Since its founding, the Nursing Consortium of Florida has advocated for state policies supporting a strong Board of Nursing empowered to advance nursing practice and nursing education, and an adequately resourced Florida Center for Nursing able to research and report on nurse supply and demand. The Consortium also advocates for greater funding for nursing education and workforce development and facilitates opportunities for nurse leaders at member organizations to engage their elected representatives. The Consortium engages business and community leaders through Chambers of Commerce and other organizations to raise awareness of the importance of the healthcare sector as an economic driver, making the case that just as beach restoration and other infrastructure enhancements are an appropriate community investment to preserve and advance a healthy tourism sector, programs that make workforce housing more affordable for nurses and other healthcare workers is an important and appropriate community investment in support of the healthcare sector.
Relationships matter. Elected officials, that are inclined to do so, don’t often know how best to help nursing and advance healthcare in their communities. When faced with sometimes opposing asks, it is helpful for them to know a trusted local nurse executive from whom to solicit an opinion on the matter.
Past surveys of nurse executives revealed that fewer than 30% knew who their elected Municipal Commissioner, County Commissioner, State Representative, or State Senator was and less than 15% reported that their elected Municipal Commissioner, County Commissioner, State Representative, State Senator, Member of Congress, or one of their US Senators knew who they were.
The Consortium’s Advocacy Committee prepares and supports members in assessing opportunities for strategic and coordinated education of regulators, legislators, and other elected or appointed leaders on matters of importance to empowered nursing practice and on initiatives aimed at alleviating workforce shortages. It also facilitates and fosters positive relationships between nurse leaders and their governmental representatives.
The Nursing Consortium of Florida is nursing’s community table where the profession’s leaders build on a long legacy of uncommon collaboration, to conduct effective youth outreach and develop and evolve programming that promotes careers in nursing.
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