Messmer, PhD, RN-BC, FAAN, of Hollywood, FL, garnered the ANA Jessie M. Scott Award, which recognizes a registered nurse whose work demonstrates how accomplishments in the interconnecting disciplines of nursing practice, education, or research lead to improvements in nursing and health care.

“I have been fortunate to have many scholars in my „village‟ who have supported and encouraged me throughout my nursing career,” Messmer said in accepting the award. “I encourage all nurses to support your fellow nurses in their professional pursuits. This is how we will advance nursing.”

ANA is honoring 20 nurses for their dedication to the profession and contributions toward improving nursing and health care during the meeting of its governing and policy-setting body.

“Nurses form the backbone of our health care system, yet that often goes unrecognized,” said ANA President Rebecca M. Patton, MSN, RN, CNOR. “Today, we recognize a select group of nurses who epitomize the best of the profession through their commitment to clinical practice, teaching, research and advocacy on behalf of patients and nurse colleagues.”

Messmer examines real-world problems experienced by nurses and designs hospital-based research studies to develop evidence-based practices for improving patient care. She mentors hospital nurses to identify patient care issues in pursuing research that leads to best practices.

Messmer’s research has generated changes in nursing practice for patients of all ages, from preventing falls for pediatric patients to teaching CPR to the elderly. Her research on “Preventing Falls in Pediatric Patients Using the Humpty Dumpty Falls Scale” now forms the basis of criteria for pediatric nurses.

Messmer also was the first nurse to receive a Smithsonian medal for her study, “Using Companion Cellphone Technology in Emergency Departments.”

“With a struggling economy, Floridians are seeking new ways to stretch their dollars,” said Attorney General McCollum. “By adding additional prescription medications to the list, Floridians are able to compare even more drug prices, ultimately reducing their prescription drug costs.”

“The Agency for Health Care Administration is committed to providing Floridians every opportunity to access quality information to help them make informed decisions about health care for themselves and their families,” said Secretary Arnold. “The additional prescription information on MyFloridaRX.com makes it easy and convenient to compare prices and make informed choices.”

The website allows consumers to compare prices for prescription drugs charged by pharmacies in their city or within their individual zip code. Helpful information is available in both English and Spanish, and the search results can be easily viewed and even downloaded to a spreadsheet so consumers can review all prices at their convenience.

Prices on MyFloridaRX.com reflect what an uninsured consumer with no discount or supplemental plan would normally pay for a prescription. Because the information on the website is based on data provided to the state by pharmacies, prices shown on the website are not guaranteed and are subject to change. The website was launched in June 2005 with the assistance of AHCA.

Ms. Demshar, Esq. has a B.A. in Legal Studies from the University of Central Florida and graduated from the Florida State University College of Law in 2001. Ms. Demshar is an experienced attorney with a strong background in litigation, labor and employment, risk management and legal ethics. She is more than enthusiastic about working with FNA and looks forward to assisting FNA’s members and being the staff liaison for the FNA Political Action Committee (FNPAC), as well as providing in-house support to the legislative program.

With Ms. Demshar on board, FNA must also say good-bye to Leslie Homsted, RN. Ms. Homsted has worked at FNA for 18 years as Director of Professional Practice Advocacy and will be retiring this summer. Throughout her time at FNA, Ms. Homsted has executed hundreds of contracts on behalf of FNA collective bargaining units and negotiated on behalf of thousands of nurses. She has also used her extensive knowledge of Florida statues to assist hundreds of nurses through grievances and counseled these nurses through difficult times. Additionally, she also provided support and information to nurses outside of the scope of collective bargaining. Ms. Homsted also was the liaison to FNPAC and has worked closely with FNPAC Board Members to move nursing legislative priorities forward and education state legislators about these priorities.

FNF exists to promote nursing and delivery of healthcare through the advancement of research, education and practice. Each year, funds are provided to registered nurses and students for research grants and scholarships.

FNF was established by members of the Florida Nurses Association (FNA) in 1983 and the first grants were awarded in 1986. The FNF focus has evolved over time to include support of nursing education and research, healthcare advocacy education, and providing assistance to nurses in need. Funding for FNF initiatives comes from FNA member donations, entrusted FNA member funds, and FNF fundraising efforts.

Leaders across Florida have worked diligently to increase nurse supply in anticipation of a looming nursing shortage that could cripple the state's health care system. Though Florida gained more than 27,000 Registered Nurses (RNs) over the past two years, nearly 60% of this gain was erased by losses to the RN workforce--resulting in a net gain of only about 11,000 RNs. "This is a concern for Florida because there are significant costs, both in terms of patient safety and economic costs, when we continue to have such considerable levels of turnover," said the Center's Executive Director, Mary Lou Brunell, RN, MSN. "At the facility level, we found that the cost of nurse turnover exceeded $1.4 billion for just one year in 2006-2007. I would imagine that nurse employers are feeling the strain of turnover costs even more in this economic recession. The cost of vast numbers of nurses leaving Florida's nurse workforce is incalculable." Losses to the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) workforce were even more dramatic, with a net gain of only about 28% of the total gains to the LPN supply. Florida is one of the only states to report on the LPN workforce, as national models lack the ability to report on LPNs.

"The results were especially surprising at a time when nurse workforce participation rates, defined as the percentage of licensed nurses actually working in the field of nursing, are at historic highs," said the Center's lead researcher, Dr. Jennifer Nooney. "The gains we did see were almost entirely because of new nurses added to the supply, not decreased attrition. Our reports have consistently demonstrated that we cannot address the nursing shortage without improving the retention of nurses and I think the results here make that message loud and clear. If even a severe economic recession did not significantly reduce turnover, it is not a market issue. We need to do more to improve the work environment for nurses."

In February, the Center released reports on employer demand for nurses as well as nurse education program capacity. The reports found that Florida's nursing education programs continued to turn away vast numbers of qualified applicants while employers also forecasted considerable growth in nursing positions through 2011. The Center's findings continue to show that the nursing shortage in Florida persists given that more than 40% of Florida's nurses are approaching retirement age within the next 10 years and there are not enough younger nurses to replace them. As the economic recovery leads to the return of Florida's traditionally high rates of population growth, and Florida's population continues to age at a more rapid rate than national averages, workforce planners expect demand for nurses to soar. Resolving Florida's nursing shortage will require a multi-pronged approach, including interventions to increase the production of new nurses, improve the work environment to retain existing nurses, and redesign work to accommodate the older nurse.

For more information on the Florida Center for Nursing, and to view a full copy of the reports, please visit www.FLCenterforNursing.org.

"In order to maximize effectiveness, it's important that efforts to expand education capacity are strategic. Understanding how simulation can be used in nursing education is a critical first step in identifying strategic solutions," said Mary Lou Brunell, RN, MSN, Executive Director of the Florida Center for Nursing.

In 2009, The Blue Foundation for a Healthy Florida was awarded a Partner’s Investing in Nursing’s Future (PIN) grant to promote the use of simulation technology in Florida nurse education. The Blue Foundation selected the Florida Center for Nursing to serve as the project lead. The project team recently released the white paper, Addressing the Nursing Shortage through Simulation. This white paper provides background information on the different simulation types as well as a number of benefits and pitfalls to simulation in nursing education.

“The use of simulation technology in Florida’s nursing education programs is expanding at a rapid rate, yet little has been done to evaluate existing usage or plan for future developments,” said Michael S. Hutton, Ph.D., MFT, Director of Grants Administration for The Blue Foundation. “This white paper serves as a starting point for understanding simulation in Florida and gives the nation a deeper understanding of the variety of ways simulation is being utilized.”

The project team also launched a new Web page to provide updates on project activities. Click here to view the white paper and a copy of the two-year project plan.

Twenty-eight states, including Florida, are pushing to expand the authority and responsibility that nurse practitioners have, due to the nation-wide shortage of doctors.

In Florida and Alabama it is illegal for nurses to prescribe controlled substances to patients; the other 48 states have made it legal. Legislation to lift this ban has been filed in Florida for the past 16 years, but the bill has stalled in committee.

"We see it as an access to care issue," said Willa Fuller, the executive director for the Florida Nurses Association. "[Passing this legislation] would alleviate the delay in receiving these medications, many of which are not narcotics, but other meds such as anti-depressants and even laxatives."

In many states, nurses with advanced degrees are also pushing to remove supervision requirements. According to the Associated Press, some states put doctors in charge of nurses or require doctors to sign collaborative agreements with nurses.

In Florida, these supervision requirements are not as strict as those states. Nurses are simply required to file protocol with the Department of Professional Regulation.

"Research has demonstrated that advanced practice nurses can provide this care and do not necessarily need this supervisory proviso to deliver quality, safe and effective health care," said Elizabeth Rash, associate professor in UCF's College of Nursing.

The government somewhat agrees. Because of the recent health care overhaul, many nurse-managed clinics are receiving more funding, much to the dismay of the American Medical Association.

The AMA is actively pursuing ways to block nurses from infringing on their turf. AMA president-elect Dr. Cecil Wilson told the AP that "a shortage of one type of professional is not a reason to change the standards of medical care."

The AMA claims that nurses are neither qualified nor prepared to practice independently, but Fuller said that there is no evidence of this.

Debbie Chandler, a doctoral student in UCF's College of Nursing whose thesis is on the expansion of nurses' practice, said that nurse managed clinics are more cost effective because they keep patients out of hospitals and have a lower reimbursement rate than physicians.

According to Fuller, many physicians feel threatened by nurses sharing the same responsibilities. Some patients could even view nurses as a better alternative to the health care they are receiving. Patients wonder: Is the care provided by a nurse better than that of a doctor?

"The care is not necessarily better, but different," Rash said. "Nurses bring a holistic nursing perspective to health care. This perspective takes into account the psychological, social, family, occupational, and lifestyle behavioral needs of a patient, along with their bio-physical needs."

The AMA is also taking issue with nurses who want to call themselves "doctor." The association believes that patients will be confused by the title. But the number of nurses who have doctorate degrees is on the rise and is expected to be the standard by 2015. Nurses who hold advanced degrees believe that they have the right to be addressed as "doctor."

"Nurses have been earning academic doctorate degrees for many years and with this comes the right to self-identify as such," Rash said. "Similarly, psychologists and pharmacists with doctorates can identify themselves as doctors of their profession."

So how will this new battle over health care affect practitioners and students?

"What could happen is that APN's [advance practice nurses] choose to leave Florida as some already have, or some others choose not to move here because of the restrictive and sometimes hostile practice environment," Fuller said. She explained that hostility arises because physicians trust nurses to take care of their patients, but they never express this publicly.

Rash has a different outlook. "I think it will bring in students who want to pursue excellence and professionalism in the care they provide patients," she said.

But Chandler thinks that the power to change the authority of nurses rests in Florida's hands.

"In truth, nurse practitioners roles will only expand when the legislatures allow them to," Chandler said. "There are many areas that Nurse Practitioners in particular could help Florida, if the legislature would expand the privileges and scope."

Over 160 nurses were nominated for this professional recognition and over 55 submitted exemplars, sharing their personal stories of how they made a difference in their clinical practice. The exemplars were given to a panel of professional nurse reviewers from various clinical backgrounds and 18 were selected for presentation at the conference. These outstanding nurses are:

• Dawn Boughton – Morton Plant Mease Health Care, Dunedin
• Paul Busi – Moffit Cancer Center, Tampa
• Julie Chatfield – H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa
• Mary Cousins – Holtz Children’s Hospital, Miami
• Barbara Davis-Sears – Holtz Children’s Hospital, Miami
• Erika Fenimore – Orlando Health, Orlando
• Renee Galik – Lee Memorial Health System – Gulf Coast Medical Center, Fort Myers
• Norma Gonzalez – Morton Plant Mease Health Care, Dunedin
• Teresita Hardin – St. Joseph’s Hostpital, Tampa
• Susan Hinds – Lakeland Regional Medical Center, Lakeland
• Maggie Leavitt – Moffit Center Nursing, Tampa
• Lissette Levine – Holtz Children’s Hospital, Miami
• Judy Miller – Lee Memorial Health System – HealthPark Medical Center, Fort Myers
• Charles Nimer – Baptist Health of Miami, Miami
• Debbie Price – Santa Rosa County School Health Department, Gulf Breeze
• Susan Ratterree – Hope Healthcare Services – Hope Hospice, Cape Coral
• Aileen Staller – Moffitt Nursing, Tampa
• Deon Wolliston – Holtz Children’s Hospital, Miami

Tampa General Hospital was also awarded the association’s Frances Smith Award for their promotion of clinical excellence in the workplace.

Over 70 nurses and affiliates attended the conference. “Sharing patient stories reminds us of the true value of nursing – as advocates – that assist patients and their families navigate their healthcare experience,” said one participant.

For more information on this or other conferences, visit floridnurse.org and click on “Conferences” or email conferences@floridanurse.org. High resolution photos are also available by emailing the address above.

2010 Lobby Days conference attendees were also on hand to watch two FNA priority bills be presented on the Senate Floor. These bills were the Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners Bill and the Safe Nurse Staffing Bill.

The Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners Bill was an effort to improve Florida’s citizens’ ability to access healthcare by allowing advanced registered nurse practitioners to better meet the needs of Florida’s patients by prescribing medications in schedules II, III, IV, and V, in compliance with a protocol agreement with a supervising physician.

The Safe Nurse Staffing Bill would hold hospitals accountable for establishing valid, reliable, unit-level nurse staffing plans. These plans would be developed in consultation with direct-care RNs and be based on each unit's needs and characteristics. Hospitals would also be required to review the staffing plan with the hospital’s nurses on an annual basis and provide the staffing plan to the public, upon request.

Although both bills did not make it through the complete legislative process, the FNA voice was certainly heard and all nurses are encouraged to attend next year’s Lobby Days conference on March 16 & 17 in Tallahassee.

For more information, please contact: Lynda Knowles, Director of Underwriting-Allied Healthcare Lines; 678.781.2381; lknowles@uni-ter.com or visit www.lewisandclarkltcrrg.com.

Through the agreement, ANA members can receive substantial discounts on auto insurance, as well as additional multi-policy savings when holding a homeowner’s or other policy through Nationwide. “We are constantly looking at ways to add value for our members,” said American Nurses Association CEO Marla J. Weston, PhD, RN. “This relationship gives us a chance to offer our members exclusive policy discounts above and beyond what they could obtain on their own, through one of the most trusted names in the insurance industry. We are proud to partner with Nationwide Insurance in this endeavor.”

“This partnership brings together two organizations who have demonstrated a strong commitment to the communities we serve,” said James Gaddy, vice president, Nationwide Insurance. “We look forward to serving the association’s membership to help them with their insurance needs.”

We are working with Representative Ronald Brise' to create a list of names of nurses who would be willing to travel to Haiti. Please email wfuller@floridanurse.org with your name, contact information and your area of expertise. Please note that this in no way obligates you to go but if you think you would be able to at some point, please let us know. Feel free to share this information with other nurses who might be interested.

Thanks to all of you who have been inquiring about this opportunity to serve.

Willa

President Obama has issued a call to action and challenge to take action to improve the environment. Please visit www.whitehouse.gov/earthday to learn more about the President’s Earth Day challenge and different ways to actively “celebrate” this commitment all year long.

As America moves forward with chemical policy reform, cleaner energy policies, increased sustainability efforts and an emphasis on green jobs and green chemistry, now is the time for nurses to focus their efforts on reducing health care’s environmental impact. Click here to learn more about environmental health opportunities, ANA’s environmental health policy and access resources including ANA’s Environmental Health Principles for Nursing Practice with Implementation Strategies and other environmental health information.

Using the theme, “Caring Today for a Healthier Tomorrow,” the American Nurses Association (ANA) and its 54 constituent associations, including the Florida Nurses Association (FNA), will highlight the diverse ways in which registered nurses - the largest healthcare profession - are working to improve health care. From acute bedside nursing to long-term care, the depth and breadth of the nursing profession is meeting the expanding healthcare needs of American society.

National Nurse Week begins on May 6, marked as RN Recognition Day, and ends on May 12, the birthday of Florence Nightingale, founder of nursing as a modern profession. ANA and FNA, through its members, advance the nursing profession by fostering high standards of nursing practice, promoting economic and general welfare, promoting a positive and realistic view of nursing and lobbying Congress and regulatory agencies on healthcare issues affecting nursing and the public.

Over 160 nurses were nominated for this professional recognition and over 55 submitted exemplars, sharing their personal stories of how they made a difference in their clinical practice. The exemplars were given to a panel of professional nurse reviewers from various clinical backgrounds and 18 were selected for presentation at the conference. These outstanding nurses are:

• Dawn Boughton – Morton Plant Mease Health Care, Dunedin
• Paul Busi – Moffit Cancer Center, Tampa
• Julie Chatfield – H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa
• Mary Cousins – Holtz Children’s Hospital, Miami
• Barbara Davis-Sears – Holts Children’s Hospital, Miami
• Erika Fenimore – Orlando Health, Orlando
• Renee Galik – Lee Memorial Health System – Gulf Coast Medical Center, Fort Myers
• Norma Gonzalez – Morton Plant Mease Health Care, Dunedin
• Teresita Hardin – St. Joseph’s Hostpital, Tampa
• Susan Hinds – Lakeland Regional Medical Center, Lakeland
• Maggie Leavitt – Moffit Center Nursing, Tampa
• Lissette Levine – Holtz Children’s Hospital, Miami
• Judy Miller – Lee Memorial Health System – HealthPark Medical Center, Fort Myers
• Charles Nimer – Baptist Health of Miami, Miami
• Debbie Price – Santa Rosa County School Health Department, Gulf Breeze
• Susan Ratterree – Hope Healthcare Services – Hope Hospice, Cape Coral
• Aileen Staller – Moffitt Nursing, Tampa
• Deon Wolliston – Holtz Children’s Hospital, Miami

The 24th Annual Ingeborg Mauksch Clinical Excellence Conference will be held on April 30th at Harry P. Leu Gardens in Orlando, Florida. Leu Gardens is located at 1920 North Forest Avenue, Orlando, FL 32803. All nominees will be listed in the program and recognized at the conference. In addition to the individual nurse honorees, Tampa General Hospital will be awarded the association’s Frances Smith Award for their promotion of clinical excellence in the workplace. For more information or to register, visit floridnurse.org and click on “Conferences” or email conferences@floridanurse.org.

2010 Lobby Days conference attendees also presented communication packets to legislators on two FNA priority bills. These bills are:

• Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners
SB 188/ HB by Senator Mike Bennett and Representative Juan Carlos Zapata – This bill improves Florida’s citizens’ ability to access healthcare by allowing ARNPs to better meet the needs of Florida’s patients by prescribing medications in schedules II, III, IV, and V, in compliance with a protocol agreement with a supervising physician.

• Safe Nurse Staffing
SB 114/ HB 377by Senator Dave Aronberg and Representative Ronald Brisé – This bill would hold hospitals accountable for establishing valid, reliable, unit-level nurse staffing plans. These plans would be developed in consultation with direct-care RNs and be based on each unit's needs and characteristics. Hospitals would also be required to review the staffing plan with the hospital’s nurses on an annual basis and provide the staffing plan to the public, upon request.

“We are very pleased about the not guilty verdict and that justice prevailed for Anne Mitchell,” stated Susy Sportsman, PhD, RN, president of TNA. “If anything was to be gained from the absurdity of this criminal trial, it is the reaffirmation that a nurse’s duty to advocate for the health and safety of patients supersedes all else.”

Since news of the criminal indictment – and Mitchell’s being fired from her hospital job – first spread through the nursing community, nurses across the country have followed developments. Labeling the criminal indictments “outrageous,” an outpouring of support – and financial contributions to the TNA Legal Defense Fund – has continued.
As the nation‟s largest nursing association, ANA joined forces with TNA, one of its constituent member associations, in July of 2009 to strongly criticize and raise the alarm about the criminal charges and the fact that the results from this case could have a lasting and negative impact on future nurse whistle blowers.

“ANA is relieved and satisfied that Anne Mitchell (RN) was vindicated and found not guilty on these outrageous criminal charges – today‟s verdict is a resounding win on behalf of patient safety in the U.S. Nurses play a critical, duty-bound role in acting as patient safety watch guards in our nation‟s health care system. The message the jury sent is clear: the freedom for nurses to report a physician‟s unsafe medical practices is non-negotiable,” said ANA President Rebecca M. Patton, RN, MSN, CNOR. “However, ANA remains shocked and deeply disappointed that this sort of blatant retaliation was allowed to take place and reach the trial stage – a different outcome could have endangered patient safety across the U.S., having a potential „chilling effect‟ that would make nurses think twice before reporting shoddy medical practice. Nurse whistle blowers should never be fired and criminally charged for reporting questionable medical care.”

“I was just doing my job,” relayed a jubilant Anne Mitchell, in a phone conversation with TNA immediately following the not guilty verdict, “but no one should have to go through this,” she said. “I would say to every nurse, if you witness bad care, you have a duty to your patient to report it, no matter the personal ramifications. This whole ordeal was really about patient care.”

Over $45,000 has been donated so far by individuals and organizations across the country to the TNA Legal Defense Fund as a way to support the defense of Anne Mitchell and former co-defendant Vicki Galle.

“We didn’t have any support – emotional or financial – until TNA and ANA stepped in,” said Vicki Galle, RN, who also attended the trial in Andrews even though the prosecution had dismissed her indictment on February 1 as a co-defendant. “We could never have gotten through this without nursing’s support.”

ANA has started to receive firsthand accounts from members on the ground in Haiti. To read the accounts please become a fan of ANA on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/AmericanNursesAssociation. ANA would like to hear from any nurses who wish to share their experiences in Haiti with the nursing community. If you would like to tell your story please contact ANA’s Communications staff.

This report suggests that reducing exposure to chemicals contributing to chronic diseases would have a beneficial effect on the health of the American public as well as the health care system. The report summarizes a number of peer-reviewed studies that estimate the disease burden attributable to chemical exposure. Conservatively assuming that chemical policy reform were to reduce the contribution of toxic chemical exposures to chronic diseases by 0.1 percent, the resulting reduction in annual health care costs would amount to an estimated $5 billion. The Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families coalition has estimated health care cost savings on a state-by-state basis, using census figures projected for 2020.

“Current regulations and previous legislation failed to adequately protect people from chemical exposure,” remarked ANA President Rebecca M. Patton, MSN, RN, CNOR. “This failure has negative effects on both our physical and our fiscal well-being. As the largest group of health care providers, nurses have a duty to inform and educate the public about potential hazards and work toward reducing or eliminating these environmental threats. ANA supports TSCA reform as a means of creating a healthier environment and a healthier population.”

TSCA, first signed into law in 1976, authorizes the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to screen existing and new industrial chemicals used in U.S. manufacturing and commerce and to identify potentially dangerous products or uses that should be subject to federal control.
The Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families coalition urges lawmakers to enact effective TSCA reform and modernize this legislation to protect the health of people and the environment, while restoring the public's confidence in the chemical safety component of consumer products and manufacturing processes.
To read the full report, please visit www.saferchemicals.org

For Immediate Release
January 21, 2010

Contact: DOH Press Office
850-245-4111

As of 1/19/10 Florida cumulatively reported:

-1,215 hospitalizations in persons with lab confirmed H1N1.

-187 deaths reported with lab confirmed H1N1.

-Overall mortality with influenza or pneumonia remains slightly above the
expected value for the time of year.

Widespread influenza activity, the highest level in our system, was not reported by any counties this week. Localized activity was not reported by any counties. Counties
either reported sporadic or no activity. There is no evidence that the virus has changed to a more virulent form, either in Florida, the rest of the U.S., or elsewhere in the world.

Updated Swine Flu Deaths: 187

“A Message from the Surgeon General”
I am happy to share with everyone that this is the third week Florida has
reported no laboratory confirmed deaths from H1N1 flu.

While this is encouraging information, we must continue our fight against the flu
and ask all Floridians to consider getting their H1N1 and seasonal flu
vaccinations.

By taking the time today to get vaccinated, you can help us continue to slow the spread of flu in Florida.
Our flu season in Florida peaks in mid February and at times continues into
March and beyond. It’s not too late for a vaccination to be effective and reduce
the potential for a third wave of infections.

The vaccine has proven to be very safe, and is the most effective method of
protecting yourself, your family and your community from the flu virus.
Our new outreach campaign, H1N1 Spread the word, not the flu, is designed to
use a variety of communication channels to bring this important message to
Floridians. Vaccine is available it’s easy to find, and this is a good time to take
a few minutes from your daily schedule and get vaccinated.

But please don’t forget the preventative steps we have shared with you since
the beginning of this pandemic:
-Stay home if you are sick, and keep your children home if they are sick.

-Cover your cough or sneeze.
-Wash your hands often.

By practicing these healthy habits as well as well as getting your H1N1 and
seasonal vaccination, you can help us continue our progress fighting this flu
and the potential for a future third wave of infections.

For information about flu vaccination clinics in your community, or to view our
new H1N1 Town Hall Webcast, please visit our web page,www.myflusafety.com or call us at 877 352 3581.

Disease Management Public Stockpile
As of 1/08/10
Florida public stockpile includes 1,014,310

Antiviral Medications Available. Courses of antiviral medications in 5 formulations. 172,654 courses have been distributed to the County Health
Departments and of those, 14,051 have been dispensed.

Public Stockpile
Personal Protective
Equipment Available

As of 1/08/10, 2.9 million adult surgical masks, 266,550 pediatric surgical masks, 4.8 million N-95 masks, and 1.6
million gloves are stockpiled.

Public Stockpile
Personal Protective
Equipment Distributed
As of 1/08/10, 311,930 total masks have been shipped.

Surgical masks shipped primarily to schools.

Communications:

-Florida Flu Information Line 1-877-352-3581

-As of 1/18/10, the Florida Flu Information Line has received 51,309 calls since

August 24, 2009.

-As of 1/19/10, we had over 210,031 visitors to the Florida Department of Health H1N1 website at www.myflusafety.com.

Mass Vaccination Campaign:

-Florida H1N1 Vaccination Campaign is voluntary
-FDA approved four manufacturers for H1N1 Vaccine
-With current reduction in vaccine amounts, supply is limited in the numbers and formulation

Vaccine Availability
Florida allocation as of 1/08/10 of injectible multi- dose
vials is 4,897,600.

Florida allocation as of 1/08/10 of injectible single dose syringes is 1,657,300.

Providers began receiving initial orders of vaccine on 10/8/09. Vaccine is being made available to the states as quickly as it is being manufactured. While
the vaccine amounts are less than what was
anticipated, the state continues to receive steady shipments of vaccine to meet mass vaccination campaign goals.
Public Mass Vaccination Clinics
Scheduled Public clinics are posted at
http://www.myflusafety.com/myfluclinic.htm as dates and locations are established.

In a unanimous House vote, Representative Luis Garcia passed SB 408 today. The bill amends the statute which requires Clinical Laboratories to accept human specimens on the order of an allopathic or osteopathic physician, physician assistant, dentist, naturopath, podiatrist, or chiropractor to include orders from advanced registered nurse practitioners (ARNPs). ARNPs provide primary care to healthy people, manage chronic illness and diagnose acute illnesses. ARNPs have been authorized to order laboratory tests under Florida law since 1996. Laboratory results from clinical laboratories are an integral part of the healthcare team’s ability to diagnose and treat. This new law will facilitate the flow of healthcare for Florida’s citizens and permit ARNPs to deliver the best care possible to their patients.

The Senate bill was passed by Senator Fasano on April 14, 2009 on the Senate floor. The bill will now be presented to Governor Charlie Crist.

The American Nurses Association is keenly aware of the desire of U.S. nurses to respond to the tragedy that has occurred in Haiti. We are working closely with the federal government, non-governmental response community and other health professional associations to determine the type of assistance needed and when it might be safe to travel to Haiti. In particular, ANA has been in contact with ProjectHOPE, the American Red Cross, and the International Medical Corps. ANA has also communicated with the International Council of Nurses regarding the Association Nationale des Infirmières Licenciées d'Haïti, the ICN member. At this point, the ICN has been unable to communicate with the national nurses association leadership.

ANA will continue to communicate on a regular basis with the CMAs to provide accurate and up-to-date information. We will be exploring opportunities for nurses to travel to the region and provide assistance when it is deemed to be safe to do so and as part of an effort coordinated by those who are in the country and have assessed what is needed and when. It is also important to remember that we are in the initial stages of this crises, response will be needed by health care professional over the next many months to come. The secondary public health crises that will result from the earthquake will require significant resources in order to see a successful recovery for Haiti and its people.

Be on the look out for information specific to ANA’s efforts to assist the Haitian nurses. We will also be sending information about Just-in-time training that will help to prepare health care professionals who are responding.

At the FNA Centennial Convention, FNA announced election results, scholarship and research grant recipients, inducted a Hall of Fame awardee, awarded the Legislator of the Year award and recognized 100 nurses at the Great 100 Nurses Gala. Over 800 attendees networked, attended learning sessions and exhibit hall and conducted Association business over the course of the Convention.

Charlotte Dison Inducted Into FNA Hall of Fame
On September 24, 2009, FNA inducted Charlotte Dison, RN in the FNA Hall of Fame. Charlotte is the image of a transformational leader who has shaped the lives of countless RNs and professional nursing within the state of Florida. Her work also extends nationally and internationally through the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Magnet Recognition Program. Through literature, conferences and other mediums, Charlotte led nursing through patient education, infection control, cardiac rehabilitation and oncology programs, architectural designs and renovation of patient care units and nurse-physician collaboration. She provided an empowered work environment and demonstrated business etiquette and professional ethics.

Charlotte Dison, RN is regarded as one of the pillars in the community and an advocate for RNs who temporarily left the clinical setting. Her proactive approach and commitment to education and patient care has not gone unnoticed. She is an inspiration to all nurses with her professionalism and commitment to nursing, and is an outstanding role model for the thousands of nurses whose lives she has touched throughout her career. FNA welcomes Charlotte Dison, RN into the FNA Hall of Fame.

FNA Awards Representative Luis Garcia as Legislator of the Year
In a unanimous House vote, Representative Luis Garcia passed SB 408 earlier this year. The bill amends the statute which requires Clinical Laboratories to accept human specimens on the order of an allopathic or osteopathic physician, physician assistant, dentist, naturopath, podiatrist, or chiropractor to include orders from advanced registered nurse practitioners (ARNPs). ARNPs provide primary care to healthy people, manage chronic illness and diagnose acute illnesses. ARNPs have been authorized to order laboratory tests under Florida law since 1996. Laboratory results from clinical laboratories are an integral part of the healthcare team’s ability to diagnose and treat. This new law will facilitate the flow of healthcare for Florida’s citizens and permit ARNPs to deliver the best care possible to their patients. FNA recognizes Representative Luis Garcia as 2009 FNA Legislator of the Year.

FNA Recognizes 100 Great Nurses
In 1986, P.K. Sheerle established the Great 100 Nurses of Louisiana in which nurses are nominated by patients, families and their peers to be recognized at a gala celebration each year. This year, in celebration of FNA's 100th anniversary as an organization, the FNA recognized 100 of its outstanding members. These nurses were nominated by their peers for excellence in diverse areas of nursing practice. A special commemorative pin and certificate were designed and presented to each honoree. Following, please find the list of FNA’s Great 100 Nurses in their categories of excellence.

Administration
Barbara Drummond-Huth, RN
Phyllis Floyd, RN, MBA
Willa Fuller, RN
Debra Hernke, RN
Sandra Janzen, MS, RN, FAAN
Lisa Johnson, MSN, RN
Kelly Miles, RN
Anne Peach, RN, MS, MSN, CNS
Mary Beth Reardon, RN, MS, NEA-BC
Rose Rivers, PhD, RN, CNAA
Lucy B. Trice, PhD, ARNP, FNP-BC
Susan V. White, PhD, RN

Advocacy
Mary Lou Brunell, RN, MS
Alice Clark, RN
Darlene Fritsma, ARNP
Andrea Gregg, DSN, RN
Deborah Hogan, MPH, RN
Barbara Lumpkin, RN
Vicki Marsee, RN, NEA-BC
Wynyard McDonald, RN
Bonnie Sklaren, ARNP

Clinical
Alison Brewer, ARNP
Heidy David-Robinson, ARNP
Yolanda Gertsch-Lapceuvic, ARNP
Olivia Hagos, RN
Tina Mason, ARNP
Mavra Pharis, RN
Pam Pieper, PhD, ARNP

Community
Banke Ayileka, RN
Joan Castleman, MSN, RN
Florence Deaner, RN
Inez Fielding, RN, BSN
Goldie Fralick, RN
Barbara Kruger, PhD, RN
Lillia Loriz, PhD, ARNP
Lolita Massengill, ARNP
M. Dee Williams, PhD, RN
Entrepreneur
Patricia Bemis, RN, CEN
Heather Monaghan, RN, MHSC
Jo Manion, PhD, RN

Education
William Ahrens, MSN, RN
Carol Blakeman, ARNP
Cynthia Blum, PhD, RN, CNE
Cynthia Boucher, MSN, RN
Mary Kathleen Ebener, PhD, RN
Linda Hennig, EdD, RN
Bonnie Hesselberg, EdD, ARNP
Mary Jane Hopkins, ARNP, MSN
Claydell Horne, PhD, RN
Cecilia Jevitt, CNM, PhD
Jean Kijek, PhD, RN
John McDonough, CRNA, EdD, ARNP
Barbara Redding, EdD, RN
Maria Seidel, ARNP
Mary Tittle, PhD, ARNP
Jean Wortock, PhD, RN
Jo Snider, EdD, RN

Research
Kathaleen Bloom, PhD, CNM
Jennifer Elder, PhD, RN, FAAN
Shirley Gordon, PhD, RN
Sande Gracia Jones, PhD, ARNP, FAAN
John Lowe, PhD, RN, FAAN
Audrey Nelson, PhD, RN, FAAN
Roberta Vallish, ARNP

Role Model
Mary Bear, PhD, RN
Linda Bell, ARNP
Valerie Browne-Krimsley, EdD, RN, CNE
Patricia Burns, PhD, RN, FAAN
Doreen Cassarino, ARNP
Pamela Chally, PhD, RN
Mary Clark, ARNP
Carol Cobb, RN
Suzanne Edgett Collins, PhD, JD, RN
Mary Colvin, RN, PhD
Paz David, RN
Judith Davies, RN
Charlotte Dison, RN, MSN
Frances Downs, MSN, RN
Mary Evans, PhD, RN
Kay Fullwood, ARNP
Leigh Hart, PhD, ARNP-BC
Sally Karioth Petersen, PhD, RN
Deirdre Krause, PhD, ARNP, FNP-BC
Susan Leger-Krall, PhD, ARNP
Cecile Lengacher, PhD, RN
Jean Leuner, PhD, RN, CNE
Patricia Liehr, RN
Kathleen Long PhD, APRN, FAAN
Eugene Majka, ARNP
Marsha Martin, RN
Katherine Mason, EdD, RN
Patricia Messmer, PhD, RN, FAAN
Doreen Perez, RN
Bobbie Jean Primus-Cotton, PhD, RN
Germina Rio, DNS, CPH, ARNP
Barbara Russell, RN, MPH, CIC
Sharon Smith, RN
Mary Lou VanCott, PhD, RN
Elizabeth Wajdowicz, PhD, RN
Sandra Walsh, PhD, RN

FNA Centennial Convention sponsors are Arthur L. Davis Publishing Agency, Inc., University of Phoenix, Florida Hospital College of Health Services, Sophia Palmer Nurses RRG, Inc., Keiser University, University of Florida College of Nursing, VITAS Innovative Hospice Care, Sanofi Pasteur, Clinical Guard, Florida International University Nursing and Health Sciences and Guldmann, Inc.

President: Andrea C. Gregg, RN, DSN, Jacksonville, FL
First Vice President: Bonnie C. Sklaren, ARNP, Gulfport, FL
Second Vice President: Debra Hunt, ARNP, Clermont, FL
Secretary: Mary Lou Brunell, RN, Apopka, FL
Treasurer: Mavra Kear, PhD, ARNP, Lakeland, FL
Director-at-Large: Cynthia B. Boucher, RN, Gainesville, FL
Director-at-Large: Edward T. Briggs, ARNP, St. Petersburg, FL
Director-at-Large: Annmarie J. Farro, RN, Summerfield, FL
Director-at-Large: Vicky Stone Gale, ARNP, Davie, FL
Director-at-Large: Deirdre Krause, PhD, Loxahatchee, FL
Director-at-Large: Daniel Little, PhD, ARNP, Miami, FL
Director-at-Large: Barbara Russell, RN, Miami, FL
Director-at-Large: George Byron Smith, ARNP, Tampa, FL