2015 FNA Book of Reports

2015 Florida Nurses Association 

Table of Contents 

Membership Assembly Agenda. ............................................................................3 

Roll of Past Presidents ...................................................................................11 

2015 Convention Rules ..................................................................................13 

2014 Summary of Action (with current bylaws) ..............................................................19 

Board & Staff Reports ...................................................................................58 

Audit and Financial Information ..........................................................................78 

2016–2018 Proposed Goals and Priorities. ...................................................................92 

Membership Comparison ...............................................................................102 

Annual Reports .......................................................................................103 

Special Reports .......................................................................................114 

Parliamentary Information ..............................................................................118 

Proposed Bylaw Changes ...............................................................................120 

Index of FNA Positions 1983 – 2014 .......................................................................121 

Lamplighters and Diamond Awards ......................................................................124 

http://www.floridanurse.org 

Published by: 

Arthur L. Davis 

Publishing Agency, Inc. 

Published and Printed for the Florida Nurses Association by: 

Arthur L. Davis Publishing Agency 

517 Washington St. PO Box 216 

Cedar Falls, IA 50613 

319-277-2414 

1


2


FNA Professional Development Conference and 

Membership Assembly 

Nurses Shaping the Future of Healthcare and Health 

Thursday, September 10, 2015 

11:00am - 2:00pm QUIN Council Meeting 

Legends 3 

4:00pm - 7:30pm Exhibit Set Up 

Ballroom E, F, G 

6:00pm - 7:30pm FNA Board of Directors Meeting 

Legends 3 

6:00pm - 8:00pm FNSA Board of Directors Meeting 

Wentworth 

Friday, September 11, 2015 

Membership Assembly / Professional Development Conference 

7:00am - 4:00pm 

PreConference 

7:00am - 8:00am 

Ballrooms E, F, G 

8:00am - 9:30am 

Ballroom D 

1CH 

Registration 

Visit with Exhibitors 

Opening Session- Introductions 

Keynote Speaker 

3 Ps – Purpose, Passion, and Perseverance 

Rose Rivers, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FNAP 

Chief Executive Officer, Restoring Joy to Leadership, LLC 

Report of the Tellers- Election Results 

9:30am - 10:00am 


Visit with Exhibitors / Poster Sessions 

10:00am - 11:00am BREAKOUT SESSIONS 

1 CH I. Legislative 

Promoting Nurse Leaders in Florida to Advance Nursing & Health Policy 

Mary Lou Brunnell, MSN, RN 

Legends 1 

II. Research/EBP 

A Statewide Initiative Integrating Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN) through 

Academic/Clinical Partnerships to Improve Health Outcomes - the First Year in Review 

Teri M Chenot, EdD, MS, M.Ed, MSN, RN & 

Roberta Christopher, EdD(c), MSN, ARNP, NE-BC, CHTS-CP 

Legends 2 

III. Research/Evidenced-based Practice (EBP) 

Impacting Patient Outcomes with Early Detection of Suspicious Lesions Found in Nursing Skin 

Assessments 

Debra Shelby, PhD, DNP, FNP-BC, DNC 

Legends 3 

IV. Membership Development 

How Can Nurse Coaches Influence Individual Health & the Future of Healthcare? 

Shirley Conrad, MSN, RN, CCRN, AHN-BC, HWCD-BC 

Ballroom A 

3


4


11:00am - 12:00pm Breakout Sessions 

1 CH I. Research/EBP 

Collaboration at its Best: Reducing Pressure Ulcers at the Bedside 

Palma Iacovitti, MBA, BSN, RN & Louis Climaco, BSN, RN 

Legends 1 

II. Legislative 

Clinical Nurse Specialists: Past, Present, Future 

Patricia Geddie, PhD, CNS & Theresa Morrison, PhD, CNS 

Legends 2 

III. Research/EBP 

Emerging Infectious Diseases Impacting our Future 

Barbara Russell, RN, BSHSA, MPH, CIC 

Legends 3 

IV. Legislative 

Health Care Reform 2.0, Where Florida Has Been and Where It is Going 

Laura Brennaman, PhD, RN, CEN 

Ballroom A 

12:15pm - 1:45pm Lunch 

Ballroom B 

Clinical Excellence 2015 – Honoring Practice 

1 CH Clinical Excellence Presenters 

1:45pm - 2:15pm 


Visit with Exhibitors / Poster Sessions 

2:15pm - 3:15pm Breakout Sessions: 

1 CH I. Legislative 

Why FNA Members Need to Get Involved in Political Activism? 

Panel Discussion 

Janice Hess, DNP, MSN, FNP-BC, 

Edward Briggs DNP, ARNP-BC, 

Bonnie Sklaren, MSN, ARNP, 

Alisa LaPolt, FNA Lobbyist 

Legends 1 

II. 

Technology 

Beyond Smartphone Apps: Healthcare Disruption in the Care of the Older Adult 

George Peraza-Smith, DNP, GNP-BC, CNE 

Legends 2 

III. Research/EBP 

GIS: A Different Approach to Understanding Nurse Workforce Data (Florida Center for Nursing) 

Mary Lou Brunell, MSN, RN & Marie-Hortence Prosper, MPH, MBA 

Legends 3 

IV. Membership Development 

CARE Tampa Bay: A Novel Approach to Self-management Support for People with Chronic 

Health Conditions 

Cindy Tofthagen, PhD, ARNP, AOCNP, FAANP 

Ballroom A 

3:15pm - 4:15pm 

Special Interest Group (SIG) Meetings 

I. Ethics Special Interest Group 

Ballroom E 

II. 

Health Policy SIG 

Ballroom F 

III. Nursing Research SIG 

Legends 1 

IV. Clinical Nurse Specialist SIG 

Legends 2 

V. New Grad SIG 

Ballroom G 

VI. FNLA Meeting- Mentors and Mentees 

Legends 3 

5


Nursing Positions Available 

The Florida State Hospital, located in Chattahoochee, FL, is a state-operated, in-patient 

Mental Health Treatment Facility and we have full time positions available for: 

• Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners (Psych) 

• Registered Nurses 

Candidates must be licensed to practice or able to attain licensure in the State of Florida. 

Excellent compensation/benefits package offered. 

For more information about these career opportunities in the Sunshine State, 

please e-mail Resume with references to: 

keri.bassett@myflfamilies.com 

eoe m/f/v 

6


4:15pm-5:15pm 

Ballroom D 

6:00pm - 7:00pm 

Atrium Lobby 

7:30pm - 9:00pm 

Ballroom B 

FNA Advisory Council Meeting 

Awards Reception – Cash Bar 

Welcome in the New Board of Directors 

Annual Awards Celebration 

9:15pm - 11:00pm The American Nurse Movie 

Ballroom B 

Sponsored by the Nurses Charitable Trust 

Saturday, September 13, 2015 

7:00am - 3:00pm 

Preconference 

Registration 

7:30am - 8:45am Advocacy Breakfast 

Wentworth 

Creating Awareness & Safety for the Nursing Profession 

1 CH Mandi Mernin, MSN, RN-BC 

9:00am - 10:30am I. Northwest Region Meeting 

Troon 

II. North Central Region 

Ballroom E 

III. Northeast Region 

Legends 1 

IV. East Central Region 

Ballroom F 

V. West Central Region 

Ballroom G 

VI. Southwest Region 

Legends 3 

VII. Southeast Region 

Legends 2 

VIII. South Region 

Ballroom D 

10:30am - 11:00am 

11:00am - 12:15pm 

Ballroom D 

Break & Hotel Checkout 

Open Forum - Let’s Share Ideas! 

12:15pm - 1:30pm Foundation Luncheon 

Ballroom A 

A Legacy of Nursing Philanthropy in Florida - The Florida Nurses Foundation 

1 CH FL CE ONLY Florida Nurses Foundation 

1:30pm - 4:00pm 

Ballroom D 

Business Meeting 

Intros/Reports/Bylaws/ Reference Proposals/ Legislative Agenda/ New Board Installation 

7


WEBALD 

8


Agenda for Business Meeting 

1:00 pm – 5:00 pm 

Adoption of Membership Assembly Rules 

Adoption of Membership Assembly Program 

President’s Message 

Business Meeting 

Reports of Officers and Directors 

Reports of the Professional Staff 

Financial Report 

Other Organization Reports 

Report of the Bylaws Committees 

Report of the Reference Committee 

Proposed FNA Goals and Priorities 

New Business 

Announcements 

Adjournment 

9


10


Roll of Presidents 

1949 Undine Sams 

1951 Mary Livingston 

1953 Bertha King 

1954 Martha O. Wolfe 

1956 Vivian Duxbury 

1960 Mabel Shepard 

1962 Marion McKenna 

1964 Enid Mathison 

1965 Wava Hartsel 

1967 Helen Voss 

1969 Marion McKenna 

1970 Helen “Pat” Keefe 

1972 Sadie Reading 

1973 Shirley Martin 

1975 Ruth Jacobs 

1977 Carol Hayes 

1979 Martha Sparks 

1981 Marie Cowart 

1983 Nancy Breen 

1985 Bobbie Hughes 

1987 Katherine P. Webster 

1989 Richard Bednar 

1991 Gerry Green 

1993 Ann-Lynn Denker 

1997 Mary Lou Brunell 

2001 Patricia Quigley 

2003 Mary Tittle 

2005 Mary Tittle 

2007 Andrea Gregg 

2009 Andrea Gregg 

2011 Mavra Kear 

2012 Mavra Kear 

2013 Edward Briggs 

2014 Edward Briggs 

11


For more information visit or call: www.larkinhospital.com 305-284-7500 

12


2015 Convention Rules 

1. Registration–Members and guests shall register before entering the session room, and shall sit in assigned places. 

2. Badges–Members shall wear badges to all meetings. 

3. Meetings–Non Members of the Florida Nurses Association will be admitted by invitation only. 

4. All meetings shall be called promptly. 

5. No tape recorders are permitted. 

6. Any member in good standing of the Florida Nurses Association may speak at the Membership Assembly. A member 

addressing the Chair shall give his or her name and Region. 

7. Discussion from the floor shall be limited to three minutes at one time and no member may speak the second time to the 

same question as long as any member desires to speak who has not spoken to the question. 

8. The Pages will pass official motion slips, carry messages, and motion slips to the platform. 

9. Motions and amendments shall be written, signed by the maker and seconder, and one copy sent to the Secretary at 

once. A member shall not be recognized to speak on a motion or amendment until a copy of the motion slip is received 

by the Secretary. Official motion slips shall be supplied by the Pages. 

10. Smoking is not permitted during the sessions of the Membership Assembly or general meetings. 

11. Voting–Only members in good standing may propose or vote on motions. State Only members may only vote on state 

level issues. Full members vote on all issues. 

13. All persons shall place all pagers, cell phones, etc. on quiet/vibrate/silent mode during all meetings and sessions. 

13


14


Rules Governing Motions 

Do This… Recognition you say this… Second Amend Debate Vote 

Introduce Business Yes I move that… Yes Yes Yes Majority 

Change of modify a 

motion 

Send to a committee for 

study 

Put off action 

Limit or extend 

discussion 

Stop discussion 

Lay the motion aside 

temporarily 

To take a motion from 

Yes I move to amend by... Yes Yes Yes Majority 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

I move to refer to 

committee… 

I move to postpone 

consideration of the 

question until… 

I move to limit (or 

extend) debate… 

I move the previous 

question 

I move to lay the 

motion on the table… 

I move to take from 

the table… 

Yes Yes Yes Majority 

Yes Yes Yes Majority 

Yes Yes No 2/3 

Yes No No 2/3 

Yes No No Majority 

Yes No No Majority 

If you doubt the vote No I call for a division No No No No Vote 

Request information No I rise for information No No No No Vote 

Call attention to an 

error in the procedure 

No 

I rise to a Point of 

Order 

No No No No Vote 

15


16


Board of Directors 

2013–2015 

Officers 

Edward Briggs, DNP, ARNP-C, President 

Leah Kinnaird, RN, EdD 

Barbara Russell, RN, MPH Vice President 

Monte Bean, RN, MSN, Secretary 

Linda Howe, RN, PhD, Treasurer 

Directors 

Deborah Hogan, RN, MSN 

Doreen Perez, 

Marsha Martin, RN 

Susan Hartranft, PhD, ARNP 

Shirley Hill, BSN, BC, CCM 

Denise McNulty, DNP, MSN, ARNP 

Patricia Posey Goodwin, EdD, MSN 

Jill Tahmooressi, RN, MSN 

17


Accelerate 

your career 

DSI Renal is a leading provider of dialysis services in the 

United States to patients suffering from chronic kidney 

failure. We continue to grow through acquisition, 

development of new clinics, and organic growth. 

Persons with renal (kidney) disease who are in need of 

dialysis treatments will find state-of-the-art treatment 

with personalized care at DSI Renal’s dialysis facilities. 

Together with our physician partners, DSI Renal owns 

and operates over 100 dialysis clinics in 22 states. 

with a 100% asynchronous online 

graduate degree offered in 

the following areas: 

Doctoral Program 

EdD in Nursing Education 

UWG’s Online 

Graduate Nursing 

Program is ranked 

among the best in the 

nation by U.S. News 

& World Report. 

Master of Science in 

Nursing Program 

Health Systems Leadership, Leader Manager 

Health Systems Leadership, Clinical Nurse Leader 

Nursing Education 

INTERESTED IN JOINING OUR COMPANY? For more 

information on DSI Renal or for available nursing 

positions visit our website at www. DSI-Corp. com. 

Now accepting applications for Fall 2016. 

Choose Health Systems Leadership to oversee 

patient groups as a clinical nurse leader or prepare for 

a variety of nursing management/leadership positions 

within the ever-revolving healthcare arena. 

Select Nursing Education at the MSN or Doctoral 

level to develop expertise in health education, 

patient education, higher education, or professional 

development. 

Tanner Health System 

School of Nursing 

For more information, 

contact Embry Ice at 

eice@westga.edu or 

678-839-5115. 

nursing.westga.edu 

18


Membership Assembly 

September 12-13, 2014 

Florida Hotel & Conference Center 

Orlando, Florida 

SUMMARY OF ACTIONS 

19


Affordable and Easy to Use Safe Patient Handling 

Equipment that attaches to your existing equipment! 

Let us help you reach YOUR GOAL of reducing injuries to 

staff and patients. Our Clamps reduce strain on transporter 

personnel’s arm, wrist, hand, and back and help make staff 

more efficient by reducing transport time of patients. 

Contact us today! 

Ph: 586-777-0018 • F: 866-777-0535 

info@axtrahand.com • www.axtrahand.com 

aXtraHand_LLC - Safe Patient Handling Equipment 

@aXtraHand_LLC 

20


This was the 4th year of the redesigned FNA Membership Assembly which continues to be a work in progress. The 

members continued to work on the transformation of the association by honing the bylaws and placing more structure for 

the leadership of the Regions. Workforce Violence was the subject of a Reference Proposal and there will be focus on that 

work throughout the year. The Second cohort of Great 100 Nurses were honored as well as an outstanding Legislator, and 

three members were inducted into the FNA Hall of Fame. 


2013-2015 

Officers 

Edward Briggs, DNP, ARNP-C - President 

Leah Kinnaird, EdD, RN- President Elect 

Barbara Russell, MPH, RN - Vice President 

Monte Bean, MSN, BSN - Secretary 

Linda Howe, PhD, RN - Treasurer 

Directors 

Deborah Hogan, MPH, RN - Director at Large, Southeast 

Daniel Berman, PhD , RN-Director at Large, Northeast Region 

Marsha Martin, RN, CCRN- Director at Large, North Central 

Susan Hartranft, PhD, ARNP - Director at Large, West Central 

Shirley Hill, BSN, RN, BC, CCM - Director at Large, East Central 

Denise McNulty, DNP, ARNP - Director at Large, Southwest 

Patricia Posey Goodwin, EdD, RN - Director at Large, Northwest 

Jill Tahmooressi, MBA, RN - Director at Large, South 

Ann Guiberson, CAE, RP, CEO - Parliamentarian 

Board Liaisons 

Deborah Hogan, MPH, RN, - LERC Liaison 

Theresa Morrison, PhD, RN- WFA Liaison 

Published by Florida Nurses Association * P.O. Box 536985 * Orlando, FL 32853-6985 * 407-896-3261 * FAX 407-896-9042 

* Email: info@floridanurse.org; Http://www.floridanurse.org. 

21


22


2014–2015 Goals and Priorities 

1. Maintain a strong nursing organization in Florida to provide relevant services and value. 

2. Enhance public understanding of the roles and responsibilities of registered nurses to improve health in local 

communities and across the state. 

3. Serve as the essential resource for career development for Florida’s registered nurses. 

4. Advance a legislative platform that protects and enhances the ability of all registered nurses to practice to the full extent 

of their education and experience. 

5. Build organizational relationships to advance nursing and healthcare outcomes. 

6. Maintain a strong organizational structure that advances nursing. 

23


24


Florida Nurses Association Bylaws 


ARTICLE I Name 

The name of this Association shall be the Florida Nurses Association, hereinafter referred to as FNA. 

ARTICLE II Purposes and Functions 

Section 1. Purposes 

A. The purposes of the FNA shall be to: 

1. Foster high standards of nursing practice; 

2. Promote the professional and educational advancement of nurses; and 

3. Promote the welfare of nurses to the end that all people may have better nursing care. 

B. These purposes shall be in accordance with ANA Bylaws. 

Section 2. Functions 

The functions of the FNA shall be to: 

A. Advocate standards of nursing practice, nursing education and nursing services and promote these standards through 

such activities as position statements and legislative activities; 

B. Act and speak for the nursing profession before allied professional, community and governmental groups on issues of 

importance to the profession including legislation and governmental programs; 

C. Develop and maintain relationships with nursing organizations, allied health, nursing students and consumer groups; 

D. Promote adherence to the American Nurses Association (hereinafter referred to as ANA) Code of Ethics for Nurses; 

E. Promote and protect the economic and general welfare of nurses; 

F. Promote the continuing professional development of nurses; 

G. Provide for representation in the ANA Membership Assembly 

H. Preserve documents and other materials which contribute to the historical and cultural development of nursing; 

I. Assume an active role as consumer advocate; 

J. Initiate and influence legislation, governmental programs and national health policy; 

K. Support systematic study, evaluation and research in nursing. 

ARTICLE III Membership, Dues, Membership Year 

Section 1. Composition 

A. Membership in FNA shall consist of members of the state regions who meet the qualifications and responsibilities 

specified in these bylaws. 

B. Membership options: 

1. Full Membership includes ANA and FNA. 

2. State Only Membership includes FNA. 

3. Organizational Affiliate includes nursing organizations that affiliate for associated benefits and have voice but no 

vote. 

C. Membership shall be unrestricted in accordance with ANA/FNA Bylaws. 

Section 2. Qualifications 

A member is one: 

A. Who has been granted a license to practice as a registered nurse in at least one state, territory, or the District of 

Columbia of the United States and who does not have a license under suspension or revocation in any state, or is 

otherwise entitled by law to practice, or 

B. Whose application for membership in FNA has been accepted in accordance with FNA policy; and, 

C. Whose dues are not delinquent; and, 

D. Whose membership is not under revocation for violation of the ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses or FNA/ANA Bylaws. 

Section 3. Membership Privileges and Obligations 

A. Full Members shall have privileges as follows: 

1. Voting for: 

a. Representatives and alternates to Membership Assembly. 

b. FNA Officers; and 

c. FNA Directors. 

25


Seeking experienced 

RNs in: 

• Med/Surgical Telemetry 

• Emergency 

• Radiation Oncology 

• Surgical Services 

• Intensive Care Unit 

26


2. Serving as an ANA representative, alternate or in any elected or appointed positions in accordance with ANA 

Bylaws and applicable policies. 

3. Being nominated to an Officer or Director position after twelve months of membership in FNA. 

4. Attending and voting in the Membership Assembly, attending Board of Directors and Committee meetings, and 

other unrestricted functions of FNA/ANA; 

5. Receiving regular ANA and FNA communications; 

B. Full Members of FNA shall continue to have all the rights of membership in ANA as provided in the ANA bylaws, 

until such time as ¾ of the entire FNA full membership votes to disaffiliate from the ANA. Full membership is 

defined as individual members of FNA who have ANA rights and privileges of membership as a result of their FNA 

membership. The vote may occur by mail, phone or electronic ballot, with appropriate notice and procedures to 

protect the integrity and validity of the vote. 

C. Full members shall have membership obligations as follows: 

1. Abide by FNA and ANA Bylaws; and 

2. Abide by ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses. 

D. State Only Members shall have privileges as follows: 

1. Voting for: 

a. FNA Officers; 

b. FNA Directors after twelve months of membership in FNA being nominated to a Director position; 

c. Executive Committees of other structural units to which they affiliate; 

2. Serving in any FNA appointed position; 

3. After twelve months of membership in FNA being nominated to a Director position; 

4. Attending and voting in Membership Assembly, attending Board of Directors and Committee meetings, and other 

unrestricted functions of FNA; 

5. Receiving regular FNA communications. 

E. State Only Members shall have membership obligations as follows: 

1. Abide by the bylaws of FNA. 

2. Abide by the ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses. 

Section 4. Disciplinary Action 

A. Cause for disciplinary action by FNA against a member shall be limited to: 

1. Failure to fulfill the obligations as cited in these bylaws; and 

2. Other actions detrimental to the purposes, goals and functions of FNA and ANA. 

3. Activity supporting a union that is in direct competition with FNA. 

4. Falsely providing public testimony or opinion as representing that of FNA. 

B. Disciplinary proceedings: 

1. Shall be conducted in accordance with policies and procedures established and adopted by the Board of Directors, 

which shall have final disciplinary authority over members; and 

2. A member shall have the right to due process as provided for under common parliamentary or statutory law, 

C. Disciplinary Action shall depend on the severity of the violation, and may include: 

1. Reprimand; 

2. Censure; 

3. Suspension from membership; or 

4. Permanent expulsion from membership. 

D. A member may appeal any disciplinary action in accordance with procedures adopted by the FNA Board of Directors. 

E. Recognition of Disciplinary Action by another State Nurses Association (hereinafter referred to as SNA): Any 

disciplinary action taken by another SNA against one of its members shall be given full recognition and enforcement, 

provided such action was taken in accordance with the bylaws of the disciplining SNA and its disciplinary 

procedures. 

Section 5. Dues 

A. Full Membership dues include ANA Assessment as set by ANA Membership Assembly, assessments as set by 

affiliate organizations to which FNA or its structural units belong, and FNA dues as established by FNA members 

participating in the Annual Membership Meeting. 

B. State only FNA Membership dues include FNA dues as set forth in FNA bylaws and policies. 

C. Dues to Affiliated Organizations: The annual dues shall be set forth in dues policy and shall include the present rate 

of dues paid by the FNA to the ANA and other organizations to which the structural units affiliate. 

D. The Board of Directors may initiate pilot dues recruitment strategies with a report to the following membership 

assembly for action. 

E. A vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the voting members present and a previous notice of sixty days (60) shall be required to 

change the FNA dues. 

27


28


Section 6. Assessment 

A. Each member of a FNA Collective Bargaining Unit shall be assessed an annual fee to support collective bargaining 

activities. 

B. The annual assessment shall be established by the Membership Assembly. 

C. Members shall be notified in Call to Meeting of the FNA Membership Assembly of a proposal to change the dues at 

least sixty (60) days prior to the meeting at which the proposal will be presented. 

D. A vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the members present and voting and previous notice of sixty days (60) shall be required to 

change the dues. 

Section 7. Transfer of Dues/Assessment and Membership 

A. A full member who has completed full payment of dues and moved out of Florida may apply to the FNA Executive 

Director for transfer to another state association of the ANA. 

B. A member of another state association of the ANA who has completed full payment of dues and fees for the 

membership year and who moves into or works within the boundaries of Florida may transfer to FNA without further 

payment or refund of dues for the remainder of the membership year. The request for transfer shall be signed by the 

secretary of the state nurses association issuing the transfer. 

C. A member may transfer from one FNA region to another within the state without further payment of dues assessment 

for the remainder of the membership year. Application for transfer shall be made to the FNA Executive Director. 

Section 8. Membership Year 

The membership year shall be a period of twelve (12) consecutive months from the time of application for membership 

status. 

Section 9. Life Membership 

A. Life membership may be conferred on an individual who has rendered distinguished service or valuable assistance 

to the nursing profession. Recommendation for life membership comes from the Board of Directors. A two-thirds (2/3) 

vote at the Membership Assembly is required. 

B. Life membership shall not be conferred on more than one individual per annum. 

C. Life membership shall carry full membership privileges and exemption from payment of dues. 

Section 10. Honorary Membership 

A. Honorary membership may be conferred on any individual who has rendered distinguished service or valuable 

assistance to the organization. Recommendation for Honorary Membership comes from the Board of Directors. A twothirds 

(2/3) vote of the attending members at the Membership Assembly is required. 

B. Honorary membership shall carry no responsibilities or privileges. 

Section 11. Emeritus Membership 

A. Emeritus Membership may be conferred on each FNA member of 50 or more consecutive years, upon reaching the age 

of 80. 

B. Emeritus Members may serve on committees, but not as chair, nor hold office at the state level. 

C. Emeritus Members will be exempted from dues. 

D. Emeritus Members will receive reduced rates at all FNA functions. 

Section 12. Organizational Affiliates 

A. Definition: An organizational Affiliate of FNA is an association that has been granted organizational affiliate status 

by the FNA Board of Directors. 

B. Responsibilities: Each organizational affiliate shall meet the criteria established by the Board of Directors and shall: 

1. Maintain a mission and purpose harmonious with the purposes and functions of FNA 

2. Have bylaws that do not conflict with FNA bylaws 

3. Be comprised of registered nurses and have a governing body composed of registered nurses 

4. Pay an annual organization fee established by the FNA Board of Directors 

C. Rights: Each organizational affiliate shall be entitled to: 

1. Have one seated representative to the Membership Assembly who must also be a current FNA member and who 

shall be eligible to vote on all matters in the Membership Assembly except setting of membership dues, amendment 

of bylaws and election of officers and directors. 

2. Make reports or presentations to the FNA Membership Assembly within its area of expertise, including the 

presentation of action reports. 

29


30


ARTICLE IV. Officers and Directors 

Section 1. Officers 

A. The officers are President, President-elect, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer. 

B. The officers are elected by members and are accountable to the Membership 

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 3. Qualifications 

A. All nominees for Officers and Directors shall be FNA members in good standing. 

B. Nominees must be dues paying members of the FNA for a period of at least twelve months prior to being nominated as 

an Officer or Director. 

C. An employee of FNA is eligible to be a candidate contingent upon resignation of the staff position if elected. 

Section 4. Term of Office 

A. The term of office for Officers and Directors shall be two years or until their successors are elected. 

B. The term shall commence at the adjournment of the Membership Assembly at which they are elected. 

C. President and President-Elect shall serve no more than one term consecutively in each office. 

D. No Officer (except President or President-Elect) or Director shall be eligible to serve more than four consecutive terms 

on the Board of Directors. 

E. An Officer or Director who has served more than one-half (1/2) term shall be deemed to have served a full term. 

Section 5. Duties 

A. The Officers and Directors shall perform the duties prescribed by these bylaws, the adopted parliamentary authority, 

and as directed by the Board of Directors and the Membership Assembly. 

B. Officers and Directors, upon expiration of their terms of office, shall surrender to the FNA Executive Director all 

properties in their possession belonging to their respective offices. 

C. The President shall be: 

1. A full member of FNA 

2. Chair of the Board of Directors; 

3. Chair of the Executive Committee; 

4. Chair of the Advisory Committee; 

5. Ex officio member of all committees except the Nominating Committee; 

6. FNA’s representative at meetings of the ANA Constituent Assembly; 

7. Responsible for appointing members to committees and designating the chairs, with the approval of the Board of 

Directors, except as hereinafter provided in these bylaws; and 

8. Concurrently elected as a representative to the ANA Membership Assembly. 

D. The President-Elect shall: 

1. Be a full member of FNA 

2. Act as assistant to the President; and 

3. In the absence of the President, assume the duties of the President. 

4. Review any reference proposals submitted to the Membership Assembly. 

5. Serve as Chair of the Advisory Council. 

E. The Vice-President shall: 


2. In the absence of the President and President-Elect, assume the duties of the President; 

3. Be chairperson of the FNA Membership Committee. 

F. The Secretary shall: 


2. record the minutes of meetings of the FNA; 

3. Board of Directors; 

4. Executive Committee; and 

5. Advisory Committee. 

G. The Treasurer shall: 


2. Report to the Board of Directors the financial standing of FNA; 

3. Make a full report to FNA at each Membership Assembly; 

4. Serve as Chair of the Finance Committee; and 

31


32


5. Be bonded. 

H. The Directors shall: 

1. Be responsible for the implementation of the purposes and functions as created in these bylaws; 

2. Serve as members of the FNA Board of Directors; 

3. Serve as liaisons between the FNA Board of Directors and the Regions and bargaining units as designated by the 

Board; 

4. Recommend to the FNA Board of Directors the establishment of Ad Hoc Committees deemed necessary to 

implement the purposes and functions of FNA. 

Section 6. Vacancies in Office 

A. Vacancy in the office of President. 

1. A vacancy in the office of President shall be filled by the President-Elect. 

2. An officer or member other than the President-Elect who fills a vacancy in the office of a president or assumes 

the duties of an absent president may serve as an ANA representative only if elected to the ANA representative 

position. 

B. If a vacancy occurs in the office of President-Elect, this position will remain vacant until the next election cycle or 

until the Board of Directors orders a special election by the full membership. 

C. In all other vacancies in elected positions on the Board, the Board of Directors shall appoint a qualified FNA member 

to serve for the remainder of that term. 

Section 7. Removal of an Elected Official 

A. Any Officer or Director elected by the membership or appointed Board Member may be removed from office whenever 

such action is deemed to be in the best interest of the association, or for other just cause, by 

a. A vote of three-fourths of the current members of the FNA Board of Directors; or 

b. A written petition signed by 25% of the members of FNA on the last annual count, and approval of the petition 

by 2/3 of the members of FNA. Voting may occur by electronic ballot; or 

c. By no longer being a member in good standing of FNA. 

ARTICLE V. Executive Director 

Section 1. Accountability 

The Executive Director is accountable to and will be evaluated annually by the Board of Directors. 

Section 2. Authority 

The Executive Director has the authority to manage, plan, develop, administer and coordinate activities of the 

association in accordance with policies established by the Board of Directors. 

ARTICLE VI. Nominations and Elections 

Section 1. Nominating Committee 

The Nominating Committee shall consist of five (5) members, who shall be elected by secret ballot by plurality vote: 

A. The members elected to the Nominating Committee will choose their Chair; 

B. No Region shall be entitled to have more than one member serve on the Nominating Committee; 

C. The term of office shall be two years, or until their successors are elected. 

D. A member shall not serve more than two consecutive terms on the Nominating Committee; 

E. No member shall serve concurrently on the Nominating Committee and on the Board of Directors; 

F. If a member of the Nominating Committee is submitted as a suggested candidate for an office of FNA and the member 

consents to be considered as a candidate, said member shall immediately resign from the Nominating Committee. 

This does not apply to a present member of the Committee whose name is submitted as suggested candidate for the 

Nominating Committee for the next term or as an ANA Delegate. 

G. Any vacancy occurring on the Nominating Committee shall be filled by the person who received the next highest vote 

at the Membership Assembly at which the Committee members were elected. 

Section 2. Nomination Process 

A. Suggestions for nominees for elected offices shall be solicited from each Region and structural unit; 

B. Individuals may nominate candidates or self-nominate; 

C. Requests for nominees shall be published in The Florida Nurse. 

D. The Committee shall propose a tentative FNA ballot containing nominees for: 

1. ANA Delegates 

33


34


2. FNA Officers, Directors and Nominating Committee 

E. After presentation to the Board of Directors for information only, the tentative ballot shall be published in the Call to 

Meeting of the FNA Membership Assembly. 

F. Within the 30 day period following the publication of the tentative ballots in the FNA official publication, additional 

nominations may be made to the Chair of the Nominating Committee by any individual member, Region, or structural 

unit. 

G. The Nominating Committee shall formulate the final ballots by the addition of the nominees submitted, provided that 

all eligibility and membership requirements are met; 

H. A person shall not appear on the FNA ballot as a nominee for more than one office. 

I. The completed ballots shall be: 

1. In conformity with the FNA bylaws, and the policies as adopted by the FNA Board of Directors; 

2. Identified, for each person running, as to the region and city or county of membership; 

3. Presented for information only to the Board of Directors before being published in the Official Call to Meeting. 

J. No nominee shall appear on the ballots without having signed the consent-to-serve-if-elected statement and the 

Conflict of Interest statement. 

K. The biographies of the nominees, including region and city or county of membership, shall be published with the 

ballots in the Official Call to Membership Assembly. 

Section 3. Election Process 

A. Elections shall be held in the odd-numbered years. 

B. Elections shall be held by secret ballot via electronic and/or phone ballot. 

1. A plurality of votes cast by those entitled to vote, and voting, shall constitute an election; 

2. In the case of a tie, the choice shall be determined by lot at the Membership Assembly. 

C. Members may vote for persons other than those whose names appear on the ballot by writing in the names of 

qualified candidates who have signed the consent-to-serve form. 

D. The voting shall be completed no later than midnight of the twenty-eighth (28th) day prior to the first day of the 

Membership Assembly. 

E. The Tellers shall: 

1. Verify membership and tabulate the votes; 

2. Compile a report of all votes received; and 

3. Send the results by certified mail, in duplicate, to the FNA Secretary at the FNA Headquarters. 

F. The Secretary shall announce the election results at the Membership Assembly; 

G. The President, President-Elect, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Directors. FNA Nominating Committee and any 

other elected position on the ballot shall be declared as elected at the membership assembly. 

Section 4. ANA Representatives 

A. All FNA members with full membership may vote for ANA representatives. 

B. The FNA President and President-Elect shall be concurrently elected as representatives. 

C. ANA representatives and alternates shall be elected by secret ballot by plurality vote and be full members of FNA. 

D. Each representative and alternate shall be elected for a two-year term or until a successor is elected. 

ARTICLE VII. Meetings 

Section 1. The official meeting of the Florida Nurses Association is the Membership Assembly and will be held at least 

biennially. It will consist of reports from the Board of Directors, Regions, and committees; and adoption of bylaws 

and proposals. Additional activities may include educational programs, networking, and professional updates. 

Section 2. Order of Business 

The Order of Business of each membership assembly of FNA shall be in accordance with a program adopted at the 

beginning of the meeting. 

Section 3. Call to Meeting of the FNA Membership Assembly 

The Official Call to Meeting of the FNA Membership Assembly shall be noticed via mail or electronic communication 

at least sixty (60) days before the first day of the Membership Assembly. 

Section 4. Special Meetings 

A. Special meetings of FNA may be called by the FNA Board of Directors upon the written request of a majority of the 

Regions and/or collective bargaining units. 

B. Special meetings shall be noticed by mail, telephone, or electronic communication at least fifteen days before the first 

day of the meeting. 

35


36


Section 5. Quorum 

Five members of the Board of Directors, one of whom shall be the President or President-Elect, and representatives 

from a majority of the Regions shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any Membership Assembly 

or special meeting of the FNA. 

Section 6. Membership 

The voting body at all Membership Assemblies and special meetings of this Association shall consist of the Board of 

Directors and all FNA members in good standing who are in attendance. 

ARTICLE VIII. Board of Directors 


There shall be a Board of Directors composed of the Officers and the Directors. 

Section 2. Meetings of the Board of Directors 

A. Meetings shall be held at such times and places as shall be determined by the Board of Directors. 

B. Special Meetings: 

1. May be called by the President on seven (7) days’ notice to each member of the Board, either by mail, telephone, or 

electronic communication; and 

2. Shall be called by the President in like manner or on like notice upon the written request of: 

a. Five (5) or more members of the Board of Directors, or 

b. A majority of the Regions. 

3. Shall be held at such times and places as may be specified in the notice thereof. 

C. Business that requires action by the Board of Directors between regular meetings may be conducted by mail, 

telephone or electronic communication. Such action shall be subject to ratification at the next regular meeting of the 

Board of Directors. 

D. Attendance 

1. Any member of the Board of Directors may have one (1) absence from the Board of Directors’ meetings within a 

one-year period. 

2. A board member on official business as designated by the President of FNA or Board of Directors at the time of the 

Board Meeting shall not be considered absent. 

3. A partial absence shall consist of not more than two (2) hours, unless an unforeseen emergency occur en-route to 

the meeting. 

4. At the second absence of any member of the Board of Directors, the Board of Directors shall vote on removal of said 

board member from position. 

E. FNA members, the Chair of the Labor and Employment Relations Commission, and the President of the FNSA or a 

designee, shall be eligible to attend meetings of the Board of Directors. They shall have voice, but no vote. 


A majority of the Board of Directors, including the President or the President-Elect shall constitute a quorum at any 

meeting of the Board of Directors. 

Section 4. Duties of the Board of Directors 

The Board shall: 

A. Establish major administrative policies governing FNA and provide for the transaction of general business of the 

organization; 

B. Provide for the expenditure, investment and surveillance of FNA funds; 

C. Provide for the bonding of appropriate officers and staff; 

D. Provide for the adoption and administration of a budget, and for a periodic review statement by a Certified Public 

Accountant; 

E. Provide for the operation and maintenance of a state headquarters; 

F. Employ an Executive Director, define duties and fix compensation; 

G. Employ legal and other counsel as deemed necessary, define duties and fix compensation; 

H. Determine the registration fee, date and location of Membership Assembly; 

I. Determine the time and place of meetings of the Advisory Council; 

J. Recommend to the Governor nominations for appointments to the Florida State Board of Nursing and any other 

appropriate boards; 

K. Report to FNA members the business transacted by the Board of Directors; 

L. Act upon recommendations and/or plans of committees prior to implementation; 

37


38


M. Establish regional boundaries 

N. Receive, for information only, reports from the Bylaws, Nominating and Reference Committees 

O. Fill vacancies in office as provided in these bylaws; and 

P. Assume such other duties as may be provided elsewhere in these bylaws, and as directed by the FNA membership. 

ARTICLE IX. Executive Committee 


There shall be an Executive Committee composed of the Officers of the Board of Directors. 

Section 2. Powers 

The Executive Committee shall have all the powers of the Board of Directors to transact business between meetings of 

the Board. Such action shall be subject to ratification at the next regular meeting of the Board of Directors. 

Section 3. Meetings 

A. The Executive Committee shall meet at the call of the President; 

B. Meetings may be conducted in person, by mail, telephone or electronic communication. 


A majority of the members of the Executive Committee shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of the Committee. 

ARTICLE X. Committees 

Section 1. General 

A. Committees shall assume such duties as assigned by the Board of Directors, and as specified in these Bylaws and 

report action as requested. 

B. Committees shall meet only with the approval of the President or Board of Directors. 

C. Committees shall meet on the call of the Chair, with no less than fifteen (15) days’ notice to committee members and 

FNA Headquarters. 

D. Unnoticed absences from two meetings of a committee shall constitute a resignation. 

E. A majority of the members of any standing or ad hoc committee shall constitute a quorum. 

F. Members of the FNSA shall be eligible to attend FNA committee meetings. 

Section 2. Ad Hoc Committees 

There shall be ad hoc committees appointed by the President, the Board of Directors, and/or the FNA representatives 

attending the Membership Assembly as deemed necessary to act upon issues pertinent to FNA. 

Section 3. Membership Committee 

The composition of the Membership Committee shall be the Vice-President as chair, the Treasurer and at least five (5) 

members appointed after each election by the President with approval of the Board of Directors, to serve until their 

successors are appointed. 

Duties: 

A. Identify strategies for retention of members, 

B. Develop a marketing campaign to seek new members, 

C. Recommend membership options, 

D. Submit suggestions to FNA Board of Directors, 

E. Report to the FNA membership on the status of membership. 

Section 4. Reference Committee 

The Reference Committee shall consist of five (5) members appointed after each election by the President with the 

approval of the Board of Directors, to serve until their successors are appointed. 

Duties: 

A. Seek reference proposals from Regions, LERC, and members, 

B. Review proposals for appropriate structure, 

C. Make appropriate suggestions to authors as needed, 

D. Present proposals at the Membership Assembly. 

Section 5. Bylaws Committee 

A. Composition. 

The Bylaws Committee shall consist of at least five (5) members appointed after each election by the President with 

the approval of the Board of Directors, to serve until their successors are appointed. 

39


40


B. Duties. 

1. Receive and review all proposed amendments to the FNA bylaws and edit for conformity; 

2. Submit proposed amendments to FNA bylaws as appropriate; 

3. Present the proposed amendments to the FNA Board of Directors; and 

4. Submit the proposed amendments to the membership at the FNA Membership Assembly in accordance with the 

provisions for amendments to these bylaws. 

Section 6. Finance Committee 

A. Composition. 

The Finance Committee shall consist of at least five (5) members, including the FNA Treasurer who shall serve as 

Chair. Four members shall be appointed after each election by the President, with approval by the Board of Directors, 

to serve until their successors are appointed. One of the appointed members shall be a member of the Labor and 

Employment Relations Commission. 

B. Duties. The committee shall: 

1. Supervise the preparation of an annual budget for the fiscal year defined as the calendar year January 1 to 

December 31; 

2. Present the budget for approval to the FNA Board of Directors; 

3. Advise the FNA Board of Directors and other FNA structural units regarding financial matters and feasibility of 

funding for expenditures; 

4. Advise and report on the expenditure of funds to the FNA Board of Directors; and 

5. Report to the Membership Assembly the financial status of FNA. 

ARTICLE XI. Regions 


A. There shall be Regions which meet the following requirements: 

1. Regions must be in conformity with the bylaws of FNA 

ARTICLE XII. Labor and Employment Relations Council (LERC) 


The Labor and Employment Relations Commission shall exist for the purpose of overseeing the conduct of FNA’s 

labor/employment relations and collective bargaining program which shall include the formation of appropriate 

policies and procedures. 

Section 2. Term of Office 

Each member shall serve a term on the Commission which shall be concurrent with the term as President of the Local 

Bargaining Unit. 

Section 3. Responsibilities 

The Labor and Employment Relations Commission shall: 

A. Oversee the conduct of the FNA’s labor/employment relations and collective bargaining program, which shall include 

the formulation of appropriate policies and procedures; 

B. Formulate programs of assistance and training for local bargaining units; 

C. Consider and adjudge requests for legal assistance involving employment issues and contract grievances from 

members of local bargaining units; 

D. Make preliminary annual budget projections and recommendations to the FNA Finance Committee prior to adoption 

of the budget by the FNA Board of Directors; 

E. Establish, when needed, subordinate Councils to conduct studies and make recommendations in specific substantive 

areas of labor and employment relations; 

F. Assist FNA staff in the development of local unit organizing activities; and 

G. Communicate with the Board of Directors concerning economic and welfare issues relative to the nursing profession. 

H. Receive and review the bylaws of any Collective Bargaining Unit making application for FNA to be its bargaining 

agent; and 

I. Receive and review the bylaws of each Collective Bargaining Unit on a periodic basis. 

Section 4. National Labor Convention (NLC) Delegates 

A. All Collective Bargaining Unit (CBU members may vote for NLC delegates. 

B. NLC delegates will be elected by secret ballot by plurality vote. 

C. Each delegate and alternate will be elected for a two-year term. 

41


42

D. Each CBU may nominate up to five delegate candidates. 


ARTICLE XIII. Advisory Council 


A. The FNA Board of Directors and representatives from Regions, Collective Bargaining units, and/or their designees, 

facilitators for each Special Interest Group, the FNPAC Chair, and the FNF President shall constitute an Advisory 

Council to consider and promote the interests of FNA. 

B. Two officers of FNSA shall be eligible to attend meetings of the Advisory Council. 


A. The Advisory Council shall meet at such other times and places as may be determined: 

1. By the FNA President; or 

2. By the FNA Board of Directors; or 

3. At the request of fifty (50%) percent of the Regions. 

ARTICLE XIV. Florida Nursing Students’ Association 


It shall be the responsibility of FNA to set up communications with Florida Nursing Students’ Association that 

will foster an organization of students of professional nursing which will assist in preparing them to meet their 

professional obligations as graduate nurses. 


Meetings of the FNSA may be held in conjunction with the FNA Membership Assembly. 

ARTICLE XV. Relationship of FNA to ANA 

Section 1. Membership 

A. The annual dues for a full FNA member shall be set forth in dues policy and shall include the present rate of dues 

paid by the FNA to the ANA. In the event that the rate of dues payable to the ANA by the FNA increases, any such 

change shall be automatically added to the annual dues paid by a full FNA member. 

B. The FNA shall continue to pay dues to the ANA pursuant to the ANA bylaws and House of Delegates policy until such 

time as 2/3 of the entire full FNA membership votes to disaffiliate from the ANA. The vote may occur by mail, phone 

or electronic ballot, with appropriate notice and procedures to protect the integrity and validity of the vote. 

Section 2. ANA Constituent Assembly 

FNA shall be entitled to representation at the ANA Constituent Assembly by the President of FNA and the Executive 

Director, or their designated alternates. 

Section 3. ANA Delegates 

A. FNA shall be entitled to representation at the ANA Membership Assembly as determined in the ANA bylaws. 

B. FNA shall elect representatives as allocated in accordance with policies adopted by the ANA House of Delegates. 

ARTICLE XVI. Official Publication 

Section 1. The Florida Nurse shall be the official publication of FNA. 

Section 2. LERC Today shall be the official publication of the Economic and General Welfare Program. 

ARTICLE XVII. Parliamentary Authority 

The rules contained in Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern meetings of FNA in all cases to which they are 

applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these bylaws. 

ARTICLE XIII. Amendments 

Section 1. Previous Notice 

A. These bylaws may be amended at any FNA Membership Assembly by a two-third (2/3) vote of the members present 

43


44


and voting. 

B. All proposed amendments shall be in the possession of the FNA Executive Director at least sixty (60) days before the 

Membership Assembly, and shall be published at least 30 days prior to the FNA Membership Assembly. 

Section 2. Without Previous Notice 

These bylaws may be amended, without previous notice, at any Membership Assembly by a ninety-five percent (95%) 

vote of the members present and voting. 

ARTICLE XIX. Dissolution 

In the event that this organization should be dissolved for any reason, any remaining assets shall be liquidated and 

distributed in accordance with governmental regulations. No funds can inure to the benefit of any individual member. 

Approved by Membership Assembly 

September 11, 2014 

45


46


2014 Reference Proposals 

Increasing the Number of Male Registered Nurses & Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners in the State of Florida 

Kumar Jairamdas, RN 

Statement of Concern 

The number of male registered nurses (RN’s) and advanced registered nurse practitioners (ARNP’s) in the state of Florida 

is significantly less than the number of Florida female RN’s and ARNP’s. Despite state-wide nursing recruitment and 

retention strategies, a significant increase in the number of male nurses in Florida has not been observed. There is 

currently no state-wide formal recruitment program for men to enter the nursing profession. An increase in the number of 

male nurses in the state of Florida is needed in order to better serve our patient populations and to encourage diversity in 

nursing. 

Rationale 

Background Information 

Nursing, in Western cultures, has been traditionally viewed as a female role. The number of men becoming nurses has 

grown significantly over the past several decades. In 1980, there were approximately 45,000 RN’s in the USA; but that 

number has grown to over 168,000 in 2004 (HRSA, 2006). Nationally, men still occupy a small sector of RN’s. In 2010, 

the total national average male RN population was 7% (HRSA, 2010). Florida data from 2010-2011 show that about 10% of 

RN’s and 14 % of ARNP’s in Florida’s nursing workforce are men (FCN, 2012). Despite being more gender-diverse than the 

national average, Florida and the nursing profession as a whole have much work to accomplish in order to match the gender 

diversification of our physician colleagues. In 2012, the number of licensed female physicians (medical doctors and doctors 

of osteopathy) in the USA was 30.2% (Young, et al, 2013). The number of female physicians is expected to increase. In 2009, 

almost half of all medical school graduates in the United States were women (KFF, 2010). 

The Institute of Medicine (IOM), in its “Future of Nursing” report, recommended that more men should be recruited into 

the nursing profession (IOM, 2011). Numerous reasons have been cited as barriers for men entering nursing. Such barriers 

include social stereotypes, Western cultural gender roles, the predominance of women in the profession, and perceived 

religious/cultural values (IOM, 2011). In order to better facilitate care for male patients and add diversity to the nursing 

workforce, the IOM recommends actively recruiting men to the nursing profession. 

Pertinent Definitions 

Schools and colleges of nursing are only those that are accredited by [insert accrediting bodies here]. Nurses, in this 

proposal, refer to RN’s and ARNP’s. 

Overview on Nursing Role/Function 

The men in nursing are not widely dispersed throughout the profession. The available data on male nurses indicates that 

they work primarily in critical care, emergency department, and in inpatient medical-surgical units (Hodes, 2005). Only 

about 1% or less of male nurses hold a nursing doctorate degree (Hodes, 2005). This fact does not bode well for advancing 

advocacy to increase the number of doctoral prepared male nursing school faculty. More research is required in order to 

determine the breadth and depth of involvement that men share within nursing. 

Legal/Ethical Considerations 

Male nursing students and male nurses have reported gender-related concerns in their clinical settings. 57% of surveyed 

male nursing students reported perceived gender-related difficulties , and 56% of male nursing students reported a 

perception of feeling like “muscle” for female nursing staff to help lift heavy patients (Hodes, 2005). More alarming is 

that even more men (71%) who complete nursing programs have the perception that they are “muscle” for female nursing 

staff to help lift heavy patients in clinical settings (Hodes, 2005). 50% of men reported communication and other problems 

with female nursing staff due to being of the male gender (Hodes, 2005). It is concerning that male nurses and male 

nursing students are encountering and perceiving discrimination from their fellow nursing professionals in the clinical 

environment. 

Consequences to Patient Care 

With approximately half of the population being male, having a persistently small percentage of male nurses only serves to 

further increase the already present health disparities in men. Having increased numbers of male nurses may encourage 

more men to seek healthcare. 

The IOM recommends that the nursing profession diversify to meet and encourage the increasing diversity of patient 

populations (IOM, 2011). Men bring unique cultural and social perspectives to the clinical care environment and will help 

alleviate the nursing shortage (IOM, 2011). 

47


Terminal degree in nursing required: PhD, DNSc, or DNP accepted. 

Recent practice and/or teaching experience required. Enjoy excellent benefits, pristine, well-equipped 

facilities; and the unparalleled programmatic support of a university system dedicated to producing top 

performers in the healthcare industry. 

TO APPLY, SEND YOUR CV WITH COVER LETTER TO LHIBBERTS@SOUTHUNIVERSITY.EDU 

College of Nursing opportunities exist at the following locations: 

Austin, TX • Cleveland, OH • Columbia, SC • High Point, NC • Montgomery, AL • Novi, MI 

Richmond and Virginia Beach, VA • Savannah, GA • Tampa, West Palm Beach, and Orlando, FL • Online 

South University is an equal opportunity employer. 

48


Statement of Position 

Upon review of relevant and current available data, it is determined that there is a significant disparity in the number of 

male nurses compared to female nurses in the state of Florida. There are no current state initiatives to increase the number 

of men in the nursing profession. Active recruitment of men to nursing educational programs may significantly increase 

the number of men in the profession. Such recruitment methods and subsequent positive results may serve as a future bestpractice 

beacon for the rest of the profession on a national level. 

Recommendations for Actions 

In cooperation and partnership with accredited colleges and schools of nursing, hospitals, primary, secondary and 

postsecondary schools and guidance counselors, third-party stakeholders, and the American Assembly for Men in Nursing 

(AAMN), it is with great sincerity that the Florida Nurses Association is requested and recommended to initiate a plan (see 

Appendix A) to actively recruit men to the nursing profession, both at the RN and advanced practice levels, in the state of 

Florida. A critical part of this recruitment plan should include recruiting and retaining male doctoral-prepared nursing 

school faculty. 

Appendix A 

Action Plan for Increasing the Number of Florida male RN’s & ARNP’s 

Timetable for implementation: 1 year 

A. Assessment & Diagnostic Phase 

1. Enact FNA-approved committee appointed to engage action plan 

2. Develop mission statement 

3. Poll all FL accredited RN and ARNP programs to determine the number of currently enrolled men and women in 

the respective academic programs 

4. Establish a contact person at each college of nursing (CON). This person will volunteer to coordinate the future 

efforts of that school 

5. Collect and analyze data from each CON. This data set will be known as Data Set 

6. Approach USF College of Fine Arts to request assistance with developing media products 

7. Report to FNA 

B. Planning Phase 

1. Make initial contact with AAMN and request contact with regional AAMN representatives 

2. Make initial contact with Johnson & Johnson, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and Institute of Medicine 

3. Develop media campaign plan 

a. support from USF College of Fine Arts 

b. to include print and video 

4. Develop promotional print media 

5. Develop CON-based action plan 

6. Develop action plan for college advisors 

7. Develop action plan for high school advisors 


C. Intervention Phase 

1. Disseminate Data Set and promotional media to FNA and FCN 

2. Disseminate Data Set, CON-based action plan, and promotional media to CON’s via CON representatives 

3. Disseminate Data Set, action plan for college advisors, and promotional media to colleges 

4. Disseminate Data Set, action plan for high school advisors, and promotional media to high Schools 

5. Disseminate Data Set and promotional media to AAMN, Johnson & Johnson, hospitals, and/or other third party 

stakeholders, request their support 


D. Evaluation Phase 

1. Request new Data Set 1 year after initial data set 

2. Request feedback from CON’s, colleges, high schools 

3. Send letters of appreciation to advisors, USF College of Fine Arts and any supportive organizations on a yearly and 

as needed basis 

4. Analyze 1 year Data Set and compare with first year’s Data Set 

5. Reevaluate action plan and revise if necessary (at least every 1-2 months) 

6. Report to FNA, FCN and any stakeholders 

7. Present data at FNA meeting and/or national ANA, AANP, or AAMN meeting(s) 

49


50

Submitted by Deborah Hogan 


Our Public Health Infrastructure 

Our Healthy People 2020 initiative provides a vision for how we can all achieve the goal of living longer, healthier lives. We 

depend on our public health system to help us reach these goals. 

For many of us, access to clean air and water is something we take for granted. We depend on our local health departments 

to monitor air and water quality, as well as provide epidemiological surveillance to monitor infectious disease outbreaks. 

Vaccines for vaccine preventable diseases are also a resource health departments provide, along with family planning and 

treatment for sexually transmitted diseases. Tuberculosis and HIV education and treatment are also provided, as well as 

initiatives to help us reach our Healthy People 2020 goals Preparedness programs are also part of the responsibility of local 

health units, as well as specific programs needed in each locale.! 

Unfortunately, these services require financial support from state and local public jurisdictions that have suffered 

economically in recent years. Results from a recent survey by the National Association of County and City Health Officials 

(NAACHO) shows that local health departments continue to be impacted by budget cuts leading to staff and program 

elimination. 

We need to be advocates for our public health services. If we are to achieve our full potential for health, we must support a 

public health system that seeks to decrease the impact of preventable diseases. Therefore: 

WHEREAS chronic disease such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes are responsible for seven out of ten deaths among 

Americans, each year, and account for 75% of the nation’s health spending, (Nurse.com), AND 

WHEREAS in spite of available preventive services such as immunizations and routine disease screenings offered by both 

the public and private sectors, millions of people go without services that could protect them from disease, (Nurse.com), 

AND 

WHEREAS Americans live shorter lives and experience more injuries and illnesses than people in other high income 

countries (Australia, Canada, France, Japan) (National Research Council Report, 2013), AND 

WHEREAS 3.1% of 2.5 trillion spent on health (77.2 billion) is spent on the work of government public health agencies, 

which is $251 out of $8,086 spent on health overall (Institute of Medicine, 4/10/12), AND 

WHEREAS between July 2010 and June 2011, 55% of all local health departments made cuts to at least one program with 

68% of the US population living in one of those affected jurisdictions (NalbothNewsbrief, 2012), AND 

WHEREAS many local health departments struggle to retain skilled staff due to low wages and morale (Nalboth 

Newsbrief, 2012), AND 

WHEREAS since 2008, local health departments throughout the nation have shed 34,400 employees, loosing three times as 

many staff as they gained (Nalboth Newsbrief, 2012), AND 

WHEREAS nearly half (45% of al local health departments reported a lower budget this fiscal year compared to last, and 

52% expect more reductions in the next fiscal year (Nalboth Newsbrief, 2012), AND 

WHEREAS Florida experienced the third highest percentage ( 72%) of budget cuts from 2012-2013 (NACCHO survey, 2013), 

AND 

WHEREAS the trend in Florida in average turnover rates for nurses in public health has increased from 2009 to 2013 

(Florida Center for Nursing Survey, 2013), AND 

WHEREAS the estimated statewide growth in public health nursing positions in Florida is among the lowest of all 

practice settings in the state (Florida Center for Nursing Survey, 2013), AND 

WHEREAS the projected growth in Florida for RN’s in public health in 2013 was at “13”, the lowest of all specialty 

positions (Florida Center for Nursing Survey, 2013), 

51


Not every superhero 

wears a cape. 

Our staff provide practical and emotional support 

for seriously ill children, frail seniors, and everyone 

facing end of life issues. With your help, patients and 

families can enjoy each day to the fullest. 

Join us... and be a hero to those in need. 

HopeHCS.org/Careers • (239) 482-4673 • (800) 835-1673 

Drug Free - Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/Disability/Vet 

RN to BSN Program 

Our BSN Program is nationally accredited by the Commission on 

Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and is online. There are only 3 

and a half days total required on campus for all 10 three-credit hour 

courses taught in 7 week semesters. On campus requirement is for 

3 courses and always in the 6th week of the semester so planning 

work/personal schedules is easy. Clinical experiences are easily 

scheduled. 

Coursework includes transitioning to professional practice, culture, 

advanced health assessment (1.5 days on campus), pharmacology, 

research, ethics, leadership and management, global finance, 

community health (1 day), and population-based nursing across the 

lifespan (1 day). 

www.sfcollege.edu/healthsciences/ 

52

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Florida Nurses Association 


1. Will provide ongoing education to applicable agencies/programs regarding concerns associated with decreased 

public health staffing, and its effect on the health of the citizens of the state of Florida, and 

2. Work with other organizations to increase awareness of the effects of decrease public health resources on the 

health of the citizens of Florida, and 

3. Continue to work with its Health Care Professionals ( HCP) Bargaining Unit through lobbying efforts to support 

state employees’ issues. 

Costs to FNA – Since FNA already has membership funding from the HCP, education is the only expenditure. 

Resources: 

Florida Center for Nursing, Florida center for Nursing’s 2013 Statewide Nurse Employer Survey: 

Institute of Medicine, Committee on Public Health Strategies to Improve Health, Public Release, April 10, 2012. 

National Research Council, http://cdc.gov/nchs/data/dvs/2011_Final_Mortality_Data_Release.pdf 

NACCHO, National Association of County and City Health Officials, www.naccho.org/lhdbudget. 

Nalboth Newsbrief, “ Naccho’s Survey Reveals Continued Cuts at Local Health Departments,” 1st Quarter/2012, Volume 19, 

issue 1, pg. 6-7. 

53


Membership Assembly Report 

FNA held a collaborative session at the FNA Membership Assembly prior to the Official Business Meeting of the Assembly. 

The purpose of the meeting was to glean ideas from members and students about the Future of FNA. A significant number 

of students were present and fully engaged in the discussion. Their feedback is included in this report. 

It was originally planned for four facilitated groups discussing the topics of Member Retention and Recruitment, Member 

Engagement, Activations of the Regions, and Entrepreneurial/Business Ideas for FNA Our time was cut short due to a visit 

from Gubernatorial Candidate Charlie Crist, so the group decided to choose one topic for discussion, and it was decided that 

Membership Retention and Recruitment and Engaging New Nurses were the most important issue to address. These were 

discussed simultaneously and the ideas and solutions are blended in this report. 

Recommendation Action Item Responsible Parties 

1. FNA must demonstrate the value of 

belonging. (What’s in it for me?) 

2. Communicate to potential 

members, that if you are not 

involved, someone else will make 

changes in nursing that we may not 

agree with. 

See some of the current value as seen 

by participants 

Board and Staff 

• Provides mentoring and mentors 

(as a goal and function of the 

association) 

• Provides leadership opportunity 

and leadership development 

• Assists in integration into the 

profession 

• Provides interaction with other 

nursing professionals/Networking 

• Members can receive validation 

from colleagues 

• Is a place for relationship building 

• Face to face contact 

• “It’s an extension of who I am” 

Formalize this process in some way. 

Continue to develop FNLA 

Nominating Committee 

Leadership Development Committee 


Staff 

54


How do we engage new graduates? 

• Visit classrooms and/or FNSA 

chapters 

Action Item 

(How do we actualize this?) 

Develop a speakers bureau for this 

purpose 

Revitalize the Pinning Ceremonies for 

the “FNSA to FNA” members. 

Develop a post card specifically for 

new graduates 

Develop a contact list of FNA members 

willing to engage with new grads. 

Place on the website with an email for 

contact. 

Responsible Party 

Staff 

• Develop a “collaborative wiki” that 

students/new grads can access 

• Develop a narrated slide show 

about the association. Provide to 

all schools for their “professional 

issues” classes 

• Market the REASONS it is 

important to be active. 

• Engage and educate nursing 

faculty. 

• “Free” student day is a great 

strategy to expose students 

• Create ways to fill the “transition 

gap” including emotional support 

(mentors, “hotline”) 

• Communicate the connection 

between involvement and change 

for nurses 

• Create a forum to connect with 

faculty and program deans and 

directors 

• Make sure RN-BSN students know 

about the discounted/Free FNSA 

membership. 

• Find the “point of contact” for and 

market to RN to BSN students 

• Continue the exposure to FNA 

Activities 

• Engage and connect to more new 

grads during the transition from 

schools to practice 

• Communicate the LEGACY of 

Nursing Royalty ( refers to the 

Awards Ceremony 

Review current powerpoints and 

update and distribute 

Membership Powerpoints 

Legislative History Powerpoints 

Written legislative history(Jan Hess) 

Develop a Lesson Plan 

Develop new materials, palm cards, 

targeted applications, faculty, 

undergrad and grad students 

Faculty Award- Faculty Membership 

Pilot 

Continue this practice with options for 

students to participate 

Develop an RN-BSN Application and a 

Graduate Student Application 

Membership Committee with Staff 

Volunteers 

Membership Committee/Staff 

Board/Staff 

55


Life Care Center of Jacksonville 

Premier Inpatient and Outpatient Rehabilitiation 

4813 Lenoir Avenue 

Jacksonville, Florida 32216 

904-332-4546 

www.lcca.com/jacksonville 

Major Credit Cards 

Personal or Business 

Checks, Money Orders, 

Purchase Orders Accepted 

Available online at 

http://cardiocare.home.mindspring.com/ 

or call (216) 283-1010 

37% more sound than the 

leading cardiology stethoscope! 

Visit our website for available models 

Chipola College 

Online RN to BSN Degree 

(All Upper Level 

Classes Online) 

Associate Degree 

Nursing (ADN) 

BSN & ADN Programs 

Nationally Accredited 

by ACEN 

$115 per semester hour • In-state Tuition for 

FL, AL and GA Residents • www.chipola.edu 

• Marianna, Florida • 850-718-2316 

Complete an online inquiry at uwf.edu/floridahireed/form.cfm. 

Ad paid for with funds from USDOL HG22727. 

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 

56

• Promote the “balance”/respite 

FNA activities provide in the 

professional sphere. Members come 

to FNA events to debrief and relax. 

• Target older students. 

• Challenge Deans and Directors and 

Chief Nursing Officers regarding 

membership for Faculty, students 

and staff 

Immediate new member contact with 

opportunities for involvement 

Utilize Clinical Ladders by marketing 

FNA as the professional association 

Get pasts the lists and develop a goaloriented 

ACTION PLAN! 

Overarching Recommendation: 

• Form a task force to address these recommendations. 


Re-vitalize the award for schools with 

the highest number of members 

Could existing Membership Committee do this with additional volunteer members who are interested in the different 

aspects of a coordinated plan? 

57


Reports of the 2015 Board of Directors 

Edward Briggs, DNP, ARNP-C, President 

Leah Kinnaird, RN, EdD, President-Elect 

Barbara Russell, MPH, RN, CIC, Vice President 

Monte Bean, Secretary 

Linda Howe, Treasurer 

Deborah Hogan, RN, MSN 

Doreen Perez MS RN-BC 

Marsha Martin, RN, CCRN, Board Member 

Susan Hartranft, PhD, ARNP 

Shirley Hill, BSN, BC, CCM 

Denise McNulty, DNP, MSN, ARNP 

Patricia Posey Goodwin, EdD, MSN 

Jill Tahmooressi, RN, MSN 

Marsha Martin, RN, CCRN, - LERC Liaison 

Ann Guiberson, CAE, RP, CEO, Parliamentarian 

58

Dear friends and colleagues, 


Membership Assembly Report 2015 

Ed Briggs, DNP, ARNP-C 

President 

When I assumed the Presidency of the Florida Nurses Association in 2013 it was my personal goal to advance our 

association and our profession, to work towards improving healthcare delivery in our state; and to ensure the longevity of 

this association. 

Over the course of the two years we have faced many challenges and obstacles to achieving our goals, but we have largely 

advanced the mission and goals of this association. We have not succeeded in achieving all of our objectives, but the 

association is now on a trajectory towards success that I am sure the next board will further advance. 

Key advances we have seen over the last two years have included: 

1. INCREASING MEMBER INVOLVEMENT WITHIN THE ASSOCIATON 

a. During the course of the last two years we have eliminated programs that were not meeting the needs of our 

members and focused on programs that were member priorities. These efforts included strengthening the 

HEALTH POLICY SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP (SIG), THE NEW GRADUATE SIG, THE EBOLA TASK FORCE 

and the CLINICAL NURSE SPECIALIST SIG. 

b. Initiated quarterly “chat” sessions with the president to allow members the opportunity to give feedback and 

suggestions to the governing board of the FNA. 

c. Initiated increased use of social media to improve communications with association members and advance 

community outreach 

d. Actively sought the participation of new graduates and student nurses in multiple association operations and 

events. 

2. INCREASING THE VISIBILITY OF THE ASSOCIATION WITHIN OUR COMMUNITIES 

a. Attended and participated in non-nursing, community leadership focused events with community, corporate 

and policy leaders including the annual TAXWATCH Summit, the SAYFIE REVIEW and other communitybased 

events. From this we have witnessed policy leaders and the media reaching out to your association for 

our insight. 

b. Participated in public relations events across the state to advance FNA’s mission and vision and to inform or 

educate the community 

c. Participated in several non-nursing coalitions working to improve healthcare delivery in our state. 

d. Become a participating member in the Florida CHAIN, a coalition of associations dedicated to improving access 

to healthcare across our state. 

3. STRENGTHENING RELATIONSHIPS WITHIN THE NURSING COMMUNITY 

a. The staff and governing board actively participated with nursing coalitions including the Florida Coalition of 

Advanced Practice Nurses, The QUIN (Quality and Unity In Nursing) Council and the Florida Nurses Student 

Association to advance our profession. 

b. FNA has renewed informal and formal meetings with various nursing associations across the state to offer our 

support and coordinate strategies. This is most visible with the recent South Florida meeting with multiple 

ethnic nursing associations. 

c. Provide speakers and resources to nursing conferences and meetings across the state. 

4. PRIORITIZING NURSING WORKFORCE CONCERNS 

a. To meet the needs of the nursing workforce FNA has revitalized its SAFE STAFFING TASK FORCE, developed a 

WORK PLACE VIOLENCE TASK FORCE, and initiated efforts to advance research looking at safe nurse staffing. 

b. Developed and found sponsors for Safe Nurse Staffing Legislation. 

5. ADVANCING SCOPE OF PRACTICE LEGISLATION 

a. Actively participated on every level to lift unnecessary restrictions on nursing practice. These efforts were most 

notable as legislation to enable nurse practitioners to prescribe controlled substances has advanced further then 

ever before! 

b. Gained the ability for psychiatric nurse practitioners to initiate Baker Acts within our state. 

6. INCREASING GRASSROOTS ACTIVISM AMONG NURSES 

a. In 2015 the Florida Nurses Association held one of its most successful Nurse Advocacy Days (formerly LOBBY 

DAYS) with members visiting legislators in Tallahassee and educating them in key nursing issues. 

b. Initiated the FNA4Action campaign. This grassroots community outreach and education program works to 

59


empower nurses to influence health policy decisions on every level. Consistent with this FNA developed the 

website http://www.FNA4Action.com. 

7. INITIATING EFFORTS TO ENSURE THE LONGEVITY OF THE ASSOCIATION 

a. Modified budget projections and planning to be based on actual membership and revenue trends. 

b. Investigate possible pilot membership programs to increase membership. 

c. Continue to provide special new graduate membership programs. 

These advances were the result of the dedication and hard work of your executive director and staff of FNA, the governing 

board, our lobbyists and dedicated members like you. With the growing energy and enthusiasm I have witnessed over the 

course of the last two years I feel confident that your association is on solid ground and will continue to grow and thrive for 

decades to come. 

I want to thank you for the honor of serving as your president. It has been a great privilege to meet the many wonderful 

nurses across the state and to witness first hand the many great contributions our profession has made to improve the 

health of our state. 

And I look forward to continuing to serve our profession and community in whatever capacity I can serve. 

I also want to personally thank the governing board, Willa Fuller and Leah Kinnaird for their support and advice over the 

last two years. We made a great team. 

Sincerely, 

Ed 

Leah Kinnaird 

President Elect 

Membership Assembly Report 2015 

Leah S. Kinnaird, EdD, RN 

President Elect 

Congratulations to so many members of FNA who have volunteered to promote nursing through various avenues this past 

year. My contributions have focused around these issues: 

• Continued efforts both locally and in Tallahassee to help Florida legislators understand how ARNPs (in Florida) or 

APRNs (in other states) can better serve healthcare needs, whether through prescribing authority or full practice 

authority. FNA Advocacy Days are a great example of how nurses are more and more involved. 

• Development of a partnership with the Community Health Worker Coalition which is an avenue for FNA to gain support 

for our issues, while we learn how CHWs can serve with community health activities. 

• Continued support for the Health Policy Special Interest Group which has offered webinars for education and 

conference calls for dialogue around policy issues. 

• Avid interest in mentoring new nurses and pleased to have a mentee (Pamela Delano) through FNA’s Leadership 

Academy. FNA has a bright future when we recognize the talent moving forward. 

• A desire for each of the eight FNA regions to grow, where there are face-to-face opportunities for networking and 

professional support. FNA can embrace and learn from the ethnically diverse nurses within Florida and remain open 

to partnerships with specialty nursing organizations in mutually successful ways. South Region, through the efforts of 

Director Jill Tahmooressi, is taking the lead. 

• A continued concern for staffing issues, serving as the chair of the research subcommittee of the Staffing Task Force, 

whereby we are positioned to make sound decisions regarding recommendations for legislation. 

• Participation with ANA at the annual membership assembly in Washington, giving FNA the chance to move a reference 

proposal forward regarding ethics based on Florida’s recent history/infamy in our prison system. Ed Briggs presented 

the proposal, Willa Fuller and I helped pull it together...all of which was based on Debbie Hogan’s (Southeast Region 

Director) passion for the health of all Floridians. Ed Briggs will be chair of the Nomination and Elections Committee of 

ANA 2016. 

60


During this second year as president elect, I have attended all Board meetings, participated in conference calls providing 

background support, edited documents, taken meeting minutes, and given assistance in whatever form required. I want to 

thank President Briggs and Executive Director Fuller for including me on a regular basis in the business of the organization 

and extend appreciation to all of you who have stepped up with enthusiasm as dedicated professional nurses. 

Barbara Russell 

Vice President 

I have completed my first two year term as Vice President (VP) and continue to find it to be a very exhilarating and excitng 

time to be active in my professional nursing organization. My major charge as VP is to serve as Chair of the Membership 

Committee. Last year I mentioned we need everybody’s help and encourage you each to bring in new members and/or talk to 

colleagues who have not renewed to renew. I want to thank those of you who were successful in bringing new members into 

FNA. I particularly want to thank Board member Shirley Hill who spent several hours in the office calling members who 

had not renewed their membership and was successful in getting several to renew. Here is to continued success in 2016. 

In addition to attending and participating in all Board meetings I once again had the opportunity to be part of the 

Leadership Council of my home region “The South Region”. We held a fall membership meeting which included a large 

number of students. The South Region held its fifth Annual Florida Nurses Association South Region Symposium and 

Awards Ceremony. We are currently planning our fall meeting and looking forward to our sixth annual Spring Symposium. 

Other FNA activities I have participated in over the past year include speaking at the 2014 Membership Assembly and 

working with a task force on Ebola preparation. 

The highlight of my FNA year was being inducted into the FNA Hall of Fame. What an honor!!! 

Thank you for the privilege of allowing me to continue to be a part of FNA leadership and the rewarding personal and 

professional growth opportunities. 

Linda Howe 

Treasurer 

As treasurer I have reviewed the financial reports each month. This is still a challenging time, but we have managed to 

stay about even. The investments were reviewed to make sure there were no stocks in companies that are in conflict with 

nursing values and teachings, e.g. Tobacco or alcohol. I also gave my opinion on some possible benefits to members making 

sure the membership would be safeguarded in regards to financial stability. In the future there may need to be some tough 

decisions, but for now, the staff are managing to maintain service and do it on a tight budget. A complete financial report 

will be presented at the business meeting during the Membership Assembly. 

Deborah Hogan 

Southeast Region 

This past year, based on our monthly telephone calls, we were able to plan some very exciting meetings. In October, we 

organized a state-wide webinar entitled, “Preparing for Ebola,” with our expert speaker, Barbara Russell. January was very 

busy, with the airing of the ANA movie both in Port St. Lucy and in West Palm Beach (1/19/15 and 1/26/15), followed by our 

“Nurses’ Legislative Forum” at Keiser University on 1/15/15. Our last face to face meeting was our “Nursing Ethics Program” 

with speaker Jill Winland Brown on 5/7/15 at FAU. 

We hope to have our next meeting at the Membership Assembly in September. Please join us as we plan for next year! 

61


Doreen Perez, MS, RN-BC 

Northeast Region Director 

The North East Region of Florida Nurses Association, Director resigned in May 2015, a new director (Doreen Perez) was 

appointed by President Ed Briggs. The leadership team met and set new goals for the remaining of the year and on July 18, 

2015, 

North East region of Florida Nurses Association presented an educational program at the University of North Florida. Thirty 

eight (38) nurses attended. The presentations included: Laura Brown: “Nursing Ethics”, Mary Nason: “Evidenced Based 

Practice”, Linda Connelly: “Updated BON Regulations.” 

The program was rated excellent by the majority of the attendees and in addition to the presentations, the nurses had an 

opportunity to discuss membership benefits in FNA and ANA. Several of the nurses volunteered to become active in our 

region and a few of the non-members expressed an interest in becoming members. The NE Region will continue to offer 

these types of events to continue to support nursing education and encourage members to be active in our region. 

Marsha Martin 

North Central Region 

The North Central Region repeated the wonderful Region Meeting in April. It was arranged and hosted by the Suwanee 

River Chapter and as usual they did an awesome job. We are in discussion about changing the venue this next year. 

We are also looking for any suggestions or ideas for events and activities that we can do this coming year. 

Susan Hartranft 

West Central Region 

The West Central Region was well represented at the 2014 Membership assembly. Several members were actively involved 

speaking in the Assembly business meeting, one member authored a reference proposal and one member led the Bylaws 

Committee. 

The West Central Region annually hosts a legislative forum. This year, the schedule of committee meetings made 

scheduling the forum impossible. However in its place the region sponsored a Candidate Forum October 1 in St Petersburg. 

The forum was well attended by nurses and the general public. 

In January we sponsored a showing of The American Nurse. This documentary follows five nurses in various practice 

specialties. Through the lives of the featured nurses it allows the viewer to explore some of the bigger issues facing the US. 

It is a must see for nurses and non-nurses alike. 

Choosing Wisely 50 tests and treatments to avoid was the topic of a continuing education program. Ed Briggs presented the 

program in March. 

Nurse’s week festivities included another showing of The American nurse. In addition we had our traditional Night 

at the Rays game. This has become an annual event with the Rays where they recognize nurses during nurse’s week. 

Unfortunately we had to cancel our planned continuing education day due low number of registrants. 

In June I had the opportunity to represent FNA at the pinning ceremony for the University of Tampa. The students were 

excited and eager to begin their practice. It took me back many (many) years to my graduation and early years in this 

marvelous career of nursing. 

It’s been an honor to serve as the West Central Region Director the last 4 years. I welcome our new director and look 

forward to the new ideas and activities she/he may bring to the region. 

Best Wishes All 

Sue 

62


Shirley Hill 

East Central Region 

It has been a privilege to serve on the Board of Directors as the East Central Regional Director the past 4 years. During my 

25+ years with FNA, I have participated in many activities and have learned a great deal about the organization. FNA 

represents all professional nurses in all aspects of nursing. 

During tenure we have had quarterly meetings at FNA headquarters in Orlando with excellent speakers for Continuing 

Education and networking among nurses and nursing students. I would like to express my gratitude to Marti Hanuschik, 

RN for arranging these meetings. This past month with the help of Brevard County Member Willie Spaulding we had a very 

successful meeting in Melbourne for members in that area. I continue to encourage members in all counties of the region 

to become involved and assist in planning meetings for your areas. I am committed to our members and strive to increase 

membership at every opportunity. During the past few months I’ve made over 500 calls to members who did not renew and 

students not renewing after their free year. Many were appreciative of the call because they thought they were automatically 

renewed yearly. Several renewed their membership. 

I am in the process of scheduling a meeting in July and August with speakers for both events. 

Denise McNulty 

Southwest Region 

Florida Nurses Association - Southwest Region 

Collier County Nurses Chapter and Royal Palm Coast Chapter 

September 2013-September 2014 

Submitted by: Denise McNulty, DNP, MSN, RN-BC, ARNP 

Regional Director, Southwest 

We have two Chapters within the Southwest Region – the Collier County Nurses Chapter and the Royal Palm Coast 

Chapter. It has been a very active year for our Region! 

On September 18, 2013, the FNA Southwest Region Royal Palm Coast Chapter hosted a dinner meeting for Members and 

guests at the Edison Restaurant in Fort Myers. Dr. Jeffrey Levenson, MD presented “Nurses: The Burden of Clostridium 

Difficile – DIFICID to the rescue!” Representative Heather Fitzenhagen, District 78, addressed the audience. Seventy nurses 

attended. 

On September 20 and 21, 2013, several FNA Southwest Region Members attended the FNA Membership Assembly in 

Orlando to represent our Region. 

On January 30, 2014, the FNA Collier County Nurses Chapter hosted a dinner meeting for Members and Guests at Avow 

Hospice in Naples. Dr. Susan Hassmiller, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, presented an update on the Future of Nursing 

initiative. One hundred nurses attended. 

On February 5, 2014, Dr. Denise McNulty presented at the Greater Naples Leadership Masters meeting held at the NCH 

Healthcare System in Naples. Her presentation was entitled: “Nurse Practitioners and the Future of Nursing”. 

On February 24-28 and March 3-7, 2014, FNA Southwest Region co-sponsored four seminars with Harvard Medical School 

at the Naples Beach Hotel in Naples. Several FNA Members attended. Fifteen contact hours were awarded. 

On March 20, 2014, Dr. Denise McNulty presented a webinar for Nurse.com entitled: “Which Doctorate Do I Choose? 

Differences Between Research-Focused and Practice-Focused Nursing Doctoral Education”. FNA Southwest Region was 

highlighted in the introduction. 

On May 7, 2014, the FNA Southwest Region hosted a dinner meeting for Members and guests in honor of National Nurses 

Week. The dinner was held at Moorings Park in Naples. Brenda Iliff, Executive Director of Hazelden Betty Ford Florida, 

63


presented “SW FL Nurses: Oxycodone and Other Opiates Beyond Heroin…The Reality of This Problem in Our Community” 

followed by “A Special Treat for Nurses Week: Using Essential Oils for Healing and Balance!” presented by FNA Members, 

Dr. Lauren Corder and Jose Castillo. Over one hundred nurses attended. 

On June 5, 2014, the FNA Southwest Region Royal Palm Coast Chapter hosted a dinner meeting for Members and guests 

at the Edison Restaurant in Fort Myers. Dr. Todd Broder, MD presented “The Reality of Chronic Mental Illness in Our 

Community: Important Information for SW FL Nurses Regarding Treatment of a Challenging Disorder – Schizophrenia”. 

Sixty nurses attended. 

We would like to thank all of our loyal Members in Lee, Charlotte, Hendry, Glades, and Collier Counties for their continued 

support. Without our Members, we would not have a Southwest Region. 

Our Region is fortunate to have two local Chapters who work well together in providing opportunities for our Members 

with a focus on networking, professional development, and membership development. Our Region is planning to host a 

dinner meeting this fall in Naples and one in the spring in Fort Myers. 

Jill Tahmooressi, RN-BSN, MBA, NCSN 

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, address 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 

64


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. 

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 Nitti, 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 & 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 & 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 & 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 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. 

In addition to the April symposium, the south region also hosted a reception for The American Film in February 2015. 

Lastly, the annual Healthcare Policy and Advocacy dinner and program will once again be offered on Columbus day, with a 

one hour contact program. 

Report submitted by: Jill Tahmooressi 2013-2015 South Region Director 

65


FNA Staff 

Willa Fuller, RN – 17 years- Executive Director since 6/11/07 – Manages the day to day operations of the association. 

Jeanie Demshar, Esq. – 5 years Director of Professional Practice Advocacy; services the bargaining units and 

coordinates the legislative program. 

Vicki Sumagpang, RN – 3 ½ years – Director of Member Engagement 

Tunala Stark – 12 ½ years, Bookkeeper/Program Specialist for Membership 

Bibi Lowton – 12 years, Program Specialist for Governmental and Professional Practice Advocacy 

Martha Tripp – 1 year & 8 months – Executive Assistant 

Leslie Homsted – Communications Coordinator/Membership Recruitment and Retention Specialist 20 years 

2015 Report of the FNA Staff 

Every year, the Board of Directors is charged with implementing the goals and priorities as adopted by the House of 

Delegates during the Membership Assembly. In turn, the FNA staff works in collaboration with the Board and appointed/ 

elected committees to carry out these actions, as well as conduct the business of FNA, which continues to be a vibrant and 

complex association. 

The current board begins their terms by viewing the current strategic plan and identifying ways to continue the work 

begun by previous boards. 

Background 

FNA maintains a prominent position as the professional association for Registered Nurses and strives to continue its role 

in advocating for optimal health care for our citizens and the work environment for nurses. At the same time, FNA and its 

affiliated arm - such as the Florida Nurses Foundation (FNF) and the Florida Nurses Political Action Committee (FNPAC) 

represent a large business entity. As such, FNA has to abide by Internal Revenue Services (IRS) guidelines for a not-for-profit 

501(C) 6 (FNA and its /units fall under the category of “like businesses,” meaning that membership criteria is limited to 

registered nurses). In addition, FNA is registered in Florida and nationally as a labor organization and must abide by those 

rules and regulations. FNA operates with Regions that are coordinated or overseen by 8 elected Region Directors who along 

with the Executive Committee comprise the FNA Board of Directors. This structure, which was a pivotal change made 

by the 2009 (and final) House of Delegates continues to evolve with growth in activities from both the Regions and some 

Special Interest Groups. 

The Florida Nurses Foundation was established by FNA leadership in 1983 and is designated by the IRS as a 501(C) 3. This 

category is under the not-for-profit code that differs from FNA in that it is recognized as a public charitable organization 

that can utilize its funds to assist nurses. FNF funds provide grants for scholarships, research projects and temporary 

assistance for nurses in need. Contributions to FNF are tax deductible whereas FNA dues are eligible for deduction only 

IF you itemize your annual tax return. FNPAC, as the political arm of the Association, must comply with Florida election 

laws, which includes routine reporting of contributions and expenses, in addition to submitting an annual report to the 

IRS. Of course, FNA also has obligations as a constituent member of the American Nurses Association (ANA) and the new 

structural entities, as well as our regions and units. 

FNA continues to believe that nurses should have one organization that speaks in a unified voice for all of nursing. FNA 

recognizes the diversity of the nursing workforce, supporting nurses’ differences, but is keenly aware that a unified voice 

is essential to be able to effect positive change in the current highly charged and highly competitive environment. Recently 

these challenges have increased with heightened focus on the medical community in scope of practice issues. The recent 

Institute of Medicine Report has also drawn attention to the need for nurses to be able to practice to the full scope of their 

education and experience. FNA has representation on the Florida Action Coalition (FL-AC) which is the entity that is 

working to implement the recommendations of the report. We also maintain a close relationship with the Florida Center for 

Nursing which is one of the Co-Leads of the FL-AC. 

With the work of dedicated, creative and innovative volunteers, FNA can change the workplace for nurses and the health 

care environment for the patients served. Recent work with QUIN Council and with the Florida Coalition of Advanced 

Practice Nurses continues to enhance collaborative networking among other organizations. FNA continues to participate 

with QUIN and the Coalition on a regular basis. Most recently, QUIN has formed a task force to explore transition to 

professional practice for nurses. The Transition to Practice Task Force is still working to get a handle on this issue. 

66


Membership 

Since FNA is a professional association, resources and abilities to advocate for nurses are dependent upon the success of 

recruitment and retention of members. While it is appropriate that the majority of our revenue comes from member dues, 

associations are experiencing a drop in membership across the board. 

FNA membership has been affected by many factors, including, but not limited to, impact of state employee reductions, 

closures and downsizing, past failure of new graduates to join the association (this is on the upswing), retirement of 

nurses who do not renew, and the current challenging economy. The Membership Committee, along with FNA staff, works 

diligently to implement strategies as outlined in their report. In addition, the Board has been supportive of approving new 

sources of non-dues revenue. The current Membership Committee has made several recommendations for membership 

recruitment in the upcoming months including a phone campaign to recoup deleted members and a post card campaign 

with personalized messaging, We have also revived the Star Campaign. This one on one member recruitment initiative was 

very effective in the past. One board member, Shirley Hill, actually made 500 calls to new members and was able to reclaim 

several members. It is noteworthy that a significant number were not aware their membership had lapsed. In another 

membership strategy, we sent a post-card with a photo of the faculty member who recruited them included in a personal 

message. This board member, Linda Howe, had the greatest number of new graduates to renew after the free year. This 

shows the effectiveness of more aggressive membership acquisition efforts. 

Additional 2015 Membership Initiatives include: 

• New text service for renewals and for regaining deleted members. 

• Continuation of Birthday emails to each FNA member as a retention strategy; 

• A “You’ve Been Spotted” initiative to invite nurses who have won awards or demonstrated other accomplishments to 

join the professional association 

• Four touch points of renewal for each FNA member (two mailings an email and a new text renewal notification); 

• Handwritten notes to members on renewals; 

• A revised new membership packet sent electronically to each new member (pending); 

• Membership recruitment emails and texts to students lists provided by ANA; 

• A special email blast promotion to all deleted new grad members from the past two years with revised marketing 

materials 

• A social networking presence on Facebook, Twitter, Linked In and YouTube; 

• Our own social networking community on Yammer 

• Membership recruitment contests and incentives; 

• FNSA consultant communication and incentives; 

• Promotion of State Only Membership to get people to “try us on for size” 

• Past FNSA member communication; 

• Newly designed renewal envelopes to stand out in mailboxes; 

• Presence at specialty nurse organization events; 

• Invitation to previously deleted members to re-join FNA; 

• Consistent member communication about FNA programs; 

• FNA presence at student RN programs and graduations; 

• Quarterly publication of New Grad Gazette to deans/directors, members and students; 

• Close relationship with FNSA, as well as submitting articles in the FNSA publication, The Hotline; 

• First year free membership for all FNSA new graduates and ½ off for all first year renewals (FNSA graduates receive 

another special email to remind them of their first year renewal price); additionally we have extended the monthly 

payment option to this reduced rate; 

• FNSA liaison positions on FNA board and committees to provide mentorship and exposure to the professional 

organization. 

• ADP option for FNSA new graduates that can be applied over one or two years; 

• ADP Option for new non-FNSA new grads of reduced membership with the monthly deduction option 

• Recruitment and continuing education meetings across the state for bargaining unit members; 

• Special Interest Groups 

• Combined Nursing Research Conference and Nurses Retreat 

• Online FNA Career Center and job placement assistance. 

We are currently in the process of developing a targeted campaign for nurse faculty to stress the importance of educators as 

mentors. We continue to work with the New Grad Special Interest Group to learn more about the needs of our new graduates 

and try to develop resources for them. The New Grad Special Interest Group is very interested in strengthening the Florida 

Nurses Leadership Academy and the Professional Development Committee is working on making that program more 

vibrant. 

67


Public Relations 

FNA manages its public relations strategies based on the Goals and Priorities of the association as well as based on what 

is occurring in the field of nursing. FNA maintains a statewide media contact list in the email program. Press releases 

about FNA programs, events and issues are disseminated to this list periodically, with the goal of publication or inclusion 

in various forms of media. FNA continues to work on its public relations program, with the goak of promoting the nursing 

profession. FNA staff and members also respond to media requests, providing interviews, referrals to experts and other 

resource materials. This year we were very present in the media along with ANA during the Ebola scare. The Executive 

Director was interviewed on television in multiple media outlets including television news reports and television stations 

websites and blogs. FNA had several mentions in various publications across the state. This media exposure was shared on 

social media, via Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin. The addition of Alisa Lapolt to our lobbying team has been a welcome 

addition to FNA due to her history as a reporter and her expertise in Public Relations. With her help, we continue the We 

Care, We Vote Campaign as an ongoing theme and will continue this as a core activity to engage nurses in the political 

process. This year we also launched the FNA 4Action Campaign, a brainchild of the FNA President, wth support of the 

Board, to give members, their families and public citizens some tools and information about grassroots advocacy. The 

program was revised for the 2015 Legislative Session and it will be discussed as an ongoing program of FNA. 

In terms of nursing, FNA looks for every opportunity to enhance communication and collaboration among nursing 

organizations, as well as other health related groups in Florida. FNA continues to facilitate the work of several organizations 

such as The Florida Nursing Students’ Association (FNSA), offering the FNA board room meeting facilities for nursing 

organizations. In addition, FNA invites other nursing groups to take advantage of FNA office resources. FNA continues to 

host several of the quarterly meetings of the Quality and Unity in Nursing (QUIN) Council. The QUIN Council is a coalition 

of nursing organizations in Florida: In the past two years, membership in QUIN has expanded. Two years ago,, QUIN 

established a leadership structure and have planned some exciting collaborative work. We continue to use the brochure 

developed by QUIN to educate both nurses and the public regarding the best options for nursing education programs in 

Florida. 

Staff and other representatives such as our lobbyists, attend meetings of the Florida Board of Nursing when feasible and 

communicate with the Board of Nursing frequently on regulatory issues. 

FNA has also become heavily involved in social networking strategy in order to reach larger populations of nurses. FNA 

has presence on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIN, YouTube and now VIMEO. Through these communication avenues, FNA can 

make announcements about activities and programs and increase engagement by nurses and students. FNA has 5,150 likes 

(up from 4,287 in 2014) on Facebook, and 1,159 (up from 614 in 2013) “followers” on Twitter. We are also hoping to build our 

video library on You Tube and become more active on LinkedIN. We have subscribed to Vimeo with plans of launching web 

based continuing education programs online for members. We are using Vimeo for other programs such as Member Updates. 

We have developed a new FNA “Commercial” with testimonials from actual members resides on our Website and is played 

on Social Media periodically. 

Communication 

2015 Member Communication includes: 

• Region Updates and Event Email Alerts: Emails to region members are sent at the request of FNA region directors. This 

is primarily to announce meetings or other events in the area or to request volunteers. We have over 4,000 emails in our 

membership database and over 3,900 members receive our frequent email alerts. 

• The Florida Nurse: The Florida Nurse goes to every nurse in the state of Florida and not only contains news of interest to 

FNA members but keeps the general nursing population informed about nursing and healthcare in the state. Last year, 

we asked the members vote on the new masthead for the Newsletter that we continue to use today. . 

• The State Unit Newsletter: The State Unit Newsletter (the “SUN”) goes to every state employed member of the 

Professional Health Care Unit. The SUN provides pertinent information and updates to state employees. 

• The SIG Sentinel is a new publication that gives periodic highlights of Special Interest Group activities. . 

• FNA Job Flash shares job opportunities for members from our Career Center. 

Education 

FNA works each year to streamline existing programs and look for new ones that will be beneficial to FNA members and 

other nurses in the community. FNA continues to produce the Annual Advocacy Days (Formerly Lobby Days). This year 

we transitioned the Ingeborg Mauksch Clinical Excellence Conference into the new Evidence Based Practice and Research 

68


Conference in conjunction with our fourth Nurses Retreat. There was an excellent response to the Research Conference and 

we hope to expand that for next year. We will begin planning early. This year we hosted multiple webinars for CE through 

Regional Activities or Special Interest Groups. 

Regional Directors also offered multiple quality CE programs for members in their local areas. 

This Membership Assembly will also provide the opportunity for members to receive 7 contact hours of continuing 

education. 

Advocacy 

FNA’s core function is advocacy on many levels, including being responsive to the needs of members and outreach to nurses 

and students in general, advocating for optimal work environment and health care safety and other health care concerns. 

Please refer to the section on Public Relations since this includes activities that also demonstrate advocacy. 

Our legislative advocacy program is ongoing through our lobbyists in Tallahassee and the grassroots lobbying efforts of 

our members across the state. Alisa Lapolt of GoTopsail continues with FNA as a part of our lobbying team. Robert Levy 

also continues as a contract lobbyist for FNA who provides excellent support for the association. At this year’s Lobby Days 

conference, we covered topics including an update on what was occurring on the national front from Janet Haebler of ANA. 

We also heard great information from Linda Smith of IPN who enlightened participants about that program and how FNA 

legislative advocacy helped to establish it. She also expressed gratitude for our continuing work to support continuation 

of that valuable service. This year, we continue to enhance our visibility at the Capital by wearing the FNA Lab Coats. 

We declared that week to be Florida Center for Nursing Week and distributed buttons for all participants to wear while 

visiting legislators. There was excellent student attendance and once again both veterans and novice “grassroots lobbyists” 

alike learned to navigate the Capitol during session. For three years in a row, we have held webinars prior to the event to 

orient potential attendees to the Advocacy Days experience. We have provided bus transportation to the Capital to make 

navigating the terrain an easier experience for attendees. We thank the Florida State University for the use of their Student 

Union for our unique experience this year. 

For the past three years, we have been encouraging members to attend the Annual Delegation Meetings where groups 

address legislators regarding their core advocacy agenda. We have had excellent participation from our members and our 

lobbyists help to prepare members to present before these groups. The members report a very positive experience. 

This year, we took our advocacy to the national level by submitting a Reference Proposal to the Dialogue Forums of ANA 

on the care of inmates in Florida Prisons. There have been challenges in this area since the privatization of several prisons 

in Florida resulting in a decline in care and an increasing death rate. President Ed Briggs gave the presentation and our 

proposal was discussed and will be a part of the larger report. The Reference Committee will determine how this topic will 

be addressed at the ANA level. 

The leadership of the bargaining units as members of the Labor Employment Relations Commission (LERC) continue to 

face many challenges this past year particularly those in the state unit. Over the past few years, with severe budget cuts 

and threats of privatization, many members retired early or left for other opportunities. Closures of some facilities also 

affected membership. Downsizing and closing of units continue and positions are being eliminated in many areas. We 

are experiencing many non-members seeking help from us and used this as an opportunity for member recruitment. FNA 

is working to increase membership in LERC through internal organizing by way of our affiliation with OPEIU and have 

done additional mailings and visits to those facilities for member education and recruitment. FNA plans to continue these 

meetings around the state in 2015. 

Several task forces and committees have been formed based on reference proposals from previous years and emerging 

issues of importance to nursing. The Nurse Licensure Compact, Public Health Infrastructure, Safe Nurse Staffing, 

Workforce Violence/Horizontal Violence, Ebola Task Force, and Increasing the Number of Men in Nursing are some of the 

issues addressed this past year. These committees and task forces are meeting and are all at different stages of their work. 

You will find their reports in the Book if they have had an official meeting. Some are still working on scheduling meetings 

in the near future. 

Phone consultation to members is available during office hours and FNA continues the policy of limiting non-member 

assistance from 1 to 2 p.m. (non-members may call 407.896.3261). FNA does not provide the member 800 number to nonmembers 

since it is a member benefit. In addition, FNA staff speaks with nurses from out-of-state or to nursing students or 

LPN’s at any time during the day. 

69


Whereas, the Board of Nursing, as directed by law, is there to protect the public and advocates on patients’ behalf, FNA’s 

mission includes serving as the advocate for nurses and collectively for the profession. This advocacy directs everything 

FNA does from legislative and health policy initiatives, as well as FNA formal collective bargaining agreements, 

educational activities including publications from both ANA and FNA, and consultation on workplace issues. 

FNA continues to provide a member benefit which allows members to call in and request one legal consultation with FNA 

practice counsel. There has been minimal use of this benefit but it has been helpful to those who needed it. This benefit is 

only activated if it is truly a question that cannot be answered by staff. We have also used this service to generate a FAQ 

list to be able to answer non-legal questions from nurses. Once this has been refined and checked for accuracy, it will be 

published. 

FNA is also working to become as “green” as possible. FNA continues to embrace this philosophy at Headquarters by 

purchasing green products and recycling. We no longer purchase bottled water for meetings, we have two recycle bins 

in the office for cans and bottles, and we work diligently to decrease printing. We will also advance this practice a little 

farther by eliminating the Workbook for this Assembly. This year the presentation will be posted on Google Docs for 

members to access. 

In addition to what has been addressed in previous goals, FNA continues evaluate and identify issues in order to determine 

what additional resources might be developed to assist nurses in the workplace. FNA also distributes, upon request, official 

ANA and FNA positions statements. These statements are purposed by membership and adopted by the members at the 

national and state level, as well as both Boards of Directors, as deemed necessary. 

We have signed on to several letters related to topics of interest to nurses or to public health in the past two years. 

Economic and General Welfare of Registered Nurses 

The Labor and Employment Relations Council (LERC) continues to work in developing and implementing activities to 

effectively address the concerns of all staff nurses in Florida. In developing activities and strategies, LERC looks at both 

workplace advocacy strategies and collective bargaining strategies. 

Workplace Advocacy strategies include activities initiated to address many and varied employment and workplace challenges 

faced by nurses on a daily basis and can be employed by nurses whether represented by collective bargaining or not. 

With The Florida Nurse going to all RNs in Florida, the FNA continues with the commitment to assist all nurses in all 

practice settings, addressing their concerns through informational articles. This is accomplished by informing nurses 

of what resources are available through the association, such as workplace publications, conflict resolution strategies, 

assisting with issues of health and safety in the workplace and education on the importance of being involved on 

committees, either in their workplace or communities where policy is developed. 

FNA collective bargaining units continue to provide strong leadership to the nurses in their workplaces through 

multiple activities. The units are able to highlight their activities in their annual report, which is included in this Book 

of Reports. During this past year, several units have negotiated new contracts which secure their salary and benefits 

and provide mechanism for nurses to meet and confer with management representatives to address issues of concern 

such as disciplinary actions, staffing, overtime, and scheduling. The units have worked very hard to provide leadership 

training and education to their members. Membership growth has been achieved in all units as a result of the hard work 

of unit leadership in educating their members to the importance of being involved their bargaining unit and professional 

association. For four years in a row, LERC has held a Labor Institute or its members dedicated to education and leadership 

development. This year, the Labor Institute will occur following the Membership Assembly in October. 

Organizational Structure 

The transition of the FNA structure is complete and the Regions are each evolving in their own way. There have been 

events in all of the Regions and members are continuing to learn the processes for planning events, accessing funding, and 

marketing their events. Some groups, such as the South Region Planning Council has mastered the process and can serve 

as a role model for other Regions. The Northeast Region also has a stable planning group that has planned a successful 

regional conference for several years in a unique setting. East Central Region is developing groups in each county for events 

in those areas. And the Northeast Region has a core group of leaders who have just completed a successful event. The 

Northwest Region as well as the Southeast Region has held multiple events over the past two years. The goal is to provide 

activities and services to each area of the Region by developing groups to plan local activities with some funding from FNA. 

70


Special Interest Groups 

The Special Interest Groups are slowly evolving with some more active than others. Some have dissolved, while others, 

such as the Health Policy SIG and the Ethics SIG are thriving. Frequent conference calls and webinars have been held under 

the coordination of Director of Programs and Member Engagement, Vicki Sumagpang. A committee of the Board of Directors 

recently developed a guideline for Region Directors to help new Region Directors transition into their roles. The same idea 

has been advanced for the Special Interest Groups (SIGS). The active SIGs are the New Graduate, Health Policy, Ethics and 

the Nursing Research SIG (serves on a consultative basis). Just recently, a Clinical Nurse Specialist SIG has developed and 

has become quite active. This group presented a Reference Proposal to the Membership Assembly last year and will be 

bringing it back this year. The Board has looked at the viability of the SIG’s and reviewed the activity of these groups over a 

period of time. Last year, several SIGS were dissolved due to inactivity. 

Continuing Education Programs 

FNA is committed to providing quality educational opportunities for the nurses of Florida. FNA programs are designed 

for and often by the members of the association to meet the needs of a variety of practitioners. In addition, the programs 

provide an opportunity for networking with colleagues as well as professional growth by attending or participating in the 

programs as a presenter. These programs are offered to members at a discounted rate and non-members are encouraged to 

also attend. After review, decisions are made about the continuation or cancellation of new and existing programs. 

FNA Advocacy Days usually occurs in March during the legislative session. It will occur in January in 2016 due to 

redistricting. Coordinated by Alisa Lapolt, Bob Levy and the FNA Staff, this program provides didactic information on 

grassroots lobbying and first-hand experience interacting with state and local officials. 

After this experience, nurses are encouraged to communicate with their legislators throughout the year. For the last few 

years, FNA lobbyists made appointments for members to visit legislators in their offices in Tallahassee. Members were 

provided FNA toolkits to provide to each legislator with whom they met. In 2015, 178 nurses and nursing students attended 

Advocacy Days. Due to the success of the shuttle transportation in 2013, we continued the bus service for providing 

transportation to and from the events and off site hotel attendees. 

FNA members wore white lab coats and packets were prepared for our grassroots lobbyists to share with their legislators. 

We also made the legislative visits optional, this decreased no-shows and only engaged those participants who wanted to 

directly interact with legislators. The large majority of attendees opted to make the legislative visits. Bob Levy and Jose Diaz 

of Robert Levy and Associates are also an integral part of the planning and execution of this outstanding program for our 

members. They made appointments with legislators and secured the 22nd Floor of the Capitol for our Luncheon as well as 

the historic old Capitol building for presentation from legislators and other policy makers. Next year, FNA Lobby Days will 

be held January 19-20 in Tallahassee at the Residence Inn on Gaines St. Several events will be held at the Capitol and the 

Governor’s Club. 

1st Annual Evidence Based Practice and Research Conference/Nurses Retreat 

This year we partnered this conference with the annual Nurses and New Grad Retreat to encourage attendees to experience 

both conferences. Saddlebrook Resort provided the perfect backdrop for fun and relaxation while learning. New graduates 

and seasoned nurses network together in a comfortable environment. There is content that is applicable to both groups and 

the program includes education sessions on self-care as well as professional development. This year, plans are to make 

some changes in the program and the process of selecting stories. The podium presentations and poster sessions during the 

research conference were well attended and participants asked questions and were fully engaged. 

The retreat was educational and extremely interactive with fun sessions that also contained didactic instruction. The 

members expressed their appreciation for the opportunity to relax and learn in a soothing and comfortable environment. 

We are exploring possibilities for continuing this conference. 

Affiliated “Arms” of FNA 

Florida Nurses Political Action Committee 

FNA provides the administrative support for both the Florida Nurses Political Action Committee (FNPAC) and the Florida 

Nurses Foundation (FNF). Although these structural organizations are separate from FNA in that they have separate 

bylaws, officers, and operational guidelines, leaders of FNA were the impetus for the creation of these important groups and 

continue to hold leadership roles on both boards. 

FNPAC is a voluntary non-profit and non-partisan organization which operates in conformity with the policies and goals 

of FNA and the election laws of Florida. It was established in 1981 to encourage nurses to become aware of the importance 

of political issues and impact on patient care. It also provides ways to assist nurses in becoming politically active and 

71


solicit voluntary contributions to support the endorsement of candidates who have demonstrated responsiveness to health 

care issues. Contributions and endorsements are made without regard to party affiliation. In 2010, an option to donate 

monthly to FNPAC was provided to members, per the recommendation of the FNPAC board. The monthly donation option 

is available on FNA applications, as well as online. As this is an election year, the PAC has been very busy interviewing 

candidates and endorsing those that support our legislative agenda. 

We currently have the option for members to deduct additional money from their checking accounts or credit cards on 

a monthly basis. This is a painless way to give and provide strength to the FNA legislative program through additional 

financial resources. 

Florida Nurses Foundation 

The Florida Nurses Foundation was established in 1983 as a non-profit public corporation 501 (c) 3 to promote the public’s 

awareness of nursing services as an integral part of the health care delivery system. Since 1986, the Foundation has 

provided scholarships and research grants during the annual luncheon held in conjunction with the FNA Membership 

Assembly. In addition, FNF continues to provide financial assistance to nurses from the Nurses in Need Program. 

The Foundation is privileged to have the following endowment funds, representing a minimum contribution of 

$10,000 or more: 

Nurses in Need: 

• Undine Sams, RN, Fund (Recently reached the $15,000 level with a donation from the Charitable Trust) 

• Maurine Finney Fund 

• Katherine Gutwald/Lillian Smith District 9 Fund 

• Paula Massey Fund 

Research Grants: 

• Frieda Norton Fund (District 5 Charitable Trust) - Open to all candidates. 

• Evelyn Frank McKnight Fund - Open to all qualified candidates. 

• Blanche Case Research Fund - Preference given to nurse researcher in South Florida. 

• Edna Hicks Research Fund - Preference for south Florida nurse. 

• Imogene King Research Fund (from District 4) – Open to graduate students statewide. 

• Evelyn Baxter Memorial Fund - For students of Manatee, Sarasota, Hardee, and Charlotte counties; 40% goes to research 

grants in graduate program. 

• Undine Sams and Friends Research Grant Fund – Preference given to nurse researcher in South Florida. 

Scholarships 

• District 3 Scholarships– Preference given to Marion county residents, BSN generic students ONLY with a GPA of 3.0 or 

higher. 

• Edna Hicks Fund - Graduate VA employed nurse with preference given to resident of south Florida. 

• Edna Hicks Scholarship Fund – Statewide open to all levels. 

• Erma B. Kraft Scholarship Fund – For generic students from Indian River County. 

• District 18 Lillian Hulla Friend of Nursing Fund and Olive Seymour Fund- Two generic scholarships for students from 

Volusia County. 

• District 6 Generic Scholarship Fund – Four generic statewide scholarships per year. (District 18 merged with District 6 

during establishment of fund.) 

• District 8 Charlotte Anzalone Scholarship Fund – For undergraduates and graduates from District 8 boundaries (Orange, 

Seminole, and Osceola). May award statewide if there are no local applicants. 

• District 4 Florida Nurses Scholarship Fund - Undergraduate/graduate students who are residents of Hillsborough 

County. (just recently increased to $15,000 level with a donation from District 4). 

• Evelyn Baxter Memorial Fund- For students of Manatee, Sarasota, Hardee, and Charlotte counties; 60% goes to a 

scholarship for ADN, BSN, MSN, PhD/DNS ARNP students. 

• Ruth Jacobs District 46 Scholarship – Must be resident of Pinellas County and enrolled in a formal academic, accredited 

program. Priority given to RN. 

• Mary York Scholarship Fund – No restrictions. 

• Marcy Klosterman Memorial Scholarship Fund (District 14) - Restricted to Lake County students with funds to remain 

in principle if no qualified applicants. 

• Olive Ramsey Memorial Scholarship Fund (District 46) – For student from Pinellas or Pasco counties; Must have a 2.5 

GPA for undergraduates and 3.2 GPA for graduates. 

• Undine Sams and Friends Scholarship (District 5 Charitable Trust) - Preference for south Florida student but can be 

given out statewide and is open to all levels. 

72


• Nina Brookins Scholarship Fund (District 5 Charitable Trust)- Preference for south Florida Student (living or attending 

school). 

• Eleanor Bindrim Scholarship Fund (District 5 Charitable Trust - Preference given to perioperative nursing student from 

south Florida. 

• Kay Fullwood Scholarship established in 2013 for an ARNP interested in Gerontological Nursing. 

• Charlotte Liddell Scholarship Fund (District 5 Charitable Trust) - Preference given to a nursing student focusing on 

psychiatric nursing from south Florida. 

• Ruth Finnamore Scholarship Fund - Statewide open to all levels. 

• Connie Dorry Memorial Scholarship Fund - Preference to a nurse practitioner student in Dade County. 

• Great 100 Nursing Scholarship Fund – Preference given to student residing in Northeast Florida in an undergraduate or 

graduate program. 

• Louise Fiske Memorial Scholarship Fund (District 21) – For an undergraduate or graduate nurse from Broward County. 

• Ingeborg Mauksch Scholarship Fund – Preference given to Lee County students. 

• Agnes Naughton Scholarship Fund - Agnes Naughton was a member of FNA until her death and really was devoted to 

RN-BSN education. This scholarship goes to an RN returning to school for a baccalaureate degree statewide. 

• Iona Pettengill Scholarship Fund – Statewide; Open to any nursing students interested in public health. 

• Martha Russell Gerontological Nurses Fund- Preference given to Hillsborough County nursing students interested in 

Gerontological Nursing. 

• Carol Petrozella Educator Fund –For a student who is interested in nursing education as a career. 

• Kay F. Fullwood Gerontological Scholarship 

Accrual Funds 

FNF accrual funds that have not reached the $10,000 endowment level are: 

• The Rhoda Ehrreich Memorial Fund 

• The FNF Board of Trustees Fund ( Funded by donations from current and past Board of Trustee members.) 

FNF accrual funds that have not reached the $15,000 endowment level are: 

• Charlotte Anzalone Scholarship Fund 

• Erma Kraft Scholarship Fund 

• District 4 Nurses Scholarship Fund 

• Ruth Finamore Scholarship Fund 

• Gutwald- Smith Nurses in Need Fund 

• Maureen Finney Nurses in Need Fund 

• Ruth Jacobs Scholarship Fund 

• Blanche Case Research Fund 

• Nina Brookins Scholarship Fund 

• Eleanor Bindrum Scholarship Fund 

• Undine Sams and Friends Scholarship Fund 

• Edna Hicks (VA) Scholarship Fund 

• Imogene King Scholarship Fund 

• Ingeborg Mauksch Scholarship Fund 

• Iona Pettengill Scholarship Fund 

• Paula Massey Nurses in Need Fund 

In the past, endowed funds were “capped” at $10,000 dollars and scholarships and grants were awarded on estimated 

principal for that year. In 2009, FNF Trustees raised the caps and allowed districts to continue raising funds, encouraging 

them to target amounts in $5,000 increments. Funds would then be capped at $15,000 and $20,000, etc. The Foundation will 

seek ways to continue this growth through the Regions. 

All donations to the Foundation are tax deductible. In 2010, FNF offered the option to donate to the Foundation monthly. 

This option is available on the FNA application, as well as online. Some members have taken advantage of this option. 

For the past two years, the Barbara Lumpkin Institute has funded members to attend Lobby Days (Now Advocacy Days). It 

has also funded a member to attend the American Nurses Advocacy Institute (ANAI) in the past. 

73


Goals: Report on Progress 


The adoption of a new structure in 2009 has created opportunities for growth and an increase in engagement in almost 

every Region. There is still a great deal of work to be done to expand this activity from specific areas of each Region to the 

entire Region. Some Regions adopted this concept immediately and formed leadership groups and began planning events 

while others have been slower to adopt. We have used technology through email blasts, social media and now texting to 

maintain close contact with members and engage volunteers. 

Our official publication, The Florida Nurse provides consistent contact with the population of nurses in Florida and our 

goal is to utilize this tool to educate, inform and motivate nurses to become members and nurse activists. 

We maintain visibility in Florida by participating in coalitions and providing representation for state and national 

organizations and we seek out roles and positions for our members on boards and committees outside of FNA. 

We continually seek out services of value to members and eliminate services that have not proven to be beneficial. This 

includes sources of non-dues revenue of services that provide direct benefits to members such as our Career Center and our 

relationship with Mercer for Liability Insurance for Nurses. 

We continue to have a strong presence in Tallahassee and are often called upon as primary resource on issues related to 

nursing and health. Our lobbyists are vigilant and proactive on issues of importance to us and work to build relationships 

with key legislators and other leaders throughout the year. 

We are responsive to requests from the media and disseminate press releases and encourage and empower our members to 

do the same by providing education and resources such as talking points and projects such as FNA4Action. Through our 

structural entities (e.g., as the HP-SIG), members are armed with information to enable them to serve as ambassadors and 

voices for the profession. 

Members are encouraged to develop local relationships and seek positions that enhance the strength and visibility of the 

profession. 



We pursue opportunities to educate the public regarding the role of nurses through media opportunities, local education 

initiatives and responses to requests from the public sector. 

One example, is our response to media in situations where we can leverage our role in caring for our citizens such as during 

the Ebola crisis this past year. This lead to a plan by the Ebola Task Force to assemble a Speakers’ Bureau on Emerging 

Infectious Diseases to make ourselves available as well as seek out groups to share information and create an FNA presence 

in the community. 

Another ongoing project is the dissemination of a brochure developed with QUIN Council to educate the public about 

nursing education and the selection of accredited nursing programs. This has been shared with legislators as well as high 

school counselors at their annual conference. 

Members are encouraged to write “Letters to the Editor” and Op-Eds on issues of importance. We provide the information, 

resources and education to assist our members in promoting nursing through this avenue. 

We have had several earnest attempts in re-launching the Legislative District Coordinator program, however, we seem to 

have better success through mobilizing nurses via the HP-SIG and email blasts to the general membership requesting them 

to contact their legislators both during sessions and when they are back in their districts. 

Having our members attend and present at the Legislative Delegations has allowed legislators as well as members of the 

public to become educated about our issues. We continue to encourage this activity each year by providing talking points 

and assistance with attending these meetings. 

There is more work to be done in this area. Currently there is discussion regarding developing a regional statewide 

community service program to provide services to the public while increasing the visibility of the profession. 

74



FNA provides support and services for its members, through educational programs, access to mentors and phone 

consultation. 

We provide access to information on education programs through links to the Florida Board of Nursing’s website and access 

to staff who direct nurses on how to access and research information on educational opportunities. 

We have provided multiple programs and sessions on nursing education and career mobility both locally and through 

conferences and programs, within FNA and at the FNSA Convention. 

4. Advance a legislative platform that protects and enhances the ability of all registered nurses to practice to the full 

extent of their education and experience. 

Each year the Board of Directors composes legislative agenda with the assistance of our lobbying team and proposes it to 

the Annual Membership Assembly. Once adopted, the lobbying team moves forward to secure bill sponsors if appropriate, 

or work with legislators and other stakeholders to advance that agenda. 

At the same time, if issues are not intended for direct legislative action at that time, other actions are taken to educate the 

appropriate parties and to gather information to prepare for ongoing legislative work. 

Throughout the year and during session, lobbyists look for opportunities to advance our agenda and also are vigilant about 

other issues we may want to address due to the potential impact on nursing or healthcare. 

This past year we worked with coalitions on legislation regarding the Baker Act bill and ensured that all of the 

ramifications were considered as the bill moved forward. 

In support of our legislative work, there have been several task forces formed to ensure members are involved in ongoing 

policy issues such as safe staffing, workplace violence/workplace safety. 


FNA was instrumental in the formation of the QUIN (Quality and Unity in Nursing) Council and continues to foster this 

partnership with administrative support and communication management. QUIN consists of over 20 state level nursing 

organizations and quarterly meetings create an environment for ongoing open communication between groups. As the state 

professional nursing organization, it is essential for us to have a overview of nursing through the eyes of the leaders in those 

areas of nursing practice. This year QUIN celebrates its 25th Anniversary. 

FNA is a founding member of the Florida Coalition of Advanced Practice Nursing along with the Florida Nurse Practitioner 

Network and the Florida Association of Nurse Anesthetists. Other groups have subsequently joined the Coalition and the 

group meets frequently to strategize and discuss issues. FNA maintains representation and we have had FNA members 

serve as co-chair of the group for several terms. The purpose of the group is to create unity and agreement around issues 

related to advanced practice. 

We maintain a working relationship and an open line of communication with the Florida Board of Nursing and attend the 

Board meetings or send representatives when feasible. In certain instances, we send our practice council to speak on our 

behalf or even take legal action on issues of importance. The Board of Nursing is also a member of QUIN with creates even 

greater opportunity to collaborate and communicate. Members of the board are currently working with us on our Task Force 

on the Nurse Licensure Compact. 

We work with the Florida Center for Nursing and the Florida Action Coalition to disseminate information about the Florida 

workforce and the status of progress on the work of the Center to Champion Nursing and the Future of Nursing Report. We 

have a board appointee on the Florida Center for Nursing and a Representative on the Florida Action Coalition. 

We maintain a close working relationship with the Deans and Directors of the state colleges through (Florida Council of 

Nursing Education Administrators (FCNEA) and Florida Association of Colleges of Nursing (FACN). We are invited to their 

meetings and attend regularly. 

We participate in meetings of various state agencies either through attendance by staff, lobbyists, volunteer leaders and 

members or by appointment. 

75



Members, Board of Directors and Staff 

The members, through the Membership Assembly set the Goals and Priorities for the Association and the Legislative 

Agenda. Additionally, they adopt Reference Proposals which become the Position Statements of the association. The Board 

of Directors and staff then work together to advance these actions through various activities and initiatives. In addition, 

as other issues arise throughout the year, the Board through their election by the membership, has the authority to make 

decisions that impact the organization and/or the profession, making us a nimble, responsive organization. 

FNA and it’s affiliated arms provide a multi-tiered organization with a wide variety of services that support a strong 

mission of advocacy for nurses. The Board of Directors with the adoption of the Regional Structure is continuing to develop 

and advance this concept to support the creation of programs that advance the association’s mission in all areas of the state. 

Special Interest Groups, such as the HP-SIG, have the opportunity to use this Regional Structure to mobilize like-minded 

advocates in each region to add strength to our legislative activity. This work has begun with the introduction of Regional 

Legislative Liaisons two years ago. 

There are still many opportunities to explore under the current structure and we are beginning to see progress as we 

continue to explore the possibilities. 

The Florida Nurses Foundation (FNF) creates exciting opportunities while engaging both students and members by 

offering scholarships and grants. FNF also creates great potential for growth and the opportunity for even greater growth by 

focusing on developing our Foundation into a major funder of nursing research. The Foundation has grown from an initial 

donation of $10,000 in 1983, to a million dollar foundation in 2013. We have the potential to increase our presence in the 

nursing community and make an even greater impact on the future of our profession. 

Florida Nurses Political Action Committees (FN-PAC)- during each election cycle, candidates seek us out for both 

endorsements and contributions. Legislators respond to our questionnaires and attend our interview sessions and actively 

seek support. The PAC has expertly leveraged nursing’s position as “most trusted” to keep FNPAC and FNA as a desired 

supporter in political campaigns. Having our named listed is a favored position for FNA as an advocacy organization and 

is an important component of our public relations strategy. As a state, we are unique in being one of the few state nursing 

organizations with a strong PAC. As with other arms of the association, we can strengthen our impact with greater revenue 

and more involvement from our members. While our goal is to do more, we can be proud of our accomplishment and the 

work of our PAC. 

Labor Employment Relations Council (LERC) is the governance body of our collective bargaining units. Although collective 

bargaining has taken a hit in Florida, our team with the support of Jeanie Demshar, Director of Professional Practice 

Advocacy and Labor Attorney Don Slesnick have been able to make some gains for the members of our units. Individual 

members receive assistance on a daily basis and strong contract negotiations give employees a voice in their daily work 

lives. 

As with all organizations, FNA is a work in progress with many challenges but even greater potential and opportunities. 

76


Organization Name City State Year First 

Recognized 

Arnold Palmer Medical Center Orlando FL 2013 

Baptist Health - Baptist Medical Center Beaches Jacksonville FL 2007 

Baptist Health - Baptist Medical Center Downtown Jacksonville FL 2007 

Baptist Health - Baptist Medical Center Nassau Fernandina Beach FL 2007 

Baptist Health - Baptist Medical Center South Jacksonville FL 2007 

Baptist Health - Wolfson Children’s Hospital Jacksonville FL 2007 

Baptist Hospital of Miami Miami FL 1998 

Flagler Hospital St. Augustine FL 2006 

Holy Cross Hospital Fort Lauderdale FL 2003 

Mayo Clinic Jacksonville FL 2015 

Mercy Hospital, A Campus of Plantation General Hospital Miami FL 2006 

Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute Tampa FL 2015 

Nicklaus Children’s Hospital at Miami Children’s Health System Miami FL 2003 

Sarasota Memorial Health Care System Sarasota FL 2003 

South Miami Hospital Miami FL 2004 

Tampa General Hospital Tampa FL 2005 

UF Health Jacksonville Jacksonville FL 2011 

UF Health Shands Hospital Gainesville FL 2003 

Walt Disney Pavilion at Florida Hospital for Children Orlando FL 2011 

West Kendall Baptist Hospital Miami FL 2015 

Winter Haven Hospital Winter Haven FL 2008 

UF Health Shands Hospital Gainesville FL 2003 

Walt Disney Pavilion at Florida Hospital for Children Winter Haven FL 2008 

77


Audit and Financial 

Information 

78


79


80


81


82


83


84


85


86


87


88


89


90


91


Proposed Goals for 2016 - 2018 





4. Advance a legislative platform that protects and enhances the ability of all registered nurses to practice to the full 

extent of their education and experience. 



Adopted by the Membership Assembly 

Saturday 9/13/2014 

92


Reference Proposals 2015 

Removing Florida’s 5-Year Waiting Period for Lawfully Residing Immigrant Children to Receive Health Care Coverage 

Submitted by Laura Brennaman 

Northwest Region 

Statement of Concern: 

Currently, legally residing immigrant children in Florida are forced to wait five years before becoming eligible for Florida 

KidCare—our state’s subsidized health care program for children. These kids are ten times more likely to have unmet 

medical needs, five times more likely to go two or more years without seeing a doctor and 25% more likely to be absent from 

school due to health issues. 1 Since 2009, the number of uninsured children living in Florida has consistently been higher 

than the national average. Florida currently ranks 47th in the nation of 50 states and the District of Columbia for percent of 

uninsured children (11 percent, about 445,000 children) 2 About 25,000 of these children are uninsured due to the five-year 

waiting period. 

Background Information 

The federal legislature passed the Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 (CHIPRA) giving states 

the option to cover lawfully residing immigrant children through Medicaid and the State Children’s Health Insurance 

Program (CHIP) without enduring the five-year waiting period that applies to most public assistance programs for 

immigrants. Florida has not accepted this option. 

Extending coverage to these children is likely to improve their health outcomes and reduce the cost of uncompensated care 

in the health system as a whole. Low-income immigrant children who are insured are more likely to receive preventive 

health care and less likely to use hospital emergency rooms. Providing timely care for children who are otherwise eligible 

and will eventually enroll in the KidCare program will help children succeed in school and avoid costly emergency 

department care and hospital bills. 

In its analysis of the proposed legislation (2015), AHCA has estimated that approximately 24,679 lawfully residing 

immigrant children would be eligible for KidCare under this initiative. This would increase total KidCare enrollment by 

only one percent. 

If enacted in 2015–16: 

• The maximum cost to the state for covering these children,, in the ear waiting period, would total about $1.8 million 

for all KidCare components, including Healthy Kids, MediKids, Children’s Medical Service Network, and Medicaid for 

Children. 

• Because of the enhanced Federal Medical Assistance Percentages (FMAP) rate, Florida would draw down approximately 

$44.5 million in federal matching funds. 

• Expanding coverage to lawfully residing children will reduce costs associated with providing Emergency Medicaid 

Assistance (EMA) for Non-Citizens. 

This legislation does not seek to eliminate the waiting period for adult legal immigrants. 

Furthermore, it reaffirms that undocumented immigrants will continue to be ineligible for both Medicaid and CHIP 

regardless of how long they have resided in the United States. 

As of March 2015, twenty-nine states (including the District of Columbia) have adopted this option, including Texas, 

Virginia, Ohio, Nebraska, Kentucky, Montana, Pennsylvania, Iowa, Wisconsin, New York, Illinois, and California. 

Pertinent Definitions 

CHIP – Children’s Health Insurance Program 

93


Florida, CHIP is operationalized as KidCare. It was created through Title XXI of the Social Security Act and reauthorized in 

2009. The 4-pronged program covers children from birth through age 18: 

• Medicaid covers children birth through one-year at up to 206% of Federal Poverty Level (FPL), 1-5 years up to 140% FPL 

children 6- – 18 years up to 133% of FPL 

• Medikids- Covers children ages 1-4 with subsidized premiums between 133-200% FPL ($15 -$20 a month per child) 

• Florida Healthy Kids – covers children 5-18 with subsidized premiums between 133-200% FPL ($15 -$20 a month per 

child) 

• Children’s Medical Service Network – covers children birth through 18 years special health care needs who are 

clinically and financially eligible at no cost to families 

Federal Poverty Level (FPL) –The annual income amount set by the federal government to establish eligibility for federal aid 

programs. The formula takes into account family size and income. In 2015, the FPL for a family of four is $24,250. 

The Federal Medical Assistance Percentages (FMAPs) are used in determining the amount of federal matching funds 

for state expenditures for assistance payments for medical insurance expenditures. The Social Security Act requires the 

Secretary of Health and Human Services to calculate and publish the FMAPs each year. For 2016 the Florida FMAPs are 

Medicaid: 60.67, enhanced FMAP for CHIP: 95.47. 

Overview on nursing role/function 

According to the American Nurses Association, the nursing profession has a leadership role in defining the organizational, 

social, policy, and political factors that affect our communities’ access to quality and effective healthcare. 3 The leadership 

role for the FNA includes advocating for expanded health care access to improve the health outcomes for about 25,000 

lawfully residing immigrant children in Florida who would be eligible for coverage by elimination the five-year waiting 

period. 

Legal/ethical considerations 

Nurses and the American Nurses Association have long considered access for all American residents to high quality and 

affordable health care as a human right. 4 Expanding health care access to 25,000 lawfully residing immigrant children in 

Florida is consistent with the ethical stance of the nursing profession. 

Consequences to Health Outcomes 

Multiple researchers have submitted substantial evidence that childhood coverage through Medicaid and CHIP programs 

promotes positive lifelong health outcomes. Longitudinal studies demonstrate that adults who were eligible for Medicaid 

as children had 26% lower incidence of high blood pressure in adulthood and “Children with Medicaid had lower rates of 

hospitalizations and emergency room visits in adulthood—leading the government to recoup between 3 and 5 percent of the 

initial cost of Medicaid eligibility expansions in just one year”. 5 During adolescence, Medicaid enrollees have fewer mental 

illnesses, fewer eating disorders, engage in risky substance use or sexual activity less frequently 6 , and have overall lower 

BMIs 7 . 

Statement of position 

Florida should remove the five-year waiting period for lawfully residing immigrant children. 

Recommendations for action 

The Florida Nurses Association should support removing Florida’s 5-Year waiting period for lawfully residing immigrant 

children, and lobby the State Legislature and the Governor for its support. 

References 

1. Bloom B, Cohen RA, Freeman G. Summary health statistics for U.S. children: National Health Interview Survey, 2010. 

National Center for Health Statistics. Vital Health Stat 10(250). 2011. 

94


2. U.S. Census Bureau, Report S2701: Health Insurance Coverage Status. American Community Survey 3-year estimate 

2011-2013 

3. American Nurses Association. (2010). Nursing’s social policy statement: The essence of the profession (3rd ed.). Silver 

Spring, MD: Author. 

4. American Nurses Association. (2008). Health system reform agenda. Retrieved from http://www.nursingworld.org/ 

content/healthcareandpolicyissues/agenda/anashealthsystemreformagenda.pdf 

5. Chester, A. & Alker, J. (2015) Medicaid at 50: A look at the long-term benefits of childhood Medicaid. Georgetown 

University Health Policy Institute, Center for Children and Families. 

6. S. Cohodes, et al., “The Effect of Child Health Insurance Access on Schooling: Evidence from Public Insurance 

Expansions,” National Bureau of Economic Research (May 2014) 

7. S. Miller and L. Wherry, “The Long Term Health Effects of Early Life Medicaid Coverage,” Forthcoming (2015) 

95



Defining the Clinical Nurse Specialist Scope of Practice in Florida 

Submitted by Theresa Morrison, PhD, CNS, CNS-BC, and Patricia Geddie, PhD, CNS, AOCNS 

Criteria for Proposal 

Resubmission of proposal presented to the FNA Board January 2014, to include Clinical Nurse Specialists’ (CNS’) in FS 

464.003 “Advanced or specialized nursing practice” definition and align with the Consensus Model for APRN Regulation 

(National Council for State Board of Nursing). 

Statement of concern or issue 

Florida Statute 464.003 excludes the CNS from the defined scope of advance practice nursing and prescriptive authority. 

FS 464.003 includes all other APRNs (nurse practitioners, nurse midwives and nurse anesthetists). 

Rationale 

i. background information 

In the U.S., Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) by category included 60 percent NPs and 16 percent CNSs. In 

2007, Florida legislation approved CNS title protection, yet there are less than 200 CNSs in Florida, compared to 59,242 in 

the U.S. Historically, Florida CNSs other than those who function in mental health have not sought credentialing due to the 

lack of prescriptive authority. In Florida, the ARNP license is an upgrade of the RN license resulting in expanded scope of 

practice. The CNS license protects the CNS title but with no expanded scope practice. 

Florida CNSs are board certified in many recognized APRN roles, such as: 

Adult Psychiatric & Mental Health 

Certified Critical Care Nurse Specialist 

Adult Health (Medical Surgical Nursing) 

Gerontological Nursing 

Advanced Diabetes Management 

Child & Adolescent Psychiatric and Mental Health 

Advanced Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist 

Advanced Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse 

Pediatric Nursing 

Public/Community Health Nursing 

Thirty six states and territories in the U.S., permit CNSs an expanded scope of practice with prescriptive authority. 

CNSs licensed outside of Florida lose all APRN privileges when relocating to practice in Florida. 

ii. pertinent definitions 

“Advanced or specialized nursing practice” (FS 464.003): “the performance of advanced-level nursing acts approved by the 

board which, by virtue of post-basic specialized education, training, and experience, are appropriately performed by an 

advanced registered nurse practitioner.” 

“Advanced registered nurse practitioner”(FS 464.003): “means any person licensed in this state to practice professional 

nursing and certified in advanced or specialized nursing practice, including certified registered nurse anesthetists, 

certified nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners.” 

“Clinical nurse specialist practice ” (FS 464.003): “means the delivery and management of advanced practice nursing care 

to individuals or groups, including the ability to: (a) Assess the health status of individuals and families using methods 

appropriate to the population and area of practice. (b) Diagnose human responses to actual or potential health problems. 

(c) Plan for health promotion, disease prevention, and therapeutic intervention in collaboration with the patient or client. 

(d) Implement therapeutic interventions based on the nurse specialist’s area of expertise and within the scope of advanced 

nursing practice, including, but not limited to, direct nursing care, counseling, teaching, and collaboration with other 

licensed health care providers. (e) Coordinate health care as necessary and appropriate and evaluate with the patient or 

client the effectiveness of care. 

96

iii. overview on CNS and ARNP educational preparation 


CNS and ARNP Florida licensing requirements are the same. The CNS and ARNP must hold a master’s degree and provide 

proof of current certification from a nationally recognized certifying body or if there is no certification within the specialty 

show proof of 1,000 hours of clinical experience, with a minimum of 500 hours of clinical practice after graduation. Core 

educational curriculum for CNS and ARNPs include: physical assessment, pathophysiology, and pharmacology. 

iv. legal/ethical considerations 

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recognizes CNSs as prescribers. 38 percent of Medicare Part B providers 

are nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, and certified registered nurse anesthetists. The National Association of 

Clinical Nurse Specialists (NACNS) recognizes prescriptive authority as an important part of the CNS core competencies. 

v. consequences to patient care 

Employers can not fill vacant positions for CNSs because the current limitation in scope of practice for Florida CNS, as 

defined in the Florida Statute, discourages CNSs from relocating to our State and CNS programs are almost non-existent 

in Florida. Florida licensing regulations for the APRN are not consistent with the Consensus Model for APRN Regulation, 

resulting in delayed treatment and therapeutic interventions and hospital discharges. 


• CNS inclusion in the FS 464.003 definition of “Advanced or specialized nursing practice”. 

• Prescriptive authority for CNS to be in alignment with the current prescriptive authority of ARNPs 

References 

1. Institute of Medicine. The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health. Washington, DC: National Academies 

Press; 2010. 

2. Federal Trade Commission Staff Letter To The Honorable Daphne Campbell, Florida House of Representatives, 

Concerning Florida House Bill 4103 and the Regulation of Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners (64.67 KB) 

3. Lyon,B. Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Compact: A Call to Action With a Primer on the Regulation of CNS Practice. 

(2003). 17(4)p. 185-187. 

4. 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. 

5. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (2013). Detailed written orders for covered items. In Medicare Program 

Integrity Manual. http://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Guidance/Manuals/downloads/pim83c05.pdf. 

Accessed June 8, 2014. 

6. National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists (2012) NACNS Position Statement on Prescriptive Privilege for the 

Clinical Nurse Specialist. 

7. 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 

8. 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. Accessed 

June 8, 2014. 

9. O’Grady, E. (2008) Advanced Practice Registered Nurses: The Impact on Patient Safety and Quality, in AHRQ, Patient 

Safety and quality: An evidence-based handbook for nurses (ed. Ronda G. Hughes) 2-606. 

10. Ponto, J., Sabo, J., Fitzgerald, M.A., & Wilson, D.E., (2002). Operationalizing Advanced Practice Registered Nurse 

Legislation Perspectives From a Clinical Nurse Specialist Task Force. Clinical Nurse Specialist, 16(5), p 263-269. 

97

Continuous Observation in the Acute Care Setting 

Submitted by Wuesthoff Bargaining Unit/Local 713 

Author: Matthew Price, RN, BSN, CCRN 

Statement of concern or issue 



Standards for Continuous Observation of Patients in Acute Care Settings Do Not Exist putting patients and staff at risk. 

Rationale 

i. background information 

Continuous Observation is used in Acute Care settings for various reasons. Observers can be used to prevent falls, monitor 

aggression, prevent suicide, improve delirium, alcohol or drug withdrawal precautions, Baker Act, Marchman Act, etc. 

In 2010, The Joint Commission established general guidelines for the assessment and safety of patients that are at for 

suicide in Emergency Departments and Medical/Surgical Units. These guidelines failed to clearly define what instrument 

should be used to assess this population and what interventions should be taken once the patient is assessed. The Joint 

Commission gave a general recommendation of using the SAD PERSONS scale. Many tools have been created to assess 

patients at risk for suicide but no one tool has been researched to be best for determining which patients that attempt 

suicide. 

More and more patients have medical conditions that preclude them from being admitted to the Acute Psychiatric/ 

Behavioral Unit. This transition of care to inpatient medical units puts psychiatric patients at risk of escalation including: 

self-harm, harm to others, or a worsening of their psychiatric condition. 

Outside of suicide, falls may be prevented or harm lessened by having a continuous observer. In 2014, the Pennsylvania 

Patient Safety Authority found that while falls did not decline with sitter use, falls-with harm did decline. 

The cost of providing one to one observation has been prohibitive for many institutions so some have been creative in their 

use of paid observers and have them viewing patients from hallways or placing them in rooms with multiple patients. The 

paid observers usually have little or no training to monitor these patients. The Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority has 

shown in its research that a clearly defined program with proper training can pay for itself in reduction of falls with harm 

and decrease in severity of injury. 

ii. pertinent definitions 

Intermittent Observation-rounding on a patient at risk at defined time intervals (usually 15minutes) 

Constant Observation-one observer my observe more than one patient 

1:1-observer in the room and no physical barriers between the patient and staff member. 

Intensive Psychiatric Observation-requires staff to keep their eyes on the patient and remain within arms reach of the 

patient at all times in an adequately lighted area. 

(Observation Levels from Johns Hopkins Psychiatry Policy) 

iii. overview on nursing role/function 

Nursings’ role is to assess throughout the continuum of care, develop a plan of care, implement interventions, and evaluate 

their effectiveness. This role includes interventions that prevent or reduce harm to patients at risk until the patient is 

declared medically stable. 

98


iv. legal/ethical considerations 

Patients deserve to be safe during medical treatment and not ensuring the patient’s safety may lead to harm or even death. 

We have an ethical duty to serve the whole patient: mental, physical, spiritual, etc. Litigation related to falls has been 

on the increase because it is seen as negligent to avoid providing a safe environment for our patients due to the cost of 

providing paid observers. 

v. consequences to patient care 

The implementation of clearly defined standards for continuous observation will clarify patients at risk and best practices 

to improve patient care and safety. 

Statement of Position 

Let it be said, that the Florida Nurse Association supports National Safety Standards regarding the use of Continuous 

Observation in Acute Care Settings. The National Standards include: minimum education/training of observers, evaluation 

tools to determine patients at risk, Sitter/ Staffing Observation Level based on quantitative evaluation tool, criteria for 

reducing Sitter/ Staffing Observation Level based on quantitative evaluation tool, and minimum staffing levels for each 

patient population and Observation Level. 


1. Advocate for policy that will protect patients, nurses, and healthcare workers when providing Continuous Observation 

of Patients in Acute Care Settings. 

2. Advocate for policy for minimum education/training level of sitters/safety companions. 

3. Define types of patients requiring observation. 

4. Define Levels of Observation based on objective assessments using standardized tools. 

5. Advocate for minimum staffing levels when providing continuous observation. 

References 

1. Bagley, S. 2013. Identifying Patients at Risk for Suicide: Brief Review. Making Health Care Safer II: An Updated Critical 

Analysis of the Evidence for Patient Safety Practices. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. (AHRQ). 

2. Carr F. 2013. The Role of Sitters in Delirium: an Update. Canadian Geriatrics Journal. Vol. 16: 1. 

3. Degelau J, Belz M, Bungum L, Flavin PL, Harper C, Leys K, Lundquist L, Webb B, Institute for Clinical Systems 

Improvement (ICSI). 2012. Prevention of fall (acute care). Health care protocol. 

4. Janofsky, J. 2009. Reducing Inpatient Suicide Risk: Using Human Factors Analysis to Improve Observation Practices. J 

Am Acad Psychiatry Law 37:15-24 

5. Knoll J. 2012. Inpatient Suicide: Identifying Vulnerability in the Hospital Setting. Psychiatric Times. 

6. Pa Patient Saf Advis 2014 Mar, 11(1):8-14. 

7. Top Emerg Med. 2005 October ; 27(4): 302-312. 

8. VA Office of Inspector General. 2011. Attempted Suicide During Treatment West Palm Beach VA Medical Center. Report 

No. 11-01052-233 

99



Nurses’ Responsibility and Ethical Duty in Prison Healthcare 

Submitted by Deborah Hogan, MPH, RN 

Whereas, In the 1976 Supreme Court decision, Estelle v Gamble, the Court held that deprivation of health care constitutes 

cruel and unusual punishment, a violation of the Eighth Amendment. (1) The Supreme Court further ruled that this rule 

applies regardless of whether the medical care is being provided by a state agency or private medical contractors. (5) The 

court also found that prison health systems are obligated to treat all “serious medical needs”. (5) 

Whereas, Courts have determined that a “serious medical need” is at issue when “(6) whether a reasonable doctor or patient 

would perceive the medical need in question as important and worthy of comment or treatment; (5) whether the medical 

condition significantly affects daily activities; and (6) the existence of chronic and substantial pain.” (7) Additionally, 

courts will be likely to find a “serious medical need” if a condition “has been diagnosed by a physician as mandating 

treatment or ... is so obvious that even a lay person would easily recognize the necessity of a doctor’s attention.”(7) 

Whereas, The Palm Beach Post has reported that since the State of Florida transitioned all prison healthcare services to 

private, for provide healthcare corporations the death rate of inmates has risen from 12.8% to 57%, with 30 inmates dying 

in seven months.(1) 

Whereas, Of those prison deaths reported Illness related deaths accounted for the majority (88%) of deaths in state prisons.(2) 

Whereas, The data available on the health of prisoners indicates that the quality of health is not optimal and does not 

parallel the health of the general population (4), and 

Whereas, The correlation between transition of prison healthcare service provider and increased morbidity and mortality 

within the prison health system suggests that inadequate or inappropriate healthcare services are being provided to 

prisoners within the new prison healthcare systems as a result of policy changes by prison healthcare providers, and 

Whereas, Nurses are subject to moral distress due the ethical conflict created by dual loyalty to the patient while also being 

required to fulfill the requirements of the employer, and 

Whereas, Consistent with the American Nurses Association Code of Ethics for Nurses 2015 Article 3.5, (8) “Nurses must be 

alert to, and must take appropriate action in ALL instances of incompetent, unethical, illegal or impaired practice or actions 

the place the rights or best interests of the patient in jeopardy.” 

Therefore, be it resolved that, The Florida Nurses Association will continue to advocate for appropriate health care for 

those inmates in the prison system. This will include, but not be limited to: 

1. Promoting legislative action to ensure proper healthcare provision, and 

2. Coordinating efforts with other entities working to ensure safe and appropriate prison healthcare delivery. 

And be It Further Resolved that, The Florida Nurses Association will continue to educate the community regarding: 

1.) Ethical and legal standards regarding prisoner healthcare; 

2.) Existing prison healthcare systems; 

3.) Negative prisoner healthcare outcome date, 

4.) Ethical and legal obligations of the state to provide all prisoners with adequate and appropriate health care services. 

References 

1.) FNA Position Statement to the ANA, 2015 ANA Membership Assembly 

2.) Noonan, Margaret, and Ginder, Scott, “Mortality in Local Jails and State prisons, 2000-2012-Statistical Tables, ”Bureau 

of Justice Statistics, October 2014. 

100


3.) Jotterand, Fabrice & Wangmo,Tenzin ( 2014), “The Principle of Equivalence Reconsidered: Assessing the Relevance of the 

Principle of Equivalence in Prison Medicine,” The American Journal of Bioethics, 14:7, 4-12. 

4.) Davis, Mary, “Keeping Pace: ANA’s revised Code of Ethics for Nursing,” American Nurse Today, Volume 10, Number 3, 

p.16. 

5) West v. Atkins, 487 U.S. 42, 57-58 (1988); Richardson v. McKnight, 521 U.S. 399 (1997). 

6) Estelle v. Gamble, 429 U.S. 97, 103 (1976). 

7) Hill v. DeKalb Regional Youth Detention Ctr., 40 F.3d 1176, 1187 (11th Cir. 1994) 

8) American Nurses Association (2015) Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements, http://nursingworld.org/ 

DocumentVault/Ethics_1/Code-of-Ethics-for-Nurses.html 

101


FNA Membership Comparison 

1978-2014 

Year 

Membership Count 

1978 4060 

1979 3950 

1980 4045 

1981 4536 

1982 4700 

1983 4800 

1984 5026 

1985 5517 

1986 5763 

1987 6019 

1988 6333 

1989 7370 

1990 7880 

1991 8018 

1992 7244 

1993 6913 

1994 7114 

1995 7026 

1996 7281 

1997 7120 

1998 7120 

1999 6443 

2000 7237 

2001 7126 

2002 6745 

2003 6836 

2004 6145 

2005 6335 

2006 6245 

2007 6579 

2009 6256 

2010 5285 (Loss of VA units) 

2011 4810 

2012 4582 

2013 4663 

2014 4792 

Current 

5077 (June) 

102


FNA Structural Units 

Florida Nurses Foundation (FNF) 

Florida Nurses Political Action Committee(FNPAC) 

Labor Employment Relations Commission (LERC) 

Florida Nurses Leadership Academy (FNLA) 

Bylaws Committee 

Membership Committee 

Reference Committee 


Nurse Licensure Compact Committee 

Ebola Task Force 

Workforce Violence/Horizontal Violence Task Force 

Safe Nurse Staffing Task Force 

Men in Nursing Task Force 

Public Health Infrastructure Task Force 

103


Board of Trustees 

Patricia Messmer, President 

Hollywood, FL 

Jaibun Earp, PhD, ARNP, CNE, Vice President 

Tallahassee, FL 

Germinia Rio, DNSC, ARNP, CPH - Treasurer 

Jacksonville, FL 

Regina Mirabella, RN, MSN, Secretary 

Hudson, FL 

TRUSTEES 

Fran Downs, ARNP, PhD. 

Miami, FL 

Janice Hess, ARNP, DNP 

Lake Helen, FL 

George Byron Peraza-Smith, DNP, GNP-BC, CNE 

Tampa, FL 

Daleen Penoyer, PhD, RN, CCRP, FCCM 

Orlando, FL 

Debra Wagner, ARNP 

Jacksonville, FL 

Gratitude to Brandy Lehman and Kay Fullwood to their years of service to the Foundation. 

In support of the mission of the Florida Nurses Association (FNA), the Florida Nurses Foundation (FNF) promotes optimal 

health care for Florida citizens through prudent stewardship of entrusted funds and through creative philanthropy focused 

on outcomes that support and advance the profession of nursing. The FNF exists to promote nursing and delivery of 

healthcare through the advancement of research education and practice. Each year funds are provided to registered nurses 

and students for scholarships and research grants. The FNF was established by FNA members in 1983. The first grants were 

given in 1986 at the FNA Convention. The FNF focus has evolved over time to include contributions to support nursing 

education and research and to provide assistance to nurses in need. 

Today the FNF initiatives are to: 

1) Develop financial support for scholarships and research; 

2) Advance knowledge of the nursing profession; 

3) Encourage nursing research and career development; 

4) Assist nurses in need; 

5) Educate nurses regarding advocacy and public policy through the Barbara Lumpkin Institute. 

FNF offers several ways for and friends of nursing to build for the future: Named Fund: $10,000 Individuals or groups can 

contribute toward the establishment of a named fund: 

Leadership Circle: $1,000 and above 

Gold Circle: $500 and above 

104


Silver Circle: $250 and above 

Bronze Circle: $100 and above 

Patron: $50 - $100 

Donor: Less than $50 

Any member receives a Distinctive Foundation pin for all donations over $25.00 

FNF Endowed Scholarships 

District 4 Florida Nurses Scholarship/Research Award 

District 8 Charlotte Anzalone Scholarship 

Ruth Jacobs District 46 Scholarship (formerly Districts 13 & 33) 

District 14 Marcy Klosterman Memorial Scholarship Fund 

District 6 (formerly District 18) Generic Scholarship Fund 

District 20 The Evelyn Baxter Memorial Fund 

District 21 Louise Fiske Memorial Scholarship Fund 

District 24 Erma B. Kraft Scholarship Fund 

District 46 Olive Ramsey Memorial Scholarship Fund 

Edna Hicks Fund Scholarship 

Mary York Scholarship Fund 

Nina Brookins Scholarship Fund 

Eleanor Bindrum Scholarship Fund 

Charlotte Liddell Scholarship Fund 

Undine Sams and Friends Scholarship Fund. 

Ruth Finamore Scholarship Fund 

Connie Dorry ARNP Memorial Fund District V 

Great 100 Nursing Scholarship Nursing- Northeast Florida 

Agnes Naughton RN-BSN Fund 

District 3 Scholarship (Increased to $20,000 endowment) 

Ingeborg Mauksch Scholarship 

Research Grants 

Evelyn Frank McKnight Grant 

Frieda Norton District 5 Charitable Trust Grant 

Undine Sams and Friends Research Grant 

Blanche Case Research Grant 

Edna Hicks Research Grant 

District 20 The Evelyn Baxter Memorial Grant 

Imogene King Research Grant 

Nurses in Need Fund 

The Nurses in Need Fund was established by the nurses of FNA to be able to give small grants to help nurses in immediate 

need of help. An initial fundraiser was held at a past convention with a donation from the District 5 Nurses Charitable trust 

along with a challenge at the House of Delegates that year. Since then the Foundation has helped numerous nurses with 

issues such as rent, or even license renewals. Nurses must be able to document the need and funds available depending on 

completion of the application. The Foundation encourages FNA members to donate to help colleagues in crisis. 

Undine Sams Fund for Nurses in Need 

Maureen Finney Nurses in Need Fund 

Katherine Gutwald/Lillian Smith District 9 Fund 

Paula Massey Nurses in Need Fund (reached $10,000- Trustees voted to raise $5000 more to increase amount given.) 

Debbie Wagner coordinated the Nurses in Need program for the past several years and has worked to make sure the funds 

were distributed appropriately. This year the process was expanded to 

This year there were 2 research grant applicants and over 37 valid scholarship applicants. Scholarships and grants will be 

awarded at this Membership Assembly. 

105


FNPAC 2014 

(FLORIDA NURSES POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE) 

BOOK OF REPORTS 

SEPTEMBER 2015 

2014 was a busy year for the FNPAC Board of Directors as it was an election year. Early voting and vote by mail initiatives 

have enhanced the urgency to vet candidates early in order to make endorsement decisions. 

The PAC trustees performed telephone interviews of candidates to determine primary election endorsements and decide 

how financial contributions would be allocated. 

The PAC held a daylong meeting during General Assembly to interview candidates via telephone who endured through the 

primary process and were headed to the general election. We voted on whom to endorse and agreed on monetary donations 

to help in those campaigns. 

During the endorsement and campaign cycles we worked closely with our lobbyists to determine regional needs and reach 

out to members for support for our candidates. 

Press releases were sent announcing our endorsements. 

We coordinated political activities with the HP-SIG as a means to reach out further to our membership. 

We thank all who participated in this process and provided us with feedback regarding candidates. The grassroots 

information and support is vital to a productive endorsement process. 

Bonnie Sklaren, RN, MSN, ARNP 

Chair, FNPAC 

106


FNA/OPEIU 

Labor and Employment Relations Council 

Local 713 

Shands Hospital at the University of Florida (Gainesville) 

Wuesthoff Memorial Hospital (Rockledge) 

Professional Health Care Unit (State Unit) 

Florida State University – University Health Services (Tallahasee) 

Florida International University (Coral Gables) 

Labor and Employment Relations Commission 

Deborah Hogan – Chair of LERC 

Jeanie Demshar, Esq. – Director of Professional Practice Advocacy and Labor Relations 

The FNA Labor and Employment Relations Council (LERC) brings all of the FNA unions together to make decisions that 

will strengthen our membership. This past year, for LERC, has been one of rebuilding and solidifying the base. The 

different bargaining units have all been through change and challenges and are ready for the future! We are looking 

forward to the fifth annual Labor Leadership Institute that will be held on September 30 through October 1, 2015, 

in Orlando. We have national speakers lined up to speak on numerous issues, including but not limited to, internal 

organizing, negotiations, grievances, and employment law. We encourage our members to attend as the conference provides 

a venue to share workplace concerns, meet fellow members, and learn about collective bargaining and becoming involved in 

your organization. 

LERC has been working with the Office and Professional Employees International Union (with whom LERC affiliated 

in July 2013) to increase membership in each bargaining unit. We are working on a new organizing campaign, and 

membership drives are being scheduled for each unit across the state of Florida. 

This past year saw a lot of activity on the labor front. The Professional Health Care Unit (state unit) took center stage as 

it has been functioning in a tense environment at the state level. The state government has made and continues to make 

every effort to downsize the workforce and minimize the workplace benefits of our state unit members. Debbie Hogan, the 

President of the state unit, and Jeanie Demshar, the FNA Director of Labor Relations, have worked hard on behalf of our 

collective bargaining members and the Association in this arena. 

The FNA and the State of Florida recently reached a tentative agreement for a two-year contract with a reopener in 2016 

for wages and five other articles. While we did not achieve the economic gains we sought, we were able to keep the job 

security provisions which are so critically important in these troubling times for public employees. The unit’s goal is to 

increase membership before negotiating with the state in 2016 for the reopener. The state unit will hold elections for new 

officers in 2015. 

The Shands Unit is doing well. There has been an increase in membership, and the existing contract is effective through 

April 2017 with reopeners each year. The parties recently met for the 2015 reopener, and the changes to the contract 

were ratified by the membership. The unit has its own website and Facebook page which has been very effective in 

communicating with members. 

The Wuesthoff unit is also doing well, and we have seen an increase in membership in that unit. The existing contract is 

effective through February 2017 and does not contain a reopener. The Wuesthoff unit will hold elections for new officers in 

2015. 

The FNA’s contract with the University Health Services at the Florida State University is effective through June 2017. The 

parties recently met for the 2015 reopener, and the changes to the contract were ratified by the membership. Elections for 

new officers will be held in 2015. 

LERC’s most recent unit includes the nurses at Florida International University in Coral Gables. The three year contract 

with the University is effective through 2017. 

107


Florida Nurses Leadership 

Academy 

Annual Report – 2014-2015 

Submitted by: Denise McNulty, DNP, MSN, RN-BC, ARNP 

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 six Florida Registered Nurses were selected for the 2015 Florida Nurses Leadership Academy! 

The six FNLA Associates 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 2015 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 Associates: 

• 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 dyad to serve as additional support as needed throughout the year. 

We wish our FNLA Associates all the very best and continued success on this leadership journey! 

108


Bylaws Committee 2015 

Bylaws were reviewed and the proposed bylaws changes were published in the June Issue of The Florida Nurse for review. 

Per the Bylaws, proposed changes must be presented to the membership at least 30 days prior to the Assembly. After some 

discussion, only one change was proposed this year related to adding a position on the FNA Board of Directors for a New 

Graduate Position in order to encourage new grads to engage with the association. 

Lisa Fussell, Chair 

CJ Birge 

Margaret Jerome 

Julieta Ducasa 

Ernest Klein 

Barbara Russell – Chair 


Ryan Silverman 

Natasha Khan 

Linda Allen 

George Byron Smith 

Vivienne Treharne 

Cynthia Barnes 

Note: Ryan Silverman was an FNSA Board member who renewed after the free year. He immediately volunteered to serve on 

this committee and was subsequently diagnosed with a brain tumor. Ryan passed away earlier this year. He will be missed. 

The Membership Committee met and reviewed past Membership strategies and current practices. The staff shared the 

Membership Recruitment practices within the office. The committee made several recommendations as follows: 

Return to the “every member get a member” program that was previously named at the Star Campaign. It was suggested to 

add some incentives to the program so it was decided that a $25 gift card would be awarded for every 5 members recruited 

by a member. The two top members from both the non-collective bargaining and the collective bargaining members would 

be awarded complementary registration and one free room night at the Membership Assembly. We would revive the Star 

Campaign where members would be awarded their stars at the Membership Assembly. (See results below). It was further 

decided to reward faculty with a $25 gift card for every 5 students that renewed after the free year. (See results below), 

It was also decided to develop a script that volunteer members could use to call members who were inactive or deleted to 

recruit them back into the association. This script has been completed and has been utilized in some recruitment efforts. 

It was also proposed that we heavily promote the ADP option (monthly payment from the checking account) as the 

preferred way to pay. We did several promotions in The Florida Nurse and moved it to the top of the application on the 

website and on the print applications. 

Heavily promote the steps in the new grad memberships: Free or pay the reduced dues monthly over two years, second 

year reduced monthly payment (slightly higher). Non- FNSA members may also use this option to pay dues ( reduced 

monthly). They are billed at the FULL rate in the third year. 

There was discussion regarding reviving the FNA member attending Pinning Ceremonies and giving a welcome from FNA 

and/or pinning the FNSA grads with the FNA pin. This is still being done to some extent. And we attend or find a local 

member to attend when this is requested. 

The staff also shared that there are several in-house strategies that are being employed, such as: 

• Revised renewals with an insert reminding members of the benefits. 

• Personal notes on renewals when feasible. 

109


• Email Reminders in addition to the renewal notice. Pink envelope for final notice. 

• New “text” renewal reminder in addition to the above ( some people do not open snail mail very frequently and also do 

not open email. ) 

The Committee and Staff will continue to evaluate current membership recruitment and retention practices and work to 

maintain current members and increase our numbers by bringing in new members. 

Star Campaign 2015 

For many years now FNA has recognized members who recruit new members to the 

organization. This year the top three winners will get a complimentary registration to the 

Membership Assembly and one night’s lodging. The categories of participation are Non- 

CBU Member, Collective Bargaining Member and Faculty members who has the greatest 

number of students renew after the free year. Congratulations to our winners, Palma 

Iacovitti, Nan Genender and Linda Howe. These members will also get a $25 Visa gift card 

for every 5 members recruited. 

Full Memberships 

Palma Iacovitti 7 (Non-CBU Winner) 

Nan Genender 23 (CBU Winner) 

Marsha Martin 9 

Denise McNulty 3 

Leah Kinnaird 1 

Alex Leader 1 

Kathy “bill” Donovan 1 

Edward Briggs 1 

Jill Tahmooressi 1 

Pamela Aragon 1 

Marla Sutton 1 

Mark Welz 2 

Marie Ettiene 1 

Cynthia Harris 1 

Daniel Berman 1 

Michelle Proebsting 1 

FNSA “Free” Memberships 

Renewals after the free year 

Linda Howe 65 Linda Howe 8 

Rosanne Sonshine 55 Anthony Pennington 2 

Debbie McGregor 38 Lawrence Herrington 1 

Katie Kiger-Creslein 32 Gene Majka 1 

Kathleen Cappo 30 

Camille Baldwin 30 No Sponsor Listed 86 

Rebecca Pleasant 28 

Kathryn Whitson 5 

Carol Blakeman 6 

Marla Sutton 1 

Pamela Aragon 1 

Linda Fritzinger-Hearn 1 

110


Reference Committee 

Anne Peach, MSN, RN 

Following the 2014 Membership Assembly, task forces based on the Reference Proposals passed at the meeting were 

appointed by the president. 

A call for Reference Proposals for the 2015 Assembly went out via several email blasts and in the June issue of The Florida 

Nurse. A downloadable version of the manual was posted in the email blast as well as on the FNA Website. At the time 

of this printing, two proposals have been submitted for review. The committee will review and revise the proposal and 

prepare them for the Assembly. 

The approved reference proposals will be found in this publication or available at the Membership Assembly. 


See the report under Florida Nurses Leadership Academy Report. 

Nurse Licensure Compact Task Force 

Ann-Lynn Denker, PhD, ARNP 

This committee met to discuss the issues surrounding considering Florida joining the Compact . There have been changes 

to the compact to address the concerns by past Florida Board of Nursing Members. 

These include questions about the fiscal impact on our state as well as the issues surrounding Criminal Background Checks 

for nurses traveling across state lines. 

The current model consists of a compact for both registered nurses and advanced practice nurses. . It appears that the 

criminal background checks process has been elevated to meet or exceed the requirements currently required by the Florida 

Board of Nursing. 

The group determined that if adopted by the Board of Nursing, this would not occur until the 2017 Legislative Session. It 

was agreed that the goal of the group would be to gather information and to create educational materials and articles to be 

published in The Florida Nurse to educate nurses about the Compact. 

Members of the group will be working to insert articles in the coming year. 

Special Interest Groups (SIGS) 

HEALTH POLICY SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP (HP-SIG) 

2014 ANNUAL REPORT 

SEPTEMBER 2015 

HP-SIG MISSSION STATEMENT: 

The Health Policy Special Interest Group (HP-SIG) is FNA’s leader of grassroots initiatives for public policy change that 

enhances the heath and welt being of all Floridians. It encourages and supports all nurses to become engaged in the policy 

and legislative process to improve the health status of our communities and the practice and working environments of 

nurses. 

111


HP-SIG GOALS AND OBJECTIVES: 

1. Developing and maintaining a network for communication through FNA Regions to educate and inform FNA 

members in public policy issues. 

2. Developing and maintaining education and information resources regarding health policy and legislation among 

all stake holders. 

3. Promoting and supporting health policy agendas that benefit all Florida RN’s, APRN’S regarding their scopes of 

practice, patient advocacy and quality outcomes and work environment safety. 

It has been an active and productive year for the HP-SIG. We currently have 494 members. In addition to the group meeting 

during the 2014 Membership Assembly, we have had 10 conference call meetings over the year. We reviewed the goals and 

objectives of the SIG and reaffirmed our agreement to them. We filled all Regional Liaison positions. Members attended 

and provided input regarding our Legislative priorities during numerous Legislative Delegation meetings around the State, 

utilizing information packets provided by FNA. There was a special election in Jacksonville in which members actively 

participated in, in an effort to elect a Representative sensitive to our issues who was endorsed by our Political Action 

Committee. They were successful. Many members participated in Advocacy Days (formerly Lobby Days) in March 2014 

again in an effort to communicate our issues to the elected officials. 

Members expressed a desire for more educational opportunities. To that we sponsored several Webinars covering varied 

topics: Media training, Navigating the FNA4 ACTION PACKET, Preparation for Advocacy Days. 

We had regular Legislative Updates from our lobbyist Alisa LaPolt while the Legislature was in session. 

It was a good year and we all look forward to continued success and participation. Thank you to all who have helped make 

this SIG successful and productive. 

Bonnie Sklaren, RN,MSN,ARNP 

Facilitator 

Clinical Nurse Specialist SIG Report 

Theresa Morrison, Facilitator The CNS-SIG met by tele-conference nine times this year, excluding the two time we didn’t 

quite get the invite and connection working we had productive dialogue. We revised the 2014 Reference Proposal and 

Membership Assembly presentation. We wrote a section of the Nurses4Action and published about the CNS role in Florida 

in the Florida Nurse. Our attendance varied from three to seven, varying nurses at each meeting 

Ethics SIG Report 

Jean Davis, EdD, DNP, HCRM, PHCNS-BC, FNP-BC 

SIG Chairperson 

The Ethics Special Interest Group (SIG) focus this year has been on the revised Code of Ethics for Nurses published by 

ANA in January. The new edition of the Code with interpretive statements serves as a reminder of how we can apply our 

professional ethics to our daily practice. We applaud ANA for updating this important publication and declaring 2015 

Nursing’s Year of Ethics! 

The Ethics SIG is small but evolving, welcoming, and committed to making ethics applicable to everyday nursing practice. 

We are always interested in having new members join us—from novice to expert. So, please join our monthly Thursday 

evening conference calls by contacting FNA to receive the dial in information regularly. 

The Ethics SIG mission to promote the highest standards of ethical practice is fostered through our monthly conference call 

meetings. We have lively discussions of ethics challenges in our practice and ways to foster ethical discussions in clinical 

practice. 

In addition to our monthly conference calls, efforts to highlight Nursing’s Year of Ethics and changes to the Code this year 

the SIG has: 

• Developed a poster on the revised Code and Year of Ethics events which has been displayed at FNA meetings this year. 

• Planned for spotlighting the application of the Code to the mandatory post-travel Ebola direct screening by Florida 

Department of Health through the 3rd annual August ethics webinar 

112


• Planned for a skit-based discussion presentation of the Code with an emphasis on students nurse participation at 

Membership Assembly this year, 

Future plans include continuing monthly conference calls in January through May, August, and October; hosting annual 

webinars each August; publishing articles in The Florida Nurse on a rotating basis with the other SIGs; and recruiting 

additional active members to join in discussing and spreading the word on applying ethics in everyday nursing practice. 

Join the Ethics SIG calls the 4th Thursday of each month from 7 to 8 PM by contacting FNA to be put on the email list. 

113


Other Nursing Groups and Organizations 

Florida Center for Nursing 

Florida Nursing Students Association (FNSA) 

QUIN Council 

Florida Coalition of Advance Practice Nurses (FL-CAPN) 

Florida Cancer Control & Research Advisory Council 

(CCRAB) 

114


Florida Center for Nursing 

The Florida Center for Nursing Report will be found in your convention materials. 

Florida Nursing Students Association 

Tiffany Massey, RN 

University of South Florida 

FNSA began an exciting year after one of the most successful and well 

attended conventions in the history of the organization. The board hit 

the ground running, working to plan the Summer Leadership Retreat, the 

Preconvention Workshop and the Annual Convention that will be held 

October 22-24 at the Hilton Oceanfront Resort in Daytona Beach. 

We attended the NSNA convention in Phoenix, Arizona. We once again 

had the largest delegation present and we presented several resolutions 

which were all adopted. We were extremely proud to attend a House of 

Delegates presided over by our own Kelly Hunt, the NSNA President who 

hails from University of North Florida. 

FNSA Board Member Marlen Lukatsky, gave a presentation at the convention on Global Initiatives in Nursing. We were 

pleased that two Florida students were elected to the NSNA Board of Directors, Sabrina Lozier, as Imprint Editor and Jae 

Kook Lim as Breakthrough to Nursing Director. We were thrilled to have a prominent presence at the national level. 

We would like to thank the many FNA members who support us including many of our faculty advisors. We appreciate the 

partnership and we will continue to encourage our colleagues to join FNA when they graduate. 

Our convention with the theme Breaking out of Your Shell, promises to be a great event with educational sessions as 

well as some fun activities for students. We will hold our Annual House of Delegates and elect new officers to begin this 

exciting journey again. 

115


QUIN Council 

Quality and Unity in Nursing 

This year QUIN Council continues to focus on communication between groups and inclusion of state level nursing 

organizations in to the Council. The new leadership structure has been effecting in creating continuity and stabilizing 

the activity of the group. This year the Intervention Project for Nurses has joined QUIN and will be attending their first 

meeting at this 2015 Membership Assembly. QUIN meetings have moved around the state in concert with Board of Nursing 

meetings or other nursing events. 

The members have united over issues such as the funding for the Florida Center for Nursing and communicating pertinent 

information such as the current status of LPN’s and LPN programs in the state. Several articles have been submitted to The 

Florida Nurse on these issues and will continue on the future. 

The members of QUIN have discussed doing some work on Transitions within nursing, which not only encompasses 

transition to practice but discussion also centered around the seasoned nurse who may not be able to meet the demands 

of 12 hour shifts but is still able to make a valuable contribution to nursing. Additionally, transitions across specialties or 

practice area were discussed. 

This year marks the 25th Anniversary of QUIN and the group developed a logo and will celebrate this milestone at the 

QUIN meeting in October. 

116


Florida Coalition of Advanced Practice Nurses 

Report 2014-2015 

The Florida Coalition of Advanced Practice Nurses (FCAPN) is a think-tank and strategizing group of APN member 

organizations in Florida. The Coalition met four (4) times this year in Miami, Tampa, Gainesville, and Orlando. The 

organizational representatives met to discuss and develop strategies for advocating the advancement of key State legislation 

that addresses nurse practitioner practice. In back-to-back years, the nurse practitioner legislation has progressed to 

the floor of both Houses of the Florida Legislature. Last year, a piece of legislation passed through the Florida House of 

Representatives, which would have provided partial full-practice authority. Time ran out before the Senate could address 

the bill and the bill did not past out of committee. However, this year, legislation that would have permitted nurse 

practitioners to prescribe controlled substances, passed through the Florida Senate. The House ended the session three days 

ahead of schedule leaving many bills to die on the floor, including the Senate approved bill. The Coalition has much to 

celebrate and to build on the momentum of the past two years. 

The Coalition has spent some of the year redefining its purpose and clarifying its goals for the next year. The following 

goals were being drafted prior to this report and include, to: 

1. provide a forum for Advanced Practice Nursing groups in Florida to discuss and create a unified position on issues 

and concerns that effect the practice of Advanced Practice Nursing in Florida. 

2. create an open, transparent, fair, unified and accessible Coalition that is supportive of Advanced Practice Nursing 

in Florida. 

3. improve the practice satisfaction of Advanced Practice Nurses working in Florida. 

4. increase access to healthcare services provided in Florida by Advanced Practice Nurses. 

Respectfully submitted July 20, 2015: 

George Byron Peraza-Smith 

FCAPN – FNA Representative 

Florida Cancer Control & Research Advisory Council 

2015 Summary of General membership meeting 

Theresa Morrison PhD CNS representing Florida Nurses Association 

Thank you for the opportunity and honor of representing the FNA at Florida Cancer Control & Research Advisory Council 

(CCRAB). Along with Florida’s surgeon general, representatives from FMA, FHA, Florida Congress, ACS, and nine other 

associations and universities, CCRAB addresses opportunities for statewide collaboration with the Biomedical Research 

Advisory Council (BRAC), Cancer Centers of Excellence, the state legislature, and the Governor’s office. 

This year was spent developing one “cancer plan” to present to the Cancer Plan Council. The CCRAB cancer plan will be 

used for to the Florida Cancer Treatment Plan, State Health Improvement Plan, and Tobacco Plan. 

Priorities addressed were genomics and clinical trials, among other topics. CCRAB anticipates filing a bill in 2016 related 

to the cancer plan. 

117


Parliamentary Information 

Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised, is the parliamentary authority that shall govern the Membership Assembly. The 

Chair, as the presiding officer, rules on all matters relative to parliamentary law and procedures. The parliamentarian 

serves only in an advisory capacity to the presiding officer and members of the Membership Assembly. 

Participation in the business session is governed by the standing rules of the Membership Assembly. 

The motions that follow are defined in terms of action a member may desire to propose. Rules governing these motions are 

listed in Table 3 which follows: 

A main motion introduces a subject to the Membership Assembly for consideration and is stated: “I move that...” 

An amendment (primary) is a motion to modify the wording of a motion. The motion to amend may be made in one of the 

following forms, determined by the action desired: “I move to amend by... 

...striking (word(s), phrase, paragraph).” 

...inserting (word (s), phrase, paragraph).” 

...striking and inserting (word(s), phrase, paragraph).” 

...adding (word (s), phrase, or paragraph at the end of the motion).” 

...substituting (paragraph or entire text of a resolution or main motion and inserting another that is germane).” 

An amendment to an amendment is a motion to modify the wording of the proposed amendment and is made as follows: 

“I move to amend the amendment by...”The same forms for making an amendment are applicable for making a secondary 

amendment. 

The motion to commit or refer is generally used to send a pending motion (also called “the question”) to a small group 

of selected persons -a committee, board or commission, for example --so that the question may to consider. The motion is 

stated: “I move to commit the question to . . . for further study.” 

The motion to limit or extend debate is a motion that allows the Assembly to exercise special control over debate on a 

pending question and is stated: “I move to limit further debate to (minutes, certain number of speakers, certain number of 

speakers pro and con).” 

The motion to close debate (previous question), if seconded and approved by a two-thirds vote, stops discussion on the 

pending question and is stated: “I move the previous question”. 

A division of the assembly may be called by any one member if the chair’s decision on a voice vote is in question. The 

member proceeds to the microphone and states: “I call for a division of the House”. The chair then takes a standing vote. 

A division of the question may be called when a pending motion relates to a single subject but contains several parts, each 

capable of standing as a complete proposition. The parts can be separated and each considered and voted on as a distinct 

question. 

The motion to reconsider enables a majority of the assembly to bring back for further consideration a motion that has 

already been voted. The purpose of reconsidering a vote is to permit correction of hasty, ill-advised, or erroneous action, 

or to take into account added information situation that has changed since the vote was taken. (note exception on Table 3, 

Rules Governing Motions). 

Parliamentary inquiry is a question directed to the presiding officer to obtain information on parliamentary law or the 

roles of the organization as relevant to the business at hand. A member addresses the chair and states: “I rise to point of 

parliamentary inquiry.” 

Point of information is a request, directed to the chair or through the chair to another officer or member, for information 

relevant to the business at hand. The request is not related to parliamentary procedure. The member addresses the chair and 

states: “I rise to a point of information”. 

118


The motion to appeal the decision of the chair is made at the time the chair makes a ruling. If it is made by a member and 

seconded by another member, the question is taken from the chair and vested the House for a final decision. The motion is 

stated: “I move to appeal the decision of the chair”. 

Before a member can make a motion or address the assembly on any question, it is necessary that he or she obtain the floor 

through recognition by the presiding officer. 

The delegates must: 

• rise and proceed to the microphone. 

• address the chair by saying, “Madam Chairperson” 

• await recognition 

• give name and the Region he or she is from 

• state immediately the reason he or she has risen. 

119


2015 Proposed Bylaws Changes 

Current Bylaw Proposed Change Rationale 


Article IV: Officers and 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. 

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 

This mirrors ANA and 

provides an opportunity 

for new graduate 

participation and input. 


Section 5 Duties 

H. The Directors shall 



No current bylaw exists. Add section I. 

Section 5. Duties 

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 


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. 

120


Index of FNA Position Statements 

1983-2014 

1. Practice 

• Changing DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) to AND (Allow Natural Death) 2011 

• Nurse Residency Program 2011 

• Removal of Barriers to Nurse Practitioner Practice 2011 

• Medication Administration by Unlicensed Assistive Personnel 2007 

• Retention of the Mature/Experienced Nurse 2003 

• Nursing Workforce Safety: No Lift Environments and Safe Patient Handling and Movement Initiatives 2003 

• Advancing Registered Nurse’s Satisfaction 2001 

• Public Health Nursing – Keep Florida Healthy 1998 

• Nursing Quality Indicators for Health Care 1995 

• Promoting Volunteerism within the Nursing Profession 1993 

• Cultural Diversity in Nursing 1993 

• Cigarette Smoking 1993 

• Pursue Funding for Adequate Immunization to Florida’s Children 1992 

• Women’s Need for Universal Access to Care 1992 

• Utilization of ARNP’s in Nursing Homes 1992 

• Prescriptive Privileges for Nurse Practitioners in Florida 1991 

• Prescribing Controlled Substances - ARNP’s 1991 

• Case Management 1990 

• Public Health Nursing Leadership in Home Visiting Programs in Florida 1990 

• Recognizing and Supporting Aerospace Nursing 1989 

• Teenage Sexual Responsibility 1988 

• Opposition to AMA’s RCT Concept 1988 

• 70/90 Coalition 1988 

• Long Term Care 1988 

• Reaffirmation of 1985 Resolution to Promote Nursing Participation in Multidisciplinary Ethics Committees 1998 

• Guidelines for Cancer Chemotherapy and Nursing Practice 1986 

• Role of the Professional Nurse in the Planning, Organization and Delivery of Disaster Services 1985 

• Responsibility for Clients Requiring Nursing Services in the Home Health Setting 1985 

• Reduction in Medicare Home Health Care Visits Potentates Health Hazard 1985 

• Position on Gerontological Nursing 1983 

• Public Health Nurses Authority to Dispense Medication 1983 

• Patient Teaching 1983 

• Organ Donor Program 1983 

2. Health Care Policy/Legislation 

• Addressing the Public Health Infrastructure in Florida 2014 

• Statement on Unity Among Nurses 2011 

• Support of Health System Reform 2010 

• Commission on Excellence in Health Care’s Legislative Actions: Implications for Nursing 2001 

• Proposal to Support the Florida Commission on Mental Health and Substance Abuse 2001 

• Medication Waste In Long Term Care Facilities 1999 

• Medicaid Fee Increase in Home Health Settings 1999 

• Education on End of Life Decisions 1998 

• Reaffirmation of Need for Child Safety Restraints 1998 

• Improper Use of the Term “Nurse” 1998 

• Medical and Nursing Services for Ventilator Dependent Adults Over the Age of 21 Years 1998 

• Adequate Nursing Staffing Based on Acuity in Skilled Nursing Facilities 1998 

• Background Checks for All Staff Across All Health Care Settings 1998 

• Adequate Staffing in Home Health Settings 1998 

• ARNP Scope of Practice and the Life Prolonging Procedure Act of Florida 1996 

• Registered Nurses Administering Over-the-Counter Medications As An Independent Nursing Function 1996 

• Reinforcing Public Health Nursing in a Restructured System 1994 

• Universal Access to Care 1990 

• Equal Access to Health Care 1989 

• Individual Responsibility for Legislation 1985 

121


3 Regulatory 

• Support of Medicaid Expansion for Florida 2014 

• Nurse’s Right to Privacy 2001 

• Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation Testing 1996 

• Licensure and Regulation of Registered Nurses 1995 

• Advanced Practice Licensure in Florida 1994 

• RN and EMT Licensure and Practice 1985 

• Florida Board of Nursing Sunset Law 1985 

• Impaired Nurse Program 1985 

4 Education 

• Oversight Of Nursing Educational Programs 2010 

• Cigarette Smoking and Tobacco Use Prevention 2005 

• Innovations in Joint-Faculty Positions 2001 

• Telehealth/Telenursing 1999 

• Universal Nursing Languages 1998 

• Expansion of RN Mobility Programs in Florida 1996 

• The Prevention and Elimination of Lead Poisoning in Children 1996 

• To Faculty and Administrators of Nursing Education Programs for Content on Ethics to be 

Enhanced in Curricula 1985 

• Reaffirmation of FNA Educational Position 1985 

• The Professional Nursing Association Represents Technical and Professional Nurses 1984 

• Role of the Professional Nurse in the Educational Process 1984 

• Titling and Licensure of Registered Nurse in Florida 1984 

• Strategies for Implementation of Two Levels of Nursing Practice 1984 

• Continuing Education 1984 

5 Workplace/E&GW of Nurses 

• Increasing the Number of Male Registered Nurses & Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners 2014 

in the State of Florida 2014 

• Workforce Advocacy for Safe Patient Handling: Beyond Legislation 2007 

• Effects of Physical and Emotional Fatigue on Nurses in the Workplace 2007 

• Eradication of Horizontal Violence and Bullying in Nursing 2007 

• Safe and Secure Work Environment 2005 

• Safe Staffing 2005 

• ANA’s Principles for Nurse Staffing Applied to Florida Hospitals 2001 

• Models of Voluntary Overtime 2000 

• Blameless Medication Error Reporting Systems 2000 

• Controls To Promote Needle Safety 1999 

• Latex Allergy 1999 

• Shared Accountability in Today’s Work Environment 1998 

• Identification of Registered Nurses as Distinct Health Care Providers 1995 

• Health Care Ergonomics for Nurses 1995 

• Registered Nurse Staffing Patterns 1995 

• Supervision of New Graduates 1993 

• Positioning Nursing in Restructuring the Workplace 1993 

• Implementation of the OSHA Standards on Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens 

for State Employees 1992 

• Guidelines for Practice for the Nurse with a Bloodborne Disease (HIV, AIDS, HBV) 1992 

• Bloodborne Pathogens/Tuberculosis and Nursing Students 1992 

• Third Party Reimbursement 1991 

• Nurses’ Responsibility for Safe Practice 1989 

• Third Party Reimbursement 1989 

• Nursing Shortage 1987 

• Insurance Claims Information and Data Collection 1987 

• Affordable Professional Liability Coverage 1987 

• Malpractice Crisis 1987 

• Professional Liability Insurance 1985 

• AORN Statement 1984 

122


• First Surgical Assistant 1984 

• Adequate RN Staffing in Long-term Care Facilities 1984 

• Medication Administration in Long-Term Care 1984 

• Statement on the Role of the Community Health Nurse 1984 

• Administration of Medications by Unlicensed Personnel 1984 

• Employment of Graduate Nurses 1984 

• Identifying Nursing Costs 1983 

• Nurses Participation in Health Care Cost Containment 1983 

• Worker’s Compensation 1983 

• Employee’s Right to Know Hazards in the Workplace 1983 

• Liability Insurance 1983 

• Establishing a Safe Work Environment by Prevention of Workplace Violence and by Establishing 2013 

Response and Recovery Strategies 

6 Consumer Advocacy/Ethics 

• FNA’s Health Literacy Statement 2010 

• Preparation for Disaster Response 2007 

• Increasing Nurses’ Awareness of Public Cord Blood Donation 2007 

• Obesity in Children of Florida 2005 

• Opposition of Geriatric Specialist Assistant in Long Term Care 2003 

• Patient Privacy in an Electronic Age 2000 

• Proposal to Support the Runaway Act of 2000 2000 

• Support Tort Reform In Long Term Care (LTC) Regarding Caps on Attorney Fees 1999 

• Domestic Violence 1995 

• Human Rights of Citizens in Need of Mental Health Care 1995 

• Human Rights of Older People and the Florida Mental Health Act 1995 

• Curbing the Public Health Epidemic of Handgun Violence in Florida 1994 

• Prohibition of Corporal Punishment in Schools 1992 

• Domestic and Workplace Violence 1992 

• Client’s Rights Regarding Administration of Artificial Sustenance 1987 

• To Promote Nursing Participation in Multidisciplinary Ethics Committees 1985 

• Nurse Intervention in Child Abuse Investigation and Treatment 1985 

• Elderly Abuse 1984 

• Client’s Rights Regarding Treatment and Care 1983 

• Child Passenger Safety 1983 

7 Communicable Diseases 

• Influenza Immunizations 2007 

• Prevention and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases 2003 

• Prevention Strategies to Reduce Pregnancy and Sexually Transmitted Diseases Among Teenagers 1998 

• Women and AIDS 1993 

• Tuberculosis 1992 

• Nursing and Human Immunodeficiency 1992 

• Reporting of HIV Exposure Data to HRS 1990 

• Promotion of Increased Nursing Research on AIDS and HIV Disease 1990 

• U.S. Travel Restrictions on HIV-Infected Visitors 1990 

• Nursing Case Management for People with HIV/AIDS 1989 

123


History of FNA Lamplighters 

25 Years of Continuous Membership 


2015 

Carol S. Boyington 

Valerie Browne 

Gloria Castenholz 

Helen Cook 

Marie Cowart 

Kathy Donovan 

Darlene Edic-Drawford 

Catherine Evans 

Goldie Fralick 

Nancy Frizzell 

Eileen Froehlich 

Mary Goodwin 

Nancy Hayes 

Myrtle Henry 

Janice Hess 

Bonnie Hesselberg 

Rhea Hurwitz 

Susan Irvin 

Barbara Johnson 

Sue D. Littell 

Stephanie Moore 

Lucille Pica 

Carolyn Rackmill 

Susan Ricci 

Cynthia Schneider 

Diane Scott 

Suzanne Sendelbach 

Diana Swihart 

Bonnie Taggart 

Joyce Thompson 

Denise Townsend 

Darlene Tucker 

Margaret Varnadore 

2014 

William Ahrens 

Karen Goodsen 

Patricia Cordell 

Helene DeFrancesco 

Kathy Ebener 

Denise Heineman 

Shirley Hill 

Linda Howe 

Christina McClean 

Jean Penny 

Maria Seidel 

Constance Upshaw 

2013 

Carol Blakeman Doris Edwards Maria Seidel 

2012 

Frances Aronovitz 

Barbara Chasco-Papale 

Alice Evans 

Jeanne Sandy Oestreich 

Susan V. White 

Mary Alice Yoham 

2011 

Pat Arcidiacono 

Nora Howard Beauchamp 

Barbara Brownfield 

Mary Lou Brunell 

Phyllis Bullard 

Marlene Cataylo-Chance 

Sally Chester 

Victoria Chin Sang 

Myrna Crawford 

Frankie Geiger 

Miriam Hirschberg 

Marilyn Howard 

Barbara Judkins 

Teresa Knight 

Valerie Kolbert 

Lizzie Lenon 

Katherine Mason 

Maura Miller 

Diana Openbriar 

Yvonne Parchment 

Sharon Parrish 

Madine Rawe 

Mary Beth Reardon 

Ellen Sanders 

Winnie Schmeling 

George Byron Smith 

Susan Stone 

Carolyn Vallone 

Emma Wood 

Jacqueline Weniger Woods 

2010 

Janice Hoff 

2009 

Judith Erickson 

Jeanne Siegel 

2007 

Banke Ayileka 

Judith Davies 

Johnna Dettis 

Paddy Faucher 

Inez Fielding 

Susan Hartranft 

Carol Hayes-Christiansen 

Leslie Homsted 

Jeanne Hopple 

Merrily LeVee 

Ellicene Phillips 

Janet Townsend 

Willa Fuller 

124


2005 

Doug Banks 

Lee Barks 

Gail Borovsky 

Marianna Cowle Church 

Ann-Lynn Denker 

Eileen Dondero 

Jo Emmons 

Kay Fullwood 

Donna Giannuzzi 

Billie Hammill 

Dorothy Hummell 

Jean Irwin 

Frances Jennings 

Sophie Karas 

Imogene King 

Diana Koch 

Sue Ann Korsberg 

Sue Leger-Krall 

Dierdre Krausse 

Ann Marie McCrystal 

Wynyard McDonald 

Linda Brown 

Darlene Fritsma 

Sharon Koch-Parish 

Susan Leonard 

Michael Nilsson 

Jean Penny 

Audrey Ryal 

Frances Smith 

Jackie Spivey 

Mary Tittle 

Jill Winland-Brown 

2003 

Sunny Conn 

Charlene Long 

Doris Mattera 

Lucille Rhim 

Mary Salka 

Margery Shake 

Sue F. Lee 

Janice L. Gay 

Diane C. Hersh-Dickey 

Gail B. Cass-Culver 

Jean Wortock 

Betty A. Wajdowicz 

Mary Kay Habgood 

Nancy Breen 

2001 

Isobel Bierbower 

Joan Burritt 

Maurine Butler 

Janet Hatt 

Ella Jackson 

Barbara Janosko 

Sande Gracia Jones 

Deborah Greenfield 

Katherine McLamb 

Edna Nastasy 

Barbara Reinhold 

Alma Stitzel 

2000 

Barbara Barden 

Carol Christiansen 

Marianna Church 

Joyce Cimmento 

Judith Dvorak 

Ann Jackson 

Gwen McDonald 

Susan Pennacchia 

Patricia Quigley 

Barbara Redding 

Vivian Ross 

Gerri Twine 

Martha Sue Wolfe 

Mary Zinion 

1999 

Margaret Ayres 

Frances Kate Dowling 

Arlene Heilig 

Levanne Hendrix 

Edna Hicks 

Juanita Payne 

Gladys Pratt 

Carol Riley 

Lucille Robertson 

Florence Roper 

Betty Taylor 

1998 

Charlotte Dison 

Grace Donovan 

Shirley Edwards 

Arlena Falcon 

Diana Jordan 

Donna Pfeifer 

Barbara Russell 

Shirley Edwards 

1997 

Claydell Horne 

1995 

Rudy Schantz 

Helen Surer Shering 

Rachael Steinmuller 

May E. Stafford 

Gladys Gilliam 

Eileen K. Austin 

Kathleen Jones 

Ann Marie Clyatt 

Maryrose Owens 

Charlotte Kelly 

Susan Leonard 

1993 

Patricia Duffy 

Hazel Gilley 

Marie Grey 

Harold MacKinnon 

Etta McCulloch 

Elizabeth Ren 

Melanie Stewart 

Muriel Watkins 

Betty (Thelma) Watts 

1991 

Margaret Ayres 

Arlene Heilig 

Levanne Hendrix 

Deborah Hogan 

Barbara Lumpkin 

Betty Taylor 

Carol L. Riley 

Lucille Robertson 

125


1990 

Gertrude Lee 

Martha Kaufman 

Frances Haase 

1989 

Emily Birnbaum 

Mary Bolton 

June Borden 

Grace Fox 

Ruth Gay 

Phyllis Kurtz 

Beryl Long 

Erma (Trudy) Maurer 

Sarah McClure 

Rose Schniedman 

Norma Sims 

1988 

Isle Benedetti 

Eleanor Call 

Louise Fiske 

Joan Lawlis 

Adele Miller 

Reine Nichols 

Jean Ready 

Florence Roper 

Lillabelle Rundell 

Donna Schwier 

FNA Diamond Awards 

50 Years of Continuous Membership 

2015 

Barbara Lumpkin 

Betty Wajdowicz 

2012 

Ida Mizel-Gilula 

Ann Marie McCrystal 

2011 

Clare Good 

Claydell Horne 

Pat Messmer 

2010 

Barbara T. Curtis 

2007 

Selina Frost 

Genevieve Larsen 

Jeane Stockheim 

126


127


Stay in Touch! 

Name: ______________________________________________________________________________________ 

Address: ___________________________________________________________________________________ 

City State Zip 

Cell # ___________________________________ E-mail ____________________________________________ 

Name: ______________________________________________________________________________________ 

Address: ___________________________________________________________________________________ 


Cell # ___________________________________ E-mail ____________________________________________ 

Name: ______________________________________________________________________________________ 

Address: ___________________________________________________________________________________ 


Cell # ___________________________________ E-mail ____________________________________________ 

Name: ______________________________________________________________________________________ 

Address: ___________________________________________________________________________________ 


Cell # ___________________________________ E-mail ____________________________________________ 

Name: ______________________________________________________________________________________ 

Address: ___________________________________________________________________________________ 


Cell # ___________________________________ E-mail ____________________________________________ 

Name: ______________________________________________________________________________________ 

Address: ___________________________________________________________________________________ 


Cell # ___________________________________ E-mail ____________________________________________ 

128

2015 FNA Book of Reports

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?