May-June 2011 Newsletter Bullets
Posted almost 13 years ago by Regina Pommer
This announcement has 1 attachment:
Good Morning!
We would like to bring you up to date on what’s new in your own backyard of Florida. In this newsletter you will find the following:
Contents
- Loretta Ford inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame
- From the President
- 8th Annual Florida Nurse Practitioner Conference
- Education Updates
- Membership Update
- Job Announcement
- From Your AANP Representative
- FNPN PAC Update
- Around the State and Around the Nation
- News You Can Use
Quote of the Month:
Every action in our lives touches on some chord that will vibrate in eternity.
~Edwin Hubbel Chapin
Loretta Ford will be inducted into National Women's Hall of Fame
Congratulations to Dr. Ford! Dr. Loretta Ford will be formally inducted into the very prestigious National Women’s Hall of Fame on October 1, 2011. Dr. Ford was nominated for this honor by AANP and AANP Fellows. Inductees are selected every two years based on their lasting contributions to society. From a group of over 200 nominations, a national panel of judges conducted a rigorous scoring process and selected 11 women for induction. The induction will take place in Seneca Falls, NY, the birthplace of the American Women’s Rights Movement in 1848. “Each of these women have demonstrated fortitude, perseverance, intelligence and hope,” said Christine Moulton, executive director of the National Women’s Hall of Fame. “Their experiences provide both an example for each of us to emulate and a challenge for each of us to embrace.” Read about this year’s inductees at www.greatwomen.org. Dr Ford now resides in Florida. We are most proud of all that she has accomplished for nursing, patients, and health care overall.
You Inspire Us Dr. Ford and We Love You!
From the President
Doreen Cassarino MSN, ARNP, FNP-BC, BC-ADM
Last weekend the Florida Coalition of Advanced Practice Nurses met in Orlando. The mission of the coalition is to build a cohesive foundation of all APN stakeholders and the coalition is committed to promoting creative solutions using advanced practice nursing models to address the health care needs of all Floridians.
In attendance were representation from the member organizations, the Florida Nurse Practitioner Network, Florida Nurses Association, Florida Association of Nurse Anesthetist and the Florida Certified Nurse Midwives, as well as leaders and members from many of the various advanced practice organizations from around the state. Topics primarily centered around the 2011 legislative session and future opportunities for a united front as we move forward.
Will you be at the next coalition meeting on August 13th?
Do you want to be informed and be part of the solution?
If your answer is yes then I urge you to sign in on the coalition website at www.flcapn.org and start receiving announcements.
Make Your Plans NOW to Join Fellow Florida NP Colleagues at the
8th ANNUAL Florida Nurse Practitioner Conference
Our Friday Session, July 29th begins at Noon. Here is some additional information about one of our featured speakers at Friday session.
Register here for the Conference
FEATURED SPEAKER
REBECCA R. MURRAY, APRN
Norwich, Connecticut
Promoting Optimal Health Across the Lifespan
Becky’s path as a NP practitioner focuses on “preventative and functional medicine” which she began in 1995 in joining the movement of Applying Functional Medicine to Clinical Practice, or A4M. After years of working in Critical Care Medicine and dealing with all the long-term ramifications of chronic disease processes, she directed her NP career towards trying to prevent the travesties of “uncontrolled” disease processes. Working as a FNP had its moments of frustration especially when prescribing medications to “counteract” the negative side effects of the other medications they were on, but still did not see improvement in the quality of the lives of her patients. As a Certified Diabetes Educator, she concentrated on the evaluation of the “functional problem” and “nutritional deficiencies” behind the symptoms exhibited by the patient. In 2010, she took over ownership of the practice and become the Medical Director.
“On daily basis, I have the challenging and rewarding task of evaluating patients with complex medical problems. Through utilization of “cutting edge” testing including “functional biomarkers”, we are able to optimize clinical outcomes by individualizing treatment plans that include targeted nutritional supplementation in synergy with pharmacologic interventions as needed.” I enjoy going around the country speaking at conferences, sharing what I have learned over the past 40 years that help direct my “decision making processes” for my patients that have tremendous positive outcomes.
Becky is a fabulous speaker and also an Assistant Clinical Professor in Nursing at Yale University in the FNP program. Come listen to her presentation and learn more about her exciting work!
Becky’s presentation is sponsored by DESIGNS FOR HEALTH
Please visit their website for more information and sign up for health care practitioner practice support!
Education Updates:
The following important educational opportunities have been posted for January and February; be sure to check back on our website at www.fnpn.org for additional updates and additions!
Jun 03 6th Annual Sunshine Conference Friday, June 03 2011 at 5:30pm ET in Daytona Beach, FL
Jun 08 Florida AHEC Network Presents Florida Tobacco Summit Wednesday, June 08 2011 at 8:00am ET in Orlando, FL
Jun 18 2011 Practicing Clinicians Exchange Symposia Series - Complimentary CE Credits Saturday, June 18 2011 at 7:00am ET in Tampa, FL
Jun22 AANP 26th National Conference Wednesday, June 22 2011 at 8:00am MT in Las Vegas, NV
Jul 29 8th Annual FNPN Conference Friday, July 29 2011 at 9:00am
****Save the date**** July 29th and July 30th****8th Annual FNPN Conference****Featured speakers and guests are Dr. Loretta Ford, who of course needs no introduction to NPs! Dr Tay Kopanas, AANP Health Policy State Director; Mimi Secor, NP, national and international speaker and host of ReachMD radio; Rebecca McMurray, NP, Integrative Medicine Specialist and Fellow A4AM, and many other speakers on vital topics to aid you in your practice.****
Job Announcements!
There have been many new job postings around the state on our website at www.fnpn.org for those of you that may have an interest. On our new website, the most recent postings are on the front page. A new feature will allow postings to be visible for 90 days. Please feel free to pass this along to your colleagues who may be interested in it as well, or who may have an interest in finding out more about our network. For those of you that have found jobs on our website, please be sure to let us know!
Do you know an employer who might find the FNPN Job posting a worthwhile site? If so, please be sure to tell them about the website and the fact that on average 20 or more jobs are posted each month. The traffic to our website is incredible and we have more and more folks seeking employment through this site than ever before. Let them know you saw it on the FNPN Website!
Membership Update
Armando Riera-Membership Chair
Dear Members,
In order for us to have our voices heard in Tallahassee, we will need to increase our membership, at the same time working hard to retain current members. One of our goals this year will be to actively work on recruiting new members to FNPN to make our organization stronger.
Renewal Reminder-Membership in FNPN runs on an annual basis Jan-Dec. Please renew your membership today. Membership in FNPN can be as a group or individual member.
Individual members belong and receive many benefits as part of their membership-frequent communication during the legislative session (or special sessions), a paid lobbyist based in Tallahassee, access to posted job opportunities, access to posted upcoming conferences and many more benefits. If you belong to your local NP group you are not an FNPN member until you join FNPN individually, group and individual membership are two separate levels of membership. I encourage you to visit our newly redesigned web page today www.fnpn.org and while you're there you can renew online.
Group Presidents- please renew today and continue to be an integral part of our growing organization. We value our group members as this creates a vital network of NP groups throughout the state. These groups help disseminate information about trends, issues and changes impacting NP's at the state and national level. As a group member we will also assist with conference planning and obtaining approval for CEU's if offered. We will also assist with promoting your conferences and activities and can provide assistance or link you with support in web design.
FNPN now has several options for membership:
- 2 year Renewal (2011 & 2012) - $ 100
- 1 year Renewal (2011) - $ 60
- Student/Retired 2 year Renewal (2011 & 2012) - $ 50
- Student/Retired 1 year Renewal (2011) - $ 30
- Student group membership waive first year member fee Free!
To pay by check click here
To pay by credit card click here
As the Chair of the Membership Committee I am always open to suggestions and new ideas. If you have any questions, please contact me. This year, when joining/renewing, we also ask you to consider ‘bringing a friend’ to the registration table and helping build our organizations to where they should be. With the numbers of Advanced Practice Nurses nearing 15,000 in Florida, we should have a strength that can overcome any push from our medical community. We hope you will let us nurture that side of you if you need it and engage those around you to do the same. Please be sure to contact us should you have questions about legislation, membership, education and more. Our Executive Assistant, Regina, is always available either by phone, computer and even skype!
Thank you in advance for all your support.
Respectfully,
Armando Riera, MSN, ARNP-BC
FNPN, Membership Committee Chair
ARiera@jhsmiami.org
From your AANP Representative
Doreen Cassarino MSN, ARNP, FNP-BC, BC-ADM
AANP is proud to be a founding member of the COPD Alliance. In October 2010, five international health-care societies announced their partnership in the fight against chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The COPD Alliance has reached over 300,000 primary care and specialty clinicians, emphasizing the importance of early screening and diagnosis for COPD. Awareness and education are key factors in helping the COPD Alliance make a positive impact on the lives of patients with COPD. Click Here for the inaugural issue of the COPD Alliance newsletter.
FNPN PAC Update
Marifrances Gullo - PAC Chair
The purpose of the FNPN-Political Action Committee (PAC) is to promote the ARNP profession through advancing the outcome of political issues or legislation. This is accomplished by contributing to the support of worthy candidates for State or Local offices who we believe have demonstrated their support of the principles to which this professional organization is dedicated. To further their purpose the PAC is empowered to solicit and accept these voluntary personal contributions (up to $500 per year per person). These contributions are used to attempt to influence the selection, nomination, or election of any individual to any State or Local office. Your decision to make a PAC contribution will help to continue our efforts wherever possible. Contributions can be made @ www.FNPN.org via Pay Pal…or your check payable to FNPN-PAC sent to 4637 Golden Apples Tr. Port Orange, FL 32129. Let’s make things happen together! Thank you for your support!!
Around the State and Around the Nation
Toni Inglis, offers Texas legislators solutions to solve health care woes by supporting NP practice
In a recent article in the Austin Texas Statesman newspaper, nurse Toni Inglis outlines all reasons to remove barriers restraining nurses from practicing to the full extent of their education and training. Click Here for the full article
Are Nurse Practitioners the Solution to Shortage of Primary-care Doctors? May 26, 2011 McNeal-Lerner Newshour on PBS airs segment on VALUE of Nurse Practitioners! Click Here for the full article
Accountable Care Organization - Your Help is Needed
The proposed rules for Primary Care ACOs have created problems for NPs and their patients who cannot be assigned to the newly proposed ACOs. Your help is needed to comment on these rules for more information go to the link below, fact sheet and sample letters are available for your guidance as well as directions.
Link for directions, this will direct you to the Medicare Program; Medicare Shared Savings Program: Accountable Care Organizations (CMS-1345-P) (Document ID CMS-2010-0259-0425) Click Here
News You Can Use
The Florida NP Network has taken the next step to keep our members informed. Keep abreast of changes in your practice around the state and around the nation. You can join us today on Facebook under Florida Nurse Practitioner and Twitter under FloridaNP. We hope to hear from you.
National Radio Program to discuss connection between asthma and ...
Dr. Neuzil's Irrigator Founder, an allergy, sinus and asthma medical practitioner, will explain the connection between asthma and allergies and offer advice Click Here
Overexertion, Long Shifts Among Top Health Dangers for Nurses
By Megan M. Krischke, contributor
Nurses are faced with risks to their well-being daily. Learn more about some of the top health concerns and get tips for nurses and their supervisors to mitigate them. Read More
New Medicare Rules for NPs on E-Prescribing
CMS is starting a new phase of the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (MIPPA) to increase electronic prescribing (e-prescribing). Nurse practitioners who don't either e-prescribe or properly document e-prescriptions can be penalized with Medicare fee cuts in 2012. To avoid pay cuts, NPs who are enrolled as Medicare providers and directly bill Medicare Part B for at least 100 visits between January and June 2011 must show on Part B claims that e-prescribing was used at least 10 different times.
Those without prescriptive authority or those in areas with restricted access to e-prescribing must document their exemption on Part B claims or face the same penalties. Click Here to view the detailed PDF Notice to Nurse Practitioners Who Directly Bill Part B for Treating Medicare Patients.
MQA is requesting your assistance in reaching out to the Registered Nurses who have not yet renewed their licenses. Although we sent out glossy white postcards with instructions for renewing 90 days prior to renewal expiration date, only 75 percent have renewed. We are strongly encouraging licensees to renew as soon as possible to ensure that their renewals are processed before the May 31, 2011 midnight deadline.
Renewing online is as simple as going to www.FLHealthsource.com, clicking on the "Renew My License" button on the homepage, and following the instructions. The system will allow licensees who do not know their User ID and Password to log in after answering several specific validation questions.
When renewing online, licensees will receive a Confirmation of License Renewal before logging out of the system. Online renewals are fast -- under 10 minutes to complete -- and are processed immediately, with the license status being updated online within ten business days. Licensees who need assistance with using the online renewal system or who have other questions about their renewal can contact the division's customer contact center at 850-488-0595 and choose option 3.
Thank you in advance for your assistance in getting this important reminder out to our licensees