Frontline Nursing: 2025 Year in Review
Frontline Nursing
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As we bring 2025 to a close, this episode looks back at what we’ve learned from our diverse array of guests. Three key themes emerged from our conversations this year: nursing opportunities, mentorship, and self-care.
Featured guests:
- Susan Parda-Watters, DNP, MMOAS, MSN, APRN/ACNS-BC, CMSRN, Board Certified Clinical Nurse Specialist, Ret Lt Col United States Air Force, Chief Flight Nurse
- Anthony J. Silva, MSN, RN, CNOR, AMB-BC, ROT
- Shannon Shanks, DNP, APRN, NRP
- Kim Cartwright, LPN, WCC, FADLN
- Sherry Hoback, MBA, BSN, RN
- Jose D. Castillo III, PhD, MSNA, CRNA, APRN, FAANA
- Farah Laurent, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, NPD-BC, CPXP
- Danni Viera, BSN, RN, CWCN
- Francine Bono-Neri, PhD, RN, APRN, PNP
- Cynthia Drew, DNP, APRN
- Mamie Williams, PhD, MPH, MSN, APRN
- Debbie T. Devine, PhD, APRN, FNP, SANE-A
Links
The Florida Center for Nursing
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
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.
The Florida Center for Nursing is proudly headquartered at the University of South Florida College of Nursing.
Nurse Scientists: Nursing Beyond the Bedside - Danielle Altares Sarik, PhD, APRN, CPNP-PC, FAAN
Frontline Nursing
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This episode features Danielle Altares Sarik, PhD, APRN, CPNP-PC, FAAN, discussing her work as a pediatric nurse scientist, the Baby Steps model for patients’ transition to home, and the importance of nursing roles that don’t fit the traditional mold.
Danielle Altares Sarik is Director of Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, Senior Policy Service Professor at George Washington University, and Senior Fellow at the Center for Health Outcomes and Policy Research at the University of Pennsylvania.
As a pediatric nurse scientist and health services researcher, Dr. Danielle Altares Sarik focuses on improving pediatric systems of care and outcomes through policy, innovation, and research. She developed and implemented the American Academy of Nursing Edge Runner-designated Baby Steps model, a transition of care approach to address health equity for neonatal patients and families discharged from the neonatal intensive care unit. She actively guides national pediatric research and practice agendas through her service on the board of the National Pediatric Nurse Scientist Collaborative and the Institute for Pediatric Nursing.
Dr. Altares Sarik earned her PhD, MSN, and BSN from the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, and her BA from Cornell University.
Links
The Baby Steps Project - A telehealth nursing intervention to improve the transition from the neonatal intensive care unit to home for infants & caregivers: Preliminary evaluation
The Florida Center for Nursing
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
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.
The Florida Center for Nursing is proudly headquartered at the University of South Florida College of Nursing.
The Business Side of Health Care - Michael Ipock, MSN, APRN, AGPCNP-BC, FNP-BC
Frontline Nursing
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In this episode, Michael Ipock talks with Frontline Nursing host and Executive Director of Florida Center for Nursing Rayna Letourneau, PhD, RN, FAAN, about life as an autonomous nurse practitioner, finding inspiration in tragedy, and navigating health care as an industry.
Michael Ipock, MSN, APRN, AGPCNP-BC, FNP-BC, is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner and founder of Wiregrass Direct Primary Care in Wesley Chapel, Florida. With more than a decade of experience across acute and primary care, he is a passionate advocate for addressing the nurse practitioner shortage and improving clinical preparedness. Michael actively trains providers in billing, coding, and risk adjustment to enhance both clinical outcomes and financial sustainability in primary care.
Links
The Florida Center for Nursing
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
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.
The Florida Center for Nursing is proudly headquartered at the University of South Florida College of Nursing.
All Nurses are Psychiatric Nurses - Tina Goodrow, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC
Frontline Nursing
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This episode features Tina Goodrow, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC, discussing working as a psychiatric mental health practitioner, finding her way, and helping others help themselves.
Dr. Goodrow is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with over 20 years of experience in mental health, leadership, and education. At SMA Healthcare in Ocala, Florida, she provides psychiatric evaluations and medication management for children and adolescents, including those in high-risk situations, through both clinic-based care and community outreach.
As a mentor and educator, she has provided comprehensive support to nursing students across all academic levels, fostering their professional growth and development. She has designed and implemented multiple training programs aimed at promoting violence prevention and enhancing safety within healthcare environments.
Links
The Florida Center for Nursing
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
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.
The Florida Center for Nursing is proudly headquartered at the University of South Florida College of Nursing.
Managing Pain with Care - John Maye, PhD, CRNA, CAPT (Ret) USN
Frontline Nursing
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In this episode, John Maye, PhD, CRNA, CAPT (Ret) USN, discusses chronic pain management, learning from former students, and teaching patient advocacy.
Dr. John Maye is a Professor and Director of Pain Concentrations at The University of South Florida in Tampa. His responsibilities include serving as the Program Director for the Advanced Pain Management Fellowship. This program provides experienced CRNAs with training and evidence-based knowledge for the practice of advanced pain management. Dr. Maye retired from the United States Navy in 2015 after earning the rank of Captain. He is a 1992 graduate of the University of Kansas Nurse Anesthesia Program and earned his PhD in nursing from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in 2000.
Dr. Maye has published more than 35 peer-reviewed articles. He has received numerous awards for his research and academic achievements. He was recently selected as a Fellow by the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology.
Links
Advanced Pain Management Fellowship
More about the Advanced Pain Management Fellowship
The Florida Center for Nursing
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
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.
The Florida Center for Nursing is proudly headquartered at the University of South Florida College of Nursing.
Standing Up for the Future of Nursing - Janice Adams, DNP, MPA, RN
Frontline Nursing
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Janice Adams, DNP, MPA, RN, joins Florida Center for Nursing Executive Director Rayna Letourneau, PhD, RN, for a conversation about the importance of workforce data, retiring multiple times, and looking at the big picture.
Dr. Adams earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice in Executive Leadership from American Sentinel University in Aurora, CO. She earned her Master of Public Administration from Troy State University, her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Old Dominion University in Virginia, and her diploma in nursing from Sentara Norfolk General Hospital in Norfolk, VA.
Dr. Adams is the immediate past Associate Dean and Director of the Murphy Deming School of Nursing at Mary Baldwin University in Staunton, VA. She has lived in Tampa since 2004 following a successful career serving in the U.S. Navy for 28 years. Her nursing career spans over 45 years. Nursing specialties include nursing education, critical care nursing, and otorhinolaryngology nursing.
Dr. Adams is the Immediate Past President of the Florida Nurses Association. She is the current Director of the Nursing Action Coalition of Florida.
Links
Nursing Action Coalition of Florida
The Florida Center for Nursing
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
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.
The Florida Center for Nursing is proudly headquartered at the University of South Florida College of Nursing.
Why Nurses Make Good Leaders - Sherry Hoback, MBA, BSN, RN
Frontline Nursing
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Sherry Hoback, MBA, BSN, RN, discusses community health, the value of wearing your heart on your sleeve, and the importance of accommodations.
Sherry Hoback leads Tampa Family Health Centers, Inc. (TFHC) — one of Florida’s largest Federally Qualified Health Centers — serving over 140,000 patients across 14 locations.
Propelled by her vision, TFHC launched the Tampa Family Education Institute, the Tampa Family Infusion Center, and residency programs in family medicine, dentistry, and pediatrics, including one of only two community-based pediatric residencies in the nation. She championed the Go For More Weight Loss Program and expanded TFHC’s mobile health fleet-bringing medical, dental, and behavioral health services directly into neighborhoods, schools, and high-need areas.
Sherry serves on the boards of HCN, Inc., HCN Florida as treasurer and finance committee chair, Health Choice Care ACO, and FACHC. Her impact has earned honors from Forbes, Fortune, and Entrepreneur and the 2019 Businesswoman of the Year by Tampa Bay Business Journal, 2022 Top 100 Businesswomen in Florida, the 2024 Advocates for Community Health Changemaker Award, the 2025 Women Who Win Award in Health & Wellness from Tampa Bay Business & Wealth Magazine and a prestigious Florida Blue Foundation Sapphire Award.
Links
Florida Association of Community Health Centers
The Florida Center for Nursing
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
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.
The Florida Center for Nursing is proudly headquartered at the University of South Florida College of Nursing.
What is Leadership in Nursing? – Mamie Williams, PhD, MPH, MSN, APRN
Frontline Nursing
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In this episode, Mamie Williams, PhD, MPH, MSN, APRN, discusses taking nursing stories out into the community, advocating for change, and expanding the nursing workforce pipeline.
Dr. Mamie Williams is a nationally recognized nursing leader and transformational advocate for workforce development, health equity, and professional well-being. She currently serves as Co-Director of the Vanderbilt School of Nursing Academy for Cultural Pioneering Aspiring and Emerging Nurse Leaders, which she co-founded to cultivate inclusive and mission-driven nursing professionals committed to cultural transformation.
Links
The Florida Center for Nursing
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
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.
The Florida Center for Nursing is proudly headquartered at the University of South Florida College of Nursing.
Not "Just" an LPN – Kim Cartwright, LPN, WCC, FADLN
Frontline Nursing
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Florida Center for Nursing Executive Director Rayna Letourneau, PhD, RN, talks with Kim Cartwright, LPN, WCC, FADLN, about her lengthy tenure as a licensed practical nurse, the challenges of home care, and knowing when it's time to leave a job.
With over three decades of dedicated service as a licensed practical nurse (LPN), Kim Cartwright has consistently championed excellence and equity in healthcare. With extensive experience across diverse settings, Kim’s visionary leadership made history when she and several of her colleagues established the Black Nurses of Southern Maryland (BNSMD) in 2012, becoming the first LPN to organize and serve as President of a local chapter within the National Black Nurses Association (NBNA). Her advocacy for LPNs continues through her previous role as the LPN Representative on the NBNA Board of Directors, serving two terms and as a Lifetime Member. She is currently the co-chair of the LPN Council, an ad hoc committee within NBNA.
Links
Black Nurses of Southern Maryland
National Black Nurses Association
The Florida Center for Nursing
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
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.
The Florida Center for Nursing is proudly headquartered at the University of South Florida College of Nursing.
Preparing Nursing Students for the Real World - Cam Felismino, PhD, RN
Frontline Nursing
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This episode features Cam Felismino, PhD, RN, discussing how to establish a culture of accountability, generating new knowledge, and grabbing opportunities when they come.
Dr. Cam Felismino is an accomplished nursing leader with over 20 years of experience in academic leadership, student success, and clinical education. Currently serving as the Dean of Nursing at Arizona College of Nursing in Tampa, Dr. Felismino has led transformative initiatives that improved NCLEX pass rates from 36% to 94.74% and significantly boosted colleague engagement and student retention. She holds a PhD in Nursing Education, an MSN with a concentration in Public Health from Xavier University, and a BSN from San Juan de Dios College in the Philippines.
Dr. Felismino is a recipient of several prestigious awards, including the Circle of Excellence in Nursing Education and the Arizona College of Nursing Peak Performer Award. She remains active in professional organizations such as the Philippine Nurses Association of America and the National League for Nursing, and has presented at national conferences on nursing innovation and diversity in education.
Links
Philippine Nurses Association of America
The Florida Center for Nursing
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
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.
The Florida Center for Nursing is proudly headquartered at the University of South Florida College of Nursing.
The Challenges of Becoming Nursing Faculty - Danni Viera, BSN, RN, CWCN
Frontline Nursing
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In this episode, Danni Viera, BSN, RN, CWCN, discusses the challenges she encountered during her transition from expert clinician to nursing faculty.
Danni Viera is a board member of the National Association of Hispanic Nurses Central Florida Chapter and nurse of eight years. Danni has had diverse nursing experiences that include hospice, spinal cord injury, med-surg, wound care, ICU, mental health, and adjunct clinical instructor. She is passionate about health equity, climate justice, ethics in health care and health care worker’s rights. When she is not working or engaging in advocacy work with NAHN Central Florida, she enjoys long walks with her dog and spending time by the water.
Links
National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN) Central Florida Chapter
The Florida Center for Nursing
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
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.
The Florida Center for Nursing is proudly headquartered at the University of South Florida College of Nursing.
Modeling Empathy: The Expert Nurse Witness – Debbie T. Devine, PhD, APRN, FNP, SANE-A
Frontline Nursing
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This episode features Dr. Devine discussing her work as a Sexual Assault Nurse Educator (SANE), the role faith has played in her nursing journey, and shaping the future of nursing.
Dr. Debbie T. Devine is a distinguished nurse leader, educator, and Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) with extensive experience in clinical care, higher education, forensic nursing, and public health. She earned her PhD in Nursing from the University of South Florida and has held academic positions at various institutions, where she has taught at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels. Her work is dedicated to advancing evidence-based practice, innovating curricula, and mentoring students. As a subject matter expert, she has contributed to integrating national nursing competencies into academic programs and continues to shape the future of nursing education through thoughtful instructional design and leadership.
Links
Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Information
The Florida Center for Nursing
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
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.
The Florida Center for Nursing is proudly headquartered at the University of South Florida College of Nursing.
Taking Nursing to the Streets – Shannon Shanks, DNP, APRN, NRP
Frontline Nursing
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Listen as Shannon Shanks, DNP, APRN, NRP, talks about caring for the community through mobile-integrated health care, meeting patients where they are, and more.
Dr. Shannon Shanks is a board-certified family nurse practitioner and the medical supervisor for the Manatee County Emergency Services Community Health Program. She brings over 26 years of health care experience, including roles in prehospital emergency care as a paramedic, Level I and II trauma centers, community emergency medicine, primary care, and health care education.
Dr. Shanks earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) from Lourdes University in Sylvania, Ohio. She holds a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with a concentration in Family Nurse Practitioner from Herzing University in Madison, Wisconsin, and completed her undergraduate studies at Mercy College of Ohio.
For the past two years, Dr. Shanks has led the medical team at Community Health, a mobile integrated health care program serving Manatee County. Her work focuses on street medicine, addiction medicine, and providing comprehensive care to underserved populations.
Under her leadership, the Community Health team has received notable recognition, including the 2023 18th Congressional District Fire Rescue/EMS Award for community service, and the 2024 Florida Department of Health’s Mobile Integrated Healthcare Program of the Year award.
Links
The Florida Center for Nursing
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
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.
The Florida Center for Nursing is proudly headquartered at the University of South Florida College of Nursing.
The Power of Bilingual Nurses - Mati Vizcaino, RN
Frontline Nursing
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This episode features Mati Vizcaino, RN, discussing her transition from pediatric nursing to become a bone marrow transplant nurse coordinator, the opportunities as a bilingual nurse, and the possibilities of nursing.
Mati Vizcaino is an RN Coordinator for the Transplant Medical Services at NMDP. She graduated from Saint Petersburg College of Nursing in 1988 and worked as a pediatric nurse most of her career at Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital. She was a PACU nurse for 10 years. She transitioned to become a Bone Marrow Transplant Nurse Coordinator, a position she held for 22 years.
In 2022, Mati began working for the NMDP, a national and international bone marrow/stem cell donor registry. NMDP is an organization driven by a commitment to save lives through cell therapy. She is a Spanish Medical Interpreter and was honored to receive the DAISY Award for extraordinary nurses in 2019.
Links
The Florida Center for Nursing
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
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.
The Florida Center for Nursing is proudly headquartered at the University of South Florida College of Nursing.
Disaster Nursing – Nancy Rudner, DrPH, APRN, RN
Frontline Nursing
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This episode features Dr. Rudner discussing her work as a volunteer nurse providing disaster relief across the globe. She also talks about looking at the bigger picture, prevention as a tool to strengthen communities, and the power of nurses to influence policy.
Dr. Nancy Rudner is an independent scholar and volunteer nurse practitioner. She has focused her career on improving health through the lifespan through patient care, population health, and policy. Her work has included improving health through policy and advocacy for modernized nurse practitioner regulations, population health initiatives, disaster nursing, and international collaborations. She has provided disaster care in Florida, Puerto Rico, the Bahamas, and the Texas-Mexico border. Her publications address nursing regulations, disaster care, environmental health, and worker heat protections. Her work has been recognized with awards from Farmworker Association of Florida and the Florida Nurse Practitioner Network. She will be inducted into the Fellows of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners in June. She is working on the Nursing Action Coalition of Florida’s efforts to strengthen disaster nursing preparation.
Additional Links
National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster
The Florida Center for Nursing
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
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.
The Florida Center for Nursing is proudly headquartered at the University of South Florida College of Nursing.
You Need a Nurse – Farah Laurent, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, NPD-BC, CPXP
Frontline Nursing
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In this episode, Dr. Farah Laurent talks about reshaping public perception of nurses, coaching new nurses, and the refusal to accept the word ‘no.’
Dr Laurent is transforming the landscape of nursing by empowering new graduate nurses and aspiring nurse entrepreneurs to build powerful personal brands, land high-paying dream roles, and launch purpose-driven businesses. Through her dynamic coaching, mindset development, resume optimization, and digital visibility strategies, Dr. Laurent is helping nurses gain the confidence, clarity, and tools they need to thrive both in their careers and as entrepreneurs.
As the founder of Farah Laurent International Nurse Coach LLC, Dr. Laurent brings unmatched expertise and insight to the nursing industry. A former emergency nurse, educator, and leadership expert, she has helped over 100 new nurses land high-paying roles in competitive specialties such as labor & delivery, maternal-newborn, OR, emergency, and critical care. Under her guidance, nurses have achieved starting salaries of $100K–$175K+ and advanced to leadership roles in hospitals across the country.
Links
Farah Laurent International Nurse Coach LLC
The Florida Center for Nursing
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
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.
The Florida Center for Nursing is proudly headquartered at the University of South Florida College of Nursing.
No More Fraudulent Nursing Schools – Jose D. Castillo III, PhD, MSNA, CRNA, APRN, FAANA
Frontline Nursing
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This episode features Jose D. Castillo III, PhD, MSNA, CRNA, APRN, FAANA, discussing the Florida Board of Nursing and its work investigating fraudulent nursing schools, his goals for the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, and the importance of giving back.
Dr. Castillo earned his PhD in Instructional Design and Technology from Keiser University in 2016. He previously completed his BSN at West Visayas State University in 1994 and his MS in Nurse Anesthesia at Wolford College in 2007. Currently, Dr. Castillo is a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) practitioner in Florida and has been a full-time Nurse Anesthesia faculty member for over 16 years. In 2023, he was appointed as a tenured Associate Professor at Texas Wesleyan University.
Dr. Castillo has held several significant leadership roles, including past President of the Florida Association of Nurse Anesthesiology, recent Chair of the Florida Board of Nursing, and current President-Elect for the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. His dedication to the nursing profession has earned him the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology 2021 Ira P. Gunn Award for Outstanding Professional Advocacy and a 2024 Fellow designation. On a national level, Dr. Castillo frequently presents scholarly topics relevant to CRNAs and nursing.
Links
National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)
Florida Board of Nursing (FBON)
Florida Association of Nurse Anesthesiology
The Florida Center for Nursing
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
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.
The Florida Center for Nursing is proudly headquartered at the University of South Florida College of Nursing.
"I Did Not Want to Be a Nurse” - Shamisca Jean Baptiste, RN
Frontline Nursing
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In this episode, Shamisca Jean Baptiste, RN, talks about celebrating her two-year nursiversary, choosing a nursing school, and preparing for the NCLEX.
Shamisca is a dedicated registered nurse with a strong commitment to providing exceptional patient care. With experience in various health care settings, she excels in delivering compassionate support and expert medical assistance. Shamisca is skilled in both clinical and administrative tasks, ensuring that her patients receive the highest quality of care.
Links
Florida Board of Nursing NCLEX Pass Rates
The Florida Center for Nursing
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
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.
The Florida Center for Nursing is proudly headquartered at the University of South Florida College of Nursing.
‘No’ is a Complete Sentence – Even for Nurses – Jose D. Castillo III, PhD, MSNA, CRNA, APRN, FAANA
Frontline Nursing
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This episode features Jose D. Castillo III, PhD, MSNA, CRNA, APRN, FAANA, in discussion with Florida Center for Nursing Executive Director Rayna Letourneau, PhD, RN, about his role as a CRNA, finding the nursing role that fits you, and asking the hard questions.
Dr. Castillo earned his PhD in Instructional Design and Technology from Keiser University in 2016. He previously completed his BSN at West Visayas State University in 1994 and his MS in Nurse Anesthesia at Wolford College in 2007. Currently, Dr. Castillo is a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) practitioner in Florida and has been a full-time Nurse Anesthesia faculty member for over 16 years. In 2023, he was appointed as a tenured Associate Professor at Texas Wesleyan University.
Dr. Castillo has held several significant leadership roles, including past President of the Florida Association of Nurse Anesthesiology, recent Chair of the Florida Board of Nursing, and current President-Elect for the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. His dedication to the nursing profession has earned him the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology 2021 Ira P. Gunn Award for Outstanding Professional Advocacy and a 2024 Fellow designation. On a national level, Dr. Castillo frequently presents scholarly topics relevant to CRNAs and nursing.
Links
National Council of State Boards of Nursing
Florida Association of Nurse Anesthesiology
The Florida Center for Nursing
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
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.
The Florida Center for Nursing is proudly headquartered at the University of South Florida College of Nursing.
Give it a Year - Cynthia Drew, DNP, APRN
Frontline Nursing
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In this episode, Cynthia Drew, DNP, APRN, talks about the role of autonomous nurse practitioners, the value of precepting, and encouraging the next generation of nurses.
Dr. Drew’s education consists of a DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice) in leadership at University of Texas Arlington and a Master of Science in Nursing and Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of South Florida. She is a nationally certified geriatric nurse practitioner through ANCC and licensed and practicing as an autonomous nurse practitioner in Florida. Her experience as a nurse practitioner in the past 36 years has involved mainly primary and secondary care with cardiology and internal medicine patients. She has been involved with nursing policy at the state and national level since 2006. She is currently on the board of the Sarasota County Nurse Practitioner Association, educational committee of the Florida Nurse Practitioner Network, and member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.
Links
Sarasota County Nurse Practitioner Association
American Association of Nurse Practitioners
Florida Nurse Practitioner Network
The Florida Center for Nursing
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
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.
The Florida Center for Nursing is proudly headquartered at the University of South Florida College of Nursing.
Not Every Nurse Works in a Hospital – Susan Parda-Watters, DNP, MMOAS, MSN, APRN/ACNS-BC, CMSRN, Board Certified Clinical Nurse Specialist, Ret Lt Col United States Air Force, Chief Flight Nurse
Frontline Nursing
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This episode features Susan Parda-Watters, DNP, MMOAS, MSN, APRN/ACNS-BC, CMSRN, discussing learning to be a leader, the reality of being a military flight nurse, and the alphabet soup of her credentials.
Dr. Parda-Watters is a global leader with extensive experience as an Adult Health Clinical Nurse Specialist and in expeditionary command and control leadership. She is a board-certified Clinical Nurse Specialist and a retired Lieutenant Colonel with over 20 years of active-duty service and 31 years of nursing expertise in aeromedical evacuation/flight nursing, aerospace physiology transport, critical care, emergency/trauma response, planning and coordination, hyperbaric, and psychiatric medicine. Her exposures and opportunities as a nurse built her up and prepared her to be where she is today, and she is currently a member of a USF research team as an Advanced Practice Provider.
Links
USF Health Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment (HBOT) Clinical Trial
Military Order of the World Wars
The Florida Center for Nursing
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
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.
The Florida Center for Nursing is proudly headquartered at the University of South Florida College of Nursing.
Nursing Saved My Life – Anthony J. Silva, MSN, RN, CNOR, AMB-BC, ROT
Frontline Nursing
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In this episode, Anthony J. Silva, MSN, RN, CNOR, AMB-BC, ROT, discusses his work on the frontlines and in the classroom, the importance of relationships in his career, and more.
Anthony Silva is an orthopedic scrub nurse and ambulatory registered nurse at Naples Comprehensive Health in Naples, FL. He is faculty at Rasmussen University in Fort Myers, FL, as an adjunct clinical nursing instructor. He is a custom infusion nurse at The Wellness Lab in Naples, Florida. He is currently pursuing his DNP: Family Nurse Practitioner at the University of Miami.
Links
FNA Special Interest Group for New Graduates
The Florida Center for Nursing
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
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.
The Florida Center for Nursing is proudly headquartered at the University of South Florida College of Nursing.
Empowering Florida Nurses - Dakota Redd, RN
Frontline Nursing
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In this episode, Dakota Redd, RN, discusses his work as a Chief Nursing Officer, the importance of listening as a leader, and maintaining a focus on helping nurses thrive.
Dakota Redd’s health care journey started more than forty years ago with eighteen years of critical care nursing, focusing on Cardiovascular Nursing. He then took on roles in nursing leadership, moving from Nursing Supervision to Department Director, Chief Nursing Executive and Chief Nursing Officer. Beginning in 2021, he started his current role as the Chief Nursing Officer for Hendry Regional Medical Center in Clewiston, Florida. In 2023 he was recognized by the Florida Rural Health Association, as a “Healthcare Hero” for his leadership and courage in transforming his hospital’s culture.
Links
Florida Rural Health Association
Florida Center for Nursing
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The Florida Center for Nursing
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
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.
The Florida Center for Nursing is proudly headquartered at the University of South Florida College of Nursing.
Advocating for Yourself and Others - Francine Bono-Neri, PhD, RN, APRN, PNP
Frontline Nursing
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In the second part of the conversation between Florida Center for Nursing Executive Director Rayna Letourneau, PhD, RN, and Francine Bono-Neri, PhD, RN, APRN, PNP, Dr. Bono-Neri talks about self-care, shares data gathered by her organization Nurses United Against Human Trafficking, and offers tips for nurse advocacy.
Francine Bono-Neri, PhD, RN, APRN, PNP is a pediatric nurse practitioner, academic nurse educator, trained sexual assault nurse examiner, researcher, published author, invited speaker, and nurse leader. She served as a Director-at-Large for the American Nurses Association for the State of New York, and as President for the Long Island Chapter of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners. Dr. Bono-Neri is the recipient of the prestigious 2019 Jane Eleanor Knox N.E.F. National Scholarship. As a way of giving back, she has established a scholarship in perpetuity through N.E.F., The Francine Bono-Neri Scholarship, which will be awarded annually to a master’s or doctoral nursing student pursuing clinical expertise or scholarly work in the area of human trafficking and anti-trafficking measures. Dr. Bono-Neri was awarded a Nassau County Legislature Citation and was recognized at the United Nations, receiving the 2024 Inspiring Global Nurse Award and the 2024 International Ceca Award. She was selected to be inducted as a Fellow into the American Academy of Nursing (FAAN) this upcoming Fall. Dr. Bono-Neri is the Co-founder and President of Nurses United Against Human Trafficking, P.A., a global professional association created for the sole purpose of combatting modern-day slavery by educating, equipping, and empowering healthcare professionals on human trafficking and anti-trafficking measures.
Links
Nurses United Against Human Trafficking
National Student Nurses’ Association (NSNA)
The Florida Center for Nursing
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
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.
The Florida Center for Nursing is proudly headquartered at the University of South Florida College of Nursing.
Once a Nurse, Always a Nurse - Francine Bono-Neri, PhD, RN, APRN, PNP
Frontline Nursing
Love Frontline Nursing? Let us know
This episode features Florida Center for Nursing Executive Director Rayna Letourneau, PhD, RN, in conversation with Francine Bono-Neri, PhD, RN, APRN, PNP. Dr. Bono-Neri discusses her work fighting human trafficking and her refusal to fail another victim.
Francine Bono-Neri, PhD, RN, APRN, PNP is a pediatric nurse practitioner, academic nurse educator, trained sexual assault nurse examiner, researcher, published author, invited speaker, and nurse leader. She served as a Director-at-Large for the American Nurses Association for the State of New York, and as President for the Long Island Chapter of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners. Dr. Bono-Neri is the recipient of the prestigious 2019 Jane Eleanor Knox N.E.F. National Scholarship. As a way of giving back, she has established a scholarship in perpetuity through N.E.F., The Francine Bono-Neri Scholarship, which will be awarded annually to a master’s or doctoral nursing student pursuing clinical expertise or scholarly work in the area of human trafficking and anti-trafficking measures. Dr. Bono-Neri was awarded a Nassau County Legislature Citation and was recognized at the United Nations, receiving the 2024 Inspiring Global Nurse Award and the 2024 International Ceca Award. She was selected to be inducted as a Fellow into the American Academy of Nursing (FAAN) this upcoming Fall. Dr. Bono-Neri is the Co-founder and President of Nurses United Against Human Trafficking, P.A., a global professional association created for the sole purpose of combatting modern-day slavery by educating, equipping, and empowering healthcare professionals on human trafficking and anti-trafficking measures.
Links
Nurses United Against Human Trafficking
The Florida Center for Nursing
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
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.
The Florida Center for Nursing is proudly headquartered at the University of South Florida College of Nursing.
Frontline Nursing: 2025 Year in Review
51:32
Nurse Scientists: Nursing Beyond the Bedside - Danielle Altares Sarik, PhD, APRN, CPNP-PC, FAAN
41:35
The Business Side of Health Care - Michael Ipock, MSN, APRN, AGPCNP-BC, FNP-BC
41:04
All Nurses are Psychiatric Nurses - Tina Goodrow, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC
25:02
Managing Pain with Care - John Maye, PhD, CRNA, CAPT (Ret) USN
36:14
Standing Up for the Future of Nursing - Janice Adams, DNP, MPA, RN
32:03
Why Nurses Make Good Leaders - Sherry Hoback, MBA, BSN, RN
35:51
What is Leadership in Nursing? – Mamie Williams, PhD, MPH, MSN, APRN
37:09
Not "Just" an LPN – Kim Cartwright, LPN, WCC, FADLN
33:57
Preparing Nursing Students for the Real World - Cam Felismino, PhD, RN
34:34
The Challenges of Becoming Nursing Faculty - Danni Viera, BSN, RN, CWCN
41:16
Modeling Empathy: The Expert Nurse Witness – Debbie T. Devine, PhD, APRN, FNP, SANE-A
24:45
Taking Nursing to the Streets – Shannon Shanks, DNP, APRN, NRP
26:12
The Power of Bilingual Nurses - Mati Vizcaino, RN
30:57
Disaster Nursing – Nancy Rudner, DrPH, APRN, RN
27:40
You Need a Nurse – Farah Laurent, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, NPD-BC, CPXP
29:19
No More Fraudulent Nursing Schools – Jose D. Castillo III, PhD, MSNA, CRNA, APRN, FAANA
26:04
"I Did Not Want to Be a Nurse” - Shamisca Jean Baptiste, RN
34:26
‘No’ is a Complete Sentence – Even for Nurses – Jose D. Castillo III, PhD, MSNA, CRNA, APRN, FAANA
44:49
Give it a Year - Cynthia Drew, DNP, APRN
35:34
Not Every Nurse Works in a Hospital – Susan Parda-Watters, DNP, MMOAS, MSN, APRN/ACNS-BC, CMSRN, Board Certified Clinical Nurse Specialist, Ret Lt Col United States Air Force, Chief Flight Nurse
45:53
Nursing Saved My Life – Anthony J. Silva, MSN, RN, CNOR, AMB-BC, ROT
40:27
Empowering Florida Nurses - Dakota Redd, RN
42:37
Advocating for Yourself and Others - Francine Bono-Neri, PhD, RN, APRN, PNP
28:59
Once a Nurse, Always a Nurse - Francine Bono-Neri, PhD, RN, APRN, PNP
47:23