Exposing the Elephant among US…

As the profession of nursing evolves nurses must ask themselves tough questions.  Sometimes, there are no simple answers that will satisfy us.  During difficult times, we must sustain ourselves by compromising. Not compromising values, or falling short of goals, but by being honest with ourselves.

Recently, I had to ask myself a few tough questions, like, "Why do I pay money to belong to a professional organization?  How and why did I choose Florida Nurse Practitioner Network (FNPN)?"  Having served other professional organizations, representing nursing within this state, and nationally, my decision centered on nursing and advanced practice.  I wanted to belong to an organization sensitive, understanding, and supportive of the nursing community, but goal directed effecting advanced practice nursing.

Florida Nurse Practitioner Network is the first Advanced Registered Nurse Practice organization in Florida created in 2002, to augment exisiting education and political efforts and address concerns of Nurse Practitioners throughout this state.  With great pains and a lot of nurturing, many nurse practitioners supported formation of the Florida Nurse Practitioner Network.

Today, many of Florida Nurse Practitioner Network's Board of Directors and members maintain membership in many nursing associations including the Florida Nurses Association.  The Florida Nurse Practitioner Network and Florida Nurses Association aligned with Florida Association of Nurse Midwifes and the Florida Association of Nurse Anesthetist to form Florida's Coalition of Nurse Practitioners in 2008.

In January of each year, Florida Nurse Practitioner Network's Board of Directors revisits our five year strategic plan.  Since 2012 FNPNs Strategic Goals are to:

Shape and promote advanced practice nursing in Florida in the context of the ever-changing health care environment and in consideration of the diversity of patient populations.Articulate as the authoritative resource and voice for issues of advanced practice nursing in the state of Florida.Improve the health of citizens of Florida by ensuring the ongoing professional growth and development through the provision of educational activities for advance practice nurses.Utilize strategic planning to assure statewide leadership for advanced practice nursing.Satisfy individual and group members and organizational stakeholders.Deploy programs that maximize organizational resources that are fiscally sound.

You too have chosen to belong to one or more professional nursing organizations.  What was the primary reason you joined a nursing organization?  Florida Nurse Practitioner Network remains dedicated to the profession and members providing a voice on tough issues addressed legislatively and through the coalition sharing our intended strategy.

Every Board Member is a volunteer!  We are not compensated employees of a corporation.  Every penny received through membership dues is accounted and available for review.  Funds are dispersed to cover operating expenses including the salary for a part time staff person, a part time lobbyist, cover cost of annual meeting, pay portions of expenses to bring key national nursing representatives into Florida when needed to speak before organized groups interested in Advanced Practice Nursing, and if available, travel expenses are reimbursed for the Board of Directors and members when travel is necessary to do the business of the organization and members.

All funds generated through FNPN's Political Action Committee (PAC) are kept separate from general operating funds (membership dues).  PAC money is only spent to support political actions decided by the members and the Board of Directors.   We want members to know they are a part of a greater whole.  The whole consists of a community of nurse practitioners serving various populations throughout Florida.

Stop following, complete an application, and jump in!!  JOIN Florida Nurse Practitioner Network...stabilize the course!

Pam Johnson, ARNP, BC-FNP

Membership Chair