Doreen Cassarino, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, BC-ADM, FAANP, FNAP
Candidate for Region 11 Director (Incumbent)
Campaign Message:
Utilizing my leadership expertise, if re-elected as Region 11 Director, I will continue to work towards advancing the NP role, allowing ALL NPs to practice to the full extent of their education and training giving every patient throughout the U.S. full and unrestricted access to NP services. Over the last 20 years, I have been active in promoting NP recognition and practice through my positions on multiple boards and leadership roles allowing the NP voice to be heard and considered. If re-elected, I will continue to represent each member and support each state representative in their efforts. I will remain committed to facing challenges head-on, developing creative strategies and solutions using my leadership strengths including coalition/team building and effective communication. If re-elected, I will work tirelessly to continue to represent your concerns to the BOD and deploy my skills to continue advancing the professional practice of NPs throughout Region 11.
A Word From the Candidate
Current Professional Position
Nurse Practitioner.
AANP/ACNP Leadership Experience
- American Association of Nurse Practitioners Member:
- BOD Region 11 Director 6/2019 – present.
- Region Membership Meetings Committee Member 2000.
- President appointment to mentor new board member 2000.
- Steering Committee representative to the American Diabetes Association Overcoming Therapeutic Inertia Initiative January 2020 – present.
- Panel participant AANP We Choose NPs event Tallahassee, Florida 2/5/2020.
- Represented AANP at the invitational signing “Executive Order on Protecting and Improving Medicare for Our Nation’s Seniors” by President Trump at the Villages, FL 10/3/2019.
- Virtual Conference Committee Member 2018 – 2019.
- Health Policy Committee Member 2018 – 2019.
- BOD Liaison 2019 – present.
- National Specialty and Leadership Conference-Chair 2016 – 2017.
- Florida State Representative 2008 – 2012.
- AANP Fellows Induction Committee-Co-chair 2019.
- Leadership Development Workgroup-Chair 2018.
- Florida BON Appointment to CS Formulary Committee-Chair 2016.
- Florida Center for Nursing, Governor Appointment to Executive Board 6/2015 – 2019.
- Chair 2018 – 2019.
- Vice Chair 2016 – 2018.
- Florida Nurse Practitioner Network First VP Legislative Affairs 2016 – 2020.
- Bylaws Committee Chair 2016.
- Immediate Past President 2014 – 2017.
- President 2010 – 2014.
- Conference Committee-Chair Speaker subcommittee 2019 – present.
- NCH Physician Group Board of Trustees, representing NPs and PAs 2010 – 2014.
- Florida Coalition of APNs-Co-chair 2014 – 2016.
- NP Council Collier County BOD position Member at Large 2015 – 2019.
- President 2003 – 2007, 2013 – 2015.
- VP Legislation 2007 – 2010.
Biggest Challenge Facing NPs and How AANP Can Help
The biggest challenge facing NPs into the next decade surrounds the rapid growth of the NP role with the resulting changes in the educational programs. As such there increasing pressure from outside of the NP community regarding the appropriateness of NP educational preparation and the ability of new NPs to provide safe patient care when entering the workforce. There is a growing voice of national physician groups refuting published studies demonstrating safety and effectiveness of NP provided care. Schools are advertising that a NP degree can be obtained totally online in a very short period of time which is also being used to support their claims. There are NPs providing fuel by posting disparaging comments on social media regarding NP educational preparation and readiness to practice upon graduation. A strategic plan should be developed to address this important issue and could include the following: A targeted media strategy to educate the public regarding the quality, safe and effective care that NPs provide. Education for NPs on how their words matter and the potential consequences. Work with nursing faculty leadership rework the advertisement of the programs to minimize the perception of the decreased rigor in completing educational programs.
Example of Initiative or Outcome of Leadership
Having been a graduate of the inaugural AANP Leadership Program and a recipient of the AANP Introductory Leadership Certificate coupled with my vast leadership experience at local, state and national levels I have built the skills that have served me well in my leadership roles. One of the most important has been coalition and team building. Utilizing my leadership skills I worked to build an effective team of leaders which ultimately resulted in the historic passage of Florida controlled substance legislation. Subsequently I was appointed by the Florida Board of Nursing to Chair the Formulary Committee, which was composed of three MDs, three NPs and one PhamD. This committee was legislatively mandated by the 2016 controlled substance bill and was tasked with recommending additional formulary restrictions above what legislatively mandated. Under my leadership, the committee did not recommend further restrictions despite repeated attempts to do so by some of the physician committee members. More recently, this coalition successfully passed further legislation that significantly removed additional barriers to NP provided care. These outcomes preserved NP practice and enhancing access to NP provided care. Should I be re-elected, I am committed to using my leadership skills to benefit the AANP members.
If Elected, I Propose to Advance the AANP Mission as Follows:
As a proven leader with a strong dedication to the mission of AANP, if re-elected, I will continue my dedication towards empowering all NPs to advance quality health care through practice, education, advocacy research and leadership. NPs need to be able to practice to the full extent of their education, and I will continue to strive towards this goal by translating my leadership experiences and successes throughout Region 11. I will continue to work with the other members of the Board of Directors and staff to develop and implement the AANP Strategic Plan and strategic initiatives. As a membership-driven association, it is imperative that Region Directors are available and responsive to the needs of their members. In this regard, it will continue to be my priority to bring the voice of the Region 11 members to the AANP Board of Directors. I am committed to the mission of AANP and will continue to work tirelessly towards achieving the association goals while working for the needs of the membership.