The Florida Nurse - September 2018

Page 18 The Florida Nurse September 2018
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.