2015 FNA Book of Reports

2015 Florida Nurses Association
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
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