Amina Dubuisson, RN, MSN, MBA/HCM, LNHA, joined Greystone Health Network in 2000 as Director of Nursing Services. Now, following a series of promotions, she is currently Executive Director of North Beach Rehabilitation Center in Miami Beach. With her extensive education, an administrator’s license, and her experience as a nurse, Dubuisson oversees the entire operation, including nursing, the business office administration, human resources, clinical services and all other departments.

 

As a result of her experience, she is quite familiar with the trends and challenges that are facing the nursing community today. She said one of the challenges now – not just in South Florida but across the country – is a shortage of nurses. She said people ask, "We have so many nursing schools, so many students, how could we have a nursing shortage?" Dubuisson explained that many in the profession go back to school to get a higher degree – to become nurse practitioners or to work in specialty areas. She also pointed out that the Baby Boomers are reaching retirement age at an exponential rate and leaving positions open and seeking care.

 

"As a growing organization, we are always recruiting to identify the best talent available. We believe in professional development. We walk the talk with a mentor program, our online Greystone University and tuition reimbursement." A clearly passionate Dubuisson continued, "I may have an LPN who I will encourage to become an RN, or an RN who goes back to get a BSN; and then of course, they will get promoted and the cycle continues," she said, laughing. "But if someone has potential, I try to push them. I like to see them growing."

 

Another challenge Dubuisson mentioned was the increasing use of technology. She said that for long-term care, it will be mandatory for all skilled nursing facilities to have electronic medical records in place by the end of 2016.

"That’s another big challenge. We have so many nurses, but the new generation knows a lot more about computers than the older generation. So you have a group of people who embrace it, but another group that says, ‘Oh, it’s so hard.’ So I’ll say, ‘Come on, let me help you. You have to have a positive attitude, because it’s not going away. This is the new era, paper is not coming back.’ So it’s exciting, but we have to be there to support them and mentor them."

 

She added that having access to patient information makes care much simpler now. "If a family member has a question, you tap into the computer and you have all the answers right there. Before, you had to say, ‘Give me a minute, I have to go to the nurses’ station to get the chart.’ And maybe somebody else had the chart and you had to wait for it. This way, an electronic medical record makes it so much easier."

 

Dubuisson also pointed out two bills recently signed into law by the governor. One that goes into effect July 1, 2016, will allow advanced registered nurse practitioners to be able to prescribe controlled substances, or narcotics. She said all Greystone facilities have nurse practitioners in-house. "That’s why I’m so excited about the new legislation – what the nurse practitioners can do, because pain medication is such a big deal. Physicians are very cautious about writing pain medications – they know what happens on the street, but the patients may really need it. And if somebody who needs a script cannot get in touch with the physician, and the nurse practitioner cannot write that script, guess who’s going to suffer – the patient. Hopefully after July 1, that will be a good step."

 

The second bill will take effect December 31, 2018, and it will enable Florida to become part of the Nurse Licensure Compact. According to Dubuisson, 25 states are currently in the NLC, which means that if a nurse has an LPN license in one of those states, she or he can also practice in the other states. "It’s good, because it will make it easier for nurses to find work where they desire and help organizations with the nurse shortage. Maybe nurses decide they don’t want to work full time any more, but if they want to come here for three or four months, they will be able to work with us. It’s not going to be a huge factor, but it will help; and it’s also good for the nurses."

 

With her background in health care, Dubuisson is aware of the trends and challenges that are occurring in the nursing field; but she also embraces how the coming changes will be advantageous.

 

Amina joined the Greystone Health Network in 2000 at Unity Health and Rehabilitation Center, serving as MDS coordinator. She then rejoined the network as director of nursing at Wilton Manors Health and Rehabilitation Center, and earned two promotions to regional director of clinical operations, and to her current role as area clinical executive.

 

Her clinical experience and well-versed knowledge of the South Florida market is complemented by management and leadership experience, earning her Masters of Business Administration and her nursing home administrator license. Personal achievements include serving as president of the Haitian American Nursing Association of Florida, Inc. since 2015.