2017 FNA Book of Reports

Florida Nurses Association
Membership Assembly
September 29-30, 2017
Naples Grande Resort, Naples, FL
Promoting Health through Advocacy
2017
Book of Reports

2017 Florida Nurses Association
Table of Contents
Continuing Education Disclosure Statement. ................................................3
Membership Assembly Agenda. .........................................................5
Roll of Past Presidents. ..............................................................13
2017 Convention Rules. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
2015 Summary of Action…. ...........................................................18
2015-16 Goals and Priorities ..........................................................21
2016 Special Called Membership Assembly (Current Bylaws). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Staff Report. ......................................................................72
Legislative Report ..................................................................80
Meet the New Lobbying Firm. ..........................................................82
Audit and Financial Information. ........................................................92
2017 Proposed Goals and Priorities. ....................................................106
Annual Reports ...................................................................108
Membership Comparison ............................................................115
Special Reports. ..................................................................116
Parliamentary Information. ...........................................................128
Proposed Bylaw Changes. ...........................................................130
Index of FNA Positions 1983-2015 .....................................................136
Lamplighters and Diamond Awards.....................................................140
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

2017 Florida Nurses Association
2

2017 Florida Nurses Association
Continuing Education Disclosure Statement
3

2017 Florida Nurses Association
4

2017 Florida Nurses Association
Membership Assembly Agenda
September 29-30, 2017
Thursday, September 28, 2017
1:00 AM – 2:00PM Acacia 1-3 QUIN Council Meeting
5:30 PM – 8:00 PM Royal Palm & Orchid Exhibitor Setup
Foyers
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM Acacia 4-6 FNA Board of Directors Meeting and Dinner
Friday, September 29, 2017
7:00 AM – 4:00 PM Meeting Planner’s Registration
Office
7:00 AM – 8:00 AM Royal Palm Foyer Exhibit Hall/Poster Display Open
8:00 AM – 9:30 AM
1 CH
Royal Palm 4-5
Opening Session – Introductions
How Nurses Can Promote Health through Advocacy
Dr. Susan Hassmiller
Senior Advisor for Nursing, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Report of the Tellers – Election Results
9:30 AM – 9:45 AM Royal Palm Foyer Exhibit Hall/Poster Display Open
9:45 AM – 11:30 AM Orchid 2-4 “Hot Topics” Café
SUGGESTED Topics or select your own:
q Healthy Work Environment
q Human Trafficking in Florida
q Medical Marijuana
q Nursing Role in the Opioid Crisis
q Teen Suicide
q Other - Input from Members
11:30 AM – 12:00 PM Royal Palm & Orchid
Foyers
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM Vista Ballroom
1 CH
1:15 PM – 2:15 PM
1 CH
Banyan 1-2
Royal Palm 7
Royal Palm 8
Royal Palm 3
1:15 PM – 3:15 PM Royal Palm 6
2 CH
2:15 PM – 2:30 PM Royal Palm & Orchid
Foyers
Exhibit Hall/Poster Display Open
Lunch
QUIN Council Panel Discussion
Breakout Sessions
I. Florida Action Coalition Presentation –
Individual & Collective Advocacy
Andrea Russell & Jannah Amiel
II. Emerging Infections – They Just Keep Coming
Barbara Russell
III. Ethics SIG Presentation – Moral Distress: Practice Experiences,
Flourishing, and Ethical Considerations
Jean Davis & Panel
IV. Framing Your Message
Alisa LaPolt
Creating Healing Environments using Therapeutic Touch
Jean Kijek & Mary Anne Hanley
Exhibit Hall/Poster Display Open
5

2017 Florida Nurses Association
6

Friday, September 29, 2017 (continued)
2017 Florida Nurses Association
2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
1 CH
3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
1 CH
Royal Palm 2
Banyan 1-2
Royal Palm 8
Royal Palm 3
Royal Palm 4-5
Breakout Sessions
I. Florida Nurses Association: History of Political Activism/Importance of
Individual Nurse Engagement for the Future of Nursing
Janice Hess
II. Telehealth – The New Frontier
Rebecca Falanga
III. HPV: Efforts at Prevention
Deborah Hogan, Theresa Morrison, Chris Varela
IV. Can Nurses Really Develop Trauma?
Deborah Orr
Plenary Session
Pain Management Amidst the Opioid Crisis
Dana Viviano
4:30 PM – 5:30 PM
1 CH
Advance Directives & Advance Health Care Planning for Health Providers
Dr. Ileana Leyva
5:30 PM – 6:30 PM Break
6:30 PM – 7:00 PM Sunset Veranda Awards Reception (Cash Bar)
Welcome in the New Board of Directors
7:30 PM – 9:00 PM Vista Ballroom Annual Awards Celebration
Saturday, September 30, 2017
7:00 AM – 3:00 PM Meeting Planner’s
Office
7:30 AM – 8:45 AM Vista Ballroom
1 CH
Registration
Advocacy Breakfast
Nursing Regulation: An Update from the FBON on Recent Legislation
& the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact
Joe Baker, Jr. & Sherri Sutton-Johnson
Florida Board of Nursing
9:00 AM – 12:30 PM Royal Palm 4-5 Business Meeting
Intros/Reports/Bylaws/Reference Proposals/Legislative Agenda/
New Board Installation
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM Royal Palm 1-3 Foundation Luncheon
Scholarships and Grants Announced
Presenter: Dr. Joy Parchment – Past Grant Recipient
1:45 PM – 2:45 PM
Region Meetings
Banyan 1-2
Royal Palm 7
I.
II.
Northwest Region
North Central Region
Royal Palm 8
Mangrove 1-2
III. Northeast Region
IV. East Central Region
Acacia 4-6
V. West Central Region
Royal Palm 6
Orchid 1
Acacia 1-3
VI. Southwest Region
VII. Southeast Region
VIII. South Region
2:30 PM – 3:00 PM Hibiscus Post Conference Board Meeting
Greetings and set dates for 2018
7

2017 Florida Nurses Association
YOUR CAREER
MATTERS.
Now Hiring Nurse Instructors! Jacksonville, Miramar, Orlando, Tampa
For nearly 50 years, Concorde Career Colleges has prepared thousands of people for rewarding careers in
the healthcare industry. We specialize in education with a clearly defined purpose. Our goal is to prepare
students for the most in-demand jobs in healthcare. Qualifications we’re looking for include:
• Current RN license in the state of employment • Meet all of the qualifications as set forth by the
• BSN required, MSN preferred
Board of Nursing in the state of employment
• 3 years of recent clinical experience
We offer: Medical/dental/vision, 401K retirement plan, paid holidays, vacation, and education
reimbursement for full-time and part-time employees.
To apply, email resumes to jobs@concorde.edu or visit www.concorde.edu/careers
Be part of life changing work. Join Concorde.
EOE/M/F/D/V
Visit our website for available models
Major Credit Cards, Personal or Business Checks,
Money Orders, Purchase Orders Accepted
8

2017 Florida Nurses Association
Agenda for Business Meeting
Saturday, September 30, 2017
9:00am-12:00pm
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
Reference Reports
Proposed FNA Goals and Priorities
Proposed Legislative Agenda
New Business
Announcements
Adjournment
9

2017 Florida Nurses Association
10

2017 Florida Nurses Association
11

2017 Florida Nurses Association
THIS IS A PUBLIC HEALTH
MOMENT
We’re Looking for
a Few Good Nurses
Lake Wales Medical Center is seeking
compassionate, caring nurses to join our
growing team! We want candidates looking to
make a real difference in their patients’ lives, and
bring their own beneficial enthusiasm and skills
to a talented team of like-minded professionals.
Receive Your $5,000 Sign-On Bonus when Selected
for a Full-Time Position with Lake Wales Medical!
We offer:
• Competitive Pay & Benefits
• Shift Differential/Extra Shift Incentives
• 401K with Company Match
• Educational Reimbursement
• Employee Recognition and Incentive Programs
• Clinical Advancement Program (BLS, ACLS, PALS)
• Seasonal Bonus Opportunities
• And so much more...
Take the next step in your professional nursing career!
Be a part of the Lake Wales Medical nursing staff!
Lake Wales Medical Center | 410 South 11th St | Lake Wales, FL 33853
http://www.lakewalesmedicalcenter.com
Earn a Master of Public
Health or a Master of
Science degree
Offering an Accelerated MPH
degree for professionals.
Innovative | Global | Leaders
Learn more at: publichealth.med.miami.edu
Florida – State Chapter for Organization
for Associate Degree Nursing (FL-OADN)
OADN Mission Statement:
Promote Associate Degree Nursing through
leadership, collaboration, advocacy, and education
to ensure excellence in the future of health care
and professional nursing practice.
To join: www.oadn.org; join/renew
OADN 2017 Convention –
November 17-19, 2017 Scottsdale, AZ
For more information contact:
Valerie Browne, EdD, RN, CNE
vbrowne@mdc.edu
12

2017 Florida Nurses Association
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
2003–2005 Mary Tittle
2007–2011 Andrea Gregg
2011–2013 Mavra Kear
2013–2015 Edward Briggs
2015–2017 Leah Kinnaird
13

2017 Florida Nurses Association
14

2017 Florida Nurses Association
Member Meeting 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.
Legal statement regarding permission to photo video at the conference.
Rules Governing Motions
Do This… Recognition you say this… Second Amend Debate Vote
Introduce business Yes I move that... Yes Yes Yes Majority
Change or modify a motion Yes I move to amend by... Yes Yes Yes Majority
Send to a committee for study Yes I move to refer to committee… Yes Yes Yes Majority
Put off action
Yes
I move to postpone consideration
of the question until...
15
Yes Yes Yes Majority
Limit or extend discussion Yes I move the previous question Yes No No 2/3
Stop Discussion Yes I move the previous question Yes No No 2/3
Lay the motion aside
temporarily
Yes
I move to lay the motion on the
table...
Yes No No Majority
To take a motion from Yes I move to take from the table 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

2017 Florida Nurses Association
16

2017 Florida Nurses Association
Board of Directors
2015 – 2017
Officers
Leah Kinnaird, RN, EdD, President
Janegale Boyd, RN, President Elect
Barbara Russell, RN, MPH, CIC, Vice President
Jill Tahmooressi, MSN, RN, Secretary
Ann-Lynn Denker, PhD, RN, Treasurer
Directors
Deborah Hogan, MPH, RN
Doreen Perez, DNP, RN-BC
Marsha Martin, RN, CCRN
Janice Hess, DNP, ARNP, FNP-BC
Theresa Morrison, PhD, CNS-BC
Marion Marino-Meyash, PhD, RN
Recent Graduate Liaison
Hannah McRoberts, BSN, RN
Gratitude to Lisa Fussell & Debra Hain
for their service as Region Directors.
17

2017 Florida Nurses Association
Nurses:
Shaping the Future of
Healthcare and Health
FNA Membership Assembly
September 11–12, 2015
Renaissance World Golf Village
St. Augustine, FL
2015 Membership Assembly
2015 SUMMARY Book OF of ACTIONS Reports
18

2017 Florida Nurses Association
September 11–12, 2015
Renaissance World Golf Village
St. Augustine, Florida
Summary of Actions
This was the 5th 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 Great 100 Nurses were honored as
well as an outstanding Legislator. A new Board of Directors was elected as listed below.
Board of Directors
2015-2017
Officers
Leah Kinnaird, EdD, RN – President Elect
Janegale Boyd, RN – President Elect
Barbara Russell, MPH, RN – Vice President
Jill Tahmooressi, MBA, BSN, RN – Secretary
Ann-Lynn Denker, PhD, MN, BSN, RN – Treasurer
Directors
Deborah Hogan, MPH, BSN, RN – Director at Large, Southeast
Doreen Perez, MS, BSN, RN-BC – Director at Large, Northeast Region
Marsha Martin, RN – Director at Large, North Central
Lisa Fussell, BSN, RN – Director at Large, West Central
Janice Hess, DNP, FNP-BC, ARNP – Director at Large, East Central
Theresa Morrison, PhD, CNS-BC – Director at Large, Southwest
Suzie Farthing, MSN, RN – Director at Large, Northwest
Debra Hain, PhD, RN – Director at Large, South
Board Liaisons
Deborah Hogan, MPH, BSN, RN – LERC 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
19

2017 Florida Nurses Association
20

2017 Florida Nurses Association
GOALS FOR 2015 – 2016
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.
Adopted by the Membership Assembly
Saturday 9/12/2015
21

2017 Florida Nurses Association
22

2017 Florida Nurses Association
Proposal #1
Title: Removing Florida’s 5-Year Waiting Period for Lawfully Residing Immigrant Children to Receive Health
Care Coverage
Submitted by: Laura Brennaman
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 - 2016:
• The maximum cost to the state for covering these children, in the ear waiting period, would total about
$1.18 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.
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.
2
U.S. Census Bureau, Report S2701: Health Insurance Coverage Status. American Community Survey 3-year estimate 2011-2013
23

2017 Florida Nurses Association
We are dedicated to developing and
supporting your career with more
opportunities for advancement.
We are dedicated to developing and supporting your
career with more opportunities for advancement.
Registered Nurses
• Work one-on-one with patients
• Work for a company with
Registered Nurses
• Work one-on-one with patients
• Work for a company with a team approach
a • Enjoy team a better approach work/life balance
• Enjoy a better work/life balance
Call us today at
855-KND-AT-HOME
(855.563.2846) or visit
www.kindredathome.com/careers
Call us today at
We are dedicated to developing and supporting your
career with more opportunities for advancement.
855-KND-AT-HOME
Registered Nurses
• Work one-on-one with patients
• Work for a company with a team approach
• Enjoy a better work/life balance
(855.563.2846) or visit
www.kindredathome.com/careers
Call us today at
855-KND-AT-HOME
(855.563.2846) or visit
www.kindredathome.com/careers
© 2016 Kindred at Home CSR 188899-12 AA/EOE M/F/D/V encouraged to apply. 3191v1
EEO
EEO
24

2017 Florida Nurses Association
Pertinent Definitions
CHIP – Children’s Health Insurance Program
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
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)
25

2017 Florida Nurses Association
26

2017 Florida Nurses Association
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.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Proposal #2
Title: Defining the Clinical Nurse Specialist Scope of Practice in Florida
Submitted by: Theresa Morrison, PhD, CNS, CNS-BC, Patricia Geddie, PhD, CNS, AOCNS, Julie Lampe, RN
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
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).
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.”
27

2017 Florida Nurses Association
28

2017 Florida Nurses Association
“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.
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) recognize 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 cannot 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.
Recommendations for action
• 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
5. specialist services. In CMS Manual System. http://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Guidance/Transmittals/downloads/
R75BP.pdf. Accessed June 8, 2014.
6. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (2013). Detailed written orders for covered items.
7. In Medicare Program Integrity Manual. http://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Guidance/Manuals/downloads/
pim83c05.pdf. Accessed June 8, 2014.
8. National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists (2012) NACNS Position Statement on Prescriptive Privilege for the Clinical
Nurse Specialist.
29

2017 Florida Nurses Association
30

2017 Florida Nurses Association
9. 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
10. National Council for State Boards of Nursing (2008). Consensus model for APRN regulation:
11. Licensure, accreditation, certification, and education. https://www.ncsbn.org/Consensus_Model_for_APRN_Regulation_
July_2008.pdf. Accessed June 8, 2014.
12. 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.
13. 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.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Proposal #3
Title: Continuous Observation in the Acute Care Setting
Submitted by: Wuesthoff Bargaining Unit/Local 713
Author: Matthew Price, RN, BSN, CCRN
a. Statement of Concern
Standards for Continuous Observation of Patients in Acute Care Settings Do Not Exist putting patients and
staff at risk.
b. Rationale
i. Background Information
The use of safety attendants for continuous observation is used in Acute Care settings for various reasons.
Observers can be used to prevent falls, monitor aggression, prevent suicide, improve delirium, help detect
symptoms of alcohol or drug withdrawal, and help assure guidelines are followed for Baker Act, Marchman Act
patients.
In 2010, The Joint Commission established general guidelines for the assessment and safety of patients that
are at risk for suicide in Emergency Departments and Medical/Surgical Units. These guidelines failed to define
what instrument should be used to assess this population and what interventions should be implemented. The
Joint Commission gave a general recommendation of using the SAD PERSONS scale and follow up at discharge
(Jacobs & Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare, 2007). Many tools have been created to assess
patients at risk for suicide but there is insufficient evidence to support a single tool for determining which
patients that attempt suicide (Simon, 2002, p. 342).
Increasing numbers of 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 patients with psychiatric
crises at risk of escalation, which include, self-harm, harm to others, or a worsening of their psychiatric
condition (Mitchell, Garand, Dean, Panzak, & Taylor, 2005).
Outside of suicide, falls may be prevented or harm lessened by having a safety attendant or continuous
observer. In 2014, the Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority found that, while falls did not decline with sitter
use, falls with harm did (Feil, Wallace, & Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority, 2014)
The cost of providing one to one observation has been prohibitive for many institutions. Therefore, some
institutions have been creative in their use of paid observers, utilizing them to view patients from hallways or
placing them in rooms with multiple patients. The Office of Inspector General found this to be an inappropriate
use of continuous observation (Department of Veterans Affairs. Office of Inspector General, 2011). Besides
31

2017 Florida Nurses Association
at Bentley Village
Suwannee River Area Health
Education Center is your source
for professional education.
Join the Best Retirement Community in SW Florida
• Certified Nursing Assistants
• Licensed Practical Nurses
• Registered Nurses
2315 Leisure Lane, Naples, FL 239-431-2134
Apply today! www.ViLiving.com/Careers
We can assist with your training and management
needs, including:
• Conference Planning and Management
• Online Course Planning and Hosting
• Conference and Enduring Registration
• Continuing Medical Education and Continuing Education
• Association Management
Our online systems are user-friendly for both participants
and partners. Within each learner’s unique account, they
can complete and track online CE/CME certified courses
that auto-report to CE Broker.
From planning a conference to running a webinar, we can
help with every aspect of program and conference planning.
Visit www.srahec.org to learn how we can simplify
your education experience.
32

2017 Florida Nurses Association
providing levels of care, paid observers usually have little or no training to monitor these patients (Carr, 2013).
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 (Feil et al., 2014)
ii. Pertinent Definitions for Level of Observation
Intermittent Observation- rounding on a patient at risk at defined time intervals (usually 15minutes)
• Constant Observation - one observer may 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 arm’s
reach of the patient at all times in an adequately lighted area. (Janofsky, 2009, p. 20)
iii. Overview on Nursing Role/Function
Nursing’s’ 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 and psychiatrically stable (Mitchell et al., 2005, p. 4). The nurse’s
decision to use a Level of Observation will be based on a reliable tool and include any sudden unexpected
aggressive or harmful behavior. “The level of suicide precautions must be based on an adequate risk
assessment and a clinical rationale.” (Janofsky, 2009, p. 17)
iv. Legal/Ethical Considerations
Patients deserve to be safe during medical treatment, a failure to provide safety may lead to harm or even
death. We have an ethical duty to the needs of the whole patient: mental, physical, and spiritual. Litigation
related to falls has been on the rise because it is seen as negligence when healthcare institutions fail to
provide a safe environment for our patients.
v. Consequences to Patient Care
The implementation of clearly defined, evidenced based practices for utilizing safety attendants for continuous
observation will clarify patients at risk and best practices to improve patient care and safety.
c. Statement of Position
Let it be said, that the Florida Nurse Association supports using evidenced based practice guidelines for the
use of Safety Attendants for Continuous Observation in Acute Care Settings. The evidence guidelines include:
minimum education/training of observers, evaluation tools to determine patients at risk, Sitter/ Staffing
Observation Level based on a reliable tool, criteria for reducing Sitter/ Staffing Observation Level based on a
reliable tool, and minimum safety attendant levels for each patient population and Observation Level.
d. Recommendations for action
1. Advocate for policy that will protect patients, nurses, and healthcare workers when providing Safety
Attendants in Continuous Observation of Patients in Acute Care Settings.
2. Advocate for policy for minimum education/training levels of safety attendants/sitters that includes a list
of competencies.
3. Define types of patients requiring observation.
4. Define Levels of Observation based on objective assessments using standardized tools.
5. Advocate for policy for minimum safety attendant levels when providing continuous observation to
maintain a safe environment for patients, nurses, and healthcare workers.
6. Form a Task Force to develop a Tool Kit for Model Policy for Acute Care Settings.
33

2017 Florida Nurses Association
34

2017 Florida Nurses Association
References
1. Bagley, S. (2013). Identifying Patients at Risk for Suicide: Brief Review. Making Healthcare Safer II: An Updated Critical Analysis
of the Evidence for Patient Safety Practices.. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Retrieved from www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
books/NBK133374/
2. Brim, C., Lindauer, C., Halpern, J., Storer, A., Barnason, S., Young Bradford, J., ... Williams, J. (2012, December). Clinical
Practice Guideline: Suicide Risk Assessment. Full Version., 1-15. Retrieved from https://www.ena.org/practice-research/
research/CPG/Documents/SuicideRiskAssessmentCPG.pdf
3. Carr, F. (2013). The Role of Sitters in Delirium: An Update.. Canadian Geriatrics Journal, 16(1), 22-36. doi: http://dx.doi.
org/10.5770/cgj.16.29
4. Degelau, J., Belz, M., Bugnum, L., Flavin, P. L., Leys, K., Lundquist, L., & Webb, B. (2012, April). Prevention of falls (acute care).
Health care protocol.. Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. Retrieved from http://www.guideline.gov/content.aspx?id=36906
5. Department of Veterans Affairs. Office of Inspector General. (2011). Healthcare Inspection: Attempted Suicide During Treatment
West Palm Beach VA Medical Center (11-01052-233). Retrieved from Department of Veterans Affairs. Office of Inspector General
Report: http://www.va.gov/oig/54/reports/VAOIG-11-01052-233.pdf
6. Feil, M., Wallace, S. C., & Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority, (2014, March). The Use of Patient Sitters to Reduce Falls:
Best Practices. Pennsylvania Patient Safety Advisory, 11, 8-14. Retrieved from http://patientsafetyauthority.org/ADVISORIES/
AdvisoryLibrary/2014/Mar;11 (1)/Pages/08.aspx
7. Harding, A. D. (2010, October). Observation Assistants: Sitter Effectiveness and Industry Measures. Nursing Economics, 28,
330-336. Retrieved from https://www.nursingeconomics.net/necfiles/Harding_Sitters.pdf
8. Jacobs, D., & Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare, (2007). JCAHO: 2007 Patient Safety Goals on Suicide. Retrieved
from http://www.sprc.org/sites/sprc.org/files/library/jcsafetygoals.pdf
9. Janofsky, J. S. (2009). Reducing Inpatient Suicide Risk: Using Human Factors Analysis to Improve Observation Practices.
The Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law, 37, 15-24.
10. Knoll IV, J. L. (2012, May 22). Inpatient Suicide: Identifying Vulnerability in the Hospital Setting. Psychiatric Times. Retrieved
from http://www.psychiatrictimes.com/suicide/inpatient-suicide-identifying-vulnerability-hospital-setting
11. Mackay, I., Patterson, B., & Cassells, C. (2005, August). Constant or special observations of inpatients presenting a risk of
aggression or violence: nurses; perceptions of the rules of engagement.. Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, 12,
464-471. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16011502
12. Mitchell, A. M., Garand, L., Dean, D., Panzak, G., & Taylor, M. (2005, October). Suicide Assessment in Hospital Emergency
Departments. Top Emergency Medicine, 27, 302-312. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2864482/
13. Simon, R. I. (2002). Suicide Risk Assessment: What Is the Standard of Care?. Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and
the Law, 30, 340-344. Retrieved from http://www.jaapl.org/content/30/3/340.full.pdf
14. Targum, S. D., Friedman, F., & Pacheco, M. N. (2014, Sept-Oct). Assessment of Suicidal Behavior in the Emergency Department.
Innovations in Clinical Neuroscience, 11, 194-200. Retrieved from httP://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4267796/
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Proposal #4
Title: Nurses’ Responsibility and Ethical Duty in Prison Healthcare
Submitted by: Deborah Hogan, MPH, RN
Background Information
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
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
35

2017 Florida Nurses Association
Registered
Nurses
We would love to have you join our team!
Currently looking for RN’s with excellent patient
care skills for MedSurg/Telemetry, OR, ER,
ICU, Wound Care and Cardiac Care.
Located in beautiful Naples, Florida, Physicians Regional Healthcare
System boasts two nationally recognized, premier hospitals. EOE
Please apply online at: www.physiciansregional.com
36

2017 Florida Nurses Association
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
Of those prison deaths reported Illness related deaths accounted for the majority (88%) of deaths in state
prisons. 2
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
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
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
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, 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 it be Further Resolved, 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.
Reference
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.
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
37

2017 Florida Nurses Association
NURSES
Amazing Career Opportunities Await –
Contact Gulf Coast Health Care TODAY!
www.gchc.com
Learn more about becoming a Legal Nurse Consultant!
Greater Orlando Chapter
Trying to juggle school, work and the kids?
Simplify your life at
www.nursingALD.com!
• Access over 600 issues of official
state nurses publications, to
make your research easier!
• Find your perfect career!
• Stay up-to-date with
events for nursing
professionals!
Visit the Orlando Chapter of AALNC at www.orlandoaalnc.org.
Representation for health care providers.
Law Office of Susan E. Lindgard (former MQA prosecutor)
Attorney at Law • Mediator • Registered Nurse • Risk Manager
352-375-0329 | susanlindgard@yahoo.com
Gainesville, Florida | lindgardlaw.com
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.
38

2017 Florida Nurses Association
Florida Nurses Association Bylaws
2015-2016
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.
39

2017 Florida Nurses Association
Put Your Mind at Ease with the Right Care for Your Patients.
Right at Home of Boca Raton
Serving Palm Beach County
T. 561.910.1843 I F. 708.575.8279
homecaresouthflorida.com
HHA# 299994586
Right at Home of Central Pinellas
Serving Pinellas County
T. 727.400.4700 I F. 727.674.1540
rahcentralpinellas.com
HHA# 299994053 I HC5# 232362
Right at Home Charlotte County
Serving Charlotte County
T. 941.999.2609
HCS# 234740
Right at Home of Dania Beach
Serving Broward County
T. 954.589.0035 I F. 954.404.9687
browardcountycare.com
HHA# 299994445
Right at Home of Deerfield Beach
Serving Broward County
T. 954.998.0777 I F. 708.575.8279
homecaresouthflorida.com
HHA# 299994628
Right at Home of Greater Jacksonville
Serving Jacksonville, Ponte Vedra,
St. Johns & St. Augustine
T. 904.201.3566 I F. 904.647.4073
www.rightathome.net/jacksonvillemetro-south
HCS# 234803
Right at Home of The Villages,
Lake & Sumter Counties
Serving Lake, Sumter &
Marion Counties
T. 352.835.0101 I F. 352.835.0105
rahfl.com
HHA# 299994223 I HC5# 233227
Right at Home of Longwood
Serving Heathrow, Sweetwater,
Wekiva Springs, Maitland, Casselberry,
Markham Woods, Lake Mary,
Longwood & Altamonte Springs
T. 321.295.7849 I F. 321.422.0922
cflhomecare.com
HCS# 234057 I HHA# 299994545
Right at Home of Manatee County
Serving Lakewood Ranch,
Bradenton, Palmetto, Parrish,
Ellenton & Anna Marie Island
T. 941.357.1959 I F. 941.929.1977
seniorcaresarasota.com
HHA# 299994425
Right at Home of Miami
Serving Miami - Dade County
T. 305.697.9722 I F. 305.676.6834
www.rahmiami.com
HCS# 234448 I HHA# 299994601
Right at Home of Orlando
Serving Orange, Osceola &
Seminole Counties
T. 407.757.0981 I F. 888.820.6101
seniorcareorlando.com
HHA# 299994450 | HCS# 234015
Right at Home of Pasco &
N. Pinellas Counties
Serving Pasco, Hernando & North
Pinellas Counties
T. 727.844.3570 I F. 727.844.3657
westpasco.rightathome.net
HHA# 299993779 / HCS# 237208
Right at Home of Eastern Hillsborough
Serving Plant City, Zephyrhills,
Wesley Chapel, New Tampa,
Lakeland, Kathleen, Medulla,
Seffner, Dover & Thonotosassa
T. 813.764.9290 I F. 813.764.9352
rightathome.net/plantcity
HHA# 299993770
Right at Home of Sarasota
Serving Sarasota, Venice, Englewood,
North Port, Nokomis, Lakewood
Ranch, East Bradenton, Longboat
Key, Siesta Key & Osprey
T. 941.929.1966 I F. 941.929.1977
seniorcaresarasota.com
HHA# 299994546 I HCS# 228873
Right at Home of Southwest Florida
Serving Lee & Collier Counties
T. 239.949.1070 I F. 239.949.7020
rightathome.net/southwest-florida
HHA# 299992378 I HCS# 228492
Right Right at Home of St. Petersburg
Serving St. Petersburg, Clearwater,
Pinellas Park & Surrounding Areas
T. 727.895.4200 I F. 727.683.9929
homecarestpete.com
HHA# 299994053
Right Right at Home of Sun City
Serving East Tampa, Riverview,
Progress Village, Gibsonton,
Adamsville, Lithia, Balm, Apollo
Beach, Ruskin,Sun City Center,
Sun City & Palma Sola
T. 813.800.CARE (2273)
F. 813.337.6282
rahsuncitycenter.com
HCS# 234737 I HHA# 299994557
Right Right at Home of Tallahassee
Serving Leon County
T. 850.765.4701 (O)
T. 850.765.4729 (D)
seniorcaretally.com
HHA# 299994635
Right Right at Home of Tampa
Serving Hillsborough County
T. 813.514.4724 I F. 813.514.1495
rightathome.net/tampa
HHA# 299992375 I HCS# 228896
For a free in-home care assessment call us today.
40

2017 Florida Nurses Association
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.
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:
41

2017 Florida Nurses Association
42

2017 Florida Nurses Association
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.
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.
43

2017 Florida Nurses Association
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 two-thirds (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.
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 and one additional director who is a
recent graduate of a pre-licensure nursing program within five years or less.
B. The directors are elected by members and are accountable to the membership.
44

2017 Florida Nurses Association
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:
1. Be a full member of FNA
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:
1. Be a full member of FNA
2. record the minutes of meetings of the FNA;
3. Board of Directors;
4. Executive Committee; and
5. Advisory Committee.
G. The Treasurer shall:
1. Be a full member of FNA
2. Report to the Board of Directors the financial standing of FNA;
3. Make a full report to FNA at each Membership Assembly;
45

2017 Florida Nurses Association
4. Serve as Chair of the Finance Committee; and
5. Be bonded.
H. The Region 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.
I. The Director-Recent Graduate shall:
1. Serve as facilitator of the New Graduate Special Interest Group (SIG)
2. Coordinate activities for members who are recent graduates of their initial nursing program
3. Serve as a member of the Membership Committee
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.
46

2017 Florida Nurses Association
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
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.
47

2017 Florida Nurses Association
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.
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
Section 1. Composition
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
48

2017 Florida Nurses Association
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.
Section 3. Quorum
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;
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.
49

2017 Florida Nurses Association
ARTICLE IX. Executive Committee
Section 1. Composition
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.
Section 4. Quorum
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.
50

2017 Florida Nurses Association
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.
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
Section 1. General
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)
Section 1. General
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.
51

2017 Florida Nurses Association
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.
D. Each CBU may nominate up to five delegate candidates.
ARTICLE XIII. Advisory Council
Section 1. Composition
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.
Section 2. Meetings
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
Section 1. General
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.
Section 2. Meetings
Meetings of the FNSA may be held in conjunction with the FNA Membership Assembly.
52

2017 Florida Nurses Association
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 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 15, 2015
53

2017 Florida Nurses Association
2015 Reference Proposals
Increasing the Number of Male Registered Nurses &
Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners in the State of Florida
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.
Background Information
Rationale
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
Kumar Jairamdas, RN
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.
54

2017 Florida Nurses Association
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).
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 best-practice 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
55

2017 Florida Nurses Association
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
8. Report to FNA
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
1. Report to FNA
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)
Our Public Health Infrastructure
Submitted by Deborah Hogan
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.
56

2017 Florida Nurses Association
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)
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),
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.
57

2017 Florida Nurses Association
Special Called Membership Assembly
November 2016
It was necessary to call a special Membership Assembly to address a dues deficit for the FNA Bargaining
Units. A call to meeting was issued with proper notice of intent to increase the dues for Bargaining Unit
Members. Before the Assembly, the Bylaws Committee reviewed the proposed bylaws proposals and made
revisions for the purpose of simplification. The bylaws were sent to the members and the Membership
Assembly was held in November at Valencia Community College.
The bylaws were presented, discussed and debate by those registered and present on-site and via ZOOM
conferencing software.
After lengthy discussion, the bylaws were approved. A copy of the current bylaws are found here:
Florida Nurses Association Bylaws
2015-2017
ARTICLE I Name
The name of this Association shall be the Florida Nurses Association, hereinafter referred to as “FNA” or “Association.”
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;
58

2017 Florida Nurses Association
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.
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.
59

2017 Florida Nurses Association
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;
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; and
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.
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.
60

2017 Florida Nurses Association
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 two-thirds (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; and
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; and
61

2017 Florida Nurses Association
2. Make reports or presentations to the FNA Membership Assembly within its area of expertise,
including the presentation of action reports.
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 and one additional director who is a
recent graduate of a pre-licensure nursing program within five years or less.
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;
3. In the absence of the President, assume the duties of the President;
4. Review any reference proposals submitted to the Membership Assembly; and
5. Serve as Chair of the Advisory Council.
E. The Vice-President shall:
62

2017 Florida Nurses Association
1. Be a full member of FNA;
2. In the absence of the President and President-Elect, assume the duties of the President; and
3. Be chairperson of the FNA Membership Committee.
F. The Secretary shall:
1. Be a full member of FNA; and
2. Record the minutes of meetings of the FNA, Board of Directors, Executive Committee, and Advisory
Committee.
G. The Treasurer shall:
1. Be a full member of FNA;
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
5. Be bonded.
H. The Region 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; and
4. Recommend to the FNA Board of Directors the establishment of Ad Hoc Committees deemed
necessary to implement the purposes and functions of FNA.
I. The Director-Recent Graduate shall:
1. Serve as facilitator of the New Graduate Special Interest Group (SIG);
2. Coordinate activities for members who are recent graduates of their initial nursing program; and
3. Serve as a member of the Membership Committee.
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.
63

2017 Florida Nurses Association
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
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.
64

2017 Florida Nurses Association
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 forms;
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.
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.
65

2017 Florida Nurses Association
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
Section 1. Composition
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;
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; and
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
occurs 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 Council, 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.
Section 3. Quorum
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;
66

2017 Florida Nurses Association
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;
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
Section 1. Composition
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.
Section 4. Quorum
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.
67

2017 Florida Nurses Association
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, and
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; and
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.
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 Council.
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
Section 1. General
A. There shall be Regions which meet the following requirements:
1. Regions must be in conformity with the bylaws of FNA
68

2017 Florida Nurses Association
ARTICLE XII. Labor and Employment Relations Council (LERC)
Section 1. General
The Labor and Employment Relations Council 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 Council which shall be concurrent with the term as President of the
Local Bargaining Unit.
Section 3. Responsibilities
The Labor and Employment Relations Council 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;
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.
D. LERC is allotted up to five delegate candidates to the NLC.
ARTICLE XIII. Advisory Council
Section 1. Composition
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.
Section 2. Meetings
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.
69

2017 Florida Nurses Association
ARTICLE XIV. Florida Nursing Students’ Association
Section 1. General
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.
Section 2. Meetings
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 Labor and Employment Relations Council.
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 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.
70

2017 Florida Nurses Association
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
November 2016
71

2017 Florida Nurses Association
FNA Staff
Willa Fuller, BSN, RN – 19 years, Executive Director since 6/11/07 – Manages the day to day operations of the
association.
John Berry – 9 months, Director of Labor Relations and Government Affairs
Vicki Sumagpang, MSN, RN – 5 ½ years, Director of Member Engagement
Tunala Stark – 14 ½ years, Bookkeeper/Program Specialist for Membership
Bibi Lowton – 14 years, Program Specialist for Governmental and Professional Practice Advocacy
Kaitlyn Scarbury – 11 months, Executive Assistant/Marketing Specialist
Leslie Homsted, RN – 20 years, Communications Coordinator/Membership Recruitment and Retention Specialist
2017 Reports of the FNA Staff
Every two years, 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 began their terms by viewing the current strategic plan and identifying ways to continue the
work began by previous boards.
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 all nurses. At the same time, FNA and its entities
- such as the Florida Nurses Foundation (FNF) and the Florida Political Action Committee (FNPAC) - represent
a large business entity. As such, FNA has to abide by Internal Revenue Services (IRS) guidelines for a notfor-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 the 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-forprofit
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
72

2017 Florida Nurses Association
also drawn attention to the need for nurses to be able to practice to the full scope of their education. 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 and close relationship with the Florida Center for Nursing
which is one of the Co-Leads of the FL-AC.
FNA has the opportunity to change the nursing in Florida environment for the better.
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
has increased collaborative networking and work among other organizations. There
has been some conflict from groups with dissenting opinions on some matters and FNA along with other
partners are working to create unity among differences. FNA continues to meet with QUIN and the Coalition
on a regular basis. Most recently, QUIN has created a website to educate and inform those interested in the
nursing profession regarding selecting the best school for their education. QUIN also plans in 2018 to convene
a “Think Tank” dedication to safe staffing and a quality work environment for nurses.
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 has been affected by many factors, including but not
limited to, impact of state employee reductions, closures and
downsizing, failure of new graduates to join the association,
retirement of nurses who do not renew, and the current
challenging economy. The Membership Committee, along with
FNA staff, works diligently to implement strategies outlined
in their report. In addition, the Board has been supportive
of supporting their ideas and approving new sources of nondues
revenue. The current Membership Committee has made
several recommendations for membership recruitment in the
upcoming months including. Other strategies include, phone
contact or personal contact from board members to recoup
pending deletions, deleted members, and new grads. A post
card campaign with personalized messaging, and revival of the
Star Campaign have also been initiated for the past two years.
2017 Membership Recruitment and Retention Strategies include:
• Continuation of Birthday emails to each FNA member;
• A “You’ve Been Spotted” initiative to invite nurses who have won awards or
demonstrated other accomplishments to join the professional association
• Three touch points of renewal for each FNA member (one mailings and two emails);
• Targeted post card campaigns
• Personal notes to members on renewals;
• A revised new membership packet sent electronically to each new member;
• Membership recruitment emails to students lists provided by ANA;
• A special snail mail promotion to all deleted new grad members from the past two years;
• A social networking presence on Facebook, Twitter, Linked In and YouTube;
• Text reminder for renewals ( in transition to new service)
• Our own social networking community “Yammer” for Members Only;
73

2017 Florida Nurses Association
• Membership recruitment contests and incentives;
• Ongoing recruitment packets sent to potential RN/ARNP members;
• FNSA consultant communication and incentives;
• Promotion of State Only Membership to get people to “try us on for size”
• Past FNSA member communication;
• Presence at specialty nurse organization or other nursing events;
• Invitations 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 our new grad members
• Close relationship with FNSA, Student Forum in The Florida Nurse to engage students
• 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;
• Specialty packets for bargaining units from OPEIU
• Opportunity to form Special Interest Groups
• Nursing Research Conference
• Online FNA Career Center and job placement assistance.
• The continued development of the Florida Leadership Academy
• Focus on Faculty as Mentors and the gateway to creating young advocates
Public Relations
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 and YouTube. Through these communication
avenues, FNA can make announcements about activities and programs and increase engagement by nurses
and students. FNA has 6,791 likes (up from 2,384 in 2012) on Facebook, 1,040 (up from 614 in 2013)
“followers” and 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 also respond to media requests and interviews on topics central to nursing and healthcare and have had
several mentions in various media outlets, from major newspapers to blogs.
We seek an respond to media requests for interview and participate in the community when feasible.
74

2017 Florida Nurses Association
Communication
2017 Member Communication strategies include:
• FNA Members Only: Online PRN newsletter used to update members on association, nursing and members
news. (This has been on hold due to staffing issues but we are planning to resume this year combining our
other online newsletters).
• Focus on the Foundation: This e-newsletter keeps members up to date about the activities of the Florida
Nurses Foundation, FNA’s philanthropic arm.
• Region Updates and 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.
• 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.
• 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.
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 Advocacy Days (Formerly Lobby Days)
and for the third year, the Research and Evidence Based Practice Conference. This will conference will be the
sixth annual Membership Assembly. Each Region also coordinates several highly rated conferences throughout
the year. See below for additional information on FNA conferences. Highly popular this year has been the
Therapeutic Touch (TT) Seminars by Dr. Jean Kijek, our resident expert who studies with Dr. Delores Krieger
the TT creator and pioneer. Our educational webinars have also experiences excellent attendance and we have
presented most of the mandatory education requirements via this modality.
Our webinars have been well attended and highly rated and we delivered several outstanding programs
including several of the mandatory CE requirements.
75

2017 Florida Nurses Association
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 o ptimal 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 Legislative
District Coordinators (LDCs) across the
state. Alisa Lapolt of GoTopsail Public Affairs
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 ranging from an
update from Joe Baker and Sherri Sutton-Johnson to an update
on issues of importance to nursing. We were able to present the Legislator of the Year Award to Senator
Denise Grimsley who was instrumental in defeating the Dr. Title Bill which would force nurse practitioners to
state that they were “not medical doctors.” There was excellent student attendance and once again nurses
both veterans and novices alike learned to navigate the Capitol during session. We took suggestions from last
year and developed a teaching plan for faculty who are bringing their students. In addition, we added a role play
session with participants experiencing scenario’s that could happen with their visit. We held a preconference
webinar explaining what is going to happen. For two years in a row, we have held webinars prior to the event
to orient potential attendees to the Lobby Days Experience. We have provided shuttle transportation to the
Capital to make navigating the terrain an easier experience for attendees.
The Health Policy Special Interest group (HP SIG) is comprised of members who have a particular interest in
being involved with the political process. Monthly meetings focus of issues of interest and topics of concern to
nurses. This SIG is one of the most active member groups within FNA.
See the final legislative report on page 80.
L.E.R.C.
The leadership of the bargaining units as members of the Labor Employment
Relations Commission (LERC) faced many challenges over the past few years,
particularly those in the state unit. With severe budget cuts and privatization,
many members retired early or left for other opportunities. Closures of some
facilities continue to affect membership. We experienced many non-members
seeking help from us and used this as an opportunity for member recruitment. FNA, along with OPEIU is working
to increase membership in LERC through internal organizing and have done additional mailings and visits to those
facilities for member education and recruitment. FNA plans to continue these meetings in 2017-2018.
Over the past two years we are working to update our workplace publications and create e-versions E-versions
of each of them. Due to the cost of printing, two years ago, we converted the New Graduate Handbook
into an online newsletter called New Grad Gazette. We do print it on demand for special events such as
pinning ceremonies. The revised pamphlet, Understanding the Nursing Profession in Florida was conceived in
partnership with several Florida nursing leadership groups several years ago. We have further revised and
76

2017 Florida Nurses Association
updated the appearance of the brochure again. This has been an excellent resource to use in explaining
nursing education levels in the state. There are two versions of the brochure, for legislators and the public
and for those seeking a career in nursing. Jan Hess, FNA Director has completed a history of the Florida
Nurses Association focused on our legislative achievements since 1909. She has updated the timeline in this
publication after each legislative session. This will also be an E-publication.
FNA continues to promote ANA’s Principle of Nurse Staffing and Principles
for Documentation as resources for staff nurses in dealing with concerns on
staffing and patient safety. ANA recently reviewed their Principles for Safe
Staffing and the revised version will be available soon. At the end of the review
(2013) they concluded that the principles were sound and continued to be valid,
however they have also added that in some instances, ratios can be one of the solutions to safe staffing.
The most important component of the plan is that nurses are involved in setting the staffing plans where they
work. Safe staffing remains a priority agenda item as evidence by our work with QUIN on a Think Tank next
February. We have developed several promotional pieces for deployment on social media and other formats to
create awareness.
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 non-members 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.
Whereas, the Board of Nursing, as directed by law, is there to protect the public and advocates on nurses’
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.
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 delegates 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 interests in the
past two years. We have also declined to write letters of support or even written letters of opposition when
appropriate.
77

2017 Florida Nurses Association
Economic and General Welfare of Registered Nurses
The Labor and Employment Relations Commission (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 Professional Practice Advocacy column has provided an
excellent forum for educating all nurses on what resources are available through the association to assist with
their workplace concerns, as well as provide articles on pertinent issues relevant to practice. The Members
Only e-newsletter and section on the FNA websites provides a vehicle to provide FNA members with the most
up-to-date information on timely topics and the latest resources. In addition to these communication vehicles,
the members of LERC periodically publish their own newsletter LERC Today from FNA, which goes to bargaining
unit members in an effort to provide unit specific information and activities. Additionally, the members of LERC
publish the State Unit Newsletter (the “SUN”), which provides information and updates to members in the state
Professional Health Care Unit.
FNA continues with the commitment to assist all nurses in all practice settings, addressing their concerns.
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 Summit for its members dedicated to
education and leadership development. Due to economic concerns we did not hold a
summit this year as of yet but have a training scheduled for FNA Headquarters before
the end of the year.
78

2017 Florida Nurses Association
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 each of the
Regions. The Special Interest Groups have evolved and several have
ended while others are flourishing. 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 Health Policy, Ethics, Health Literacy, and the Nursing Research
SIG. The Clinical Nurse Specialist SIG has become quite active and was
recently accepted into the Florida Coalition of Advanced Practice Nurses.
The Board continues to evaluate the viability of the SIG’s and review the
activity of these groups over time. Nurse entrepreneur, Faith Community
Nurse, Environmental, Faculty, Health Risk, and the Simulation SIG’s
have dissolved due to inactivity, or the group determined there was
other groups that already met that particular need.
Conferences and 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. Decisions regarding continuation vs. deletion are periodically
made regarding new and existing programs. We offered over 300 contact hours between 2015 to the current time.
FNA Advocacy Days alternates between March and January depending on
the legislative session. Coordinated by the FNA Lobbyist and FNA Staff, this
program provides didactic information on grassroots lobbying and first-hand
experience interacting with state and local officials. Nurses are encouraged
to communicate with their legislators throughout the year. For the last few
years, FNA lobbyists made appointments for members to see legislators
in their offices in Tallahassee. Members were provided FNA toolkits to
provide to each legislator with whom they met. In 2016, 125 nurses and
nursing students attended Advocacy Days. Due to the success of the shuttle
transportation in prior years, we continued the bus service for providing
transportation to and from the events and off site hotel attendees. FNA
members once again wore white lab coats and packets were prepared for our grassroots lobbyists to share
with tier legislators. We also made the legislative visits optional, this decreasing no-shows and only engaging
those participants who wanted to directly engage with legislators. The large majority of attendees opted to
make the legislative visits. Bob Levy and Jose Diaz of Robert Levy and Associates have been an integral part
of the planning and execution of this outstanding program for our members. They made appointments with
legislators, secured the 22 Floor of the Capitol for our Luncheon as well as the historic old Capitol building for
presentation from legislators and other policy makers.. We are already excited about our 2018 plans for this
event. Next year, FNA Advocacy Days will be held January 17th and 18th at the Florida State Conference Center
in Tallahassee.
This year we bid goodbye to Alisa Lapolt of Gotopsail Public Affairs and Jose Diaz of Robert Levy and
Associates. We appreciate all that they have done for nurses over the years.
79

2017 Florida Nurses Association
Legislative Overview 2017
Alisa Lapolt, Lobbyist
From time to time, the staff and lobbying team of the Florida Nurses Association is asked, “What exactly does
FNA do for us at the state Capitol?” It’s a question easily answered: We do a lot.
An estimated 70 percent of the work done by the lobbying team is defensive – making sure that other special
interests don’t put limits on, or add extra burdens to, the work nurses do.
Case in point: SB 670 by Sen. Don Gaetz (R-Crestview), as initially written, would have protected members of
the state’s child protection teams from lawsuits arising from the work they do investigating child abuse and
neglect. But the bill was later amended to extend that lawsuit protection only to physicians.
Other legislation would have required nurses and other healthcare providers to get an additional license to
work as a diabetes educator (SB 1286 by Sen. Audrey Gibson, D-Jacksonville and HB 1261 by Rep. John
Cortes, D-Kissimmee).
In these and other instances, our course of action is to share concerns with the bill sponsors and staff and
make suggested changes to the bills. If that doesn’t work, our strategies include reaching out to committee
members and asking them to vote against the bill or even asking the committee chairman not to schedule the
bill for a committee hearing.
On the flip side, we play offense in promoting bills that make a positive impact on nurses and patients.
Examples include controlled substance prescribing rights for registered nurses and a multi-state license for
nurses under a Nurse Licensure Compact.
To capture some of the work we do for FNA members, I provided a weekly update of bills affecting nurses and
the patients they serve. This year, it’s a list that spans 10 pages. A final bill report was made available to FNA
members after the conclusion of the legislative session, which was Friday, March 11.
We also launched in January a new email newsletter called “The Pulse.” The idea is to capture “the pulse” of
what’s going on with nurses at the Capitol.
Our lobbying efforts got a big boost from about 170 nurses and nursing students during FNA’s annual Advocacy
Days at the Capitol in January. Participants met with their House and Senate members, thanks to the
appointments set by the staff at Robert M. Levy & Associates. Bob’s interns led eight teams of nurses through
the Capitol for their appointment.
We shared information on eight different subjects with lawmakers, ranging from pay raises for state employees
to efforts to reduce violence against nurses in the workplace. We received positive evaluations from event
feedback forms. One wrote, “I found this experience to be very enlightening and it was comforting to leave the
Capitol having some legislators support nursing.”
There will be more opportunities for members to become involved with FNA’s advocacy efforts over the next
year as usual.
We have initiated several FNA Advocacy Boot camps and launched a summer advocacy program to support our
members in establishing relationships with their local legislators.
80

2017 Florida Nurses Association
Legislative Summary 2017
All bills passed by the Florida Legislature during the 2016 session have been sent to the governor for his
signature into law. A list of nurse-related legislation was provided to the board following the conclusion of the
2016 session, which ended March 11. No bills are expected to be filed for the 2017 session until after the
elections, although unopposed candidates elected in the Aug. 30 primary could file legislation early.
Legislative Agenda
The FNA typically develops its legislative agenda by August in advance of legislative committee weeks. It is
advisable for the board to do so by mid-July in order to give the lobbying team the opportunity to share it with
legislative candidates.
Now that ARNP prescribing has become law, the FNA Board of Directors has an opportunity to focus its
priorities in new areas. Alisa has been engaged in conversations with lawmakers about issues such as
workforce violence, nursing education, and staffing and will share her findings with the board.
Issues that are expected to return in next year’s session include licensure for diabetes educators, POLST,
state employee retirement, and mental health access (Baker Act).
The board may want to consider new areas to champion, such as public health, workplace violence, student
loan forgiveness funding, clinical nurse specialists, and nursing faculty increases.
ARNP Prescribing
As required under HB 423, the Board of Nursing has established members of its Controlled Substances
Formulary Committee. They will have until Oct. 31 to meet, collect input, and make recommendations as to
which drugs should be on the formulary. It is unclear at this point whether it will be a formulary or a negative
formulary. The formulary and associated rules will be promulgated as part of a rules-making process. It will go
into effect Jan. 1, 2017, when ARNPs can begin prescribing controlled substances on the formulary, according
to HB 423.
The BON has designated a page on its website to educating ARNPs about the new law, its limitations, and its
effective date. The FNA has also highlighted this information in The Pulse and elsewhere.
Alisa Lapolt finished her time with us in July . Please meet our new lobbying firm: Gray-Robinson
81

2017 Florida Nurses Association
82

2017 Florida Nurses Association
83

2017 Florida Nurses Association
84

2017 Florida Nurses Association
85

2017 Florida Nurses Association
Affiliated “Arms” of FNA
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, assist nurses in becoming politically
active and 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 are pleased to have Belita Grassel, and FNA member running as a candidate for state
representative this year.
We currently have the option for members to deduct additional money from your checking account or credit
card on a monthly basis. This is a painless way to give and provide strength to the FNA legislative program
through additional financial resources.
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 Convention, now called the FNA Membership Assembly. In addition, FNF continues to
provide temporary 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.
86

2017 Florida Nurses Association
• 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.
• 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.
87

2017 Florida Nurses Association
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
This year we will be adding a scholarship in partnership with the Business & Professional Women’s
Organization that is specific to University of North Florida.
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.
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 four years, the Barbara Lumpkin Institute has funded members to attend Lobby Days (Now Advocacy
Days). It has also funded members to attend the American Nurses Advocacy Institute in Washington, DC in the past.
88

2017 Florida Nurses Association
Goals: Status Report
Maintain a strong nursing organization in Florida to provide relevant services and value.
The Florida Nurses Association boasts:
o A sustained presence in Tallahassee with strong lobbyists and legislative
engagement program
o A professional website and a state of the art member management system
o A strong legislative program consisting of member education and support
o A strong member benefits program
o A presence in the media through public relations efforts including a mobilization of
our social media presence and outreach to inform nurses and well as the public
o Informed members through leveraging technology for frequent communication
and information sharing.
o Highly-rated education offerings which provide no-cost, low-cost contact
hours to meet our members requirements.
o A Political Action Committee (PAC) with a continual revenue stream that
results in candidates seeking our valued endorsements.
o A charitable foundation which supports higher education and nursing research
as well as education on health policy.
Enhance public understanding of the roles and responsibilities of registered
nurses to improve health in local communities and across the state.
o The Florida Nurses Association staff and its members respond to requests
for information on the association and the profession.
o We have a Legislative Agenda and talking points on issues of importance
that we utilize with the media and with policy makers and stake holders as
well as our fellow nurses.
o We participate in community education projects as experts when feasible
such as in the case of the Ebola crisis and the Zika Virus.
o We create educational material to educate the public and stakeholders,
including legislators about the profession.
o We educate pertinent organizations about issues that impact nursing such
as school counselors about nursing education and accreditation
o We encourage and support members to write letters to the editor and op-eds
to inform the public about nurses.
89

2017 Florida Nurses Association
Serve as the essential resource for career development for Florida’s registered nurses.
o FNA provides essential information to our members and to the general
nursing population via The Florida Nurse which goes to ever licensed nurse in
Florida on a quarterly basis.
o We are also available by phone for professional consultation on a limited
basis to non-members.
o We respond to professional inquiries via email and phone.
o We provide continuing education to both members and non-members via
face-to-face meetings and web-based technology. Our education offerings
include programs on career development and educational advancement.
o Our membership is rich with highly educated and expert nurses and
educators who serve as resources on a voluntary basis, adding to the
strength of the organization.
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.
The FNA Legislative Platform is contructed based on current trends in nursing
and healthcare and is crafted by the Board of Directors and presented to the
Membership Assembly for revision and approval. During session and throughout
the year issues are addressed as they arise as a part of an open process driven
by the members of the association. Items on the Agenda or removed when
achieved and the Agenda is revised as needed. Items may stay on the Agenda
for many years or they may be removed based on outcomes of each session.
Two years ago, thanks to the work of a coalition of advanced practice
organizations, legislation that we had been seeking regarding controlled
substance prescribing passed the legislature. However, there continue to be
scope of practice issues that remain a concern for both registered nurses and
advanced practice nurses.
We supported the adoption of the Nurse Compact in Florida.
We advocated for the role of the Diabetes Educator.
90

2017 Florida Nurses Association
Build organizational relationships to advance nursing and healthcare outcomes.
Nursing Community Partnerships create an environment of collaboration and
information sharing. FNA participates actively with these groups to collaborate
on issues of importance within nursing and healthcare. FNA also works with
other groups when feasible.
QUIN Council (20 Organizations)
Florida Coalition of Advanced Practice Nurses
Florida Council of Nursing Education Administrators
Florida Association of Colleges of Nursing
Florida Center for Nursing
Florida Action Coalition
Florida Board of Nursing
Various Community Organizations (e.g. American Cancer Society)
Maintain a strong organizational structure that advances nursing.
Regional structure allows for activities throughout the state to engage
members and decreased financial risk to the organization. Regional directors
have a connection to local members allowing them to bring their voices and
their input back to leadership for consideration. This creates an inclusive
organizational environment where ideas are valued and often implemented.
Members have a diversity of opportunities for involvement and inclusion as well
as for innovation and creativity.
Multiple structural units provide for leadership opportunities in different
domains fo the association through participation in committees, task forces,
Special Interest Groups or the Political Action Committee or the Foundation
The PAC allows nurses to have a voice in political process.
The Foundation supports and encourages education and nursing research.
91

2017 Florida Nurses Association
Audit and Financial Information
92

2017 Florida Nurses Association
93

2017 Florida Nurses Association
94

2017 Florida Nurses Association
95

2017 Florida Nurses Association
96

2017 Florida Nurses Association
97

2017 Florida Nurses Association
98

2017 Florida Nurses Association
99

2017 Florida Nurses Association
100

2017 Florida Nurses Association
101

2017 Florida Nurses Association
102

2017 Florida Nurses Association
103

2017 Florida Nurses Association
104

2017 Florida Nurses Association
105

2017 Florida Nurses Association
Florida Nurses Association
Proposed Goals for 2017 – 2019
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.
106

2017 Florida Nurses Association
Reports of the 2015–2017 Board of Directors
Officers
Leah Kinnaird, EdD, RN, President
Janegale Boyd, RN, President Elect
Barbara Russell, MPH, RN, CIC, Vice President
Jill Tahmooressi, MSN, RN, Secretary
Ann-Lynn Denker, PhD, RN, Treasurer
Directors
Marion Marino-Meyash, PhD, RN
West Central Region Director – Vacant
Debra Hain, PhD, ARNP
Janice Hess, DNP, ARNP FNP-BC
Deborah Hogan, MPH, RN
Marsha Martin, RN
Theresa Morrison, PhD, CNS-BC
Doreen Perez, MS, BSN, RN-BC
New Grad Liaison
Hannah McRoberts, BSN, RN
Ann Guiberson, CAE, RP, CEO, Parliamentarian
107

2017 Florida Nurses Association
Leah Kinnaird, EdD, RN – President
This is purely a message of thanks and appreciation to you, members of FNA:
• Thank you for the articles you have written for The Florida Nurse;
• Thank you for attending meetings in each of the eight regions around the state;
• Thank you for encouraging other nurses to become members of FNA;
• Thank you for mentoring new nurses in clinical and leadership capacities;
• Thank you for writing in response to issues that are important to you;
• Thank you for participating in special interest groups, webinars, and programs;
• Thank you to so many of you who have sought FNA elected office this year;
• Thank you for all you do for patients and for population health around the state;
• Thank you for helping to reduce the impact of ZIKA;
• Thank you for working to reduce the unnecessary use of antibiotics;
• Thank you for attending Advocacy Days in Tallahassee;
• Thank you to those of you who have longstanding years of continuous membership;
• Thank you to those of you who have served as officers and chairs of FNA groups;
• Thank you for being a part of the most trusted profession, known for honesty and ethical standards;
• Thank you for encouraging diversity in our profession;
• Thank you for taking political action locally and throughout the state;
• Thank you for leading where you are and speaking up for the vulnerable.
As we move forward, FNA has new opportunities. We are engaged with the Nurses on Boards Coalition to place
10,000 nurses on governing boards by 2020. The decision by the Veterans Administration system to grant full
practice authority to Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs, with the exception of CRNAs) is a significant
change, especially because the VA is the largest employer of nurses in the US...a potential bellwether condition. We
are working with the QUIN Council (Quality and Unity in Nursing) to sponsor a statewide summit about staffing in
early 2018. Advocacy Days will occur early in 2018 to coincide with the legislative session that will begin in January.
I’m continually reminded of the commitment that FNA members demonstrate. You are busy nurses in a
complex world, yet you find a way to encourage each other and strengthen our profession. It has been an honor
and a privilege to serve as your president over these two years. Thank you,
Leah Kinnaird, EdD, RN
President
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Janegale Boyd – President Elect
The past two years have been spent acquainting myself with the role of the president of this organization. I was
privileged to attend the leadership orientation given by the American Nurses Association for state presidents and
a Leadership Conference in Washington, DC with other leaders from across the country. In addition, I attended the
2017 ANA Membership Assembly where I served as the FNA Representative along with President Leah Kinnaird.
I was happy to support my Region for the past two years by helping North Central Region Director Marsha
Martin to coordinate the Annual Regional Conference. It was my pleasure to serve as both the facilitator and as
a speaker. I also visited the Northwest Region and served as a speaker at one of their events.
I served as Bylaws chair and facilitated the presentation of needed Bylaw changes in a Special Membership
Assembly in 2016 as well as this year we had a comprehensive review of the association bylaws by our
Parliamentarian Ann Guiberson. The recommended clean up changes will be voted upon at the 2017 General
Assembly. Additionally, I attended a QUIN Council Meeting for President Leah Kinnaird when she was unable to
attend. It was enlightening to participate with nursing leaders from organizations across Florida.
108

2017 Florida Nurses Association
I serve on the Florida Action Coalition have served on the Council since its formation and although I am not
FNA’s representative, I was happy to keep the board informed on the activities of that group. I currently serve
as a Mentor to the Nurses on Board’s project for the Florida Action Coalition.
Most recently, I served on the advisory committee to select a new lobbying firm for FNA. am grateful for the
privilege to serve with wonderful Board members and thank you my colleagues, for the opportunity to serve in
this role. I look forward to working with you and for our profession, in the next two years as President.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Barbara Russell – Vice-President
I was pleased to serve on the FNA Board once again and attended all meetings both in person and electronic.
I have been happy to also use my expertise to serve the board in other capacities such as speaking at the
past and upcoming Membership Assembly on topics of importance to nursing.
Please see the report of the Membership Committee later in this publication.
Thank you for this opportunity to serve you once again.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Jill Tahmooressi – Secretary
Being a full member of the Florida Nurses Association, serving actively on the Board of Directors, I attended
and took meeting minutes for the November 5th, 2016 Special Membership Meeting. In addition attended
Board of Director meetings for minute taking.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Ann-Lynn Denker – Treasurer
A special thank you to the FNA Finance Committee who took on the daunting task of balancing our budget
in challenging times. While our membership numbers are stable, costs and expenses go up and we have
responded by tightening our belt over the past 12 years. We have had to utilize reserves for the past several
years and unlike in the past, the market has not been very helpful in helping us to remain solvent.
We have been vigilant in monitoring association finances and realize as we move forward we will be challenged
to make some tough decisions. We have sought non-dues revenue streams and have tried to adjust pricing on
conferences and other services to help us meet expenses. While we have some possible non-dues revenue
streams pending, these are not opportunities we can rely on.
The board is looking at multiple options for stabilizing finances so that we can cease using reserves and
position ourselves for growth. We are happy to have been able to make some cuts without visible impact on
services to members, however a close look at current programs and services is needed and a more narrow
focus on activities and goals is in order. Please see the audited finance statements on page 92.
It has been my pleasure to serve the association.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Southeast Region
Deborah Hogan
The Southeast Region has been very active! During our monthly conference calls, members have had an opportunity
to call in to discuss issues affecting their practice as well as FNA and Region activities that were planned. Here in
109

2017 Florida Nurses Association
the Region, we had programs related to the ANA Healthy Nurse initiative and Nursing Leadership through our Barbara
Lumpkin Institute. We learned about the importance of Legislative Advocacy both locally and in Tallahassee during
Advocacy Days. We also learned about “Recognizing Impairment in the Workplace” through a program presented
by the Impaired Nurse Program. I want to thank all our members and community partners who helped make these
programs possible. We hope you will join us at Membership Assembly to help plan activities for the future!
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Northeast Region Director
Doreen Perez, DNP, RN-BC
The FNA membership of Northeast Florida has remained at a steady level. Many of the new graduates that
receive a free membership for a year post graduation, do not renew membership. It has been suggested that
FNA conduct another survey to solicit comments and recommendations from the membership to understand
the needs of the nurses. A few nurses that the Director was able to contact explained that the membership
dues were too expensive as was the Membership conference fee. In the past two years, the Northeast region in
partnership with another region and local nursing groups conducted educational presentations that assisted the
local nurses in receiving mandatory CEUs.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
North Central Region
Marsha Martin
Much has been accomplished in the North Central Region this year. First I would like to thank President Elect
Janegale Boyd for the wonderful job she did on the Annual Spring Conference we had. It was a great success.
The largest part of the membership of this region comes from the Bargaining Unit at UF Health Shands. This
past year they have shored up their numbers and strengthened the membership of the unit which in turn has
really sustained the size and strength of this Region.
The Suwanee Valley group is a key part of the success of this Region. I would like to thank you all for your
continued support and loyalty to FNA.
I would like to end my term as the Region Director by thanking the membership of the Region. It has been
a privilege to work with so many talented, committed nurses! At a time where we are all pulled in so many
different directions and the demands on our time are many, it is refreshing to see so many willing to give of
their time to further the future of Nursing.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
West Central Region
Vacant
The West Central Region started a Facebook page and held several meetings to plan a large event in 2016.
Unfortunately, Lisa Fussell, Region Director was forced to resign due to personal reasons. Members of
the Region remained engaged and participated in several FNA activities and were active volunteers on FNA
committees and task forces. They also represented FNA in several groups in the nursing community. We are
thrilled to have three willing candidates for this position on the 2017 ballot. We look forward to an active 2018
and beyond.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
110

2017 Florida Nurses Association
East Central Region
Jan B. Hess
Individual Director Activities:
2015-2017: Janice Hess attended and participates in all FNA board meetings in person or via phone
The Director developed a Survey Monkey tool to elicit regional member input into planning for regional
activities. Survey was published twice in 2016 without good return (10 members responded). Those responding
and members attending last Membership Assembly voiced a desire that regional quarterly meetings be
available via Zoom for those who could not attend in person. This suggestion was put into place Feb. 2017
meeting.
The Director attended all regional quarterly meetings and presided over the business meetings following the
scheduled speaker by providing participants with updates on FNA political advocacy efforts and upcoming
regional activities.
For Nurse Week, Director worked with Vicki Sumagpang to organize Nurse Appreciation Night at the Lions
Soccer Games in 2016 and 2017. During Nurse Appreciation Week 2016 and 2017, Janice prepared Nurse
Appreciation bags for members attending the regional May meeting. Marti Hanuschik was recognized during
the May 12, 2016 regional meeting for her continued efforts in coordinating quarterly regional programs.
Janice wrote quarterly reports for both the FNA Board as well as The Florida Nurse on the regional activities.
Additionally, she wrote two articles for The Florida Nurse in 2016.
Janice attended Political Action Days in 2016 to represent the region and support FNA advocacy efforts but
was unable to attend in 2017 due to illness.
In 2016, Janice joined Doreen Perez, Northeast Regional Director, in organizing a successful nursing
symposium offered July 23, 2016 in Daytona Beach, Fl. In 2017, the two regions joined efforts in supporting
a program sponsored by The Quality and Safety Education for Nursing Quality Council in Jacksonville. The
program was free to all participants including FNA regional members.
In 2016, Janice organized two celebrations of the passage of the Barbara Lumpkin Prescribing Act/HB423.
One celebration was held in Orlando sponsored by the Central Florida Advance Nurse Practitioner Council
(CFANPC) and in Daytona sponsored by the Volusia Flagler Advance Nurse Council. At both celebrations,
Janice Hess presented a PowerPoint that highlighted FNA’s political activism stressing that FNA was the only
organization involved in political advocacy for this legislation for previous 22 years. There were 67 nurses
attending Orlando celebration and 40 nurses in Daytona. Several ARNPs attending commented they had no
idea the importance of FNA’s political activism.
Janice Hess is the FNA Board’s representative Trustee on the Florida Nurse’s Foundation. She was also
appointed as FNA’s voting member for the Florida Coalition of Advanced Practice Nurses when Ed Briggs
was elected as Co-Chair of the Coalition in 2016. In 2017, Janice volunteered to work with the FNA by laws
committee. Recently she completed her term as Trustee of the Florida Nurse Political Action Committee having
served the maximum Trustee term. Janice is co-regional advocacy lead for East Central region representing the
FNA on the Florida Action Coalition.
In January 2017, Dr. Hess hosted a New Nurse Meet and Greet in Deland Fl. at the Elusive Grape. July 20,
2017 another networking opportunity was offered at the Orlando FNA headquarters. The programs were
implemented to solicit information as to how FNA can meet new nurse’s personal and professional needs in
their transition from academia to the bedside. It is hoped that this framework can be implemented statewide
to gain new FNA members by offering new nurses a network of experienced nurse members.
111

2017 Florida Nurses Association
Membership of Your Leadership Council:
Marti Hanuschik, Regional Quarterly Meeting Coordinator
Shirley Hill, Past East Central Regional Director
Angie Bush, Past President of Volusia/Flagler FNA District
List/Summary of Region Events:
Oct. 12, 2015: Outreach regional program held in Volusia County at Halifax Hospital. Angel Epstein,
Substance Abuse and FL Intervention for Nurses Program (IPN)
Nov. 19, 2015:
Dec. 6, 2016:
Feb. 18, 2016:
May 6, 2016:
May 12, 2016:
May 12, 2016:
May 23, 2016:
July 23, 2016:
Aug. 18, 1016:
Nov. 24, 2016:
Dec. 4, 2016:
Jan. 27, 2017:
Feb. 23, 2017:
May 13, 2017:
May 18, 2017:
July 20, 2017:
Quarterly regional meeting FNA Headquarters Orlando: Roe Colm-Spinal cord/traumatic
brain injury
East Central Region Annual Member Christmas Brunch at Tap Room, Dubsdred
Quarterly regional meeting-Angel Epstein FL IPN
FNA Nurse Appreciation Night at Orlando Lions Soccer Game
Quarterly regional meeting- Nurse Week Celebration
Celebration of Barbara Lumpkin Prescribing Act/HB423 at Orlando Regional Health in
coordination with Central FL Advance Nurse Practitioner Council and CFANPC President
Celebration of Barbara Lumpkin Prescribing Act/HB423 at StoneWood in Daytona in
coordination with Angie Bushy, FNA member and President of Volusia Flagler Advanced
Nurse Council
FNA Northeast and East Central Fl. Nursing Symposium Daytona Beach, Fl.
Quarterly regional meeting at FNA Office, Orlando. Tracey Robilotto: Simulation and
evaluation nurse clinical competencies
Quarterly regional meeting at FNA Office, Orlando. Paula Loats: Palliative Care
East Central Region Annual Member Christmas Brunch at Tap Room, Dubsdred
New Nurse Meet and Greet, Elusive Grape, Deland
Quarterly regional meeting at FNA Office, Orlando, FL. Dr. Janice Hess: FNA Political
Advocacy (first Zoom meeting)
FNA Nurse Appreciation Night at Orlando Lions Soccer Game
Quarterly regional meeting and belated Nurse Appreciation Meeting at FNA Office, Orlando.
Paula Loats/Criteria for referral to Hospice (Zoom available)
New Graduate Nurse Meet and Greet/Networking event at FNA Office, Orlando. Facilitated
by Jan Hess and Willa Fuller
August 17, 2017: Quarterly regional meeting at FNA office, Orlando. Dr. Jean Kijek: Therapeutic Touch (Zoom
available)
112

2017 Florida Nurses Association
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Southwest Region
Theresa Morrison
Thank you for the opportunity to serve as the Southwest Region Director for the past two years and for your
help hosting the 2017 Membership Assembly. A special thank you to the SON faculty members who support
the FNSA. It is always a pleasure to see students attend our events.
Southwest Region FNA members have been busy in 2016-2017 hosting four events and being part of the two
research and EBP conferences. In April, Miromar Outlets hosted a dinner and celebration with door prizes and
give away gifts! The $5.00 cover charge was donated to the Florida Nurses Foundation (FNF). In January Harbor
Chase hosted a dinner with guest speaker, Mary Lou Brunell, RN, Executive Director of the Florida Center for
Nursing and the Florida Action Coalition. On October 26th, American House Senior Living Community hosted
a dinner with guest speaker Leah Kinnaird, EdD, RN, FNA President. Dr. Kinnaird asked the RNs, ARNPs,
and students, “what can you do for the nursing community?” In September, SW Region of FNA awarded
the research plaque at the LeeHeatlh Francine Gomberg Research & EBP Conference.August 24th dinner
sponsored by AVOW Hospice brought us up-to-date on the Interdisciplinary Teams and Healthcare Integration
on the new CMS guidelines for palliative care and hospice. In July, seven SW Region nurse presented posters
at the FNA Research & EBP Conference.
Region leadership carries on the work of the 185 SW Region FNA members at the local level.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Northwest Region
Marion Marino Meyash
We planned two events in the Northwest Region. We reached out to University of West Florida, College of
Nursing, in Pensacola, FL. to hold another BLI Symposium in April. We also planned a gathering as a regional
group at the Blue Wahoo’s game for the same evening in celebration of Nurses’ Week. All are welcome to
attend both events once confirmed.
Another Barbara Lumpkin Symposium was planned and scheduled for Saturday, November 4, 2017 in Niceville,
FL. We want to thank Northwest Florida State College of Nursing for being willing to host this event.
Florida Nurses Association would love to meet the nurses and nursing students in the Northwest Region. We will
continue to encourage nurses and nursing students in this area to learn about the Florida Legislation involving
healthcare and practice issues. Our vast area is a challenge but we are working to find interested nurses.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
South Region
Submitted by Jill Tahmooressi
FNA South Region successfully held their 7th Annual Symposium and Awards Ceremony at Gulfstream in
Hallandale under the leadership of Debra Hain PhD, ARNP, ANP-BC, GNP-BC, FAANP, FNKF South Region
Director Florida Nurses Association in April 2017. The South Region Voluntary Leadership Council/ Program
Planning Committee was grateful for attendance by the keynote speaker Kate Judge, Executive Director
American Nurses Foundation whose thought provoking presentation pertaining to nurses serving on boards
received high praises from all the attendees. The Nurses Charitable Trust, a Silver Level Sponsor of the
113

2017 Florida Nurses Association
keynote address participated actively among the 280+ attendees that consisted of nursing faculty, practicing
nurses, and nursing students exceeding the regions attendance expectations as it was well above the previous
attendance levels. The Region hosted at the symposium 50 accomplished posters with awards for posters as
well as annual nursing awards were issued. The recipient of the South Region Outstanding Nurse of the Year
was Dr. Steadley Foster.
The South Region was supported by the Nurses Charitable Trust, the Royce Foundation and Dr. Sara Fishman’s
family for sponsoring nursing student scholarships awarded at the symposium and award ceremony. Supporting
the event as well was vendors and exhibitors with the Gold Level Sponsor being American DataBank and the
Silver was the Nurses Charitable Trust.
The South Region’s annual symposium and award ceremony, now in its seventh consecutive year is legendary
within the community as a note-worthy event celebrating nursing. This event could not be made possible
without the tireless efforts and commitment by the South Region Voluntary Leadership Council:
Alina Diaz-Cruz, MSN, MA, RN member awards committee, Peggy Davis, DHSc, MSN, MEd, RN, South Region
FNA Chair of Program CE, Marie O. Etienne, DNP, ARNP, PLNC Chair of Nursing Ethnic Diversity, Sheree Mundy,
DNP, BSc, ARNP Chair of Posters, Lolita McCarthy, PhD, MBA-HCM, RN Treasurer, Patricia R. Messmer, PhD,
RN-BC, FAAN, Chair The Nurses Charitable Trust & Chair Florida Nurses Foundation, Elizabeth Olafson, MSN,
MSEd, RN-BC Chair of Scholarships and membership, Barbara Russell, BSHSA, MPH, RN, CIC Vice-President
FNA member scholars committee and research grant, Karen Sinclair, MSN, MBA, RN members of poster
and award selection, Jill Tahmooressi, MBA, BSN, RN-BC, NCSN, South Region Activity Manager, Maxine
Jacobowitz, BSN, RN, CPN, South Region Chair of Gifts, Stephanie Yzer RN, BSN member of gifts committee,
finance, & award selection committee, Ferrona Beason PhD, RN, member of poster and award selection
committee.
The Region has already started plans and looks forward to seeing everyone next year at the 8th Annual
Symposium and Awards Ceremony at Gulfstream in Hallandale, scheduled for Saturday April 14th, 2018 from
8am- 2:30pm.
114

2017 Florida Nurses Association
FNA Membership Comparison
1978-2017
Year
Membership Count
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
2015 4573
2016 4070
Current
4428(June)
115

2017 Florida Nurses Association
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 Report
116

2017 Florida Nurses Association
Board of Trustees
Patricia Messmer, President
Hollywood, FL
Germinia Rio, DNSC, ARNP, CPH - Treasurer
Jacksonville, FL
Regina Mirabella, RN, MSN, Secretary
Hudson, FL
TRUSTEES
Darlene Fritsma, MSN, ARNP
Orlando, FL
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
Gratitude to Jaibun Earp and Debi Wagner to their years of service to the Foundation. Welcome to Darlene
Fritsma as a new Trustee. 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
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
117

2017 Florida Nurses Association
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.)
Debi 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 there were 2 research grant applicants and over 37 valid
scholarship applicants. Scholarships and grants will be awarded at this Membership Assembly.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
118

2017 Florida Nurses Association
Florida Nurses Political Action Committee
Bonnie Sklaren, ARNP-BC
2016 saw Statewide midterm elections for the Florida House of Representatives and select Florida Senate
seats. A candidate questionnaire was developed and disseminated to all candidates asking their opinions on
issues pertinent to health care delivery and of importance to Florida nurses.
Nurses were encouraged to meet with candidates, review the questions with them and provide feedback to the
Trustees.
The PAC trustees, along with our lobbyists Bob Levy and Alisa LaPolt, held a series of candidate interviews.
The trustees met at FNA headquarters, first interviewing candidates via telephone, who had primary races
and later those in the general election not previously interviewed. The questions asked were based on their
responses to the questionnaire. If a questionnaire was not completed that fact was taken into account.
Following the interview, a decision was voted on as to the amount of money that would be given the candidate
in conjunction with the endorsement. Endorsements were noticed in a press release. Checks and letters of
endorsement were either mailed to the candidate or given in person by a nurse from the candidates’ district.
We also did a fund-raising plea, via The Florida Nurse, and SIGs to raise funds. A never-ending need.
This report would not be complete without noting the passing of our long term lobbyist and friend Robert (Bob)
Levy. Bob worked tirelessly to promote and move our legislative agenda for about 30 years. He was well known
and respected in Tallahassee and helped open many doors for us. He offered cogent and thoughtful advice
and helped us navigate the torturous halls of Tallahassee. He is and will be sorely missed. Rest in peace Bob.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
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 (Tallahassee)
Florida International University (Coral Gables)
Labor and Employment Relations Commission
Deborah Hogan – Chair of LERC
John Berry, Director of Labor Relations and Governmental Affairs
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
119

2017 Florida Nurses Association
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.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Florida Nurses Leadership Academy
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. Four (4) candidates were accepted into the
2017 FNLA.
120

2017 Florida Nurses Association
The recipients of the 2017 FNLA are:
Beverly Craig, MSN, RN-BC is currently an instructor at West Coast University in Doral, FL. She received
her ADN in 1992 from Tennessee State University in Nashville, TN. She later returned to school where she
received her BSN and MSN from Jacksonville University in Jacksonville, FL. She is currently working on her
DNP at Samford University located in Birmingham, AL. In addition to teaching, Bev is a lover of animals and
an enthusiastic Tennessee Volunteers fan. She currently resides with her husband, Doug, and their dog,
Preslee, in Margate, FL. Jill Tahmooressi, FNA Secretary, will be Beverly’s FNLA mentor.
Malissa Moss, MSN, RN, CCM, currently works at eQHealth as the Senior Vice President, Commercial
Operations. She graduated with a Diploma in Nursing from St. Francis Hospital School of Nursing in 1996
after a long and successful career in advertising and marketing. She continued her educational track
by attending the RN-BSN program at GVSU in Michigan. Due to heavy travel requirements, she chose
to complete her BSN degree at WGU, an on-line fully accredited nursing program. In June, 2014, she
completed her Master’s Degree in Nursing with a Leadership and Management focus. On a personal note,
Malissa enjoys watching football and writing in her spare time. She lives in Tampa and is active in her
church where she volunteers regularly. She is married and has two animal children, Mercedes and Benz.
Sue Hartranft, past FNA West Central Region Director, will be Malissa’s FNLA mentor.
Karen Perez, DNP, MSN Ed, RN-BC received her Bachelor of Science in nursing degree from Florida
International University in 2008, her Masters of Science in Nursing Education in 2013, and Doctor of
Nursing Practice in 2015 from the University of Miami. She is a board certified Gerontological Nurse with
experience working with the geriatrics population (in Nursing Homes, Assisted Living Facilities, Home
Health Care and with the State of Florida as an Ombudsman). She resides in Miami and holds the Senior
Nurse Educator position at University of Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center. She published
“Critical Thinking: A Concept Analysis” in 2015, in Horiz Enferm Journal and has done several posters and
oral presentations at conferences. She has written multiple Continuing Educations on issues related to
geriatric population and nursing education. Leah Kinnaird, Current FNA President, will be Karen’s FNLA
mentor.
Sandy Weiss, MBA, RN, LHRM, CPHQ, CPPS is a registered nurse with a Master of Business Administration
focusing in Healthcare Management. Her nursing experience includes business development, marketing, and
quality/risk/safety. Ms. Weiss is a Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ), Licensed Healthcare
Risk Manager (LHRM), and is a Certified Professional in Patient Safety (CPPS). She is working on her Doctor
of Business Administration at Saint Leo University, where her studies focus on ethical leadership, and the
relationship between nursing burnout and intent to leave employer. Additionally, Ms. Weiss is an Ironman
distance triathlete and an ultra-marathon runner, who enjoys spending time with her husband and four dogs.
Edward Briggs, past FNA President, will be Sandy’s FNLA mentor.
The Florida Nurses Association and the Florida Nurses Foundation would like to thank the Leadership
Development Committee Members consisting of Palma Iacovitti, Denise McNulty, and Rose Rivers, for
volunteering their time to review the candidates’ applications and to make the selection for the 2017 Florida
Nurses Leadership Academy. We would also like to thank the following mentors, Edward Briggs, Sue Hartranft,
Leah Kinnaird, and Jill Tahmooressi, for working with these exceptional future nurse leaders.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
121

2017 Florida Nurses Association
Bylaws Committee 2017
Janegale Boyd, Chair
Earthy “Willie” Spaulding
Clare Good
Janice Hess
Barbara Russell
In 2016, it was necessary to revise the bylaws to include a necessary dues increase for the FNA Bargaining
Units. A Special Membership Assembly was called and the bylaws committee reviewed the proposed by-laws
changes and made further changes. A pass-through for dues from affiliated organizations was also included.
The intent to increase dues was properly noticed as was the Special Called Membership Assembly. The bylaws
revisions were approved.
In 2017, a review of the Bylaws was requested by the chair of the bylaws committee and approved by the
Board of Directors. Ann Guiberson, FNA Parliamentarian reviewed the bylaws and made several suggestions for
revision. Some were grammatical or structural changes, but several require approval by the FNA Membership
Assembly. The Bylaws Committee considered these changes which can be found in this Book of Reports on
page 130.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Membership Committee
The staff continues to work on strategies developed by the Membership Committee over the past four years,
including engaging new graduates, recognizing recruitment, rewarding long term members, multiple contacts for
renewal, engaging volunteers for short term commitments ( micro-volunteering) and personal contact. For the
past two years, regional directors have been contacting members via email, handwritten notes and phone calls
to promote membership and renewals. A post card campaign and text reminders with new graduates have
yielded some results but we would like to see more membership conversion and more engagement from our
new graduates. We are promoting the monthly deduction as it prevents members from being deleted because
they didn’t open their renewals. We continually hear from members who didn’t know they were deleted until
they call Headquarters with a question or respond to an article in The Florida Nurse.
We will continue to recognize recruiters in our Star Campaign and this year we will be recognizing our most
prolific recruiters in our Membership Assembly.
Our membership remains steady but we would love to see significant increases are look forward to hearing any
innovative ideas toward that goal.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Reference Reports
122

2017 Florida Nurses Association
Special Interest Groups (SIGs)
HEALTH POLICY SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP
(HP-SIG)
2017 ANNUAL REPORT
HP-SIG MISSION 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.
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.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
FNA Clinical Nurse Specialist Special Interest Group
Theresa Morrison
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.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
123

2017 Florida Nurses Association
Ethics Special Interest Group
Jean Davis, EdD, DNP, HCRM, PHCNS-BC, FNP-BC
SIG Chairperson
The ethics of social justice in nursing practice was the ethics theme for 2016. Lively discussions were held
throughout the year regarding correctional nursing challenges related to social justice. ANA’s Center for Ethics
solicited comments on the updated ANA position statement Capital Punishment and Nurses’ Participation
in Capital Punishment (2016). Dr. Jill Winland-Brown, an FNA member who was on the Advisory Board of the
Center for Ethics at the time, brought this to the Ethics Group’s attention. After lively discussion of this topic
Ethics Group members were encouraged to provide feedback to the ANA on the proposed revision of the policy
statement which was adopted in December 2016. Additionally, in 2016, the ethics of gift and ghost authorship
in nursing publications was discussed—a timely and important issue.
Moral distress was chosen as the theme for the Ethics Group’s discussions and activities in 2017. Moral
distress has been discussed and literature shared from many areas of practice. In July the Ethics Group
webinar Moral Distress in Military Nursing was held with Navy Nurse Corps Captain Julio C. Albornoz as our
guest speaker. A family nurse practitioner, Captain Albornoz provided thought provoking insights into the moral
distress that can be inherent in military nursing practice.
A panel discussion on moral distress will be hosted by the Ethics Group at Membership Assembly in
September. Speakers representing a variety of practice areas will briefly present and open discussion will
ensue. Part of the presentation will focus on flourishing and resilience in the face of moral distress in nursing
practice.
Although there are only 10 members of the Advisory Board of ANA’s Center for Ethics, another Florida member
was appointed as Dr. Jill Winland-Brown’s term expired. We are honored to now be represented by FNA member
Dr. Michele Upvall who brings her extensive global nursing perspective to the Board. Congratulations to Michele
on her appointment.
Thanks to the many nurses and nursing students devoted to ethical nursing practice who bring energetic
enthusiasm to each monthly conference call. The richness of unique practice and academic experiences
shared on each call provides insight for all participants. New Ethics Group members are always welcome as
each new perspective enhances our discussions and activities. Please consider joining one of our calls!
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
FNA Health Literacy Special Interest Group
Submitted by Vicki Sumagpang, MSN/ed, RN
The FNA Health Literacy Special Interest Group was proud to partner with the Florida Literacy Coalition to
provide a speaker at the 2017 Florida Health Literacy Summit, which was held on January 20, 2017 at
Nemours Children’s Hospital in Orlando, FL. Dr. C. Victoria Framil, on behalf of Florida International University
and a member of the FNA Health Literacy SIG, presented “Nursing and Health Literacy: Meeting the
Challenges of Incorporating Health Literacy Skills into Patient Care.” The session highlighted the successes
and challenges associated with addressing the health literacy needs of students and families seeking care at a
school-based community health clinic in a medically under-served neighborhood in Miami. Participants learned
strategies to address the challenges associated with educating families about how to navigate the health care
system, to access preventative and primary care resources and to advocate for a healthier community.
124

2017 Florida Nurses Association
Other Nursing Groups and Organizations
Florida Center for Nursing
QUIN Council
Florida Nursing Students Association (FNSA)
Florida Coalition of Advanced Practice Nurses (FL-CAPN)
Florida Cancer Control & Research Advisory Council (CCRAB)
125

2017 Florida Nurses Association
Florida Center for Nursing
The Florida Center for Nursing Report will be found in your convention materials.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Florida Nursing Students Association
Chris Demezier, President
Florida Nursing Students Association (FNSA) remains dedication to advocating for students
and providing an environment of enrichment for the student experience of our future nurses.
We look forward to leading the next generation to become the change that we want to see
in the nursing community. Finally, we aim to empower students to mature into professional
nurses in the next level of their careers in nursing associations like FNA and ANA.
In 2016, FNSA had over 1,300 nursing students and nurses from all over the state come
and represent their schools with pride. This convention continues to be one of the largest in the country every
year and is a point of excitement for the students. The 2017 FNA Lobby Days in Tallahassee featured a number
of nursing students from as far south as Miami proper to as far west as Pensacola. The student learned to
work cooperatively with nurses and lobbyists to advocate for issues that directly impact nurses’ and their
respective care of patients. The 2017 NSNA Annual Convention in Dallas, Texas was a great experience for
students as we had the second highest number of delegates in attendance. Students were able to showcase
their intellectual abilities; Florida had all 6 of their resolutions passed in front of the House of Delegates. There
was one member appointed to the NSNA Resolutions Committee as well.
FNSA celebrated its Leadership Retreat and Preconvention in Orlando at the University of Central Florida. We
had over 50 student leaders attend and learn about ways to promote leadership within themselves as well as
their constituents. We also gave a sneak peek into what to expect for the 2017 FNSA Annual Convention.
As we wrap up this cycle, we want to say thank you to our wonderful executive director, Willa Fuller, RN,
BSN, who is a continuing inspiration to our executive board members. We also want to highlight the help
of consultants, Randy Jackson, RN, MSN, and Susan Rivers, RN, MSN, without whom we may have had
some sleepless nights. Finally, I want to thank you to every member of the FNSA executive board for staying
committed to the future of nursing, your futures are going to very bright.
Please consider attending the 2017 FNSA convention in Palm Harbor. Our 2nd Vice President, Kristin Glavan,
has created a program that has phenomenal speakers and intriguing breakout sessions. Our theme this
year is Building the Future of Nursing: Finding Your Fit as a testament to the diversity of nursing. Our growing
partnership is one of the best in the country and we hope to continue that relationship and foster its growth.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
QUIN Council
Quality and Unity in Nursing
QUIN Council panel presentation will serve as their report.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
126

2017 Florida Nurses Association
Florida Coalition of Advanced Practice Nurses
Ed Briggs – Co-Chair and Jan Hess, FNA Rep
(The Florida Coalition of Advanced Practice Nurses (FCAPN) is a coalition of Florida Nursing Organizations that
represent nurses in advanced practice roles. The coalition works to remove unnecessary barriers to practice and
to improve health outcomes in Florida.)
The Florida Coalition of Advanced Practice Nurses (FCAPN) met on Saturday July 22, 2017 at the FNA
Headquarters. The Coalition came together to talk with representatives of the National Council of States
Boards of Nursing to discuss the scope and implementation of the Consensus Model for Advanced Practice
Nursing across the nation. Joe Baker, Executive Director for the Florida Board of Nursing was gracious enough
to also join the coalition for this important meeting.
The NCSBN representatives educated coalition members regarding the scope and parameters of the
Consensus Model for Advanced Practice Nursing. The primary focus of their presentation was discussing how
states coalitions and State Boards of Nursing can work with the NCSBN to advance implementation of the
Consensus Model across the nation. The NCSBN shared their belief that Florida is a state that they feel has
strong potential for the implementation of the Consensus Model.
The NCSBN representatives shared with the coalition that they have begun initial work towards a media
relations campaign to educate communities and legislators about the benefits of the Consensus Model in
improving health outcomes.
FCAPN discussed the plans of the NCSBN and looks forward to working with them to advance legislation in
Florida to allow advanced practice nurses to practice to the full scope of their education and training.
For more information about the Consensus model visit:
The FCAPN members also discussed the importance of advanced practice nurses in improve health outcomes
in diverse communities in our state. In response to identified health care needs for Florida FCAPN decided
to form a Practice Committee within the coalition with dedication to developing educational opportunities and
resources to aide coalition organizational members to better meet these health needs.
In coming months FCAPN anticipates the development and implementation of targeted programs to support
advancement of the Consensus Model. The coalition also anticipates working with community members to
develop educational resources to advance improved healthcare access and outcomes for at risk populations
within our state.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Florida Cancer Control & Research Advisory Council
Theresa Morrison PhD CNS
CCRAB meets twice a year in Tampa, Florida, and welcomes the nursing profession’s input and collabora-tion.
Of significance, nurses in their communities should consider participating in colorectal screening campaigns
and HPV awareness campaigns. In collaboration with the American Cancer Society, Debbie Hogan, FNA
member and Florida Health Department HPV specialist, will present at the Membership Assembly, helping to
fulfill the goal of heling Floridians practice healthy behavior.
127

2017 Florida Nurses Association
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).
128

2017 Florida Nurses Association
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.”
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.
129

2017 Florida Nurses Association
130

2017 Florida Nurses Association
131

2017 Florida Nurses Association
132

2017 Florida Nurses Association
133

2017 Florida Nurses Association
134

2017 Florida Nurses Association
135

2017 Florida Nurses Association
Index of FNA Position Statements
1983-2015
1. Practice
• Continuous Observation in Acute Care Settings 2015
• Defining the Clinical Nurse Specialist Scope of Practice in Florida 2015
• 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
136

2017 Florida Nurses Association
• 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
3. Regulatory
• Removing Florida’s 5-Year Waiting Period for Lawfully Residing Immigrant Children to Receive Health Care
Coverage 2015
• Our Public Health Infrastructure 2015
• 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 in the State of Florida 2014
• Workforce Advocacy for Safe Patient Handling: Beyond Legislation 2007
137

2017 Florida Nurses Association
• 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 Blood borne Disease (HIV, AIDS, HBV) 1992
• Blood borne 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
• 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 Response and Recovery Strategies 2013
6. Consumer Advocacy/Ethics
• Nurses’ Responsibility and Ethical Duty in Prison Healthcare 2015
• 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
138

2017 Florida Nurses Association
• 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
139

2017 Florida Nurses Association
FNA Diamond Awards –
50 Years of Continuous Membership
2017
Linda Sabin
Patricia Tyra
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
140

2017 Florida Nurses Association
History of FNA Lamplighters
25 Years of Continuous Membership
1988-2017
2017
Marie Cowart Cheryl Bergman Janice Wheeler-Gay
Sherry Sutton-Johnson Pricilla (Paddy) Faucher Canella Jeffries- Mutcherson
Tina Gerardi Mary Ann Hanley Mary Katherine Johnson
Vicki Stone-Gale
2015
S. Boyington Mary Goodwin Carolyn Rackmill
Valerie Browne Nancy Hayes Susan Ricci
Gloria Castenholz Myrtle Henry Cynthia Schneider
Helen Cook Janice Hess Diane Scott
Marie Cowart Bonnie Hesselberg Suzanne Sendelbach
Kathy Donovan Rhea Hurwitz Diana Swihart
Darlene Edic-Drawford Susan Irvin Bonnie Taggart
Catherine Evans Barbara Johnson Joyce Thompson
Goldie Fralick D. Littell Denise Townsend
Nancy Frizzell Stephanie Moore Darlene Tucker
Eileen Froehlich Lucille Pica Margaret Varnadore
2014
William Ahrens Helen DeFrancesco Linda Howe
Karen Coordsen Kathy Ebener Christina McClean
Patricia Cordell Shirley Hill Connie Upshaw
2013
Carol Blakeman Doris Edwards Maria Seidel
2012
Frances Aronovitz Alice Evans Susan V. White
Barbara Chasco-Papale Jeanne Sandy Oestreich Mary Alice Yoham
141

2017 Florida Nurses Association
2011
Pat Arcidiacono Miriam Hirschberg Sharon Parrish
Nora Howard Beauchamp Marilyn Howard Madine Rawe
Barbara Brownfield Barbara Judkins Mary Beth Reardon
Mary Lou Brunell Teresa Knight Ellen Sanders
Phyllis Bullard Valerie Kolbert Winnie Schmeling
Marlene Cataylo-Chance Lizzie Lenon George Byron Smith
Sally Chester Katherine Mason Susan Stone
Victoria Chin Sang Maura Miller Carolyn Vallone
Myrna Crawford Diana Openbriar Emma Wood
Frankie Geiger Yvonne Parchment Jacqueline Weniger Woods
2010
Janice Hoff
2009
Judith Erickson
Jeanne Siegel
2007
Banke Ayileka Inez Fielding Merrily LeVee
Judith Davies Susan Hartranft Ellicene Phillips
Johnna Dettis Carol Hayes-Christiansen Janet Townsend
Paddy Faucher Leslie Homsted Willa Fuller
Jeanne Hopple
2005
Doug Banks Dorothy Hummell Linda Brown
Lee Barks Jean Irwin Darlene Fritsma
Gail Borovsky Frances Jennings Sharon Koch-Parish
Jill Winland-Brown Sophie Karas Susan Leonard
Marianna Cowle Church Imogene King Michael Nilsson
Ann-Lynn Denker Diana Koch Jean Penny
Eileen Dondero Sue Ann Korsberg Audrey Ryal
Jo Emmons Sue Leger-Krall Frances Smith
Kay Fullwood Dierdre Krausse Jackie Spivey
Donna Giannuzzi Ann Marie McCrystal Mary Tittle
Billie Hammill Wynyard McDonald Jill Winland-Brown
142

2017 Florida Nurses Association
2003
Sunny Conn Margery Shake Gail B. Cass-Culver
Charlene Long Sue F. Lee Jean Wortock
Doris Mattera Janice L. Gay Betty A. Wajdowicz
Lucille Rhim Diane C. Hersh-Dickey Mary Kay Habgood
Mary Salka
Nancy Breen
2001
Isobel Bierbower Ella Jackson Katherine McLamb
Joan Burritt Barbara Janosko Edna Nastasy
Maurine Butler Sande Gracia Jones Barbara Reinhold
Janet Hatt Deborah Greenfield Alma Stitzel
2000
Barbara Barden Ann Jackson Barbara Redding
Carol Christiansen Gwen McDonald Vivian Ross
Marianna Church Susan Pennacchia Gerri Twine
Joyce Cimmento Patricia Quigley Martha Sue Wolfe
Judith Dvorak
Mary Zinion
1999
Margaret Ayres Edna Hicks Carol Riley
Frances Kate Dowling Juanita Payne Lucille Robertson
Arlene Heilig Gladys Pratt Florence Roper
Levanne Hendrix
Betty Taylor
1998
Charlotte Dison Arlena Falcon Donna Pfeifer
Grace Donovan Diana Jordan Barbara Russell
Shirley Edwards
Shirley Edwards
1997
Claydell Horne
1995
Rudy Schantz Gladys Gilliam Ann Marie Clyatt
Helen Surer Shering Eileen K. Austin Maryrose Owens
Rachael Steinmuller Kathleen Jones Charlotte Kelly
May E. Stafford
Susan Leonard
143

2017 Florida Nurses Association
1993
Patricia Duffy Harold MacKinnon Melanie Stewart
Hazel Gilley Etta McCulloch Muriel Watkins
Marie Grey Elizabeth Ren Betty (Thelma) Watts
1991
Margaret Ayres Deborah Hogan Betty Taylor
Arlene Heilig Barbara Lumpkin Carol L. Riley
Levanne Hendrix
Lucille Robertson
1990
Gertrude Lee Martha Kaufman Frances Haase
1989
Emily Birnbaum Ruth Gay Erma (Trudy) Maurer
Mary Bolton Phyllis Kurtz Sarah McClure
June Borden Beryl Long Rose Schniedman
Grace Fox
Norma Sims
1988
Isle Benedetti Joan Lawlis Florence Roper
Eleanor Call Adele Miller Lillabelle Rundell
Louise Fiske Reine Nichols Donna Schwier
Jean Ready
Emeritus Members
50 years of Membership/80 years of age
Clare Good
Carolyn Vallone
Sima Gebel
Jeane Stockheim
Annemarie Clyatt
144