Advocate and Educate for Progress – Jayne Willis, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, CENP

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Our first Frontline Nursing episode of Season 3 features Jayne Willis, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, CENP. In this episode, Dr. Willis discusses discovering a new pathway in nursing education, addressing low NCLEX pass rates in Florida, and finding a place at the table.

Dr. Jayne Willis is a Lecturer and Co-Director of the University of Central Florida College of Nursing’s Executive Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program, where she prepares nurse leaders to navigate complex health systems through evidence-based practice, policy engagement, and systems thinking. Drawing on decades of executive experience, she is deeply committed to developing transformational leaders who can advance health care at the organizational and systems levels.

Following a distinguished 40-year career at Orlando Health, where she served as Vice President and Chief Nurse Executive, Dr. Willis transitioned to academia to shape the next generation of nursing executives. Her leadership extends well beyond the classroom into statewide and professional arenas.

Dr. Willis serves as Team Leader for the Nursing Action Coalition of Florida (NACFL) initiative, focused on strengthening nursing education by leading collaborative efforts to enhance educational infrastructure, advance workforce development, and align academic preparation with Florida’s evolving healthcare needs.

She is President of the Florida Nurses Foundation and serves on the board of the Florida Organization for Nursing Leadership. Her contributions to nursing leadership and the profession have been recognized with the Florida Nurses Association President’s Award and the University of Central Florida Outstanding Alumni Leadership Award.

Dr. Willis earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Florida State University, her Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Florida, and her Doctor of Nursing Practice in Executive Nursing Practice from the University of Central Florida. She is board-certified as a Nurse Executive–Advanced and as a Certified Executive in Nursing Practice.

Links

Nursing Action Coalition of Florida

University of Central Florida College of Nursing

Florida Nurses Foundation

Florida Organization for Nursing Leadership

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.