The 14th Annual FNA South Region Symposium and Awards Ceremony was held on May 11, 2024, at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida. The event, hosted by the FNA South Region Volunteer Leadership Council, featured keynote speakers, poster sessions, and…

The 2025 Florida Nursing Students Association (FNSA) Annual Convention brought together nursing students from across the state for three inspiring days of education, leadership development, advocacy, and celebration. Held October 28–31, the event offered a rich blend of professional sessions,…

Christine Rincon, MSN, RN, CCRN In 1959, Dee O’Hara became the first nurse to work with NASA astronauts and helped with the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo missions. Doctors, nurses, and support personnel have cared for pilots and astronauts over many…

A patient is wandering a sparse room in the ER, devoid of any equipment or supplies. “I want some lunch!” As a nurse who has worked in a few ERs, I had witnessed this scene before. I walked up to…

Deborah Hogan, MPH, BSN, RN, Chair, FNA Public Health Special Interest Group There are so many issues affecting the health of our communities today, and many federal resources to address these needs have been reduced or eliminated. As patient and…

FNA Advocacy Days Advocacy is at the heart of nursing, and the 2026 FNA Advocacy Days offer a meaningful way for nurses to make their voices heard. This annual event brings nurses together in Tallahassee to meet with legislators, learn…

Every day, decisions made in the Florida Legislature shape the work of nurses and the health of the patients and communities they serve. From workplace safety and staffing concerns to advanced practice and public health policy, these issues demand a…

Aminah Johnson, BSN, RNTransitioning from student to professional nurse is an exciting yet critical phase in a new nurse’s career. This shift involves moving from a structured educational environment into a vigorous, real-world clinical setting, demanding adaptability, enhanced skills, and…

Jenna Laws, MSN, RN Nurses play a pivotal role in educating the next generation of nurses and help create successful students in the clinical setting. The nurse plays a substantial role in student education by fostering a clinical academic partnership…

The Florida Nurses Association invites nursing professionals and students to submit research abstracts for the 11th Annual FNA Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice Conference, scheduled for July 26, 2025, at Harry P. Leu Gardens in Orlando, FL. This conference offers…

The 10th Annual FNA Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice Conference was held on July 27, 2024, at Harry P. Leu Gardens in Orlando, FL. This event gathered nursing professionals and researchers statewide to discuss innovative practices, share groundbreaking research, and…

In May 2024, the Sarasota and Pasco County Boards of County Commissioners proudly recognized the invaluable contributions of nurses during Nurses Week. Both Pasco and Sarasota County held a special White Coat Assembly on May 7, 2024, where nurses gathered…

Clinical learning experiences, during which prelicensure nursing students help care for actual patients, allow students to apply information learned in the classroom. These experiences provide opportunities for students to develop their role identity as a member of the nursing profession…

In the United States, the 4 roles of Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) are: Nurse Practitioner (NP), Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA), Nurse Midwives (CNM), and Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS) (APRN Consensus Workgroup, 2008; Centers for Medicare & Medicaid [CMS], 2024). In…

As the population in the United States continues to change, the nursing workforce must adapt to reflect the diversity of the communities it serves. According to Smiley et al. (2023), the 2022 National Nursing Workforce Survey categorically showed that 80%…

Dr. Parker J. Brigance DNP, MSNE, MBA, RN, CEN, CCRN, NE-BC, NI-BC, EMT-P, Director, Emergency Service Line – Baptist Health, Jacksonville FL Whether at the bedside, in the classroom, or leading change across a healthcare system, one truth remains: nurses…

Media Matters: Why Nurse Visibility Is a Workforce Imperative When the world talks about healthcare, nurses are often left out of the conversation. That’s not because we lack insight or experience—it’s because we haven’t always been trained to share our…

Introduction Work-related stress among healthcare professionals, particularly nurses, is an increasing concern. In fast-paced environments like medical-surgical units, the pressure can lead to burnout, job dissatisfaction, and high turnover rates. Research by Søvold et al. (2021) highlights the global need…

FOCUS ON FOUNDATION Jayne Willis, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, CENP – President, Florida Nurses Foundation At this year’s Florida Nurses Association (FNA) Membership Assembly, the Florida Nurses Foundation hosted a special luncheon honoring the 2025 scholarship and research grant recipients. The…

The terms “equity” and “equality” both stem from the constitutional provision of “equal protection under the law”, as well as laws and regulations prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race and/or gender.1 Contemporary distinctions between the two terms describe equity…

Anthony, a distinguished nurse, has dreams of becoming an esteemed writer. He is a former Bostonian living in Southwest Florida. A lifelong love for nursing, and a knack for teaching, will bring his vivid transparency to his writing–a perfect recipe…

The Florida Nurses Association, in partnership with the Florida Nurse Practitioner Network, successfully hosted its 2025 Advocacy Days on February 19–20.

The Florida Nurses Association is proud to announce a landmark decision made at the 2025 FNA Membership Assembly: Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) are now eligible for membership in the association. This historic step reflects FNA’s ongoing commitment to fostering unity,…

The Florida Nurses Foundation is proud to announce the endowment of two new scholarships that will support the education and growth of Florida’s future nurses.

MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Willa Fuller, RN The Florida Nurses Association proudly celebrates a year of powerful advocacy, professional growth, and renewed engagement among nurses across the Sunshine State. From policy advocacy in Tallahassee to research and recognition events…

The 2025 FNA Election cycle is officially underway.

During the 2025 Florida Legislative Session, the Florida Nurses Association (FNA) focused its advocacy on two major priorities: the Protection from Surgical Smoke Bill and the 2025 Education Bill, both addressing critical issues of workplace safety and nursing education quality.…

We are excited to share the latest updates and achievements from our vibrant nursing community in the Northeast Region. Here is a recap of recent highlights: Nurses Day Proclamations: We are proud to announce that our efforts have resulted in…

Hello from the Southwest Region! We are starting to engage more as a group, but more is needed. As we all know it is election season and that means we are seeing more adversity and sometimes chaos within the political…

Melba Jamison, BSN, RNFNA is happy to introduce Melba Jamison, BSN, RN as the new East Central Region Director of the Florida Nurses Association. Melba is a passionate member of FNA and a dedicated nurse currently working in the Oncology…

FLORIDA NURSES ASSOCIATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE The Florida Nurses Political Action Committee (FNPAC) recently held interviews to endorse candidates for the 2024 election, focusing on their alignment with the Florida Nurses Association (FNA) Legislative Agenda. This agenda emphasizes issues such…

Food insecurity is defined as “a condition of limited or uncertain access to adequate food” (U.S. Department of Agriculture, 2024). Food insecurity in nursing students has been reported to be higher than both the college student population and the general…

As a member of the Florida Nurses Association, you belong to a dynamic community of nursing professionals committed to advancing the profession and improving healthcare. 2025 brings an array of opportunities to engage with FNA’s mission and make a meaningful…

President’s Message Marcos Gayol, Ed.D, APRN, FNP-BC, CNEPresident, Florida Nurses Association Dear Colleagues and Friends, it is both a privilege and with great humility that I begin my service as the Florida Nurses Association’s newly elected president. I stand before…

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…

The Florida Nurses Association invites all members to the 2025 FNA Membership Assembly, scheduled for September 24–26, 2025, at the Hilton St. Petersburg Carillon Park

In challenging times, nurses have demonstrated that leadership is not confined to a role it is an action rooted in care, competence, and courage.

Martha Rogers’ Science of Unitary Human Beings (SUHB) provides a unique lens through which to examine and explain nursing engagement in professional organizations like the Florida Nurses Association

The Florida Nurses Association proudly welcomes its 2025–2027 Board of Directors — a team of accomplished professionals representing diverse specialties, experiences, and regions across the state. Each member brings leadership, passion, and a shared commitment to advancing nursing practice, advocacy,…

The Florida Nursing Students Association (FNSA) is making strong progress in rebuilding school chapters through a unified, statewide effort. After disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic, the FNSA Board and a network of faculty consultants are working to restore chapter connections…

When hurricanes hit Florida, the spotlight is often on the devastation—damaged homes, flooded streets, and downed power lines. However, there is another story that rarely makes headlines yet plays out in hospitals and community health centers across the state: the…

We all look forward to the holiday season. Unfortunately, because the weather is colder and we are coming together inside with friends and family, there is also the possibility of exposure to contagious diseases like Flu and COVID-19. We know…

President’s Message I was seated among a group of nursing and non-nursing colleagues when this question was posed to me, “How do you do it? You engage in so many things, I just can’t figure out how you manage to…

In today’s digital world, social media is a vital tool for connection and communication. However, for nursing professionals, social media can present potential risks.

The 15th Annual Florida Nurses Association South Region Symposium and Awards Ceremony, held on April 12th, 2025, at the Gulfstream Theater in Hallandale, Florida, was a resounding success

In quiet halls and buzzing rooms,  Where life unfolds and with hope blooms,   A healing touch, a steady hand,  A soul who strives to understand. They listen not just with their ears,  But heart attuned to pain and fears. …

The first years of work as a nurse are critical to the development of clinical skills and expert nursing judgment. These early years serve as a foundation for building the competency, confidence, and decision-making abilities required to deliver safe and…

Now more than ever, we’re calling on nurses who can give — to help uplift and care for their fellow nurses in times of crisis.

FOCUS ON FOUNDATION In the dynamic and ever-evolving healthcare field, nursing is a critical cornerstone in patient care and community health. As the president of the Florida Nurses Foundation (FNF), I am proud to highlight the value our organization brings…

Faith Community Nurses (FCNs), also known as Parish Nurses, are registered nurses—either active or retired—who have completed the Foundations of Faith Community Nursing program.

Even after decertification, FNA remains committed to supporting you. John BerryDirector of Labor RelationsAt the end of the 2023 Florida Legislative Session, Governor DeSantis signed into law SB 256 and HB 1445, the “Employee Organizations Representing Public Employees” bill. These…

MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR In this dynamic healthcare landscape, it is important to highlight the enduring contributions of the nursing profession while demonstrating a fierce pride for who we are. As a central pillar of our healthcare system, nurses…

The Florida Center for Nursing (FCN) is established to research challenges facing Florida’s nurses and develop solutions to meet those challenges. National Forum of State Nursing Workforce Centers Conference The Florida Center for Nursing offered several presentations at the National…

This content is sponsored and supplied to American Nurse Journal by Nurses Service Organization. Content has been reviewed by ANJ editorial staff but is not peer-reviewed. What nurses need to know about metadata, documentation, and legal liability Metadata analysis of…

In the 2026 Florida Legislative Session, scheduled to run from January 13 – March 13, the Florida Nurses Association will continue advocating for policies that protect nurses’ work environments, education, and ability to practice. FNA will also continue educating lawmakers…

Florida has the highest number of reported sickle cell disease (SCD) cases in the nation.

In today’s digital age, your personal brand and network are your superpowers.