Conference Highlights
The 2025 Florida Nurses Association Membership Assembly was held September 24–26 at the Hilton St. Petersburg Carillon Park, bringing together nurses from across the state for three days of connection, learning, and inspiration.
The assembly opened with the Early Career Nurse Boot Camp, a pre-conference session designed to support nurses transitioning into practice. The program focused on leadership development, professional growth, communication, workplace resilience, and advocacy. Early career attendees left empowered to build confidence and strengthen their professional identity.
This year’s conference theme, Empowering Nurses: Innovation in a Digital Age, inspired nurses to embrace technology and innovation while remaining grounded in compassion, advocacy, and ethical practice.
Keynote Speaker Delaney La Rosa, EdD, MSN Ed, RN, presented Centering AI in Nursing: A Framework for Transformative Leadership, challenging nurses to explore ethical uses of artificial intelligence to improve access, accuracy, and equity in care. Other plenary sessions explored themes such as the evolution of the Nursing Code of Ethics, nurses’ visibility in media and advocacy, and the use of technology and innovation to enhance leadership, care delivery, and public trust.
A variety of breakout sessions throughout the Assembly provided engaging opportunities for professional growth, exploring topics such as telehealth, workforce development, leadership, community health, and innovative technology in practice.
The Florida Nurses Political Action Committee (FNPAC) hosted a lively Welcome Reception, and the Florida Nurses Foundation held its Annual Luncheon, recognizing the 2025 scholarship and grant recipients and showcasing the impact of Foundation-supported research and education.
2025 Icon Awards Celebration
The FNA Icon Awards Celebration honored nurses whose achievements exemplify excellence in clinical practice, leadership, advocacy, and education. The evening celebrated the impact of nurses across all practice settings and specialties.
2025 FNA Award Recipients:
- Advanced Practice Nursing Icon Award
Deborah Tedesco, DNP, APRN, ANP-BC, FNAP, FAANP
Barbara Lumpkin Award
Monica Barfield, DNP, APRN, AGACNP-BC, FNP-BC
- Community Action Icon Award
Kina Lucombe, MSN, RN, CCM
Tampa General Hospital Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialists
- Nurse Educator Icon Award
Kasey Nestor, EdD, RN, CNE
- Nursing Administration Icon Award
Latoya Connor, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, RN, CVRN-BC
- Nursing Innovation and Creativity Icon Award
Carmen Victoria Framil Suarez, DNP, APRN, ANP-BC, CNE, GS-C
Anita M. Stephen, PhD, RN, CNL, CHSE
- Nursing Research Icon Award
Trudy Gaillard, PhD, RN, CDCES, FAAN, FAHA
- Promoting an Environment for Excellence in Nursing Practice Icon Award
BayCare Health System
- Excellence in Direct Patient Care Icon Award
Stephen Applegate, RN
- President’s Award
Nola Holness, PhD, CNM, APRN, ANP-C, CNE, FACNM
Deborah Hogan, MPH, BSN, RN
Aminah Johnson, MSN, BSHA, RN
Melba Jamison, MSN, RN
Business Meeting Outcomes
During the Annual Business Meeting, members took action on several key issues shaping the future of nursing and healthcare in Florida.
Members approved a historic amendment to the FNA Bylaws to formally include Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) membership, uniting all levels of nursing practice under one advocacy umbrella. The amendment also created a new LPN Board of Directors position, ensuring statewide representation and engagement for this essential group of nurses.
Five Reference Proposals were presented, discussed, and passed, reflecting member-driven advocacy on critical nursing and healthcare topics:
- Medicaid – Protecting Access to Care
Submitted by: Deborah Hogan, MPH, BSN, RN & Deirdre Krause, Ph.D., APRN, FNP-BC
Advocates for educating nurses and legislators on the importance of Medicaid and CHIP in ensuring healthcare access for vulnerable populations.
- Maintaining the Commitment to Nursing Quality and Standards in Care, Education, Workplace Safety, Public Health, and the ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses
Submitted by: FNA Board of Directors
Reaffirms FNA’s dedication to ethical nursing practice, workplace safety, and health equity.
- Supporting Legislation in Florida to Care for the Homeless Population with Compassion and Collaboration with Community Partners
Submitted by: Deborah Brabham PhD, RN, CNE
Encourages nurse-led, compassionate public health approaches to homelessness.
- Safety Against Workplace Violence for Nurses: Ensuring Safety and Accounta bility in Florida’s Healthcare Settings
Submitted by: Carole Amole, MSN, RN; Marcos Gayol, EdD, MSN, MPH, MBA, APRN, FNP-BC, CNE; Deirdre Krause, Ph.D., APRN, FNP-BC; Maritess Quinto, DNP, RN, NPD-BC, CMSRN
Calls for legislative and institutional action to establish a zero-tolerance policy for workplace violence.
- Vaccines Save Lives
Submitted by: Deborah Hogan, MPH, BSN, RN
Reaffirms support for evidence-based immunization policies and public education on vaccine benefits.
The Assembly concluded with the installation of the new FNA Board of Directors, who will lead the association through 2027.
The full Membership Assembly Summary of Action with supporting documents can be found on FNA’s website at www.floridanurse.org under the news section.
