FL Legislative News! 2014 Committee Chairs and Vice Chairs announced today

Great news! Thrilled. What are you so giddy about? This is the 21st act of the same old play: The FMA gets nurses dancing in the streets over some long-awaited indication of collaboration, only to be disappointed again. I purposely didn't say the legislature, because the FMA controls all health aspects of the Florida Legislature. Look at the list: We have old FMA attack dogs (Harrell, who never lets anything through one of her committees that the FMA doesn't like), and perhaps a new one (Dr. Pigman, who lists the FMA as one of his affiliations. Nice.) Who knows, maybe he's an independent thinker.
The Select Committee on Health Care Workforce Innovation will pursue innovations that allow practitioners to practice to the full extent of their education and training. Sounds lofty, but I'll wager it is a feel-good smokescreen. Nurses may try to define our scope of practice, but the FMA isn't going to give up control of NPs, or any other non-physician professional. The NP scope of practice will be defined by the FMA, not NPs.
I know I sound cynical and frustrated, but I have practiced as an NP in this state for over 2 decades, and what NPs are looking for is a revolution, like the recent changes in Nevada. What we're likely to get is another sparring match.

Jim
It is easy to understand your frustration with the ongoing problems in Tallahassee related to barriers to NP practice. For years we have fought to be allowed to practice to the full extent of our education and clinical experience. I have been in the fight since the late 1970s when the first hearings were heard on amending the Nurse Practice Act to include title/licensure for ARNPs. There have been times that I almost gave up but then got back in the political advocacy effort to make a difference. Though we have years of defeat in some areas when you review the history of political advocacy there is evidence that it is essential ARNPS and RNs stay involved-to do otherwise abdicates nursing's voice to others who do not have the same values and patient centered concerns nursing does. Yes, when I read the list included in this notification my hair stands up on end because of names like Harrell our long time foe. But there are new names and new support for our cause included as well. What we all need to do is get involved and get our peers involved in voting in Representatives and Senators that are supportive of our agenda. To do this we must join our professional organization, network, work in nurse friendly politician's campaigns and YES even run for office. Your comment that the scope of issues will be defined by FMA is only true if ARNPS remain on the side line, uninvolved and frustrated. We have to get involved.
As you remember from U of F-this is a hot button issue for me. Would love to hear from you Jim. Miss our conversations and your wonderful sense of humor.