TABLE OF CONTENTS
A Message from the Executive Director | 4
Mission, Vision, Values | 6
Areas of Impact | 7
Nursing Workforce Research | 8
Community Outreach | 13
Nursing Workforce Interventions | 22
Dissemination of Work | 28
Board of Directors | 34
Florida Statutes | 38
Staff | 40

A MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Rayna Letourneau, PhD, RN is the Executive Director of the Florida Center for Nursing, an associate professor at the University of South Florida College of Nursing, and the president-elect of the National Forum of State Nursing Workforce Centers. She has more than 20 years of nursing experience. Her clinical background is emergency nursing. Her teaching experience is undergraduate and graduate nursing, as well as interprofessional courses. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master of Science in Nursing Administration from the University of Rhode Island in 2002 and 2008, respectively.

In 2017, she earned her PhD in Nursing from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. Dr. Letourneau’s scholarship focuses on nursing workforce development, transition to practice, nurses’ well-being, and quality and safety education for nurses. During her time leading the Florida Center for Nursing, Dr. Letourneau was named to the Florida Health Care Power 100 by City and State.

On behalf of the Florida Center for Nursing’s board of directors and staff, I am pleased to share our annual report with you. This report is an evaluation of the Florida Center for Nursing’s activities in 2023 in pursuit of its goals and in the execution of its duties to address issues of supply and demand for nursing, including issues of recruitment, retention, and utilization of nurse workforce resources. This report is designed to demonstrate the impact of the Florida Center for Nursing’s accomplishments for the State of Florida.

Entering 2023, Florida was challenged with a nursing workforce shortage. There were too few licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and registered nurses (RNs) to care for the people and visitors of Florida. And as the physician shortage grows, the demand for advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) will escalate. Florida will need to rely on new nurses to meet the increased health care needs of people and visitors of our state however, we find ourselves challenged with a shortage of nursing faculty and first-time National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) pass rates that have fallen below the national average. The number of candidates passing the NCLEX is an indicator of the number of new nurses entering the nursing workforce.

The Florida Center for Nursing accomplished a remarkable amount of research aimed at increasing the knowledge about Florida’s nursing workforce and implementing interventions to stabilize and innovate our nursing workforce. Our impact was great and will be reported in the following themes:

• Nursing Workforce Research
• Community Outreach
• Nursing Workforce Interventions
• Dissemination of Work

As we enter 2024, the Florida Center for Nursing plans to:

• Pilot innovative projects to support the recruitment, development, and retention of qualified nurse faculty and clinical preceptors.
• Develop distance learning infrastructure for nursing education and advancing faculty competencies in the pedagogy of teaching and the evidence-based use of technology, simulation, and distance learning techniques.
• Create well-being interventions for nurses because the well-being of nurses within the workplace and in their personal lives is a critical component of nursing recruitment, retention, and workforce resources.
• Promote media and positive image-building efforts for nursing.
• Disseminate information about Florida’s nursing workforce and allow various groups representative of nurses, other health care providers, business and industry, consumers, lawmakers, and educators to review and comment on the data, recommend systemic changes, and strategies for implementation for recommended changes.

The Florida Center for Nursing, headquartered at the University of South Florida College of Nursing, is poised to provide an ongoing strategy for the allocation of the State’s resources directed towards nursing. It is an honor to lead the Florida Center for Nursing, our State’s definitive source for information, research, and strategies addressing the dynamic workforce needs of nursing in Florida.

Respectfully Submitted By:
Rayna M. Letourneau PhD, RN
Executive Director, Florida Center for Nursing
Associate Professor, University of South Florida College of Nursing

Impacting the more than half a million Nurses and Student Nurses across Florida

Mission
The Florida Center for Nursing is established to research and address issues of supply and demand for nursing, including issues of recruitment, retention, and utilization of nurse workforce resources.

Vision
The vision of the Florida Center for Nursing is to ensure that the health care needs of the residents and visitors of Florida are met by a competent and sufficient nursing workforce.

Values
Accountability – We commit to deliver on the Florida Center for Nursing’s statutory goals.
Integrity – We practice high ethical standards through interpersonal and interprofessional relationships.
Respect – We cultivate collaborative partnerships that promote access for everyone.
Courage – We take bold steps to create innovative best practices to advance the nursing profession.

Areas of Impact

Nursing Workforce Research
The Florida Center for Nursing generated four technical reports providing information on the supply and demand of Florida’s nursing workforce, which is critical to ensure a safe and effective health care system.

 Community Outreach
The Florida Center for Nursing addressed issues of supply and demand for nursing, including issues of recruitment, retention, and utilization of nurse workforce resources.

Nursing Workforce Interventions
The Florida Center for Nursing implemented nursing workforce interventions to support the recruitment, development, and retention of qualified nurses in Florida.

Dissemination of Work
The Florida Center for Nursing staff conducted scholarly work and disseminated findings through state and national presentations and publications.

Nursing Workforce Research
The purpose of nursing workforce research is to generate information on the supply and demand of Florida’s nursing workforce, which is critical to ensure a safe and effective health care system.

Key Findings

• 489 prelicensure nursing education programs
  • 119 PN programs
  • 182 RN programs
• Nursing programs reported a 75% acceptance rate
• 2022 NCLEX pass rates
  • Florida 63.88%
  • U.S. 79.90%
• Barriers to recruiting nursing faculty included:
  • a limited qualified applicant pool
  • a non-competitive salary

1,190 Reports Printed and Distributed

1,595 Report Downloads 

View/Download: https://flcntr.org/EduReport2022

[Cover image of Nursing Education Report January 2023]

This report provides information about Florida’s nursing programs’ capacity, enrollment, graduates, and demographic data that potentially contribute to the state’s nursing workforce. Prelicensure nursing programs are the pipeline to the nursing workforce. Graduates prepared for success on the national licensure examination are critical so employers can fill vacant and new positions. A persistent inability for employers to fill vacant nursing positions may result in decreased access to quality and safe nursing care for the people of Florida.

Report Citation Information:

Florida Center for Nursing (2023). Florida Nursing Education Report, Academic Year 2021-2022 Tampa, FL

Published January 2023

[Cover image of The State of the Nursing Workforce in Florida 2023]

Report Citation Information:

Florida Center for Nursing (2023). The State of the Nursing Workforce in Florida. Tampa, FL.

This report provides information about the supply and demand of Florida’s nursing workforce. Data was collected during the 2020-2021 license renewal cycle and evaluated by the Florida Center for Nursing. Scientific evaluation of the data will allow the Florida Center for Nursing to address issues related to the nursing workforce, including issues of recruitment, retention, and utilization of nurse workforce resources. The goal is to provide an ongoing strategy for the allocation of the state’s resources directed towards nursing.

[Cover image of Florida’s Nursing Workforce by County 2023]

Report Citation Information: Florida Center for Nursing (2023). Florida’s Nursing Workforce by County. Tampa, FL.

Florida’s Nursing Workforce by County provides a summary of the supply of nurses for each county in Florida. Nursing workforce characteristics at the county level are compared to the state and national workforce characteristics. Additionally, the county level nursing demographic characteristics are compared to state and national population characteristics per the U.S. Census Bureau. This report sheds new light on the extent to which the demography of the nursing workforce matches the communities they serve.

Key Findings

• The majority of Florida’s LPNs work in an elderly care setting.
• Most of Florida’s RNs work in a hospital setting.
• The majority of Florida’s APRNs work in hospital and physician practice settings.
• Only 5.8% of LPNs, 7.2% of RNs, and 4.7% of APRNs intend to leave the profession or retire in the next 5 years.

[Image of the Florida Center for Nursing Regions]

[Cover image of the Nursing Education Program Report Academic Year 2022-2023] 

This report provides information about the nursing education programs in Florida, including the programs’ capacity, enrollment, graduates, and demographic data that potentially contribute to the state’s nursing workforce. Prelicensure nursing programs are the pipeline to the nursing workforce. It is critical for nursing programs to prepare candidates for success on the national licensure examination and fill vacant and new positions.

Report Citation Information:

Florida Center for Nursing (2023). Florida’s Nursing Education Program Report, Academic Year 2022-2023. Tampa, FL.

Published December 2023

Key Findings

• 515 prelicensure nursing education programs
  • 195 PN programs
  • 320 RN programs
• Nursing education programs had difficulty recruiting faculty because of non-competitive salaries and a lack of qualified candidates.
• Nursing education programs in FL reported increased student enrollment last academic year, however there were fewer qualified applicants.

1,000 Reports Printed and Distributed

2,400 Report Downloads 

View/Download:https://flcntr.org/EduReport2023

Community Outreach
The purpose of community outreach is to provide the Florida Center for Nursing’s products, services, and messaging to target audiences in Florida, across the nation, and around the globe.

National & State Engagement
The Florida Center for Nursing engaged and collaborated with national and state agencies, associations, and organizations to share information, identify gaps in performance, and develop solutions to implement systemic changes. Engagement and collaboration between groups ensured more efficient, effective outcomes.

National and state engagement and collaboration was a way for the Florida Center for Nursing to connect with experts, authorities, and professionals with similar objectives to increase knowledge development, enhance professional prospective, and lead to advancing the nursing profession.

Attendance at National Conferences
The Florida Center for Nursing collaborates with multiple national agencies, associations, and organizations including but not limited to: National Forum of State Nursing Workforce Centers, NCSBN Leading Regulatory Excellence, NERC Nursing Education Research Conference, Future of Nursing Campain for Action at the Center to Champion Nursing in America, AARP Foundation, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

Attendance at State Meetings
The Florida Center for Nursing collaborates with multiple state agencies, associations, and organizations including but not limited to: Florida Health, Florida Board of Nursing, FNA Florida Nurses Association, Florida Hospice & Palliative Care Association, FHA Florida Hospital Association

The Florida Center for Nursing attended 20 State and 6 National Meetings & Conferences

Sponsors & Tabling

The Florida Center for Nursing used sponsorship and tabling at events as an effective method to raise brand exposure and awareness while promoting media and positive image-building efforts for nursing. This method was incredibly successful for the Florida Center for Nursing as we reestablished the center as newly headquartered at the University of South Florida College of Nursing. Sponsorship and tabling at events during 2023 allowed the Florida Center for Nursing to showcase technical reports while connecting with a wide range of stakeholders.

13 Events Across Florida

More Than 3,500 People Reached

Student Recognition
Nursing students are the future workforce. Throughout 2023, the Florida Center for Nursing enhanced and promoted recognition activities for nursing students across the state.

Although nursing is one of the most rewarding professions, the journey to becoming a nurse can be challenging. In 2023, the Florida Center for Nursing initiated a system to recognize student nurses in a way that is meaningful and amplify a sense of value that will lead to greater nurse fulfillment.

The Florida Center for Nursing recognized and engaged with more than 8,000 students across Florida.

Nurse Recognition
Research demonstrates that meaningful recognition is linked to:

• higher job satisfaction
• greater job commitment
• lower levels of burnout

and can be a strategy to retain nurses.

Nurses ranked most trusted profession for 22 years in a row by the Gallup poll.

There are 24 hospitals in Florida that have achieved Magnet designation by the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

“To nurses, Magnet Recognition means education and development through every career stage, which leads to greater autonomy at the bedside. To patients, it means the very best care delivered by nurses who are supported to be the very best that they can be.”

AdventHealth Celebration 
AdventHealth for Children
Baptist Health Homestead Hospital (formerly Homestead Hospital) 
Baptist Hospital of Miami
Baptist Medical Center Beaches 
Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville 
Baptist Medical Center Nassau 
Baptist Medical Center South 
Brooks Rehabilitation Hospital 
Doctors Hospital
Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital 
Mayo Clinic Florida
Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute 
Nicklaus Children’s Hospital
Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children/ Orlando Health Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies
Orlando Health Orlando Regional Medical Center 
Sarasota Memorial Health Care System
South Miami Hospital 
Tampa General Hospital 
UF Health Jacksonville
UF Health Shands Hospital 
West Kendall Baptist Hospital 
Wolfson Children’s Hospital

Nurses Month Proclamations
The Boards of County Commissioners in DeSoto County, Hillsborough County, and Lee County signed proclamations naming May 2023 Nurses Month.

The Florida Center for Nursing was present at the ceremonies to honor nurses and publicly recognize the impact nurses bring to the health and well-being of their communities.

Nursing Workforce Interventions
The purpose of nursing workforce interventions is to support the recruitment, development, and retention of qualified nurses in Florida.

SHAPING THE FUTURE: Becoming Nursing Faculty

This program, initiated by the Florida Center for Nursing (FCN), is a strategic educational venture designed to unravel the intricacies of the nursing faculty role for those aspiring to pursue this vital career path. The program, running from May 2023 to May 2024, encompasses many outreach strategies, learning objectives, and accreditation processes in adherence to Florida Statute 464.0195. The purpose of this continuing education program is to explore the role of nursing faculty for nurses that may be interested in this important career path.

Goals
In line with Florida statute 464.0195, the program ambitiously targets goals such as developing recommendations to increase nurse faculty and clinical preceptors, supporting nurse faculty development, promoting advanced nurse education, and piloting innovative projects to bolster the recruitment, development, and retention of qualified nurse faculty and clinical preceptors.

Learn More: https://flcntr.org/nursefaculty

Florida Statute

• 464.0195(2)(a)2
• 464.0195(2)(a)3
• 464.0195(2)(a)5

Prelicensure Professional Networking Program
The Florida Center for Nursing continued to pilot the Prelicensure Professional Networking Program to address transition shock. As part of the pilot, the Florida Center for Nursing connected student nurses at Keiser University Sarasota with experienced nurses from Sarasota Memorial Health Care System.

Goals
This program provides students with a platform for networking and promotes active engagement and a sense of community among students. Immersive experiences can enhance student understanding of complex healthcare organizations. The PPNP offers prelicensure students the opportunity to gain knowledge, confidence, and collaborative skills to navigate and excel within the healthcare system.

Impact
Evidence demonstrates that networking can improve student success and create a pipeline to the nursing workforce.

Florida Statute

• 464.0195(2)(a)6
• 464.0195(2)(b)3

Health Care Horizons: Navigating Florida’s Supply & Demand of the Nursing Workforce
The Florida Center for Nursing organized a dynamic panel discussion, “Healthcare Horizons: Navigating Florida’s Supply and Demand of the Nursing Workforce,” on September 13, 2023, held at Keiser University Flagship Campus in West Palm Beach. Moderators Louisana Louis, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC, and Christine Meuller, DNP, RN, PCCN-K, led a robust and informative discussion exploring the dynamic landscape of Florida’s nursing workforce. The panelists provided valuable insights into the current state of the nursing profession, workforce trends, and strategies to ensure a balanced and thriving health care system.

Our distinguished panel included:

• Safiya George, PhD, APRN-BC, FAAN, FAANP, FNAP, Holli Rockwell Trubinsky Eminent Dean & Professor at Florida Atlantic University
• Joyce Hahn, PhD, NEA-BC, FAAN, FNAP, Policy Advocate for AARP Florida
• Mary C. Mayhew, President & CEO of the Florida Hospital Association
• Linda Washington-Brown, PhD, EJD, APRN-C, CNS, HCRM, FAAN, FAANP, Advanced Practice Registered Nurse and South Region Director of the Florida Nurses Association

The panel discussion was recorded to allow greater access.

Watch Here: https://flcntr.org/horizons

Florida Statute

• 464.0195(2)(c)1
• 464.0195(2)(c)2
• 464.0195(2)(c)3

The State of Nursing Education in Florida and Proposed Solutions Think Tanks

The Florida Center for Nursing orchestrated a series of workshops addressing the state of nursing education in Florida. In collaboration with various academic and nursing organizations, these sessions showcased findings from a statewide education survey. The workshops disseminated essential data and encouraged open discussions, feedback, and strategic planning to address challenges in nursing education and the workforce.

Goals
Participants were expected to:

1. Summarize the state of nursing education in Florida, understanding its challenges and opportunities.
2. Compare nursing student and faculty demographics with those of their communities.
3. Collaboratively identify strategies to increase the number of nursing faculty.
4. Discuss strategies to improve Florida’s NCLEX pass rates for well-prepared nursing graduates.

Impact
The Think Tank workshops facilitated by the Florida Center for Nursing and partnering organizations significantly impacted Florida’s nursing education landscape. By uniting diverse stakeholders, these events fostered a deeper understanding of challenges and opportunities, paving the way for substantial improvements. The knowledge shared and strategies proposed have the potential to strengthen Florida’s nursing community, ensuring it remains robust, well-prepared, and diverse.

Locations
February 2023: Florida State University College of Nursing 
June 2023: Valencia College School of Nursing
October 2023: University of Miami School of Nursing and Health Studies

Florida Statute

• 464.0195(2)(c)1
• 464.0195(2)(c)2

Dissemination of Work
The purpose of dissemination is to distribute information with the goal to increase knowledge of existing initiatives as well as inspiring new systemic changes.

Scholarly Work of FCN Staff

Publications
Smiley, R. A., Allgeyer, R. L., Shobo, Y., Lyons, K. C., Letourneau, R. M., Zhong, E., Kaminski-Ozturk, N. & Alexander, M. (2023). The 2022 national nursing workforce survey. Journal of Nursing Regulation, 14(1) Supplement 2, S1-S90.

Halstead, V. & Letourneau, R. M. (2023). Prelicensure Virtual Clinical Practicum to Improve QSEN Competencies: Implications for Professional Development Practitioners. Journal for Nurses in Professional Development, 39(6), E207-E211.

Robinson, L., Letourneau, R. M., Cruz, V., Pryor, S., Williams, K., & Bonamer, J. (2023). Part 2 of Excellence in Nursing Preceptorship-to-hire: An academic-practice partnership to recruit and retain nurses. Nursing Management, 54(12), 35-42.

Presentations:
State Associations & Organizations
Letourneau, R. M. (2023, February). Florida’s state of nursing education and proposed solutions Think Tank. In person presentation at Florida State University. Tallahassee, FL.

Letourneau, R. M. (2023, February). Florida Center for Nursing: Update on nursing workforce strategies. In person presentation at the Florida Nurses Association 2023 Advocacy Days. Tallahassee, FL.

Letourneau, R. M. (2023, March). Florida Center for Nursing: Update on nursing workforce strategies. Virtual presentation to the Florida Magnet® Program Director Consortium. Miami, FL.

Letourneau, R. M. (2023, May). Florida Center for Nursing Update. In person presentation at the South Florida State College (SFSC) School of Nursing Advisory Board Meeting. Avon Park, FL.

Letourneau, R. M. (2023, May). Nursing update with the Florida Center for Nursing. In person presentation at the Florida Hospice & Palliative Care Association, Inc. (FHPCA) 38th Forum: Connect & Cultivate. Orlando, FL.

Letourneau, R. M., Robinson, L., Cruz, V., Pryor, S., Williams, K., & Bonamer, J. (2023, May). Excellence in nursing preceptorship-to-hire: A transition to practice framework. Poster presentation at the 2023 Sarasota Memorial Health Care System Interprofessional Research Conference. Sarasota, FL.

Presentations:
State Associations & Organizations
Williams, K., Bonamer, J., Baumgardner, L., Letourneau, R. M., Pryor, S. (2023, May). Excellence in nursing: Nurse well-being coaching pilot. Poster presentation at the 2023 Sarasota Memorial Health Care System Interprofessional Research Conference. Sarasota, FL.

Letourneau, R. M. (2023, June). Florida Center for Nursing: A critical resource for the State of Florida. Virtual presentation at the Intervention Project for Nurses (IPN) 2023 Annual Conference Building Back to the Basics: A Refocus on Prioritizing Public Health and Nurse Safety. Orlando, FL.

Letourneau, R. M. (2023, June). Florida’s state of nursing education and proposed solutions Think Tank. In person presentation at Valencia College. Orlando, FL.

Letourneau, R. M. (2023, July). Florida Center for Nursing: Addressing the dynamic workforce needs of nursing in Florida. In person presentation at the Florida Department of Health Statewide Nursing Leadership Annual Meeting. Orlando, FL.

Letourneau, R. M. (2023, September). Florida Center for Nursing. In person presentation at the 2023 Florida Nurses Association Membership Assembly. St. Augustine, FL.

Letourneau, R. M. (2023, October). Florida Center for Nursing Update. Virtual presentation at the BayCare Nursing Leadership Lunch & Learn. Tampa, FL.

Letourneau, R. M. (2023, October). Florida’s state of nursing education and proposed solutions Think Tank. In person presentation at University of Miami. Coral Gables, FL.

Letourneau, R. M. & Rosario-Schoepp, J. (2023, October). The State of the Nursing Workforce in Florida. Virtual presentation to the Florida Philanthropic Network. Tampa, FL.

Presentations:
National Associations & Organizations
Letourneau, R. M., Pryor, S., & Bonamer, J. (2023, April). USF-SMH excellence in nursing well-being coaching pilot program. Podium presentation at the 6th bi-annual Building Healthy Academic Communities (BHAC) Summit. Wilmington, NC.

Carden, A., Jimenez, A., & Letourneau, R. M. (2023, June). Florida’s NCLEX data: A deep dive into Florida nursing pass rates. Podium presentation at the National Forum of State Nursing Workforce Centers Annual Conference Imagining, Innovating and Transforming the National Nursing Workforce. Washington, DC.

Letourneau, R. M., Carden, A., & Johnson, A. (2023, June). Florida Nursing Students Demographics: The need for a representative nursing workforce. Podium presentation at the National Forum of State Nursing Workforce Centers Annual Conference Imagining, Innovating and Transforming the National Nursing Workforce. Washington, DC.

Letourneau, R. M., Carden, A., & Cooper, T. (2023, June). The nursing faculty shortage in Florida. Podium presentation at the National Forum of State Nursing Workforce Centers Annual Conference Imagining, Innovating and Transforming the National Nursing Workforce. Washington, DC.

Williams, K. & Letourneau, R. M. (2023, June). Excellence in nursing: Nurse well-being coaching program pilot. Podium presentation at the National Forum of State Nursing Workforce Centers Annual Conference Imagining, Innovating and Transforming the National Nursing Workforce. Washington, DC.

Halstead, V. & Letourneau, R. M. (2023, June). TruMont RN resident apprenticeship transition-to-practice program to improve the competence and confidence of nurses. Poster presentation at the National Forum of State Nursing Workforce Centers Annual Conference. Washington, DC.

Letourneau, R. M. (2023, September). Nursing Workforce Research: What are the national practices, uses, and limitations? Virtual presentation to the Hawai’i State Center for Nursing working group to study the feasibility and impact of the state adopting the nurse licensure compact. Honolulu, HI.

Presentations:
Legislative
Letourneau, R. M. (2023, February). Florida Center for Nursing. In person presentation to the postsecondary education and workforce subcommittee of the Florida House of Representatives. Tallahassee, FL.

Letourneau, R. M. (2023, November). The Florida Center for Nursing Update. In person presentation to the Florida House of Representatives Health Care Regulation Subcommittee. Tallahassee, FL.

Expert Panel:
Freeman, M., McAdams, K., Marstiller, S., Hershberger, J., & Letourneau, R. M. (2023, April). The nursing workforce dilemma in Florida. Hybrid panel presentation at the Institute for Strategic Policy Solutions. Wesley Chapel, FL.

Alexander, M., Villarruel, A., Landstrom, G., Blunt Rochester, L., Begley, R., & Letourneau, R. M. (2023, April). Nursing at the crossroads: A call to action. In person panel presentation at the National Press Club. Washington, DC.

Letourneau, R. M., McNamee, P., Laney, J., & Smith, M. (2023, October). Registered Apprenticeships in Emerging Occupations: Registered Nursing. Virtual panel presentation at the Office of Apprenticeship, U.S. Department of Labor.

The Florida Center for Nursing Team has traveled over 5,000 miles to educate and share information gathered regarding Florida’s nursing workforce.

FCN Media Impact

2023 Social Year in Review

Over 850 Posts on owned social media channels.

Over 2,200 Followers added on Facebook, Instagram,Linkedin, and X (Twitter).

• Facebook: 168.7% Increase
• Linkedin: 230.4% Increase

Over 4 Million Impressions on social media channels.

Over 434.7% Growth in subscribers to email newsletter.

386 Million Reach through earned media. 51% increase in total mentions.

FCN in the News

Television & Radio Coverage

• Fewer nurses passing licensing exams in Florida as critical shortage continues. (March 15, 2023). FOX 13, Tampa, FL.
• WPTV (NBC) NewsChannel 5 9/18 4pm newscast. – Coverage of “The State of the Nursing Workforce in Florida”
• WFLX (FOX) Fox29 9/18 6:30pm newscast. – Coverage of “The State of the Nursing Workforce in Florida”
• WLRN (NPR) 12/19 6am newscast. – Coverage of “Nursing Education Program Report”
• WMFE (NPR) 12/19 6am newscast. – Coverage of “Nursing Education Program Report”

Newspaper/Magazine/Online Articles

• Pass rates continue to fall at Florida nursing schools, data shows. (February 1, 2023). Tampa Bay Times.
• One in five nurses could leave the workforce by 2027. (April 17, 2023). MedPage Today.
• Future nurses from Palm Harbor Middle School visit USF College of Nursing. (May 5, 2023). USF Health News.
• Deceit Allegations, Lawsuits Dog Florida For-Profit Nursing School. (September 22, 2023). MedPage Today.
• Officials say Florida faces health care provider shortage. (November 8, 2023). The Center Square Florida.
• How safe is your hospital? Most in South Florida saw a decline in patient safety ratings. (November 14, 2023) South Florida Sun Sentinel.
• A Nursing Reboot. (November 24, 2023) Florida Trend.
• Officials say Florida faces health care provider shortage. (December 1, 2023) South Dade Newsleader.
• Healthcare workforce reports reveal disproportionate share of Hispanic doctors, nurses in FL. (December 6, 2023) Florida Phoenix.
• Florida’s rebound from nurse shortage at risk. (December 20, 2023). Becker’s Hospital Review.
• Three Convicted in Fake Nursing Diploma Scheme. (December 21, 2023). Medpage Today.

Board of Directors

Letter from the Board of Directors
As we reflect upon the past year, I am filled with pride at the remarkable accomplishments that have been achieved and the dedicated efforts of our board members and staff in advancing our mission, vision, and core values.

Our mission, driven by our unwavering commitment to the well-being of the people and visitors of Florida, has guided us throughout this journey. We recognize the need for a comprehensive strategy to address the multifaceted issues of recruitment, retention, and optimal utilization of our nursing workforce resources. To that end, our board diligently continues to develop a statewide strategic plan for the nursing workforce.

The strategic plan aligns with our organization’s vision of fostering a healthcare ecosystem where every Floridian has access to high-quality nursing care. It serves as a roadmap to bridge the gaps in our nursing workforce and ensure that the people we serve receive the care they deserve.

The Florida Center for Nursing stands as a beacon of hope and progress in addressing the dynamic workforce needs of nursing in our state. It is our privilege to lead this charge, and we are deeply grateful for your support, dedication, and partnership in achieving our shared goals.

Together, we will build a stronger, more resilient nursing workforce that will positively impact the health and well-being of all Floridians.

With Care & Gratitude,
Louisana Louis, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC
Chair, Board of Directors Florida Center for Nursing 
Visiting Associate Professor, Florida Atlantic University, 
Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing

Goals of the FCN

1. Develop a statewide strategic plan for the nursing workforce.
2. Enhance and promote recognition, reward, and renewal activities for nurses in Florida.
3. Convene various groups representative of nurses, other health care providers, business and industry, consumers, lawmakers, and educators to:

• • review and comment on data analysis prepared by the Florida Center for Nursing, and
  • recommend systemic changes, including strategies for implementation of recommended changes.

FCN Board of Directors Members 2022-2023

Recommended by the President of the Senate

Leslie Rogers PhD, MBA, BSN, RN 
Seat 1- FONL
Term Ends: 6/30/2026

Robin McGuinness DNP, RN
Seat 2- FHA
Term Ends: 6/30/2026

Kristina Cloversettle BSN, RN, NE-BC
Seat 3
Term Ends: 6/30/2024

Recommended by the Speaker of the House of Representatives

Joanne S. Hoertz RN, MSN, CRRN
Seat 2- LTC
Term Ends: 6/30/2024

Julianne Colle BSN, RN
Seat 3
Term Ends: 6/30/2025

Louisana Louis DNP, APRN, PMNP-BC
Seat 4
Term Ends: 6/30/2025

The Florida Center for Nursing Board of Directors are appointed according to Florida Statute 464.0196.

Recommended by the Governor

Jacqueline Munro PhD, APRN, NE-BC
Seat 1- RN
Term Ends: 6/30/2024

Monica Puga MSN, RN
Seat 2- RN
Term Ends: 6/30/2026

Robert Keiser PhD, MBA
Seat 3
Term Ends: 6/30/2024

Michele Panetta APRN,CRN
Seat 4
Term Ends: 6/30/2025

Recommended by the State Board of Education

Suzanne Depew MSN-Ed, RN
Seat 1- Director of Nursing, State College
Term Ends: 6/30/2026

Mary Anne Enns DNP, RN, CNE
Seat 2- Nurse Educator 
Term Ends: 6/30/2026

Michele Heston PhD, RN, CNE
Seat 3- Nurse Educator 
Term Ends: 6/30/2024

Vacancies:

• Seat 4 – Recommended by President of the Senate
• Seat 1 – Recommended by the Speaker of the House of Representatives who is a Registered Nurse recommended by the Florida Nurses Association
• Seat 1 – Recommended by the Board of Governors who is a dean of a College of Nursing at a state university

464.0195 Florida Center for Nursing; Goals

1. There is established the Florida Center for Nursing to address issues of supply and demand for nursing, including issues of recruitment, retention, and utilization of nurse workforce resources. The Legislature finds that the center will repay the state’s investment by providing an ongoing strategy for the allocation of the state’s resources directed towards nursing.
2. The primary goals for the center shall be to:

1. Develop a strategic statewide plan for nursing manpower in this state by:

1. Conducting a statistically valid biennial data-driven gap analysis of the supply and demand of the health care workforce. The center shall:

1. Establish and maintain a database on nursing supply and demand in the state, to include current supply and demand.
2. Analyze the current and future supply and demand in the state and the impact of this state’s participation in the Nurse Licensure Compact under s. 464.0095.

2. Developing recommendations to increase nurse faculty and clinical preceptors, support nurse faculty development, and promote advanced nurse education.
3. Developing best practices in the academic preparation and continuing education needs of qualified nurse educators, nurse faculty, and clinical preceptors.
4. Collecting data on nurse faculty, employment, distribution, and retention.
5. Piloting innovative projects to support the recruitment, development, and retention of qualified nurse faculty and clinical preceptors.
6. Encouraging and coordinating the development of academic-practice partnerships, including partnerships with hospitals which provide opportunities for nursing students to obtain clinical experience, to support nurse faculty employment and advancement.
7. Developing distance learning infrastructure for nursing education and advancing faculty competencies in the pedagogy of teaching and the evidence-based use of technology, simulation, and distance learning techniques.

(b) Enhance and promote recognition, reward, and renewal activities for nurses in the state by:

1. Promoting nursing excellence programs such as magnet recognition by the American Nurses Credentialing Center;
2. Proposing and creating additional reward, recognition, and renewal activities for nurses; and
3. Promoting media and positive image-building efforts for nursing.

(c) Convene various groups representative of nurses, other health care providers, business and industry, consumers, lawmakers, and educators to:

1. Review and comment on data analysis prepared for the center;
2. Recommend systemic changes, including strategies for implementation of recommended changes; and
3. Evaluate and report the results of these efforts to the Legislature and other entities.

(3) The Board of Nursing shall include on its initial and renewal application forms a question asking each nurse to voluntarily contribute to funding the Florida Center for Nursing in addition to paying the fees imposed at the time of licensure and licensure renewal. Revenues collected from nurses over and above the required fees shall be transferred from the Medical Quality Assurance Trust Fund to the Grants and Donations Trust Fund within the Department of Health and shall be used solely to support and maintain the goals and functions of the center. Before giving a nurse the opportunity to contribute to funding the center at the time of licensure renewal, the Board of Nursing shall provide the nurse with a summary of the center’s work, a link to the center’s Internet website, and the following statement: “The Florida Center for Nursing’s operating revenues are derived in part from your donation. In order for the Florida Center for Nursing to continue its work on behalf of nurses, please donate.”

(4) The center may request from the board, and the board must provide to the center upon its request, any information held by the board regarding nurses licensed in this state or holding a multistate license pursuant to s. 464.0095 or information reported to the board by employers of such nurses, other than personal identifying information.

(5) No later than each January 10, the center shall submit a report to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives providing details of its activities during the preceding calendar year in pursuit of its goals and in the execution of its duties under subsection (2), including a nursing education program report. The center shall annually update the report no later than February 10, to include data related to the NCLEX examination.

464.0196 Florida Center for Nursing; Board of Directors

1. The Florida Center for Nursing shall be governed by a policy-setting board of directors. The board shall consist of 16 members, with a simple majority of the board being nurses representative of various practice areas. Other members shall include representatives of other health care professions, business and industry, health care providers, and consumers.

The members of the board shall be appointed by the Governor as follows:

1. Four members recommended by the President of the Senate, at least one of whom shall be a registered nurse recommended by the Florida Organization of Nurse Executives and at least one other representative of the hospital industry recommended by the Florida Hospital Association;
2. Four members recommended by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, at least one of whom shall be a registered nurse recommended by the Florida Nurses Association and at least one other representative of the long-term care industry;

(c) Four members recommended by the Governor, two of whom shall be registered nurses;

(d) One nurse educator recommended by the Board of Governors who is a dean of a College of Nursing at a state university;and

(e) Three nurse educators recommended by the State Board of Education, one of whom must be a director of a nursing program at a Florida College System institution.

Florida Center for Nursing Staff 
 
Jason Bartos, BS – Communications and Marketing Manager
Abby Carden, MPH – Data Engineer
Aaron Castillo, BA – Communications and Marketing Officer
Tracie Cooper, MS – Learning Designer 
Shaun Harris, MSW – Program Manager 
Alec Jimenez, BS – Data Engineer
Rayna Letourneau, PhD, RN – Executive Director & Associate Professor
Amelia Phillips, DrPH, MPH, CPH – Director of Wellbeing
Stacy Pryor, MSN, RN, PhD Student Fellow – Graduate Research Assistant
Ana Sanchez, BA, PMC – Associate Director
Keanan Vanek, BS – Graphic Designer
Alejandro Vega Clariana, BS – Fiscal & Business Analyst

Headquartered at the University of South Florida College of Nursing
12901 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., MDC 22 Tampa, FL 33612
www.flcenterfornursing.org(813) 974-2085
flcenterfornursing@usf.edu