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 US full and unrestricted access to NP services. Over the last 22 years I have been active in promoting NP practice and recognition 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.
Current Professional Position
Full-time practicing nurse practitioner providing primary care and specialty diabetes management.
Leadership Experience in the Past Three Years
American Association of Nurse Practitioners
- Region Director Budget Workgroup Chair 2022.
- Executive Leadership Program Final Selection Committee 2022.
- Represented AANP on publication: Improving hypertension control and cardiovascular health: An urgent call to action for nursing. Wordviews on Evidence-Based Nursing, 19 (1), Pages 6-15. https://doi.org/10.1111/wvn.12...
- President Compensation Committee 2021
- Represented AANP on-screen virtual audience at invitational “White House Town Hall: Primary Care Providers, Health Systems, and the Next Phase of the Vaccination Rollout” June 11, 2021.
- Member of BOD Region 11 Director June 2019 to present
- 2022 Annual National Conference Committee Member and Board Liaison
- Region Membership Meetings Committee Member and Board Liaison 2020 to present
- BOD Mentor to new board member 2020, 2021
- AANP representative to the Overcoming Therapeutic Inertia Initiative https://www.professional.diabe... January 2020 to present
- Invited panel participant AANP We Choose NPs event Tallahassee, Florida February 5, 2020.
- Health Policy Committee BOD Liaison 2019 to present
Florida Nurse Practitioner Network
- Consultant to BOD Annual Retreat 2021
- First VP Legislation 2017 to 2021
Future
- Consider another AANP board position as if elected this will be my final term as Region 11 Director.
Biggest Challenge Facing Nurse Practitioners 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 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 a targeted media strategy to educate the public regarding the quality, safe and effective care that NPs provide. Also, NPs need education 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
In the spirit of servant leadership, I am compelled to serve in my professional association and am dedicated to the AANP mission to empower all NPs to advance quality health care through practice, education, advocacy, research, and leadership. To this aim, if re-elected I will work to ensure the needs of Region 11 members and AANP are in the forefront. I will bring my proven ability to build bridges and my skills in tackling difficult leadership situations. In this regard I have worked with coalitions to build trust, effective conflict management and improve communication allowing the team to meet their goals. Specifically, there has been legislative gains in the state of Florida because of this work including the historic passage of controlled substance legislation and more recently the passage of primary care full practice authority. I have the experience and skills to facilitate participation from colleagues and gather diverse ideas from others to develop different perspectives thereby reaching informed decisions that will be in the best interest of AANP and its members. I am committed to developing and applying the AANP strategic plan and will be prepared to ask the difficult questions in relation to supporting AANP initiatives.
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, AANP staff, and AANP State Liaison and other volunteers 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 its 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.