certificate from 

Brigham Young University, Provo UT; a BSN from 

Southern Missionary College, Collegedale TN 

(Orlando Campus); an MSN as Family NP and 

nursing administration from U of F (Orlando 

Campus) and DNP from U of F, Gainesville FL. 

Jan lives in Lake Helen, FL with her husband 

of 49 years, Randy. If you wish to contact her: 

email: janbhess@gmail.com or call cell phone: 

386-795-3307. 

References 

American Nurses Association. (2015). Code of ethics for 

nurses with interpretive statements. Silver Springs, 

MD: American Nurses Association. Retrieved from 

http://www.nursingworld.org/MainMenuCategories/ 

EthicsStandards/CodeofEthicsforNurses/Code-of- 

Ethics-For-Nurses.html. 

Buresh, B. & Gordon, S. (2006). From silence to voice 

(2nd ed.). Ithacha, New York: ILR Press. 

Curtin, L. (2015). What nurses owe one another. 

American Nurse Today, 10 (3), 56.


www.FLCenterForNursing.com 

Biennial Employer Survey 

It is time for the Florida Center for Nursing’s 

(FCN) biennial employer survey! This short survey 

is critical in helping us understand and report 

on the demand for nurses in various employment 

settings across the state. It also provides 

information that is key for strategic health 

workforce planning, policy development, and 

budgetary allocations. Surveys will be mailed in 

July and we ask that you help us by encouraging 

your employer to take a few moments to complete 

this survey. FCN thanks you for your continued 

support as we seek to address the nursing 

workforce issues for the health of Florida. 

New Project Funded by CareerSource Florida 

This project results in the formation of 

a Statewide Florida Healthcare Workforce 

Leadership Council (FHWL), which will serve 

as the primary point of contact for statewide 

healthcare industry-specific labor market 

intelligence and may be used by the state’s 

workforce network to facilitate policy and strategy 

development. The FHWL, in effect, results in 

Make an 

Impact on 

Public Health. 

Earn a 

Master of Public Health 

A diverse, internationally oriented program 

focused on the health of communities and populations. 

Learn more at: publichealth.med.miami.edu 

a new sector strategy approach for Healthcare 

to develop and continue an essential business 

feedback loop to ensure Florida’s workforce 

network has a deep understanding of and is 

responsive to the talent needs of the state in the 

healthcare sector. Common issues and needs of 

employers shall be identified and coordinated 

solutions shall be developed for the healthcare 

talent delivery system. 

www.FloridaHealthSimAlliance.org 

The FHSA Advisory Board members attended 

a one-day Strategic Planning retreat in the 

early spring. We are in the stages of exploring 

recommendations and prioritizing goals. 

• New to the website is a tab to list Employment 

Opportunities throughout the state. In 

addition, under the resources tab, there is 

a section for Research Initiatives, all of the 

FHSA Florida Blue Grant awardees can be 

found there. If you would like to highlight 

your institutions simulation research please 

send the information forth and we will make 

sure it appears on the website. 

• To all our members, please continue to spread 

the word. FHSA is an excellent resource 

for new simulationist/educators and those 

wishing to network locally and regionally 

with like-minded individuals. We also offer 

very attractive group pricing for academic 

and hospital organizations. 

• I want to personally thank Dr.Issenberg and 

his wonderful team from the Gordon Center 

Law Office of 

Susan E. Lindgard 

(former MQA prosecutor) 

Attorney at Law 

Mediator 

Gainesville, Florida 

Registered Nurse 352-375-0329 

Risk Manager 

susanlindgard@yahoo.com 

for Research Medical Education for making 

the iSIM program such a huge success. We 

are looking forward to future offerings. 

• Save the date October 23, 2015 Jacksonville 

University FHSA Conference. 

• Coming this spring 2016 the first ever 

Regional Simulation Conference. Check the 

website for additional information. Please go 

to www.Floridahealthsimalliance.org for the 

upcoming calendar of events. 

www.FLCenterForNursing.org/FLActionCoalition 

State Implementation Program Grant Update 

The Florida Action Coalition is proud to 

announce that Florida has been awarded an 

additional round of funding for the Statewide 

Implementation Program. Funding for this 

grant is provided by the Robert Wood Johnson 

Foundation, with matching funds provided by the 

Florida Blue Foundation. This is a two-year grant 

which will build off of previous work intended 

to increase leadership among nurses to influence 

health policy. As part of this project, the team 

will be selecting thirty aspiring nurse leaders to 

participate in an intensive leadership development 

program with a goal of board appointment or 

placement at the end of the program. In addition, 

the team will be creating a mentorship program, a 

nurse leader recognition program, and a diversity 

action plan. Nurses interested in applying for 

the leadership development program should stay 

tuned for application information, coming in the 

following months. 

The Suncoast Nursing Action Coalition (SNAC), 

a branch of the FL-AC Education Action Team 

operating in the Sarasota area, has launched a new 

website www.SNAC4FL.org, as well as a Facebook, 

Twitter, and YouTube channel. Updates about 

nursing education and other nursing issues will be 

posted on this page, as well as information about 

future events or notes of importance in the area. 

They have also initiated a Navigator position – 

read all about it on their website. 

Come Find Your Purpose at 

Florida Hospital Zephyrhills, a 139-bed regional 

medical center located near Tampa. 

As a member of the Florida Hospital Network of Adventist 

Health System, we have a mission to heal the mind, body, 

and spirit of each person we touch. Join our dynamic 

team and transform your career. 

To find out more about our exciting nursing 

opportunities, visit our Careers page at 

www.FloridaHospital.com/Zephyrhills/careers 

$10,000 Sign-on Bonus 

for full-time Bedside RNs with 3+ years of experience 

and a 2 year commitment! 

Florida Hospital Zephyrhills 

7050 Gall Blvd. (US 301) | Zephyrhills, FL 33541 

1-855-JOBS FHZ (562-7349) or FHZRecruiter@ahss.org

June 2015 The Florida Nurse Page 17


Where are the Florida Clinical 

Nurse Specialists? 

Theresa Morrison, PhD, CNS, CNS-BC, and 

Patricia Geddie, PhD, CNS, AOCNS 

Nationally, Clinical Nurse Specialists 

(CNSs) comprise 16% of all Advance Practice 

Registered Nurses (APRNs). There are 59,242 

licensed CNSs in the U.S. A recent NACNS 

survey found that 67% of CNSs work in 

hospitals, 7% work in nursing education, and 

7% work in ambulatory care. Seventy-one 

percent of CNSs work with adult/gerontology 

population, 10% psychiatric/mental health, 

and 9% pediatric. CNSs are board certified 

in eleven recognized APRN roles, such as: 

Psychiatric & Mental Health, Critical Care, 

Advanced Oncology, and Pediatrics. 

Currently, CNSs have prescriptive privileges 

in 35 states. CNSs are recognized for Part B 

participation in Medicare, Title 18, and may 

independently bill for these services. CNSs 

are eligible for Medicare’s Primary Care 

Incentive Program in the Patient Protection and 

Affordable Care Act. 

In 2007, Florida legislation approved 

CNS title protection and separate licensure. 

Florida licensing requirements for CNSs and 

ARNPs are the same – master’s degree in an 

approved advance practice nurse program 

and provide proof of current certification 

from a nationally recognized certifying 

body. The core educational curriculum for 

CNSs and Nurse Practitioners (NPs) include: 

physical assessment, pathophysiology, and 

pharmacology. However, the current Florida 

Statute does not permit expansion of the CNS 

scope of practice to that of the NP, including 

prescriptive authority. 

Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNSs) in Florida 

are a “rare breed” of Advanced Practice 

Registered Nurses (APRN). In 2010-2011, there 

were only 76 Florida licensed CNSs (Florida 

State Health website). Historically, Florida 

CNSs (except those who function in mental 

health) have not sought a Florida license due 

to the restriction for prescriptive authority. In 

addition, CNSs licensed outside of Florida are 

reluctant to relocate to Florida. 

The FNA CNS-Special Interest Group (SIG) 

is resubmitting a reference proposal, originally 

presented to the FNA Board January 2014. 

The proposal will recommend a revision 

to the current Florida Statute FS 464.003 to 

include the CNS in “Advanced or specialized 

nursing practice” definition and align with 

the Consensus Model for APRN Regulation 

(National Council for State Board of Nursing). 

Florida CNS’s scope of practice should be 

aligned with the current prescriptive authority 

of NPs. 

Are you an educationally prepared and 

certified CNS, but not have not sought Florida 

CNS licensure? You are an untapped healthcare 

resource for Florida citizens. 

Contact FNA for an invite to Yammer and 

join our CNS-SIG. We want to hear from CNS 

– licensed, unlicensed – Florida citizens 

needs you. 

References 

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (2007). 

Nurse practitioner and clinical nurse specialist 

services. In CMS Manual System. http://www. 

cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Guidance/ 

Transmittals/downloads/R75BP.pdf. Accessed 

June 8, 2014. 

National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists 

(2012) NACNS Position Statement on Prescriptive 

Privilege for the Clinical Nurse Specialist. 

National Council of State Boards of Nursing. (2011). 

Title XVIII: APRN scope of nursing practice. 

Accessed June 22, 2012 at https://www.ncsbn. 

org/1455.htm. 

National Council for State Boards of Nursing (2008). 

Consensus model for APRN regulation: Licensure, 

accreditation, certification, and education. https:// 

www.ncsbn.org/Consensus_Model_for_APRN_ 

Regulation_July_2008.pdf. 

Doris Edwards, Helen Bhagwandin, and Carol 

Petrozella at retirement luncheon held to honor 

them at Miami Dade College celebrating a 

collective 140 years of nursing. 

(They have each been FNA members for 

many years.) 

Doreen Cassarino 

was a recipient of the 

2015 Fellows of the 

American Association 

of Nurse Practitioners 

(FAANP) on June 11, 

2015. The induction 

took place at the 

AANP 30th National 

Conference in New 

Orleans, Louisiana. 

Dr. Angela Ritten, 

clinical assistant 

professor and a graduate 

program coordinator 

at the UCF College 

of Nursing, has been 

honored as the 2015 

Outstanding Volunteer 

Practitioner of the 

Year by Shepherd’s 

Hope. Ritten has 

been volunteering 

weekly since 2010 

with Shepherd’s 

Hope, a faith-based 

organization of volunteers that provides access to 

free health care for thousands of uninsured men, 

women, and children. She also engages her nurse 

practitioner students in the organization to enhance 

their understanding of health care disparities 

in the community and learn from the medically 

underserved. The topic is not only one she’s 

passionate about, but one she is currently exploring 

further as an area of funded research. Each year, 

Shepherd’s Hope recognizes four of its nearly 1,800 

volunteers with the Dr. Ruth McKeefery Award, 

named in honor of the organization’s first volunteer 

executive director. This is the first year for the 

clinical practitioner category, in which Ritten 

was recognized. Dr. Ritten is a member of the East 

Central Region of FNA. 

Patty Geddie, PhD, 

CNS, AOCNS, Clinical 

Nurse Specialist, Adult 

Oncology UF Health 

Cancer Center - Orlando 

Health, graduated 

with a PhD in nursing 

from University of 

Central Florida, College 

of Nursing on May 

8, 2015. Dissertation 

title: Family Caregiver 

Knowledge, Patient 

Illness Characteristics, 

and Unplanned 

Hospital Admissions in Older Adults with Cancer.


Another One of Our Own is Gone Too Soon 

Suzie Farthing, RN 

Northwest Region 

@SuzieFarthing 

At the time of this 

writing, many nurses 

in Pensacola are reeling 

over the death of one of 

our own, a much loved 

fellow registered nurse. 

We admired him so. 

Even those of us who 

had not worked with 

him in years can easily 

reminisce of his impact 

on our professional 

lives. 

John (a fictitious 

name for privacy sake) was one of those nurses 

who brought a sense of calm to our spirits when 

we knew he was on duty. That is because he 

never declined to offer a helping hand when the 

going was tough and the shifts were long. He was 

compassionate, funny, kind, and a hero to many 

staff and patients alike. 

Here are a few of the heartfelt words posted 

by colleagues on his Facebook timeline after his 

death: 

“Family isn’t always only about blood. 

Many of us spend as much or more time with 

our work family as we do our family by blood. 

When one is taken away that family is forever 

broken...You are loved and respected by so 

many!” 

John, “I had demons that you helped me 

through with many long talk(s)...I only wish I 

had been as observant to you, I am sorry.” 

Regardless, we can always try if we just know 

where to begin, even if it is “one more time.” 

Thankfully, there is help for Floridian nurses 

with substance issues. It is the Intervention 

Program for Nurses (IPN). Maybe like many of 

you, I had heard of this program but really had 

no clear understanding of its role in supporting 

nurses with addiction issues affecting their work. 

This is not something we typically talk about 

openly in our work environments, even after 

tragedies such as John’s loss. I do not know the 

situation in his work environment. Hopefully, 

this is not the case. These issues and tragedies 

need to be openly talked about in therapeutic 

environments. 

Maybe like others, I used to think that no one 

really cared about the nurses suffering with 

addiction issues and those they may have left 

behind. To me, IPN just seemed like a phantom 

place that these colleague friends disappeared to 

never to be seen or spoke of again. 

That was until I had the opportunity to meet 

and listen to IPN’s CEO Linda Smith, ARNP, MN, 

M.Div, CAP, CARN-AP, at FNA’s 2015 Advocacy 

Days. I found her to be sincere and compassionate. 

I am grateful to know that she and her team really 

do care about nurses. Hopefully, many of you had 

the opportunity to hear her speak at the IPN/ FNA 

Annual Conference May 28-29. 

Regardless, I encourage all Florida nurses to 

acquaint themselves with IPN’s programs and 

resources at www.ipnfl.org. Learn to recognize the 

signs of nurse impairment and to understand how 

to get help if that nurse is you. Let’s not have any 

more John’s. Of course, there will never be another 

like our dear friend anyway. 

Sadly, John ended his life on his own terms. 

This makes it especially painful for those of 

us who loved him so. Some knew about his 

problems with depression and addiction. Others 

had no idea. What we did not recognize before, 

we can now see painfully clear. Often we can 

help those suffering with addiction and mental 

illness, and unfortunately, sometimes not. 

Let’s keep family & friends together. 

Join Our Team in Naples, Florida 

At Physicians Regional Healthcare System, our purpose is 

to deliver the best patient experience. Our two hospital 

locations—Physicians Regional - Pine Ridge and Physicians 

Regional - Collier Boulevard—are conveniently located off 

Interstate 75. 

Opportunities available in multiple departments. Florida RN 

licensure and BLS are required (ACLS in ICU/ER/PACU/OR). 

Recruiters can be reached directly at: 

Collier Blvd. HR 239-354-6050 or 

Pine Ridge HR at 239-348-4087 

Apply online at www.physiciansregional.com 

EOE/AA/DFWP 

Searching for the 

perfect career? 

Find your future here. 

• Search job listings in all 50 

states, and filter by location 

& credentials 

• Browse our online database 

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• Find events for nursing 

professionals in your area 

Get started now! 

www.nursingALD.com 

Increasing colorectal cancer screening rates to 

80% by 2018 prevents an additional 21,000 

colorectal cancer deaths per year by 2030.* 

Nurses, let’s keep working together to save lives. Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause 

of cancer death in the U.S. for men and women combined, yet it’s one of the most preventable. 

Thanks to screening, the number of colorectal cancer cases is dropping. 

*According to a new study published in CANCER (2015; doi:10.1002/cncr.29336). 

We are saving lives. We can save more. 

80% by 2018 

www.flhealth.gov/crc


Come see why Martin is where you can 

LIVE, WORK and PLAY 

Martin Health System is a 434 bed not for profit organization 

based in Stuart, Fla. comprised of three hospitals, 

one MediCenter, a free-standing emergency center, and 

numerous outpatient centers and clinics. 

Registered Nurses 

All Locations/All Specialties/All Shifts 

Full Time & Per Diem 

1-2 years acute care experience preferred 

Improved Nursing pay rates 

Relocation assistance available 

Tuition Assistance, RN loan 

forgiveness and scholarships 

available 

Visit www.martinhealth.org for more 

information and to apply online. 

Voted Best Places to work in Martin and 

St. Lucie Counties

The Florida Nurse - June 2015

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