September October 2013 Newsletter Bullets

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:

• From Board of Directors
• FNPN Elections
• Legislative Update
• Around the State and Around the Nation
• Education Updates
• Membership Update 
• Job Announcement
• FNPN PAC Update
• From AANP 
• News You Can Use

Quote of the Month:

"What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals."
-Zig Ziglar

From our Board of Directors:

Greetings FNPN Members;

It is that time again, to begin the election process for the Florida Nurse Practitioner Network (FNPN).

The leadership positions that will be open for voting this year include:
1) First-Vice President in charge of Legislative Affairs
2) Secretary
3) Membership Chair and
4) Nominating Committee members.

All nominations have been submitted, a link with an official ballot will be sent out electronically by October 13, 2013. Voting will remain open until November 13, 2013. We are looking for each of you to become more actively involved with FNPN. Your involvement is critical as we continue to grow in numbers and build bridges within and outside of our community!

Please take the time to look at your membership profile on the website followers, and confirm that your membership is active (full). If you have any questions about your membership, please contact us at floridanpnetwork@gmail.com

FNPN Candidates:

1st Vice President Legislative Affairs

Jean Aetker- Jean H. Aertker, DNP, ARNP, COHN-S, FAANP is Owner and Director of clinical services for Tampa Occupational Health Services in Tampa, Florida. As a business owner, she has created a successful private practice over the past 15 years. She is board certified as a family nurse practitioner and occupational health nurse specialist with over 28 years in the NP role. As the first director of occupational health at Tampa General Hospital, she developed four Nurse Practitioner managed workers compensation urgent care clinics in Hillsborough County. Building coalitions has been a career passion, and in 1999 she was selected by the ANA-F to develop and coordinate a 2-year coalition building project of free medical clinics in Florida. Dr. Aertker has taught at the university level in nursing and clinical medicine programs. She was instrumental in the development of the faculty primary care ARNP role for the University of South Florida Public Sector Medicine Program. She continues to serve as a preceptor and lecturer for several NP programs. Jean received the AANP Florida Advanced Practice Award in 1999, the University of Tampa’s Nursing Outstanding Community Service Award and the FNA Barbara Lumpkin Legislative Advocate Award for her effective work on behalf of all ARNP’s in Florida. Jean continues to be involved by connecting, visiting and encouraging Florida NP grassroots groups and would like to extend that effort to all NPs throughout Florida. Her experience and coalition building efforts will bring successful strategies for advancing our profession and legislative agenda.

Campaign Message: It is an honor to serve the membership of FNPN as a board of director since 2002. NPs must be visible, united in mission and all 12+ thousand Florida NPs need to be involved at some level. FNPN has been a strong voice for NPs for over 10 years, and our leadership has been tested and proven. Change will happen and we must be in the lead to bring positive changes in health issues in our state. I will serve the membership by continuing to be a strong advocate, take tour message to legislators and work to build more networks that support our FNPN mission and ideals.

Joan Hubball-After 15 years of full-time practice as an FNP in both Boston and now Miami, I have decided to change course in my career. I am currently enrolled in a dual masters program at Barry University in Health Services Administration and Public Health. I have had so many wonderful opportunities as an FNP to make differences in people’s lives. I have spent much of my practice geared toward the disadvantaged, the disabled, and the elderly. I have taught at the University of Miami School of Nursing; I have participated in lengthy medical missions to Haiti and India.

Now I want to take a leadership role in healthcare facilities, organizations, agencies and government policy, particularly those that are working to close the gap in healthcare disparities. The Affordable Care Act has placed primary care access at the top of the national and state agendas. NPs will need the ability to practice to the full scope of their educational preparation to best fulfill this important ACA goal. I am committed to seeking the removal of NP license restrictions in the state of Florida. The full participation of NPs in Florida healthcare will improve patient care, cost, and accessibility. I would like to lead this effort as your FNPN representative in our Florida legislature. I firmly believe that NPs should be at the forefront of comprehensive health reform.

Linda Gettinger-Dinner - Dr. Linda Gettinger-Dinner (Dr. G.) is trained and licensed as a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner in the State of Florida. In private practice, Dr. G. is a psychotherapist and Reiki Master. Since 2003, she has been a member of the Sigma Theta Tau Nursing Honor Society. In 2008, Dr. G. became a Network Leader for the American Holistic Nursing Association for Miami-Dade County.

In academia, Dr. G. has served as a Nursing Administrator, as well as a Nursing Professor. Clearly, she understands the management and philosophy of nursing education. She is very passionate about delivering a superior educational experience to students who wish to become our future nurses. For more than 15 years, Dr. G. has been teaching students both in the classroom, online, and clinical settings. Her leadership style is transformational; she is known to be a seasoned leader in the field of nursing.

Dr. G. continues to serve as a provider of continuing education for nurses in the State of Florida via the Florida Board of Nursing for over 20 years. She has authored and published many nursing articles, some featured in the Nursing Spectrum. Also, a public speaker, particularly on motivational topics that help empower our nurses of today. She has presented for the Nursing Spectrum Career Fairs, and has been a guest speaker for the “Speaking of Women’s Health” National Annual Conference, sponsored by WPBT2.

She holds two baccalaureate degrees; Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from Queens College, in Flushing, N.Y,, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. Additionally, Dr. G. holds two Master's degrees, a Master of Science degree in Human Resource Management from Nova Southeastern University, Ft. Lauderdale, FL., and a Master of Science degree in Nursing/ A.R.N.P. from Florida International University, N. Miami, Florida. Her doctorate in Health Science was earned in 2006 from Nova Southeastern University, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

It is very apparent that Dr. G. has multifaceted skills that transcend beyond the classroom. She excelled as a Human Resources Director, and assumed many key leadership positions throughout her nursing career. Her communication skills, combined with her diverse expertise, distinguish her as an outstanding candidate to serve on the FNPN Board.

Secretary:

Incumbent Cindy Parsons- As the current secretary of FNPN, I have committed my time and effort to work with the leadership to provide the structure and organization that allows a professional membership organization to serve its members. We developed opportunities for nurse practitioners to be involved in legislative changes, educational advancement and networking and patient advocacy and with a goal enhancing the health of Floridians and advanced practice nursing. If I am reelected as Secretary I commit to continue to work with the FNPN leadership to foster effective communication within the organization and from the organization to the NP community of Florida. I will also work with our FNPN leadership to assure that we remain active in the many collaborative nursing organizations that serve to foster our mission. It is imperative that our professional organization communicate and collaborate with other professional organizations to foster positive working relationships that can facilitate change and improvements for advanced practice nurses. It is vital in these times of rapid change to be proactive, flexible, and responsive to changes that occur within the health care arena, locally, state wide or even nationally. I will commit my time and effort to assuring that FNPN is prepared to lead as the professional organization for NPs in the state of Florida.

In addition I will work with FNPN leadership to foster program development that leads to a vital, energetic organization that truly represents advanced practice nurses in Florida in the realm of professional and political advocacy.

Expertise for the Office: I have served as FNPN secretary 2012-present, and have been active with the organization for 10 years. I am a Fellow of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners and have been active with AANP for many years. Many years of active involvement in local chapter, as well as serving for more than10 years on a variety of national boards (ANCC Board on Certification for Psychiatric Nursing, chair 1995-1999; American Board of Nursing Specialties 1995-2000, secretary & Member-at-large

If elected, I consent to serve and attend BOD and annual meetings.

GEORGE BYRON SMITH- is a gerontological nurse practitioner that specializes in gerontology primary care and gero-psychiatry. He received his BSN and MSN in Nursing Administration at The University of Texas Medical Branch, Post-Masters GNP Certificate at the University of South Florida, and DNP in Nursing Education at Case Western Reserve University. He is an Associate Professor and Program Director, Post Masters DNP at Brandman University in the Marybelle and S. Paul Musco School of Nursing and Health Professions. George maintains a private practice in long-term care and with Brandon Outreach Clinic. He is the FNA representative to the Florida Coalition of Nurse Practitioners and has been appointed co-chair. He is the immediate past Treasurer of FNA and the current Treasurer of the Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association. George has served as President and Secretary for the Tampa Bay Advanced Practice Nurses Association. I am committed to the mission of FNPN and believe we are at a critical junction as ARNP in Florida. We must continue to push ahead with a untied voice.

Membership:

Incumbent Pam Johnson- The past year has been rewarding and interesting. Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners around Florida have engaged politics directing Advanced Practice Nursing. Florida Nurse Practitioner Network members stand united within local groups and as a state organization! We seek to amend statutory barriers preventing citizens from having access to additional primary care providers.
In 2012, Memberships voice and financial support helped Florida Nurse Practitioner Network to pass legislation that allows Physical Therapist to act on prescriptions generated by Nurse Practitioners!!

I ask that members trust electing me as Membership Director 2013-2015, knowing that we share common interest. We want to strategically move platform of Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners in Florida forward! We know that our education and training qualifies us as safe, effective, and efficient stewards of time and resources caring for citizens within this state.

The Director of Membership’s responsibilities expand beyond building numbers. This position requires listening to each individual, group, and associate member’s ideas as well as concerns. Then, acting as a voice within the Board of Directors, sharing holistic views of the membership. FNPN offers groups and individuals opportunity to pay one annual fee to join two organizations (FNPN and your local group). I would like to see this project through, by encouraging as many individuals to join their local Advance Practice Group and having the local group associate with FNPN as the State Representative of ARNPs in Tallahassee. This plan is in progress.

We are viable partners in healthcare; Caring caregivers. Our profession has become of asset to many businesses and there is evidence that the public trust nurses. Elect me for a two year term as Director of Membership to continue advancing our missions!

Frances M. Rankin (Sahebzamani)- As an adult nurse practitioner and faculty member at the University of South Florida for the past 18 years and a past Vice President for Legislative Affairs for the Florida Nurse Practitioner Network (FNPN), I have gained a keen appreciation for our need to outreach, recruit and retain nurse practitioners and nurse practitioner students into our major NP organizations at the state and national levels. Engaging future nurse practitioners in FNPN at the pre-professional level has the potential to significantly increase our membership; improve the attainment of our practice and policy goals and provide a venue and platform from which to socialize our future colleagues into a long, productive, career within our profession. Without a larger membership base, our ability to achieve our immediate and long-term practice and policy goals is limited. With the implementation of the ACA, it is imperative that we socialize new nurse practitioners to the practice and policy issues facing our specific practice act in Florida. If elected, my goal is to reach out to all nursing faculty and student NPs within the state of Florida to promote membership in and engagement with the FNPN.

Nominating Committee:

Donna Lester- I have been a Nurse Practitioner in Florida for 13 years. I was one of the founding members of Polk County Advanced Practice Nurses Association a few years after I moved here. I was the Secretary for 4 years followed by 4 years as President.

I was the chair for the Education committee and started the conference we hold every year. I am also one of the legislative chairs for the group. I attend the Florida AANP leadership conference every year. I was also involved with the Rally in Tally for my group attending. I would like to continue my service with FNPN and advancing the practice in Florida. Thank you for your consideration

Jeanne Abdou
Yolanda Bone

Legislative Update:

Deb Friedrich Legislative VP

Members of the Nurse Practitioner Coalition visited Senator Denise Grimsley and Representative Cary Pigman this week to discuss the nurse practitioners role in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). The legislators were very supportive of our goals and plan to work with us to improve healthcare in Florida. The coalition consists of appointed representatives from FNPN, FLANP, FANA, FNA and CNM who have joined forces to promote our legislative agenda with One Voice. This year is extremely important for our profession because primary care access is on the top of the State and National agenda. We will start very early this year visiting our legislators and educating them on the benefit of removing licensing restrictions on nurse practitioners in Florida. Being allowed to practice to the full scope of our educational preparation will improve patient care, cost and accessibility. In the next few weeks we will be sending out talking points and the names of specific key legislators to visit. Please plan to actively participate in our efforts to improve health care in Florida!

From left to right: Robyn Gleason, Denise Elswick, Janet Dubois, Senator Denise Grimsley, Representative Cary Pigman (behind), Cindy Drew, and Deb Friedrich.

Around the State and Around the Nation:

The National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM) is a collaboration of national public service organi-zations, professional medical associations, and government agencies working together to promote breast cancer awareness, share information on the disease, and provide greater access to services.

Since its inception more than 25 years ago, NBCAM has been at the forefront of promoting awareness of breast cancer issues and has evolved along with the national dialogue on breast cancer. NBCAM recognizes that, although many great strides have been made in breast cancer awareness and treatment, there remains much to be accomplished. Today, we remain dedicated to educating and empowering women to take charge of their own breast health.

Although October is designated as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, NBCAM is dedicated to raising awareness and educating individuals about breast cancer throughout the year. Click here for more information

Education Updates:

Please check for important educational opportunities posted on our website at www.fnpn.org

Oct 18 NPCPBC Annual Clinical Conference
Friday, October 18 2013 at 5:30pm ET in Palm Beach Gardens, FL

Nov 01 Current Concepts in Oncology: Advanced Practice Professionals' Case Presentation Approach
Friday, November 01 2013 at 7:30am ET in Tampa, FL

Nov 09 Jacksonville SPARTAN-GRAPPA Symposium on Axial Spondyloarthritis and Psoriatic Arthritis
Saturday, November 09 2013 at 7:00am ET in Jacksonville, FL

Nov 09 Educational Symposium on Axial Spondyloarthritis and Psoriatic Arthritis
Saturday, November 09 2013 at 8:00am ET in Jacksonville, FL

Nov 09 "DOT" Commerical Driver Medical Examiner Training at USF CON
Saturday, November 09 2013 at 8:00am ET in Tampa, FL

Nov 13 30th Annual Colin J. Condron, MD Care of the Sick Child Conference
Wednesday, November 13 2013 at 7:30am ET in Lake Buena Vista, FL

Nov 14 Statewide Nursing Summit
Thursday, November 14 2013 at 8:00am ET

Job Announcements!:

There have been many new job postings around the state on our web site 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:

Pamela V Johnson - Membership Chair

The Florida Nurse Practitioner Network (FNPN) is a non-profit organization created in 2003 to foster advanced education relating to clinical and legislative enhancement of Nurse Practitioners practicing throughout Florida. Ten years ago, our founders envisioned an organization that would provide opportunities for Advanced Practice Nurses in the State of Florida to network, thus sharing ideas and developing strategic plans to examine and maximize roles, as well as functions of Advanced Practice Nursing.

Today, Advanced Practice Nursing (APN) in Florida includes, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists, Certified Nurse Midwives, Clinical Nurse Specialist, and Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners. Each Specialty group of Nurse Practitioner is title protected. Various statutes and rules direct professional scope of practice.

Nurse Practitioners own practices, partner with physicians & non-physicians in business, as well as through collaborative partnerships. We provide care to persons in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, in private homes, mental health institutions, and outpatient surgical centers to name a few.

The National Institutes for Health, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, National Governors Associations, Kaiser Permanente, Florida’s Tax Watch, and the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services have acknowledged a need to maximize full practice authority of Advanced Practice Nurses in order to increase access of primary care services to the patients.

We believe professionalism begins during academic preparation of Advanced Practice Nurses. The Florida Nurse Practitioner Network provides seasoned clinicians and students the right vote and hold office. Legislation influenced by FNPN members affects federal and state laws relating to the practice of advanced nursing. Simply stated, dialog precedes vote and each vote is voice!

As clinicians, corporate executives, entrepreneurs, politicians, and patients – we make a difference. Students are our future. Nurse Practitioners are viable stakeholders within the healthcare industry. Deans, Directors, and Nursing faculty are asked to please share with their students the importance of becoming a member of the Florida Nurse Practitioner Network.

Advanced Practice Nurses throughout Florida are encouraged to UNITE as an individual or group member of the Florida Nurse Practitioner Network. Many voices can agree to disagree. In relationships we refer this this concept as having ‘options.’ We all need one another.

The Mission of the Florida Nurse Practitioner Network includes:

1. Encouraging networking between members throughout the state, 
2. Providing educational and professional development for Nurse Practitioners,
3. Serving as a resource for nurse practitioners, their patients and other health care consumers,
4. Promoting excellence in practice, education, policy and research,
5. Providing legislative leadership and 
6. Advocating for health policy.

FNPN’s membership committee exists to advice on ways to increase and sustain members. WE exist to LISTEN to YOU! Post comments, email, or call FNPN membership committee at your leisure. Each member makes a difference!

Visit www.fnpn.org to become an individual or group member of the Florida Nurse Practitioner Network today!

FNPN PAC Update:

Laureen Fleck, FNPN PAC Chair

The Florida Nurse Practitioner Network Political Action Committee (FNPN-PAC) is involved in educating our members of the importance of support for our organization's lobbying efforts. Our presence at various group meetings throughout the state has helped us to raise not only awareness but monies.

Lobby efforts for our various bills including scope of practice issues is only made possible through donations. FNPN is proud to have a Lobbyist very experienced in Tallahassee. Allison Carvajal takes direction from our FNPN Board of Directors in her approach to our concerns. Her expertise is well received in Lobby circles and her contacts are vital. Under careful consideration and advisement by our board and membership, FNPN- PAC will make donations to the various legislators supporting our positions.

We are only as strong as our voice and our pocket. Your donation is most significant right now!! You might have seen our fund raiser....Pashminas for a $25 donation to the PAC. Keep a look out at your next council meeting. Have your individual PAC or Legislative chair contact me to participate.

You can make a donation today by clicking on the PAC link

Thank you for your support and I encourage you to educate your friends, family and patients of these critical legislative issues.

From AANP:

AANP Announces First Honorary Fellow, Barbara J. Safriet
In 2010, the Fellows of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (FAANP) recognized a need to honor non-NP colleagues who have supported NP practice through advocacy, reducing regulatory barriers to practice and payment for services, and creating health policies that support inclusion of NPs as providers of care. In that spirit, over the next three years, FAANP created an Honorary Fellow category to honor non-nurse practitioner colleagues who have demonstrated outstanding and sustained leadership in one or more of the following areas of importance to our profession: practice, research, education, or policy. On June 20, 2013, FAANP inducted our Inaugural Honorary Fellow,
Barbara J. Safriet. To read more 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.

Did you know as a current dues member you can access a weekly legislative report? Go to www.fnpn.org click on the Health Policy and Legislation tab. Under 2013 Florida State Legislation, all the weekly legislative reports so far this year are available.

Send us your articles:

It is wonderful to spotlight Nurse Practitioners and highlight happenings in your area. Please submit names and events to floridanpnetwork@gmail.com. FNPN newsletter welcomes your input!

Survey-The Effect of Prior Genetics Education on the Confidence and Likelihood of Nurse Practitioners Performing Genetic Related Care Rhonda Hendricks, RN, MSN, CCRN, PhD student rreneah@live.com Are you interested in participating in research that could impact the education of Nurse Practitioners in the ever-expanding field of Genetics?

The researcher is seeking information that will be useful in the field of nursing education. The aim of the re-search is to examine the effect of genetics education on the confidence and likelihood of nurse practitioners performing genetic related care. In accordance with this aim, you are asked to participate in a research study that will include a survey instrument called the Role of Genetics for the Nurse Practitioner. If you decide to participate in this research, you will be asked to follow the link below to SurveyMonkey.com and answer the questions on the survey instrument. This survey instrument includes two sections: Section I: Background and Education and Section II: Professional Skills. The survey instrument is estimated to take no more than 10-15 minutes to complete. Upon completion of the survey, in appreciation for your time, a link will lead you to a genetic reference card and a list of genetic services in Florida that you may print out for future reference.

If you are a nurse practitioner currently practicing in the state of Florida, you are invited to participate in this important research study.

Please click here to access the survey

Articles Submitted:

NPs Try New Tack To Expand Foothold In Primary Care - Kaiser Health News

NPs Independence, Health Care Utilization, and Health Outcomes

Do you know what's in your food?

Erin Brophy, ARNP
I was surprised to learn that the United States is one of the few developed nations not to require the labeling of genetically engineered foods. Even China and Russia label them! Don't you think we have a right to know what's in our food?

We have no time to lose. The FDA is preparing to approve genetically engineered salmon, which would be the first genetically engineered animal on supermarket shelves in the United States. The salmon is engineered to produce growth hormones year-round that cause the fish to grow at twice the normal rate. The government already requires labels to tell us if fish is wild-caught or farm-raised -- don't we also have a right to know if our salmon is genetically engineered? Without labels, we'll never know.

As consumers, I think we have a right to know how the food we buy is produced, including whether it's genetically engineered. Otherwise, we can't decide what's best for us and our families.

That's why I contacted to the FDA demanding that genetically engineered foods be labeled. And with just a few clicks, you can join me! Will you tell the FDA that you support mandatory labeling of genetically engineered foods too? Please, click here and contact the FDA today. They need to hear from more people like you and me!