The Florida Nurse - September 2018

OFFICIAL BULLETIN OF THE FLORIDA NURSES FOUNDATION 

Volume 66 • No. 3 CIRCULATION 314,000 TO EVERY REGISTERED NURSE & NURSING STUDENT IN FLORIDA September 2018 

Annual Student Issue 

Mission Statement 

Serve and support all Registered Nurses through professional development, advocacy 

and the promotion of excellence in every area of professional nursing practice. 

FNA does not endorse advertised products, services, or companies, 

nor any claims made in paid advertisements. 

The Florida Nurse is proudly brought to you by FNA dues paying members. 

current resident or 

Janegale Boyd 

I would have been 

surprised early in my 

career to find myself 

working with colleagues 

from age 16 to 83. Yes, 

we now have four and 

occasionally five broadly 

diverse generations 

working together which 

makes for appreciation of 

and sometimes tension 

concerning various 

perspectives, values and opinions. 

Generational characteristics are broad and are 

theoretically based upon the societal activities 

of a group of people that had shared experiences 

within an age range during their formative years. 

These shared experiences could be economic, 

acts of nature, significant events like war or 9/11, 

introduction of or removal of large societal or 

governmental programs (Medicare/Medicaid), 

innovations (airplanes, TV, computers, cell 

phones) or reaction to do things differently from 

their parents. This theory about generations is 

more an art or urban legend-definitely not science! 

President’s Message 

Diversity and the Nursing Workforce 

Non-Profit Org. 

U.S. Postage Paid 

Princeton, MN 

Permit No. 14 

The authors William Strauss and Neil Howe 

noted differences in attitudes, values, behaviors 

and lifestyles in these patterns of generations. 

The most accepted generation categories and a 

summary of each with very broad characteristics 

are: 

• Matures (1901-1924): Sometimes called the 

“Greatest Generation” are fiscally conservative, 

came of age during the great depression, trust 

in government, patriotic (WWII). 

• Silent Generation (1925-1944): are 

traditionalists, known as the “Lucky Few.” 

Wars during their life time WWII, Korean 

and Vietnam. They don’t ever retire. 

• Baby Boomers (1945-1960): Baby Bust as 

they were born after WWII, promised the 

American dream, radicals of the 70's & 

Yuppies of the 80's, dramatic social changesparents 

had largest divorce rate, civil rights, 

Vietnam war, space travel. Known as the “ME 

generation.” Enjoy now pay later. 

• Gen X (1961-1981): Only out for self. 

Watergate, Barack Obama and first latchkey 

kids-Mothers working at new rates & in new 

professions. Corporate downsizing & no job 

security. 

President’s Message. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 

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

News from Headquarters ......................3 

Focus on the Foundation .......................4 

FNPAC ....................................5 

American Cancer Society ......................6 

Student Forum ............................8-9 

Inside this Issue 

• Millennials/Gen Y (1982-1990’s): Confident, 

Connected, Open to change, most socially 

conscious generation (health, environment, 

etc.), civic-minded, more globally minded 

and expect corporate responsibility. 

• Gen Z (1997-mid 2000’s): the iGeneration 

(iPhone, iPad) and seem to be surgically 

attached to their cell phone. Also, commonly 

referred to as the Homeland generation. 

What have I learned while working with a 

Silent Generation and Gen Z team members? 

During a discussion of historical events the 

Kennedy Tragedy was very different for each of 

us. My memory was from a Boomer’s perspective 

and it was the assassination of President John F. 

Kennedy and for our Gen Z perspective it is the 

missing plane of John-John Kennedy. 

Do not think the categories above are absolutes! 

For example: my Silent Generation colleague is a 

big tech user, writes books and has her own Blog. 

While the Gen Z colleague likes the collaborative 

approach with discussions and engagement and 

expects an equal voice in team decisions. 

President’s Message continued on page 4 

FNA Research Conference Highlights ............10 

Legislative Update ..........................11 

Region News ............................12-13 

Nursing Community .......................14-15 

ANA Update ...............................16 

In Memoriam Barbara Lumpkin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 

Welcome New FNA Members ..................19

Page 2 The Florida Nurse September 2018 

Notes from the 

Executive Director 

Medical-Surgical Nursing: 

A Tribute to Our Unsung Warriors 

Willa Fuller, RN 

As an old (yes, I just 

realized I am now eligible 

for all kinds of senior 

discounts) medicalsurgical 

nurse, I am 

sometimes taken aback 

by comments from students and new nurses 

about the crucial role of medical surgical nursing. 

Recently, I heard, “I was bored to tears during 

clinical” and “I want to do something more 

exciting.” I have even heard nurses say, “I’m only 

a med-surg nurse.” I am here to tell you, if you feel 

that way, then you are not doing something right. 

While the landscape has changed in terms of 

acuity, patient load, practice models, technology, 

length of stay and many other parameters, 

several other things have remained the same. 

Humanity, connection to patients, the need for 

topnotch assessment skills and clinical decisionmaking 

abilities are just as crucial in this area of 

nursing care as they are in any other. The sheer 

unpredictability of the healthcare environment 

and the necessity for highly educated competent 

personnel to respond to the diversity of situations 

in a moment’s notice necessitates that ALL nurses 

be knowledgeable and competent. Furthermore, 

navigation of a patient care assignment with 

multiple types of patients in various states of 

health requires a vigilant professional with a 

variety of skills. 

Fairly recently, as a patient, I found myself in 

an emergency situation on a medical surgical unit. 

As my blood pressure rose rapidly and my limbs 

began to swell, a physician who happened to be in 

my room started ordering meds. The medications 

were not effective and I watched intently as 

my very young nurse came into the room and 

recognized immediately that this was a critical 

situation. She left the room and minutes later, the 

Rapid Response Team came in and began giving 

www.floridanurse.org 

Published by: 

Arthur L. Davis 

Publishing Agency, Inc. 

me medications that worked. I must say that the 

physician was not incompetent, but this was not 

her area of expertise and the nurses knew exactly 

how to respond. Every minute of the day medicalsurgical 

nurses are intervening in situations like 

this one or even those that are even more critical. 

As we consider the delivery of nursing care, the 

role of a medical-surgical nurse requires a high 

level of vigilance and competence. I have spoken 

of my preceptor, Diana Vaughan in previous 

articles in relation to the level of expertise and 

knowledge she displayed as a nurse over all the 

years I worked with her. Her attention to clinical 

detail, ethics and knowledge were noteworthy. 

She questioned everything and looked at the 

whole patient when delivering care. She reached 

back to anatomy and physiology, microbiology 

and continuing education courses to apply both 

seasoned and new knowledge to her nursing 

interventions. She took the analysis of nursing 

situations very seriously and she would often ask 

me what I had learned since my education was 

more recent. In those days, we could be caring for 

up to fifteen or more patients on any given day. 

That meant monitoring lab work, medications, 

response to pain (and other medicines), discharge 

planning, nutritional status, wound care, and an 

endless array of clinical and personal parameters 

on patients with a variety of conditions. 

Our unit was primarily Orthopedics, 

otorhinolaryngology, plastic surgery and other 

surgical patients. We cared for trauma patients, 

cancer patients and those with elective surgeries. 

The unexpected occurrences were countless, 

deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, 

seizures, cardiac arrest. I even remember one case 

of autonomic dysreflexia in a paraplegic patient 

caused by a clogged urinary catheter. (We figured 

it out and that was quite exciting!) It is important 

to note, that we handled these emergencies using 

only our eyes, ears and nursing judgement. 

It is critical in nursing that we are able to see 

beyond our silos and see the value in each other 

as a part of this great profession. I remember 

being pulled to a critical care unit one day and 

one of the nurses who was keeping an eye on me 

said, “This will be a piece of cake for you, you 

only have two patients and we gave you two that 

are not so difficult.” She added, “I have been to 

your floor before, I don’t know how you do it.” 

That small expression of respect really lifted my 

spirits and my self-esteem and I shared it with my 

colleagues when I returned to the unit. She was an 

awesome critical care nurse who had my back all 

day while caring for her patients. 

We at FNA are proud of all nurses and 

understand the value of all roles in nursing. 

For me, this was an opportunity to remind my 

Executive Director continued on page 3 

Owned and Published by, 

Florida Nurses Association 

1235 E. Concord Street, 

Orlando, FL 32803-5403 

P.O. Box 536985, Orlando, FL 32853-6985 

Telephone: (407) 896-3261 

FAX: (407) 896-9042 

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Website: http://www.floridanurse.org 

Office Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., 

Monday thru Friday 

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sales@aldpub.com. FNA and the Arthur L. Davis Publishing 

Agency, Inc. reserve the right to reject any advertisement. 

Responsibility for errors in advertising is limited to corrections 

in the next issue or refund of price of advertisement. 

Acceptance of advertising does not imply endorsement 

or approval by the Florida Nurses Association of products 

advertised, the advertisers, or the claims made. Rejection of an 

advertisement does not imply a product offered for advertising 

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

that this association disapproves of the product or its use. FNA 

and the Arthur L. Davis Publishing Agency, Inc. shall not be 

held liable for any consequences resulting from purchase 

or use of an advertiser’s product. Articles appearing in this 

publication express the opinions of the authors; they do not 

necessarily reflect views of the staff, board, or membership of 

FNA or those of the national or local associations. 

Published quarterly, March, June, September, and 

December by FNA, a constituent member of the American 

Nurses Association. 

Editor - Kaitlin Scarbary, 1235 E. Concord St., Orlando, FL 

32803-5403 

Subscription available at $20.00 plus tax, per year. Members 

of FNA receive the newspaper as a benefit of membership. 

COPIES of The Florida Nurse are available on 35mm 

microfilm, 106mm microfilm, article reprints and issue copies 

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

Michigan 48106 

Board of Directors 

2017–2019 

Officers 

The Hon. Janegale Boyd, RN, President 

George Byron Peraza-Smith, DNP, RN, APRN, GNP, 

AGPCNP, President-Elect 

Anne Peach, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, Vice President 

Barbara Russell, MPH, RN, CIC, Secretary 

Ann-Lynn Denker, PhD, RN, Treasurer 

Region Directors 

Jill Van Der Like, DNP, MSN, RNC, Northwest 

Justin Wilkerson, BSN, RN-BC, CHPN, CCRN, 

North Central 

Pamela Delano, MSN, MBA, RN, Northeast 

Marti Hanuschik, MSN, RN, CCM, East Central 

Janice Adams, DNP, MPA, RN, West Central 

Susan Torres, MSN, RN, LHCRM, Southwest 

Carmen “Vicky” Framil, DNP, ARNP, ANP-BC, South 

Southeast -Vacant Position 

New Grad Liasion 

Hannah McRoberts, BSN, RN 

FNA Office 

Willa Fuller, BSN, RN, Executive Director 

John Berry, Jr., Director of Labor Relations & 

Government Affairs 

Kaitlin Scarbary, Associate Director of Programs, 

Technology, and Membership Marketing 

Partners with 

Every time you shop online, make sure you visit 

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FL 

365 days of Easy Access to all of your 

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September 2018 The Florida Nurse Page 3 

Executive Director continued from page 2 

colleagues how we have the power to lift one 

another up. I think of that very young nurse who I 

am certain averted disaster for me. (I mention her 

youth because age is sometimes a divisive issue 

as well). I think of the nurse practitioners from 

whom I have been so fortunate to receive care as 

valued colleagues. I remember the emergency 

room nurses who saved my brother’s life when 

he arrested in the ED several years ago. And 

then, I am grateful for the critical care nurses 

who cared for him and brought him back from 

unresponsiveness to consciousness by their 

fastidious care. Of course, there are the nurse 

faculty who give you the confidence to give that 

first injection or perform some other invasive 

procedure on a patient. 

There are some roles in which we might feel 

disconnected from our “nurseness,” but I am here 

to tell you that we have all shared the common 

experience of becoming nurses, entering the 

profession and sharing the vast body of knowledge 

that makes us who we are. Our specialties are 

ALL of great value. Nurses in their many roles, 

nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists, clinical 

nurse specialists, nurse midwives, educators and 

all those nurses in a multiplicity of roles are each 

special in their own way. 

My preceptor, Diana, left us way too soon, but 

I will remember her as the model of expert care. 

She confidently suggested to the physician what 

she thought the patient needed. For example, she 

once determined that the patient wasn’t receiving 

enough nutrition and asked the physician to 

consider TPN or a tube feeding. She would ask 

for a review of the patients’ medications if she 

felt they were receiving medications that may not 

be needed. She was respectful but self-assured. 

Moreover, she was a fearless advocate. She was my 

role model. 

My experiences in medical-surgical nursing 

enhanced my nursing knowledge to a level that 

I became confident enough to become a clinical 

educator in a hospital. In that role, I learned 

even more. I implore all nurses to value EVERY 

experience; don’t spend so much time looking to 

the future that you miss all the knowledge and 

rewards of the present. 

In my years here at FNA, I have met many more 

nurses like Diana through our Clinical Excellence 

Conference. The hundreds of stories that nurses 

submitted to that conference are a true testament 

to the excellence that is the nursing profession. 

We have a proud heritage of making a difference 

over and above what nurses are paid to do. We 

sometimes need to be reminded to value others 

and of course, to value our own experiences. We 

are all blessed to experience the privileged space 

of nursing. Always remember, you are special. Tell 

a colleague that today. 

News from Headquarters 

FNA would like to welcome its newest 

employee, Christopher De Sanctis. Chris is 

a former U.S. Marine who served tours in 

Afghanistan and Iraq. He holds several degrees 

including an associate degree in accounting, 

bachelors in management, and masters in 

human resource management. Chris is our new 

administrative assistant specializing in member 

account services. 

In light of recent staffing changes, please 

reference our staff directory below so that 

you may address the appropriate person when 

contacting the office. 

Willa Fuller, RN 

Executive Director 

Professional/Clinical Questions, 

Legal Referrals, Business 

Proposals, Collaborative 

Meeting Requests, Complaints/ 

Problem Resolution, Research 

Requests 

wfuller@floridanurse.org 

John Berry 

Director of Labor Relations 

and Governmental Affairs 

Bargaining Unit Issues, 

Workplace Issues, Legal 

Questions Related to Workplace 

Issues, Legislative and PAC 

Issues 

jberry@floridanurse.org 

Kaitlin Scarbary 

Associate Director of Member 

Services, Technology and 

Marketing 

Conference Information, Special 

Interest Group Meetings, The 

Florida Nurse, Scholarships, 

Conference Calls, Website, 

Regional Activities, 

Continuing Education, 

Marketing, Email Blasts 

kscarbary@floridanurse.org 

Christopher De Sanctis 

Administrative Assistant 

General Information, 

Membership, Membership 

Lists, Membership Cards, ANA 

Information 

info@floridanurse.org 

Bibi Lowton 

Program Specialist, Labor and 

Government Relations 

State Unit, Bargaining Unit, 

FNPAC, ARNP Issues, Materials 

for Legal Programs, LERC Info, 

CQRC Engage, Legislative 

Updates, Health Policy SIG 

govt@floridanurse.org 

Leslie Homsted 

Communications Coordinator 

& Membership Specialist 

Membership Materials, 

Conference Registration, 

Membership Applications, 

Foundation/Scholarships, 

General Information 

receptionist@floridanurse.org 

True work-life balance 

You should be here 

RNs & LPNs 

Relocate to beautiful North Florida, 

and join a collaborative mental health care team 

The Best Benefits 

• Relocation reimbursement up to $5,000 

(for RNs contingent on funding) 

• Student loan forgiveness eligibility 

• Paid Vacation, Holidays and 

Sick Days that accrue annually 

• Advancement Opportunities 

Expand your career opportunities at 

these award winning facilities 

• Florida State Hospital, Chattahoochee 

• North Florida Evaluation and Treatment 

Center, Gainesville 

• Northeast Florida State Hospital, 

Macclenny 

For more information contact: Kevin Bist, Recruiting Consultant 

Kevin.bist@myflfamilies.com, Call or text 850-274-4287 

Obtain your next degree with Florida’s tuition waiver program.


Focus on the Foundation 

The Florida Nurses Foundation is built on 

the work of the District 5 Charitable Trust, FNA 

Districts and other groups and individuals 

within FNA. The establishment of named 

funds encouraged members to embark on 

robust fundraising campaigns forged from the 

recognition of their colleagues. Each named fund 

was endowed with the amount of $10,000. This 

innovative planning has led to a corpus of over 

$1,000,000 which allows the Foundation to award 

scholarships and research grants annually. A few 

years ago, the Trustees voted to take the cap off 

the funds allowing additional donations above 

$10,000 with the goal of increasing each fund in 

$5000 Increments. The ultimate goal is larger 

scholarship awards for individuals. 

In addition to 

scholarships, the 

Foundation awards 

small grants to 

Nurses in Need that 

meet specific 

criteria for aid. 

There are several 

Nurses in Need 

funds, including 

the Paula Massey 

Nurses in Need 

fund which was endowed to honor the 32 year 

legacy of former Executive Director, Paula Massey. 

There is also a Nurses in Need funds to honor 

Undine Sams who is one of the pioneer leaders of 

both nursing in Florida and in the formation of the 

Florida Nurses Foundation. Maureen Finney is 

also an honoree in the establishment of a Nurses 

in Need Fund. 

The Barbara Lumpkin 

Institute exists to promote 

public policy education for 

nurses and friends of 

nursing. FNA has long 

been an advocate for 

nurses and healthcare 

policy, especially since 

many of FNA’s legislative 

priorities exist to protect 

the health of Florida 

residents. The Barbara 

Lumpkin Institute (BLI) 

supports public policy education through 

conferences, webinars and scholarships to nurses 

attending FNA Advocacy Days and the American 

Nurses Association Advocacy Institute (ANAI). We 

are saddened by Barbara’s recent death and are 

honoring her with a call for donations to the BLI to 

continue to grow that important resource for 

nurses. 

NURSING OPPORTUNITIES IN TALLAHASSEE, FL 

Now Hiring 

ARNP & RNs/LPNs 

Inpatient & Outpatient 

Residential Programs 

Visit www.apalacheecenter.org or call Stephanie 

at 850-523-3212 for additional information. 

The Foundation also 

supports and promotes 

research through the 

awarding of grants. One 

example of these is the 

Imogene King Research 

Fund which is open to 

graduate students all over 

Florida. Dr. King is a 

renowned nursing theorist 

and was a very active 

member of the Florida 

Nurses Association, 

serving on the Foundation 

Board at one time. 

Kay Fullwood is a long 

time member of FNA and 

one of the regional nurse 

practitioner councils 

honored her by endowing 

a scholarship in her name. 

Kay is a dedicated 

geriatric nurse practitioner 

and also served on the 

board of FNA. This 

scholarship is awarded to 

a student who has an 

interest in working in the 

field of geriatrics. Here in this article we see Kay 

working diligently on a Foundation fundraiser 

when she served as a Trustee. 

There are many other funds that you may 

contribute to or you may make a general donation 

to the Foundation. We invite you to go to the 

website https://tinyurl.com/nzsqu8c. This year 

we are encouraging you to Honor a Colleague by 

donating to the Foundation in their name. We will 

send them a letter notifying them that you have 

recognized them in that manner. 

To make a donation, you may write a check 

to Florida Nurses Foundation and designate the 

fund you want to donate to in the memo line. Or 

you can go to the website at https://tinyurl.com/ 

nzsqu8c to donate. 

Your Foundation Trustees are: 

• George Byron Peraza-Smith, President 

• Daleen Penoyer, Vice- President 

• Rose Rivers, Trustee 

• Jan Hess, Trustee 

• Darlene Fritsma, Trustee 

• Patricia Messmer, Trustee 

Are you interested in serving as a trustee? 

We have vacancies. 

Contact Chris de Sanctis at 

info@floridanurse.org to ask for an application. 

President’s Message continued from page 1 

We all must successfully integrate the diverse 

workforce of the generations; while leading a 

workforce of one generation serving another and 

design every facet of care that meets the needs of 

our patients/clients and their multi-generational 

families. For nurses today understanding 

the diverse perspectives, values and lifestyle 

expectations is important and shows respect for 

one another. 

Announcing Career Opportunities 

You’ve Been Waiting For! 

Now Hiring: 

• Citrus County Detention Facility, Lecanto, FL 

Clinical Supervisor - RN, RN and RN PRN 

Contact Sherry at 615-263-3285 

• Lake City Correctional Facility, Lake City, FL 

RN and RN PRN 

Contact Cyndy at 615-263-3148 

New Licensed Graduates Welcome! 

Competitive Salary and Pay Based on Experience. 

Apply online at jobs.corecivic.com 

CoreCivic is a Drug Free Workplace & EOE - M/F/Vets/Disabled.


Meet the PAC Leaders 

Isabel Francis, MPA, MSN, RN 

I have been active in community service 

since childhood. I have been politically active 

as well, having been a childhood participant in 

the Vietnam War protests, an adolescent during 

the women’s movement, a nurse contributing to 

the effort to provide affordable health care to the 

American people, and many other issues. When 

my children were in public school, I became 

very aware of children’s unmet needs. I ran and 

was elected to our local Board of Education. This 

helped me understand the political process from 

a new perspective. I am now in a clinical position 

in women’s health in southwestern Florida. Our patient population is 

incredibly diverse, and many have extremely limited access to care or ability 

to pay. I take the ANA Code of Ethics deeply to heart. Provision 8 of the Code 

states that healthcare is a universal right, and that nurses have an ethical 

obligation to advance health and human rights, and reduce disparities. One 

way in which we can do so is to research political candidates and their 

positions on nursing and health care. By exercising our right to vote, and 

by voting for candidates whose views are consistent with the ANA Code 

of Ethics, we not only uphold our professional ethical obligations, we can 

have a direct impact on the health of our nation. Nothing could be more 

important at this time than ensuring we, as the most trusted professionals 

in the United States for the 16th straight year, raise our voices in support of 

advancing health and human rights, and reducing disparities. It is our duty 

and our privilege as nurses. 

Ms. Frances is one of the newly appointed FNPAC Trustees. We will 

feature other PAC trustees in future issues of The Florida Nurse. 

Want to be a PAC member? Give a donation of $25 or more by visiting the 

FNA website at https://www.floridanurse.org/legislative/. 

Florida Team Storms the Hill 

for ANA Event 

A Florida team (Drs. Ed Briggs, Teri 

Chenot, Patricia Messmer, and Joseph 

Potts, MSN, RN) stormed the Hill for the 

annual American Nurses Association 

event on Thursday, June 21st. More 

than 300 nurses from 45 states met 

with legislators to address the issues 

of: (a) safe staffing; (b) meaningful gun 

legislation; (c) addiction treatment; and 

(d) nursing workforce. 

Teri Chenot Meets with Rep 

John Rutherford (FL-04-R) 

during ANA Hill Day 

Joe Potts, Teri Chenot, Patricia Messmer and Ed Briggs at the 

Nation's Capitol on Hill Day at ANA


American Cancer Society 

American Cancer Society Updates 

Colorectal Cancer Screening Guideline 

An updated American Cancer Society guideline 

says colorectal cancer screening should begin 

at age 45 for people at average risk. The new 

recommended starting age is based on colorectal 

cancer (CRC) incidence rates, results from 

microsimulation modeling that demonstrate a 

favorable benefit-to-burden balance of screening 

beginning at age 45, and the expectation that 

screening will perform similarly in adults ages 

45 to 49 as it does in adults for whom screening is 

currently recommended (50 and older). 

The American Cancer Society recommends: 

• Adults ages 45 and older with an average 

risk of colorectal cancer undergo regular 

screening with either a high-sensitivity 

stool-based test or a structural (visual) exam, 

depending on patient preference and test 

availability. 

To access electronic copies of the 

Florida Nurse, please visit 

www.nursingald.com/publications 

You PR♥MISE to take care of patients. 

We PR♥MISE to take care of you. 

South Lake Hospital has Nursing 

Opportunities in the following areas: 

ICU • Cath Lab 

OR • PACU • Same Day 

CDU • PCU • ED 

Intermediate Cardiac Care 

We offer competitive wages including shift differentials 

and clinical ladder, along with a dynamic benefits 

package that includes: health, dental, vision, disability, 

life, 401k, paid time off, and on-site fitness center. 

ú The change in starting age is designated 

as a “qualified recommendation,” because 

there is less direct evidence of the balance 

of benefits and harms, or patients’ values 

and preferences, related to CRC screening 

in adults aged 45-49 since most studies 

have only included adults aged 50+. The 

recommendation for regular screening 

in adults aged 50 years and older is 

designated as a “strong recommendation,” 

on the basis of the greater strength of the 

evidence and the judgment of the overall 

benefit. 

• As a part of the screening process, all 

positive results on non-colonoscopy 

screening tests should be followed up with 

timely colonoscopy. 

• Average-risk adults in good health with a life 

expectancy of greater than 10 years should 

continue colorectal cancer screening through 

age 75. Clinicians should individualize 

colorectal cancer screening decisions for 

individuals ages 76 through 85, based on 

patient preferences, life expectancy, health 

status, and prior screening history. Clinicians 

should discourage individuals over age 85 

from continuing colorectal cancer screening. 

The recommended options for colorectal cancer 

screening are: fecal immunochemical test (FIT) 

annually; high sensitivity guaiac-based fecal 

occult blood test (HSgFOBT) annually; multitarget 

stool DNA test (mt-sDNA) every 3 years; 

colonoscopy every 10 years; CT colonography 

(CTC) every 5 years; and flexible sigmoidoscopy 

(FS) every 5 years. 

The new guideline does not prioritize among 

screening test options. Given the evidence that 

adults vary in their test preferences, the guidelines 

development committee emphasized that 

screening rates could be improved by endorsing 

the full range of tests without preference. 

Colorectal cancer incidence has declined 

steadily over the past two decades in people 55 

and over due to screening that results in removal 

of polyps, as well as changes in exposure to 

risk factors, but there has been a 51% increase 

in colorectal cancer among those under age 50 

since 1994. Death rates in this age group have 

also begun to rise in recent years, indicating that 

increased incidence rates do not appear to be 

solely the result of increased use of colonoscopy. 

A recent analysis found that adults born around 

1990 have twice the risk of colon cancer and four 

times the risk of rectal cancer compared with 

adults born around 1950, who have the lowest risk. 

Visit the American Cancer Society® website at 

cancer.org to learn more about colorectal cancer 

screening. (Source: American Cancer Society) 

South Lake Hospital 

For a full listing of positions and to apply online, please visit: www.southlakehospital.com 

For assistance, please contact Human Resources: 

1900 Don Wickham Drive • Clermont, FL 34711 • 352.394.4071 Extension 7120 

Calendar of 

Events 2018 

September 15, 2018 (Time TBA) 

FNA Annual Meeting 

FNA Headquarters, Orlando, FL 

and Online 

September 20, 2018 (7:00pm - 8:00pm) 

West Central Business Meeting and 

Update 

Online 

September 22, 2018 (8:30am - 3:30pm) 

BLI Advocacy Boot Camp 

Harry P. Leu Gardens, Orlando, FL 

September 22, 2018 (8:30am - 3:30pm) 

FNSA Pre-Convention 

UCF College of Nursing, Orlando, FL 

October 3, 2018 (6:00pm - 7:00pm) 

Suicide Prevention Webinar for Mental 

Health Awareness Month 

Online 


South Region Legislative Policy Event 

Miami Dade College North Campus, 

Miami, FL 


New Grad Networking Night 



West Central Meeting: “Advocacy - Let 

Your Nursing Voice Be Heard” 

Banquet Masters, Clearwater, FL 

October 25 - 27, 2018 

Florida Nursing Students Association 

Annual Convention 

Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort 

November 2, 2018 (8:00am - 12:00pm) 

NE Region Event - “Living Our Ethics: 

Civility and Self-Care” 

Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 

November 15, 2018 (6:00pm- 8:00pm) 

East Central Quarterly Meeting - 

Human Trafficking Course 


FNA CE Webinars Now Available 

on Demand! 

Email kscarbary@floridanurse.org for 

more information. 

We welcome all nursing students and 

Registered Nurses regardless of membership 

status to all of our events unless otherwise 

noted. For more events and registration 

information, please go to www.floridanurse. 

org and click on the Conferences page.


Thriving Your First Year as a Registered Nurse 

Pamela Delano, 

MSN, MBA, RN 

Your scrubs are on. Standing in the hallway 

for your first shift as a newly licensed Registered 

Nurse and your heart is tachy from the adrenaline 

& a lingering sense of accomplishment—your shiny, 

new stethoscope hangs around your neck anxiously 

waiting for its first official patient to assess. 

Suddenly, it hits you: Panic. 

The rush of emotions accompanies a new reality 

that peoples’ lives are in your hands. Most of 

the people you’ll encounter will be at their most 

vulnerable as the uncertainty of their future looms 

throughout the hospital rooms. They will look to you for safe, competent, 

quality care: Your decisions, judgement and actions will impact life, death 

and everything in between. You studied, attended clinical rotations, wrote 

endless care plans, passed your NCLEX…so why do you feel like you have 

no business caring for these people? Why do you find yourself wondering 

if the patients can somehow tell you have no idea what you are doing? Or 

worse, questioning yourself: Are you even really a nurse? 

Imposter Syndrome is the technical term for it. The transition from 

student to professional is one that no one is ever fully prepared for; this is 

especially true in the realm of healthcare. 

Don’t worry. There are proven strategies to get you through this by 

transforming these frantic thoughts, into a vehicle for empowerment and 

professional growth. First, understand your goal is not to “survive” your 

first year, but thrive in it! 

Here’s how: 

Talk. This may sound basic, but actually discussing these feelings with 

someone you respect and trust can help frame your thinking. The right 

person will tell you that just because you are qualified for your role, doesn’t 

mean you are expected to have expert knowledge. Instead, use this fact to 

continually fuel your thirst for knowledge. Ask questions knowing this 

journey is a day by day (or night by night) learning experience. 

Seek out educational opportunities. During your orientation, there is a 

set schedule with your preceptor, however there is flexibility and with that 

comes your opportunity to branch out for further opportunities. If there is 

a procedure to be done at the bedside, ask to perform or shadow with an 

experienced nurse. Feel rusty starting intravenous (IV) access lines? Ask to 

spend a few hours in an outpatient procedural area and start IVs for half a 

shift. Don’t wait until educational opportunities show up, ask for them. This 

will not only strengthen your nursing skills, but also build your confidence 

and highlight you as a colleague who is willing to learn. 

Perfect the art of delegation. Your first year you will have the urge to 

do everything yourself: This results in longer shifts, mis-prioritization, no 

bathroom breaks and getting burned out before you even begin. Instead, 

learn the art of delegation. Be respectful, clear and flexible. Remember: 

Your nursing assistants are important parts of your team. Delegate tasks 

as appropriate by your institution’s policies and scope of practice with 

a sense of mutual appreciation (“please” and “thank you” go a long way!). 

Use bargaining to your advantage and always offer to help your nursing 

assistants when you can. You do not want to get a reputation as the nurse 

who doesn’t “do nursing assistant work”—that is a destructive way of 

thinking that will stunt teamwork as well as unit morale. 

At the end of your shift, take a breath and remember nursing requires 

life-long learning. Every patient is different, even if they are living with the 

same illness. There is a reason you chose this profession to begin with and 

each shift you will become stronger in your practice. Now get out there! And 

welcome to the profession.


Student Forum 

On behalf of the 

Florida Nursing Students 

Association (FNSA), I 

would like to congratulate 

all of our nursing students 

who have recently 

graduated from their 

respective schools. This 

is a great step forward 

to become leaders in the 

nursing discipline. Good 

job to those who passed 

the NCLEX and good luck 

to those studying and 

preparing for it. I’m so proud of you all and I can’t 

wait to hear about all your accomplishments in 

the coming years. 

The executive board of FNSA is continuing to 

plan our upcoming state convention. It will be 

held at the Hilton Daytona Beach from October 

26th to October 28th. I want to thank all of the 

nurses who reached out to serve on our specialty 

panel. We are currently still in need of a Pediatric 

nurse and an OB nurse. If you are a Pediatric 

or OB nurse or know of someone who is willing 

to serve on our panel on October 26th, 2018 in 

Daytona please email FNSA2ndVp@gmail.com for 

more details. 

Another opportunity I would like to present 

is to become a Sustaining Member of FNSA. 

Sustaining Membership is an opportunity to 

help students in need by donating to the Florida 

Nurses Foundation. These funds are awarded 

annually as scholarships at the FNSA Annual 

Convention. Sustaining Members receive updates 

from FNSA monthly and are recognized in the 

Annual Convention Program and Website. We 

could not run a vibrant student organization of 

5000+ members without Sustaining Members like 

you. I’ve had the privilege of meeting tremendous 

nurses from all specialties of nursing and I’m 

continually inspired by their dedication and 

devotion to nursing. Nursing students are the 

future and your impact on them will be felt. From 

the smallest gesture to the grandest display, the 

work that you do with the students will shape the 

future of the field. If you would like to get more 

involved, learn more about the work FNSA is 

doing, or hear more information about Sustaining 

Membership, please email me at fnsapresident@ 

gmail.com. 

We could not do everything we do without the 

support and guidance of all of you! Thank you 

all for setting the standard of excellence. Thank 

you all for continuing to mentor us and welcome 

us into this valued calling that is nursing. Thank 

you for allowing me 

the opportunity to share 

our incredible and vibrant 

student organization. We look 

forward to partnering alongside all of you in the 

future! 

Ms. Sarah Thurlow is a rising nursing 

leader who is devoted to providing quality and 

compassionate healthcare to her future clients. 

She is enrolled at Florida Atlantic University and 

is pursuing a dual degree in Nursing (BSN) from 

the College of Nursing and Health Administration 

from the College of Business. 

She is also enrolled in the Honors in the Major 

for Nursing at FAU and is currently undergoing 

undergraduate research related to nursing 

leadership in long-term care facilities. She is 

currently president of the Florida Nursing Student 

Association, which is the largest professional 

organization for nursing students in the state 

of Florida and serves on the Council of State 

Presidents Committee on the national level. After 

graduating in May 2019, she plans on working as a 

BSN prepared nurse in Florida striving to provide 

holistic, compassionate and competent care to her 

future patients. 

Focus on New Grads 

I look forward to seeing all of my new graduate colleagues on October 17th, 2018 at FNA headquarters in Orlando for 

our 1st annual new graduate networking event. We will be discussing the transition from student to RN. I will keep you 

updated on the planning of this meeting. Please take the time to fill out our quick New Grad Survey so we can discuss the 

topics that are most important to you. See below. 

Attention all recent nurse graduates! 

You are invited to participate in 

the Florida Nurse’s Association New Grad Networking Event! 

Wednesday, October 17th 

5:00 pm – 7:00 pm 

FNA Headquarters | 1235 E. Concord St. Orlando, FL 32803 

Hannah McRoberts 

We want to hear from you! We welcome all recent graduates (members and non-members) from the 

last 5 years to take a part of our New Grad Survey. Your responses will help us craft our association 

to better serve the new generation of nurses. Please take a few moments to complete our brief survey at 

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/XCMP87S


Student Forum 

Strategies for Polypharmacy Reduction in Older Adults 

Samantha Page and Andrea Butler 

For many patients 65 years and older, the 

troublesome effects of complex medication 

regimens are routinely overlooked. Many 

preventable and potentially harmful drug-drug 

interactions or adverse effects are not recognized 

in the older adult until routine checkups or 

acute hospitalizations occur. Older adults 

often experience multiple comorbidities which 

further complicates assessment and treatment 

of medication regimens in this population. 

The concept of polypharmacy was previously 

understood as the number of drugs that a patient 

takes each day, however recent research has 

determined that appropriateness, effectiveness, 

and necessity of each medication are additional 

components which need assessment in order 

to ensure that the older adult is receiving the 

best possible care. Fragmented health care 

systems have contributed immensely to the 

discontinuity, high cost, and continued prevalence 

of polypharmacy in the older adult despite 

existence of several evidence-based polypharmacy 

screening tools. As aging leads to an increasingly 

heterogenous population, nurses play a key role 

in assessing the holistic needs of older adults 

and considering the best available practice 

in reduction of polypharmacy. Additionally, 

polypharmacy is largely ameliorable to 

interventions within the scope of nursing practice, 

such as conducting comprehensive physical 

and social assessments as well as medication 

reconciliation. Furthermore, medication nonadherence 

is multifaceted, usually unintentional, 

and encompassed in the phenomenon of 

polypharmacy. Including the patient’s input is 

essential when working to find the most effective 

drug regimen for the older adult. Current research 

has introduced various modalities designed for 

reduction of this phenomenon in addition to 

use of standardized screening tools, including 

educational campaigns, development of more 

comprehensive screening tools, and use of 

interdisciplinary healthcare professional teams. 

Tools such as the Beers Criteria and the STOPP/ 

START criteria have been used in the clinical 

setting for many years, however many new 

approaches such as educational campaigns and 

use of pharmacists and nurses for polypharmacy 

screening reduction have demonstrated 

efficacy in reducing polypharmacy in the older 

adult. Because the issue of polypharmacy is 

multifaceted, research has shown that the most 

effective approaches to addressing its frequency 

is uses numerous interventions and considers 

the individuality of each patient. Specifically, 

Pasina et al. (2014) found interventions by 

healthcare professionals including “involving 

the patient in the treatment goals, simplifying 

the treatment regimen, tailoring it (medication 

regimen) to the patient’s life style, sending 

reminders, encouraging family support, educating 

about side effects, and monitoring adherence” 

(Pasina et al., 2014, p. 287) helped patients 

to enhance adherence. The key discrepancy 

between modality effectiveness is trying to 

tailor all heterogenous patient assessments to 

a standardized list without consideration of 

existing comorbidities or necessity of medications. 

Both research and non-research literature 

items published on this topic recognized that 

a team-based, with or without combined use of 

standardized tools, patient questionnaires, or 

educational initiatives, were effective in detecting 

and addressing polypharmacy in the older adult. 

Although medication prescription is beyond the 

scope of basic nursing practice, ensuring the 

comprehensive care of each older adult patient is 

not only necessary, but a valuable step in reducing 

this continuously present phenomenon. 

Samantha Page is a senior nursing student 

in Florida Gulf Coast University’s BSN program 

with expected graduation in Spring of 2019. She 

is an active member of FGCU’s Nursing Student 

Association. Samantha is a hopeful labor and 

delivery nurse with dreams of continuing on to 

become a midwife. 

Andrea Butler is a senior nursing student in 

Florida Gulf Coast University’s BSN program with 

expected graduation in Spring of 2019. Andrea is a 

hopeful cardiac intensive care nurse with dreams 

of continuing on to become a CRNA. 

Works Cited 

Pasina, L., Brucato, A., Falcone, C., Cucchi, E., Bresciani, 

A., Sottocorno, M., . . . Nobili, A. (2014). Medication 

non-adherence among elderly patients newly 

discharged and receiving polypharmacy. Drugs & 

Aging, 31(4), 283-289. doi: 10.1007/s40266-014-0163-7 

Multidisciplinary Discharge Team Impact on 

30-Day Readmissions Rates 

Deborah Wyckoff and Rachel Rudd 

30-day readmissions are a problem that 

plague hospitals nationwide. Not only do these 

readmissions lead to additional and avoidable 

costs to our hospitals, but they also suggest a 

lack of patient-centered care in various health 

care facilities. The Affordable Health Care Act 

already enforces penalties to hospitals with 

heightened readmission rates (Siaki and Thomas, 

2017), but with one in five Medicare patients 

being readmitted within 30 days, and a reported 

$25 billion in readmission costs occurring each 

year, something must change (Siaki and Thomas, 

2017). It brings to question whether or not there 

is a systemic approach that could halt or lessen 

these readmissions. Patients have reported that 

unsuccessful discharges have led them back into 

the hospital, and suggest that a lack of cohesion in 

care and communication between advanced care 

providers, hospital staff, families, and patients 

To read more abstract submissions from 

BSN students, please visit 

http://www.floridanurse.org/resources/. 

could be to blame (Jeffs, Dhalla, 

Cardoso, & Bell, 2014). Success 

was heightened when interprofessional 

teams armed with 

experts in medicine, nursing, 

physical therapy, occupational 

therapy, case management, and 

specified discharge planners 

were included in the discharge 

of patients (Jeffs et al., 2014). 

Effective education, timeliness, 

and communication from each 

of these teams to their patients 

enhances readiness, and lessens 

readmissions due to patients 

being better able to manage their 

own care outside of the hospital 

setting (Jeffs et al., 2014). With 

76% of hospital readmissions 

viewed as preventable (Siaki and Thomas, 2017), it 

is time for change in the discharge process. 

Rachel Ruff and Deborah Wyckoff are nursing 

students at Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort 

Myers, FL. Deborah is interested in oncology, 

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! 

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 

Photo Credit: Michael Helfenbein, Yale University 

mental health, and pediatric nursing. Rachel is 

interested in psychiatric nursing. Both are excited 

to graduate next spring! 

RN-BSN Program 

Get your degree online! 

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• Convenient and affordable classes 

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FNA Research Conference Highlights 

On July 28, 2018 over 70 RNs, ARNPs, and 

nursing students attended the 2018 4th Annual 

Evidence-Based Practice and Nursing Research 

Conference at Harry P. Leu Gardens in Orlando, 

FL. This year’s keynote address, Bullying in 

Nursing: A Research Perspective was presented 

by FNA Member, Dr. Latoya Lewis-Pierre of 

the University of Miami School of Nursing and 

Health Studies. 

The research planning committee reviewed 

over 40 abstract submissions and using 

stringent protocols selected three abstracts 

to be presented at the podium. The podium 

presentations were: 

• The CREATION Health Assessment Tool 

for Patients (CHAT-P): Development, 

Psychometric Properties, Norms, and 

Inquiry presented by Hong Tao, PhD, RN; 

Ashley Kohrt, MBA; Patricia Robinson, 

PhD, ARNP; and Julie Pepe, PhD 

• Targeted Approach to Eliminate 

Clostridium Difficile Infections in an 

Orthopedic Unit presented by Natalie 

Harper, BSN, RN, PCCN 

• The Mentoring Experiences of Adjunct 

Nursing Faculty: A Phenomenological 

Inquiry presented by Sharon Ramjohn, 

PhD, RN, CNE 

In addition to the keynote and three podium 

presentations, the conference held two poster 

sessions with a total of 28 abstracts presented 

during those sessions. The poster presenters 

were: 

• Claudette Allen, MSN, RN, PCCN 

• Ryann Basiliere, MSN, RN, NE-BC 

• Arlene Cameron, RN, BSN 

• Maxwell Corrigan, MS, MT-BC 

• Paula Davis-Huffman, DNP, ANP, PPCNP-BC, 

Alumnus CCRN 

• Susan Fowler, PhD, RN, CNRN, FAHA 

• C. Victoria Framil, DNP, ARNP, ANP-BC 

• Patricia Geddie, PhD, CNS, AOCNS 

• Kassandra Greci, MSN, ARNP, WHNP-BC 

• Connie Grim, MSN-Ed, RN, CNE 

• Natalie Harper, BSN, RN, PCCN 

• Sharon Harrison, BSN, RN 

• Jason Keeler, MM, MT-BC 

• Joanne Laframboise-Otto, PhD, RN 

• Adrienne Lyons, DNP, RN 

• Cara Markham, BSN, RN-BC 

• Tina Mason, MSN, ARNP, AOCN, 

AOCNS 

• Harriet Miller, PhD, ARNP, CPN, CCRP 

• Rose Nieves, PhD, ARNP, FNP-c, CNE 

• Kathy Noffsinger, DNP, MSN, APRN, 

PPNP-BC, PMHS-BC 

• Monica Paz Cruz, MSN, CRNA 

• Virginia Pesata, DNP, ARNP, NEA-BC, 

FNP-BC, FNAP 

• Ellen Reising, MSN, CNS, RN-BC, 

ACCNS-AG 

• Violet Rhagnanan-Kramer, MSN, RN, 

NE-BC 

• Kristen Romano, BSN, RN, PCCN 

• Andrea Rose, DNP, FNP, CCM 

• Deirdre Shoemake, DNP, RN, ACNS-BC 

• Carmen Sierra, DNP, RN, CNOR, CCTN 

• Marie Smith-East, DNP, PMHNP-BC, EMT-B 

• Amanda Terry-Sawyer, PhD 

• Laura Wilkinson, MSN, RN, CCRN 

• Jo Wheeler, RN, CCRP 

• Jenna Wheeler, BSN, RN, OBC 

We want to say a huge thank you to the 

members of the Research SIG who reviewed 

abstracts and helped coordinate the conference. 

Thank you as well to everyone who submitted 

an abstract and to those of you who attended 

and presented at the conference. ALL of you 

helped make this one of our best research 

conferences yet. We look forward to seeing you 

again next year! 

Florida Nurses 

Foundation Vice- 

President, Daleen 

Penoyer, welcomes 

everyone to the 

conference 

Keynote Speaker 

LaToya Lewis-Pierre, 

Ed.D-CI, MSN, RN 

presented on Bullying 

in Nursing: A Research 

Perspective 

Participants enjoyed lively and engaging discussions during our two poster sessions 

Over 70 nurses from Florida and Georgia attended the conference this year


Legislative Update 

2018 FNA Legislative and Regulatory Policy Platform 

John Berry, Director 

of Labor Relations & 

Governmental Affairs 

The FNA Supports efforts 

to protect and enhance the 

ability of Registered Nurses 

(RNs), Clinical Nurse 

Specialists (CNSs) and 

Advanced Registered Nurse 

Practitioners (ARNPs) to 

practice to the full extent 

of their education and 

experience. 

• The FNA supports the efforts of the National 

Council of State Boards of Nursing and 

the Florida Coalition of Advanced Practice 

Nurses to implement the consensus model 

vision for the regulation of advanced nursing 

practice in Florida. 

• The FNA supports legislation which will 

allow all nurses to practice to the full extent 

of their education and training in all practice 

environments, including telehealth. 

• The FNA supports legislation that removes 

unnecessary nurse practitioner collaborative 

practice agreements and removes physiciannurse 

practitioner supervisory language from 

the Nurse Practice Act. 

• The FNA supports legislation that would 

provide universal signature authority for all 

advanced practice nurses. 

The FNA supports efforts to protect the rights, 

jobs, wages, pensions, health care coverage, and 

other benefits of our state-employed health care 

professionals. 

The FNA supports safe practice environments 

for all nurses and our patients. 

• The FNA supports legislation that provides 

meaningful information to users of health 

care about staffing and nursing resources in 

health care facilities. 

• Promote legislation that protects healthcare 

workers against workplace violence, 

including efforts to rigorously prosecute 

those who commit such crimes. 

The FNA supports efforts to protect and 

promote health-related initiatives that protect the 

physical and mental health of Florida’s residents. 

• The FNA supports legislation that allows 

draw down federal funding to make 

healthcare available to more Floridians. 

• The FNA supports sustained funding and 

utilization of the controlled substances 

prescription monitoring database. 

• The FNA supports legislative efforts and 

promote adequate funding to strengthen 

the public health system, improve 

access to care or promote healthy 

lifestyles. 

• The FNA supports legislation that helps 

to create a multi-disciplinary, patientcentered 

model of healthcare delivery. 

• The FNA supports legislation that 

provides comprehensive end-of-life 

planning and care. 

• Pursue a pilot study to evaluate 

innovative and comprehensive school 

health services that include access to 

health care provided by an RN. 

• Pursue legislation that would require as 

mandatory education at least a 2.0 hour 

CEU education in infection prevention 

and emerging diseases training. This 

will be required each biennium for all 

nurses. 

• The FNA supports meaningful 

legislation for gun control. 

• The FNA supports efforts to ensure 

humane care for incarcerated 

individuals in the Florida prison system 

as required by the Constitution. 

LERC State News 

For professional state employees: If you are assigned to serve in a 

Special Needs Shelter, now is an important time to prepare. Work with 

your agency to offer educational programs to prepare its staff for working 

in the shelter or agency. Ask your Administration to set up Preparedness 

Updates, so that the staff is aware of what is required of them. Contact 

your FNA HCP Union through John Berry (jberry@floridanurse.org) if 

you have concerns that your needs are not being met. Also, be aware of 

the need for precise documentation of time worked, if you are called to 

work in a Shelter. It is essential that you keep detailed records of the time 

and copies of your time sheets, so that if there is a question about your 

reimbursement, we at FNA can help you based on those records. 

Here’s to a safe and pleasant upcoming season, even as we prepare for 

other possibilities! 

Deborah Hogan, MPH, BSN, RN, 

FNA State Unit President, 

LERC Liaison Chair 

September brings so many pleasant activities 

- vacations and travel, cookouts with family and 

friends, and cooler weather… so much to look 

forward to! We must also prepare ourselves for other 

possible events, especially here in Florida – storms 

and possible hurricanes. Now is the time to prepare 

to keep ourselves, our families and our patients safe. 

Start with a kit of emergency supplies, hopefully 

to last for at least three days. You’ll need a gallon of 

water per person per day for drinking and sanitation, 

as well as non-perishable foods such as protein bars, dried fruit or canned 

foods. You’ll also need clothes to wear based on the climate, in case power is 

lost. Other supplies include battery-powered radio and flashlights with extra 

batteries, first aid kit, whistle to signal for help, filter masks for all family 

members, moist towelettes, wrench/pliers, manual can openers, plastic 

sheeting/garbage bags and duct tape. Lastly, include items that are specific 

for your family’s needs (medicines, infant formula, diapers, coloring books 

and important papers). Think about your pets also, and their supplies. 

You may want to consider having a second “Go Kit” – a smaller version of 

your emergency kit that you can take with you if you have to evacuate. Also, 

be prepared with a plan for what you will do and where you will go in an 

emergency. This includes your job responsibilities. Talk with your employer 

about their expectations so that you and your family can build that in to your 

plan. For more information and resources on Preparedness, go to www.ready.gov. 

If you want to become involved with your community’s preparedness 

activities, you can join your local “Citizen Corps.” The Corps works to 

help people prepare, train and volunteer in their communities. For more 

information go to www.citizencorps.gov. 

We have opportunities for nurse educators 

at our Florida campuses. 

Family Nurse Practitioner Program Director 

Orlando & West Palm Beach 

Graduate Nursing Program 

PhD in Nursing/Nursing Science or DNP; FNP-C required 

Full-Time Faculty – Tampa & West Palm Beach 

Undergraduate Nursing Program, Terminal Degree in Nursing required 

Family Nurse Practitioner Faculty 

Tampa & West Palm Beach 

Graduate Nursing Program 

PhD in Nursing/Nursing Science or DNP; FNP-C required 

Experience pristine, well-equipped facilities and the unparalleled support of a 

system dedicated to producing top performers in the healthcare industry. 

To apply for Orlando and Tampa opportunities, send your CV to 

scrobinson@southuniversity.edu and to apply for West Palm Beach opportunities, 

send your CV to kferreri@southuniversity.edu


Region News 

East Central Region Update 

East Central Region Director Marti Hanuschik 

represented FNA at the Child Rescue Network 

breakfast April 24, 2018. Speaker Andrea Vaughan 

presented on the behavior of child predators and 

shared her personal story about a predator that 

was her middle school teacher, a trusted member 

of society. I was able to engage in conversation 

with therapist Tenisa Montgomery as well as 

concerned citizens Cynthia Harris and Ashley 

Jones (see photo). 

can be obtained by e-mail at CHD35MRC@ 

flhealth.gov or by calling 352-396-3520. 

The East Central Region had the opportunity 

to work with Cirque Du Soleil CRYSTAL August 

1-5, 2018 for discounted tickets at the Amway 

Center. Hope you were able to attend. Jessica Daly, 

Consumer Health Librarian for Orlando Health 

Hospital System, presented on Health Literacy at 

our third quarter meeting held on August 23rd at 

FNA Headquarters. 

Save the date of November 15th for our fourth 

quarter meeting in which we’ll present the 

mandatory CE course on Human Trafficking. We 

will be offering additional mandatory CE courses 

at future meetings. Check the FNA website for 

additional information. 

As Region Director, please let me hear from you 

for program suggestions as I schedule speakers 

and arrange the evening program along with 

tasty snacks. Your input would be appreciated. 

Please let me know about your professional 

accomplishments so you can be highlighted in a 

future TFN article. 

Marti Hanuschik, MSN, RN, CCM 

FNA East Central Region Director 

E-mail: marti4edu@yahoo.com 

Cell phone: 407-484-9298 best by text 

As the First Coast’s only locally-based wish 

granting organization, Dreams Come True is 

dedicated to using the power of a dream to bring 

hope and joy to EVERY First Coast child battling a 

life-threatening illness. 

There is wonderful news brewing for our NE 

FL Chapter: This season we will be hosting a 

continuing education course titled: Living our 

Ethics: Civility and Self-care. Be on the lookout 

for this premiere nursing event open to all NE 

FL Nurses and nursing students! Location: Mayo 

Clinic Simulation Center, Jacksonville, FL. 

A warm welcome to some of our newest NE 

FL FNA members: Hagy Terry, Pace John, Pollard 

Tambara, & Dawn Smith! 

Our May 10, 2018 Quarterly Meeting, at which 

Executive Director Willa Fuller was scheduled to 

present on Horizontal Violence and Bullying in 

Nursing, was cancelled due to low registration. 

Registration must be at least five for the meeting 

to be held. Don’t forget that if you aren’t able to 

attend in person, all EC meetings are available 

online. Traditionally, the late May month meeting 

has a low turnout and therefore the meeting was 

moved to earlier in the month to celebrate Nurses 

Week. Feedback on meeting dates and location 

are discussed at the annual meeting. Please share 

your thoughts to make these meetings a success. 

Please e-mail Region Director Marti Hanuschik 

if you would like to coordinate a meeting in your 

county. 

Lake County Medical Reserve Corps Director 

William Ritten requested volunteers for shelter 

work during an emergency. Further information 

Open for 

opportunity 

The relationship between the clinician and 

the patient is at the heart of everything 

we do. So you are not part of a system. 

You’re part of a family. 

Registered Nurse 

• Patient and family teaching/education 

• Patient-centered care 

• Partnering with skilled clinicians 

Call us today at 

855-KND-AT-HOME (855.563.2846) or visit 

www.kindredathome.com/careers 

EEO 

© 2016 Kindred at Home CSR 188925-08 

North Central Region Update 

TAKE A MINUTE 

Hello Florida Nurses! I recently had a patient 

that passed away and when I asked his mother 

what I could do for her, she told me to enjoy 

every minute of my life and to take a trip to the 

beach for her son as it was the last thing he told 

his mom he was looking forward to doing before 

he was hospitalized. Often, as nurses, we care so 

deeply for others that we often forget to take care 

of ourselves. Our work reminds us that our lives 

are fragile and our moments in this life a precious 

gift. Regardless of your choice, take the time to 

read a few chapters in a book, have a dinner party 

with friends, take that trip you have long talked 

about taking, or go for a walk down the beach. I 

hope that you can find the time, in whatever way 

is meaningful to you, to take a minute and relax 

with your friends and family. To effectively care 

for others, we must effectively care for ourselves. 

I took that trip to the beach for my patient and 

his mother. I hope I enjoyed it just as much as he 

would have. Savor all the precious moments and 

enjoy every minute of your life. As always, it is an 

honor to serve the nurses of our beautiful state. 

Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can ever be 

of assistance. 

Northeast Region Update 

Happy Fall! How time has passed. Over the 

summer the Northeast Florida FNA Chapter was 

able to sponsor a child for the Kyd’s & Jaffi’s 

Annual Fashion Show with Dreams Come True. 

Northwest Region Update 

Hello Northwest Region, 

The Northwest Region Summer Collaboration 

for Community Mental Health went off with a 

bang at the Blue Wahoos baseball game. Local 

undergraduate and graduate nursing students from 

three schools advocated with FNA members for 

mental well-being in our community along with 

Northwest Florida Guardian ad Litem Foundation, 

Inc. We are proud to say that over 250 supporters 

attended the game with Guardian ad Litem 

children and their State appointed volunteers. 

A former Guardian ad Litem child was honored 

to throw the game’s first pitch with local news 

covering the event. Community engagement will 

continue via social media with a video stating our 

support that “We are for the child.”


Region News 

South Region Update 

Upcoming events in South Region: 

Monday, October 8, 2018 – South Region Health 

Policy Event at Miami Dade College. This event 

will be an opportunity to hear from and meet 

candidates for the upcoming election. 

Saturday, April 13, 2019 – Annual South Region 

Symposium at the Gulfstream Park, Hallandale, FL. 

Southeast Region Update 

Thanks to everyone who participated in our 

program on Human Trafficking on July 20, 2018. 

We send a special thanks to Linda Allen and Kelly 

White at Keiser University for supporting the 

program and helping to make it so successful. We’d 

also like to thank our speakers Tanya Meade, Crime 

Victim Practitioner, Coalition for Independent 

Living Options; Sherry Britton-Susino, SANE Nurse 

Coordinator, Palm Beach County Victim Services; 

T. Smith, Victim Specialist, FBI; and Liisa Spinello, 

Sexual Assault Care Coordinator, Palm Beach 

County Victim Services. 

The Southeast Region is currently working 

on plans to present a webinar on the “Nursing 

Compact” with the Florida Board of Nursing that 

will be available for all our Florida nurses to join. 

Look for more information coming very soon. 

FNA would like to thank Debbie Hogan for 

continuing to drive member activities and 

engagement in the Southeast region in the absence 

of a region director. 

Southwest Region Update 

Region Activities 

“Lessons Learned from Irma” was held April 

18, 2018 at Avow Naples, Florida, co-sponsored by 

Avow and Barrington Terrace, Naples FL. This was 

a panel discussion from the community leaders 

including: Tammy Decaro, Executive Director 

Barrington Terrace ALF and President Florida 

Assisted Living Association- SW Florida Chapter; 

Kathleen Marr, RN, Collier County Health 

Department; Tabatha Butcher, Chief, Collier 

County Emergency Medical Services (EMS). 

Listening to events that occurred before, 

during, and after Irma was truly eye-opening. The 

community leaders, employees, and volunteers are 

the unsung heroes who put their own safety and 

personal needs aside to provide the community 

a safe harbor during Irma. But it didn’t stop 

after Irma passed; the needs of the community 

became greater with more people seeking refuge 

from being displaced. The lessons learned have 

changed policies, area shelter setups, better 

communication systems, and a formal volunteer 

signup. Better prepared fosters better services. 

Upcoming Activities 

“Protected Status and Immigration Issues for 

Employers” Webinar: Yemisi Oloruntola-Coates, 

Lee Health System Director of Diversity and 

Patient Care Civil Rights, and Indera DeMine, 

Immigration Attorney who presented at the 

February 2018 SW Region Meeting on the current 

protected status issues and other immigration 

issues employers and their employees are 

facing, would like to provide a webinar to the 

FNA members regarding the issues as they are 

today. Check the FNA website for date, time, and 

registration information. 

Francine Gomberg 9th Nursing Research and 

Evidence-based Practice Conference: scheduled 

Oct 24-25 at Florida SouthWestern State College. 

Conference Theme: “Meeting Today’s Practice 

Challenges Head-On through Education, Research 

and Evidence-based Practice” 

• In collaboration with Florida SouthWestern 

State College, Nova Southeastern University, 

Florida Gulf Coast University, STTI Honor 

ONLINE convenience, 

QUALITY education 

Society of Nursing Tau Zeta Chapter, and 

Florida Nurses Association (FNA) 

• Oct 24 – 8a-11a: 3 pre-conference workshops 

1) Cultural Diversity in Healthcare; 2) 

Mental Health, Substance Abuse and other 

Underserved Populations; 3) Scholarly and 

Creative Writing 

• Oct 24 – 1p-4:30p: Conference Opens: Podium 

and Poster presentations 

• Oct 25 – 8a-4:30p: Keynote speakers; podium 

and poster presentations 

Watch for registration announcements in 

August. 

West Central Region Update 

The WCEN Summer meeting was held on July 

19, 2018 at Keiser University, Tampa Campus 

located at 5002 W Waters Ave, Tampa, FL 33634. 

The topic “Legal Issues in Nursing” was presented 

by Kathy Hill, RN, JD. 

WCEN is planning our fall meeting for October 

24th. The topic is “Advocacy: Let Your Nursing 

Voice be Heard.” More to follow as we continue 

to plan this important event. Our guest speaker 

is Edward Briggs, MS, DNP, ARNP-BC, Co-Chair 

Florida Coalition of Advanced Practice Nurses. 

WCEN also plans a Community Day in early 

2019. This event will involve bringing the WCEN 

members and students together to participate in a 

community project. More details to follow. 

The WCEN Region Leadership Council is 

looking for those interested in joining our team. 

If interested please contact the Regional Director, 

Jan Adams, DNP, MPA, RN. 

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To apply, email resumes to jobs@concorde.edu or visit www.concorde.edu/careers 

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Nursing Community 

2018 QSEN International Forum in Bonita Springs a Success 

Drs. Teri Chenot and Roberta 

Christopher, Co-Directors of the QSEN 

Institute Regional Center at Jacksonville 

University, hosted the successful 2018 

QSEN International Forum at the Hyatt 

Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa 

in Bonita Springs on May 30 – June 1, 

2018. Dr. Mary Dolansky, Director of 

the QSEN Institute at Case Western 

Reserve University, served as the chair 

of the event. Dr. Cheryl Bergman, 

Interim Dean of the Brooks College of 

Healthcare Sciences at Jacksonville 

University, and Willa Fuller, Executive Director 

of the Florida Nurses Association, provided the 

welcome address to more than 300 nurses (including 

globally from Brazil, Canada, China, England, 

Puerto Rico, and Sweden). Attendees participated 

in pre-conference workshops, a poster reception 

and presentations, and breakout sessions with 

the conference theme of Oceans of Opportunity: 

Evidence-based Practice to Improve Quality and 

Safety in Education and Practice. 

Dr. Bernadette Melnyk, Chief Wellness Officer 

at The Ohio State University, was the keynote 

presenter on Evidence-Based Practice. Dr. Rose 

Sherman, Professor and Program Director of the 

Nursing Administration and Financial Leadership 

track at the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing, 

Florida Atlantic University, was the plenary 

presenter with a session on The Role of Nurse 

Leaders in Promoting a Spirit of Inquiry and an 

Evidence-Based Culture. 

Other presentations included Drs. 

Chenot, Christopher and Dolansky 

with a session on Taking QSEN on 

the Road to Build Academic-Clinical 

Partnerships. Seth Osenkarski, 

MSN, RN, ONC, CURN, LSSGB, UF 

Health – Jacksonville, presented on 

Implementing a New Accountability 

Process to Reestablish and Maintain 

the Practice of Bedside Shift Report. 

Mary Lou Brunell, Executive 

Director of the Florida Center for 

Nursing, facilitated a Think Tank 

session at the conference for approximately 50 

nursing thought leaders to examine strategies to 

infuse the QSEN competencies into the nursing 

workforce. 

The 2019 QSEN International Forum is 

scheduled in Cleveland, OH with the theme 

of QSEN Rocks: Informatics and Simulation 

to Improve Quality and Safety Education and 

Practice. For more Information visit http://qsen. 

org/conferences/2019-qsen-forum/. 

Members in 

the News 

On May 4, 2018, The 

University of Tampa, 

Department of Nu r si ng, 

provided special recognition 

to Linda LaComb-Williams, 

RN, MPH, BSN “in recognition 

of outstanding service for your 

exemplary dedication to the 

BSN Students at the University 

of Tampa, 2018.” 

The recognition was 

provided during the Nursing Pinning Ceremony at 

the Falk Theatre in Tampa, Florida. 

Linda Washington-Brown, 

PhD, EJD, MSN, CNS, ARNP-C, 

FAANP, was recently inducted 

into American Association of 

Nurse Practitioners (AANP), 

among 64 other nurse 

practitioner (NP) leaders, 

on June 28, 2018, during 

the AANP 2018 National 

Conference at the Colorado 

Convention Center in Denver. 

As a new FAANP member, Linda will continue 

the tradition of impacting national and global 

health through her contributions to the nursing 

profession. 

The FAANP program was established in 2000 

to recognize nurse practitioner leaders who have 

made outstanding contributions to health care 

through clinical practice, research, education 

or policy. Fellows of AANP are visionaries and, 

as such, hold an annual think tank to strategize 

about the future of nurse practitioners and 

health care. The new Fellows will continue to 

demonstrate leadership and contribute to the 

mission of AANP. 

The AANP is the largest professional 

membership organization for nurse practitioners 

(NPs) of all specialties. It represents the interests 

of the more than 248,000 licensed NPs in the 

U.S. AANP provides legislative leadership at 

the local, state and national levels, advancing 

health policy; promoting excellence in practice, 

education and research; and establishing 

standards that best serve NP patients and other 

health care consumers. As The Voice of the Nurse 

Practitioner®, AANP represents the interests of 

NPs as providers of high-quality, cost-effective, 

comprehensive, patient-centered health care. 

www.aanp.org


Nursing Community 

The Florida Center for Nursing had some 

significant recommendations for the State in 

the Statewide Strategic Plan published online at 

flcenterfornursing.org. The plan is unique in its 

ability to provide policy recommendations as a 

state mandate, but also provide action areas for all 

nurses in academic and health industry settings. 

The Florida Center for Nursing’s Strategic plan can 

be used to help garner support for local initiatives 

among government agencies, healthcare providers, 

work environments, community organizations, 

policy makers, and community leaders. We hope 

that you will download it and use it to help you 

identify key areas and solutions in the places you 

live and work. 

MOVING DATA INTO ACTION 

As of 2018 the Florida Action Coalition (FL- 

AC) adopted the Florida Center of Nursing’s 

(FCN) Statewide Strategic Plan as part of the FL- 

AC Strategic Plan, in an effort to take ACTION 

in the following key areas: Education, Work 

Environment, Research, and Policy. The FCN 

strategic plan helps nurses and policy makers 

to look at relevant current and future issues that 

must be addressed. Our coalition members invite 

you to join together to take action in any of the 

four key action areas. The FCN plan outlines 

specific issues, and offers informed solutions and 

action steps for each area. Working in a healthcare 

center? Share the solutions with colleagues 

and create partnerships to improve your work 

environment. Want to see a change in nursing? 

Support nursing research by participating in 

surveys from the Florida Center for Nursing and 

other research organizations designing healthcare 

policies, so your voice will count! If you are an 

educator, share the plan with your students. 

The Coalition will help…reach out to us if you 

have a policy class and would like us to share 

how students can make a difference. (Andrea. 

uitti@ucf.edu) Finally, educate policy makers 

and stakeholders about the current and future 

healthcare workforce. We know you want to make 

a difference, and can’t do it all. Pick one thing 

you will act on and share it with us. We want 

to showcase your efforts, shaping the future 

of healthcare through Nursing. https://www. 

flcenterfornursing.org/FL-ActionCoalition.aspx 

NEW NURSE EDUCATION REPORTS 

PUBLISHED 

Analysis of information collected from 

Florida’s nurse education programs for Academic 

Year 2016-2017 has been completed and reports 

are available on the Center’s website: https:// 

www.flcenterfornursing.org/StatewideData/ 

FCNNurseEducationReports.aspx. There were 143 

LPN, 143 Associate degree and 70 Baccalaureate 

degree programs surveyed with a response rate 

of 77.6%. A few key findings as reported by 

responding programs: 

Nursing Community continued on page 16


Florida Intervention for Project 

Welcomes New Chief Executive Officer 

Dr. Shannon Large, DNP, ARNP, ANP-BC, 

CARN-AP, recently joined the Intervention 

Project for Nurses (IPN) as its new Chief 

Executive Officer. Dr. Large was formerly 

with the UF Health Florida Recovery Center, 

Gainesville, providing primary care services to 

patients with substance use disorders, and UF 

Health Shands Psychiatric Hospital providing 

leadership and care for dual diagnosis patients. 

Her areas of expertise include alcohol and 

substance use related medical conditions, 

internal medicine, and the assessment of 

impaired professionals. 

Dr. Large received her Doctor of Nursing 

Practice in 2013 from University of Florida and 

is a Board Certified Adult Nurse Practitioner. 

She also is certified by the Addictions Nursing 

Certification Board as a Certified Addictions 

Registered Nurse in Advanced Practice. 

Linda L. Smith, IPN/DOH Consultant (former 

Chief Executive officer) introduced Dr. Large at 

the IPN/FNA Annual Conference stating, “IPN 

is very pleased to have someone with Shannon’s 

excellent skills and broad expertise as a key 

part of IPN’s leadership team to lead into 

Pictured from left to right: Myrtle Greene, 

Chief Operations Officer; Shannon O. Large, 

Chief Executive Officer; Linda L. Smith, 

IPN/DOH Consultant 

the future. Shannon has worked with health 

practitioners with impairing conditions for 

several years doing comprehensive evaluations 

and interfacing with healthcare monitoring 

programs across the country.” 

Nursing Community continued from page 15 

• 187 faculty vacancies as of 9/30/2017. 

• Lack of qualified student applicants and 

limited clinical sites were the greatest 

barriers to maximizing capacity for all 

program types (LPN; ADN; BSN). 

• The ratio of enrolled students to fulltime 

faculty continues to increase in all 

program types. 

• New graduate ADN nurses decreased by 

865 while pre-licensure BSN graduates 

increased by 35. 

• Even with an increase in the number 

of LPN programs, the number of new 

graduates continues to decline. 

Please read the 2017 Florida Nursing 

Statewide Strategic Plan: Strategies to 

Successfully Provide Floridians an Adequate, 

Qualified Nurse Workforce and consider 

how you can make a difference. Essential 

to meeting the needs of all Floridians are 

continued commitment to nursing and 

purposeful interventions to strengthen 

the nurse workforce by key stakeholders. 

You are a stakeholder! You can influence 

other stakeholders! Be a part of the solution. 

THANK YOU! 

Silver Spring, MD – The 

American Nurses Association (ANA) 

Membership Assembly elected 

Ernest Grant, PhD, RN, FAAN, of the 

North Carolina Nurses Association 

as the association’s next president to 

represent the interests of the nation’s 

four million registered nurses. The 

term of service for Dr. Grant and 

other newly elected leaders will begin 

January 1, 2019. 

Dr. Grant, the current ANA vice 

president, is an internationally 

recognized burn care and fire safety 

expert and oversees the nationally 

acclaimed North Carolina Jaycee Burn Center at 

the University of North Carolina (UNC) Hospitals 

in Chapel Hill. He also serves as adjunct faculty 

for the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Nursing, 

where he works with undergraduate and graduate 

nursing students in the classroom and clinical 

settings. 

ANA’s Membership Assembly also elected four 

other members to serve on the nine-member board 

of directors. The newly-elected board members 

ANA Update 

American Nurses Association Elects 

Ernest Grant as Next President 

are: Secretary Stephanie Pierce, PhD, 

RN, CNE, of the Louisiana State 

Nurses Association; Director-at-Large 

Tonisha Melvin, DNP, CRRN, NP-C, 

of the Georgia Nurses Association; 

Director-at-Large Varsha Singh, MSN, 

APN, of the New Jersey State Nurses 

Association; Director-at-Large Staff 

Nurse Jennifer Gil, BSN, RN, of ANA 

Massachusetts. 

The following ANA board 

members will continue their term in 

2019: Treasurer Jennifer Mensik, PhD, 

RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, of the Oregon 

Nurses Association; Director-at-Large 

MaryLee Pakieser, MSN, RN, BC-FNP, of ANA 

Michigan; Director-at-Large, Recent Graduate, 

Amanda Buechel, BSN, RN, of ANA-Illinois. 

Elected to serve on the Nominations and 

Elections Committee are: Bonita Ball, MSN, 

RN, CCRN-K, NE-BC, of the Delaware Nurses 

Association; Rebecca Huie, DNP, RN, ACNP, of 

the Alabama State Nurses Association; Heidi 

Sanborn, MSN, RN, CNE, of the Arizona Nurses 

Association. 

Membership: 

What's it Worth? 

One of the common comparisons of the 

cost of membership dues is related to the 

cost of a cup of coffee. According to a 

CBS news report, assuming the LOWEST 

consumption the average cost per year to a 

national recognized coffee house is $65 a 

month or $780 a year.* 

For full membership in both the national 

and state level of your professional 

association, the cost is: $25.26 a month.* 

*Select discount rates apply. 

Join us at http://members.floridanurse.org 

and have your say! 

*http://www.cbsnews.com/htdocs/ 

pdf/012909_coffee.pdf 

NursingALD.com can point you 

right to that perfect NURSING JOB! 

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QUIN Council 

QUIN Council: An Invitation 

Since 1989, nursing organizations have been 

joined together to work as QUIN Council to create 

a unified voice within the profession. The Florida 

Nurses Association (FNA) is a founding member of 

the QUIN Council, which consists of 21 state level 

nursing organizations. The original members of 

the council were: 

• Florida Nurses Association 

• Deans and Directors of Nursing Education 

Programs 

• Florida Hospital Association Center for the 

Promotion of Nursing 

• Florida League of Nursing 

• Florida Organization of Nurse Executives 

• Florida Board of Nursing 

In a recent initiative in 2016, with the 

proliferation of nursing schools, significant 

attrition rates, and plummeting NCLEX scores, 

QUIN created a website which contains valuable 

information for those seeking information 

regarding nursing education. The website http:// 

www.choosewithcare.education continues to be a 

resource for potential nursing students today. QUIN 

Council representatives have attended the Florida 

Association of School Counselors’ Conference 

as an exhibitor to disseminate informational 

brochures for counselors to share with students 

who are interested in the nursing profession. This 

is an example of some of the collaborative work that 

QUIN has contributed to the nursing community. 

With every project, each organization is 

encouraged to take the ideas back to their 

organizations for inclusion in their programs 

and initiatives. The education website remains 

as a valuable resource to the nursing community 

and we continue to share with potential nursing 

students and/or their significant others who are 

enquiring about the best way to select a nursing 

program. 

For the past several years, QUIN has taken on 

issues of importance such as career transitions, 

role of the LPN, role of the seasoned nurse and 

shared information through publication in The 

Florida Nurse. 

This past May, QUIN Council along with other 

invited stakeholders, met to embark on a Strategic 

Plan to determine the future direction of QUIN 

activities. The members of QUIN believe that it 

is critical for nursing organizations to network 

and collaborate to not only work on common 

issues of importance to the profession, but so all 

organizations are knowledgeable about what other 

groups in the nursing community are working on. 

The strategic planning process was vibrant and 

the group determined there were four main areas 

of concern they wanted to address. These were: 

Education, Work Environment, Research and 

Policy. Other miscellaneous issues emerged with 

the most important being the absence of valuing 

nurses; contribution to the healthcare industry. 

This issue was related to community, employment 

setting, legislative arena, academia and also 

within the profession and between organizations. 

After this initial strategic planning session, 

a work session was held to create an action 

plan related to the issues that emerged. One 

strategy identified was to continue to expand 

the membership of QUIN to other specialty 

organizations so that their concerns and issues are 

a part of the conversation. 

The representatives of QUIN invites those who 

are members of these organizations to reach out to 

us so that they are represented on QUIN Council. 

We find that our differences and similarities 

coalesce to create synergistic interactions that lead 

to positive changes in nursing relationships. It is 

not always about agreeing, but about remaining 

unified in addressing the needs of our profession 

and the communities we serve. To inform us 

of your interest, please email Willa Fuller at 

wfuller@floridanurse.org or call (407)896-3261 and 

ask how your nursing specialty organization can 

become involved with QUIN Council.


In Memoriam 

Barbara Lumpkin 

Lumpkin speaks at 

Advocacy Days in 2015 

Lumpkin with then President 

Mary Tittle for the Hall of Fame 

presentation 

Lumpkin with member Michael 

Nillson and the Clintons 

Lumpkin with Governor 

Jeb Bush 

We are saddened to announce the death of 

long-time FNA leader, Barbara Lumpkin. She 

served the FNA and the nurses of Florida in 

several capacities, most notably as the FNA 

Lobbyist for many years. She was tasked 

with creating the legislative program by then 

Executive Director Paula Massey and through 

working with mentors like Barbara Thoman- 

Curtis and hard-working members, the 

program was born. Barbara was instrumental 

in the formation of the Florida Nurses Political 

Action Committee (FN-PAC), Legislative 

District Coordinator (LDC) Program and 

Political Action Days (Now Advocacy Days). 

There is also an FNA award in her 

honor which recognizes FNA 

members who have demonstrated 

extraordinary contributions to 

the association’s activities in the 

health policy arena. 

At her retirement, The 

Barbara Lumpkin Institute was 

formed within the Florida 

Nurses’ Foundation and each 

year members are awarded 

Lumpkin with Senator Bill Nelson 

scholarships to support them in attending 

Advocacy Days in Tallahassee or the American 

Nurses Advocacy Institute at the American Nurses 

Association in Washington, D.C. Several FNA 

members and students have received this award. 

In 2007, Barbara was inducted into the Florida 

Nurses Association Hall of Fame for her lifetime 

contribution to the profession of nursing. As 

she and then Executive Director Paula Massey 

worked together, several iconic programs 

were developed. Political Action Days was 

an educational program aimed at educating 

nurses about the political process and how 

political impacts both nurses and the patients 

they serve. Political Action Days was re-named 

Lobby Days for several years and currently 

lives on as Advocacy Days. 

They also created the Legislative District 

Coordinator (LDC) Program where nurses were 

matched with legislators in their districts to 

create relationships that allowed us to make 

sure that nurses’ voices were a part of the 

dialogue relating to health-policy issues. 

Barbara worked with our members from 

both parties to forge relationships that allowed 

us to be a strong force in Florida politics. 

Barbara worked tirelessly for nursing issues, 

including over 20 years on advanced practice 

issues. Several years after her retirement from 

FNA, the Barbara Lumpkin Prescribing Act 

was passed in 2016 to honor the legacy of her 

work on that issue. This is one of many honors 

she has received. She will be missed but never 

forgotten. 

What is FNA? 

For over 100 years, the Florida Nurses Association has been the voice of nursing, representing caregivers in all aspects of 

nursing and in various arenas. We are a membership driven organization comprised of nurses from diverse practice settings 

and nursing specialties. We are dedicated to quality care for the citizens of Florida and a safe work environment for all nurses. 

In the Work Place… 

FNA’s work force advocacy programs put the strength of our expert staff at our member’s fingertips. Consult with a specialist 

about your work place issues and receive timely, accurate information to help you in your decision making. Florida Nurses 

Association also advocates for nurses in the workplace through collective action and empowerment. 

In the Legislature 

FNA has a strong presence in Tallahassee and is the political watchdog for political issues that have an impact on 

nursing and on the care of the public. It is essential that the voice of nursing is clear and present when these critical 

issues arise. FNA enhances the political knowledge and power of its members by providing up-to-date legislative 

information via its network of Legislative District Coordinators and two lobbyists at the capital. 

For Your Future… 

FNA develops publications with the purpose of helping and supporting nurses in their career 

progression. Continuing education credits and study preparation courses are available to nurses at a 

discounted rate. By fostering professional development and enhancing the concept of teamwork, FNA 

strives to create one powerful voice for nurses. As constituent members of the American Nurses 

Association FNA members have access to standards of practice that can serve as a guideline for 

nursing in several specialty areas. 

For the Future of Nursing… 

Nurses are a vital part of Florida’s health care community. Florida Nurses Association works 

to improve the nursing profession through legislative action, public awareness, professional 

development, and academic research. 

Join the Florida Nurses Association. 

Make a difference in your life, in the lives of nurses, and in the Florida community. 

Complete and return the application on page 19 or visit our website FloridaNurse.org.


Welcome New FNA Members! 

East Central 

Arthuro Abbido 

Bebe Alinur 

Claudette Allen 

Rachel Appoo 

Adam Arias 

John Aziz 

Jennifer Ball 

Joshua Beard 

Rosa Best-Billington 

Rasha Botros 

Laura Brown 

Chelsea Capers 

Christina Carosella 

Blake Churchman 

Mary Cisco 

Brooke Cline 

Jonah Corrion 

Amanda Cribbs 

Darcia Evans 

Jane Gambino 

Tina Garrett-Langan 

Santreuis Graham 

Ann Hales 

Verona Haughton 

Kelsey Hickson 

Hannah Hodges 

Karla Howard 

Dilan Ipek 

Mosammat Jahan 

Rebecca Jean 

Melissa Jusino 

Bethany Keenan 

Mohamad Khan 

Brian Langston 

Lisa Levkulich 

Carrie Lucas 

Leslie McRae-Matthews 

Sheryl Meeuwsen 

Jenelyse Mendola 

Donna Murray 

Valeria Nunez 

Naiele Olivas 

Tina Pagan 

Kwang Park 

Brittany Perykasz 

Nicole Perykasz 

Amanda Phillips 

Tracey Pounds 

Savannah Pruden 

Britney Regis 

Nicole Ritter 

Elaine Robertson 

Amanda Salmon 

Donna Sampson 

Steven Shirah 

Thandiwe Siwendu 

Laura Spivey 

Graham Steele 

Jacqueline Strom 

Reshma Syed 

Sandi Theiler 

Cheryl Thomas 

Tiffany Thompson 

Idalia Viard 

David Weiss 

James Taylor Williams 

Simone Williams 

Karen Winfough 

Lavanna Zaman 

Rosa Zepeda 

North Central 

Susan Baker 

Debra Bryant-Wetherell 

Ralph Crowther 

Kathryn Deal 

Jennifer Drake 

Jessica Holloway 

NaQuita Manning 

Hayley Merrill 

Julia Peach 

Meghann Rogers 

Stacey Williams 

Northeast 

Melanie Haley 

Shannon Large 

Tiffany McClees 

Jessica Stevenson 

Heather Tadlock 

Northwest 

Joseph Blackstone 

South 

Crystal Allen 

Leslie Almora 

Bianca Armand 

Olivia Banks 

Melissa Barrera 

Marietta Basnueva 

Donna Blackburn 

Demy Blake 

Dianelis Bouza 

Kristiana Breijo 

Sharee Broaddus 

Maxine Bryson 

Legna Castaneda 

Sonia Choute 

Fran Civilette-Downs 

Lea Crestodina 

Roodolphe Desvarieux 

Anita Donatien 

Sherline Dormevil 

Daniela Dussan 

June Ellis 

Rosa Espinosa 

Karl Etienne 

Nadege Francois 

Maria Garzon 

Tamiko Gibson 

Monica Gomez 

Carolyn Griffin 

Tania Guerrier Castor 

Kristina Gunnlaugsson 

Julia Hagstedt 

Deborah Hoeltzell 

Melinda Hoskins 

Stacy Jean 

Oluwakemi Kalejaiye 

Jennifer Kauffman 

Jessica Keville 

Estella King-Bryant 

Esha Lestrade 

Heydis Martin 

Gabriel Martinez 

Naily Martinez 

Aleta Merritt 

Shenasi Milord 

Carina Moraes Zalpa de 

Oliveira 

Maria Nasiff 

Bryan Osborne 

Sonam Patel 

Beatriz Pedraza Leon 

Maria Pimentel 

Veridiana Pinheiro 

Sookbassie Ramoutar 

Lucienne Reese 

Neashia Rhoden 

Jacqueling Rios 

Jesslyn Rivet 

Valerie Rodriguez 

Omar Rodriguez Perez 

Manju Sathyapalan 

Joanna Sheldon 

Diana Stevens 

Daby Sully 

Bainy Thomas 

Janis Walsh 

Southeast 

Guerdith Alcenat- 

Prochette 

Cindie Calise 

Nympha Charles 

Emily Collins 

Daphne Delimon 

Cristina Garcia 

Daniella Hylton 

Courtney LaRue 

Marie Louis 

Erica Lue 

Belinda Merrin 

Bradley Newman 

Nancy Rivet 

Victoria Ryabova 

Donald Sloat 

Cecily Strang 

Christine Szpondowski 

Southwest 

Doreen DeStefano 

Stephanie Esquivel 

Ruchia Handy 

Yusely Hernandez- 

Iglesias 

Sandra Osgood 

Kathleen Parks 

Jennifer Smith 

Tina Sohigian 

Maria Suarez 

Solange Titus 

West Central 

Teri Baird 

Ryann Basiliere 

Andrea Berndt 

Hailey Checkinson 

Amanda Cona 

Sabrina Decker 

Richard Evans 

Julio Gandarillas 

Angela Green 

Amy Hamm 

Dennis Mejia 

Hilda Obi-Anadiume 

Kristin Olivenbaum 

Hector Ramirez 

Laura Rojas 

Ingri Royster 

Wade Smith 

Julie Stark 

Jessica Sturgill 

Joel Taguba 

Patricia Thomas-Bolden 

Jose Torres 

Rodine Walker 

Julie Werner 

Robin White 

Rachel Willis 

Paula Wood-Westberry 

Carol Zacharias 

Other 

Constance Amfo 

Laura Broerman 

Deirdre Enzor 

Lovely Pottenger 

Danielle Walters 

Join FNA Today!

The Florida Nurse - September 2018

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