Five appointments to the Board of Nursing were announced by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
The Florida Board of Nursing plays an integral role in health care regulation as the board members and staff interact regularly with other nursing affiliated groups in Florida, as well as the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.
The Republican Florida Governor recently announced the appointment of Patricia Schafer and the reappointment of Deborah Becker, Christine Mueller, Fidelia “Fe” Roster, and Jennnifer Wages to the Board of Nursing.
Patricia Schafer is a Nurse Manger at the Women’s Pregnancy Center of Ocala. Active in her community, she advocated for SB 1690 during the 2025 Legislative Session which authorizes a hospital, EMS station, or a fire station to use an infant safety device to accept surrendered infants. Schafer is a Licensed Registered Nurse through the Florida Department of Health.
Deborah Becker is the Health Sciences Simulation Coordinator at the College of Central Florida. Active in her community, she is a member of the American Nurses Association, the National League of Nursing, the International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation, and the Society for Simulation in Healthcare. Becker earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing and her master’s degree in nursing education from Indiana University.
Christine Mueller, DNP is the Chief Nurse Administrator at Keiser University. Active in her community, she is a member of the American Association of Critical Care Nursing. A veteran of the United States Army, Mueller earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Barry University, her master’s degree in nursing from Florida Atlantic University, and her doctorate in nursing practice from Keiser University.
Fidelia “Fe” Roster, DNP is the Vice President and Chief Care Continuum Officer at Halifax Health. Active in her community, she is a member of the American Association of Critical Care Nurses, the Florida Organization of Nurse Leaders, the Heart of Volusia Board of Directors, the Association of Operating Room Nurses, and the Volusia Flagler Advance Practice Nurse Council. Roster earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing from St. Mary of the Plains College, her master’s degree in nursing from the University of Phoenix, and her doctorate in nursing practice from the University of Central Florida.
Jennifer Wages is the Director of Health Information Management Services for Encompass Health of Panama City. Active in her community, she is a member of the American Society for Health Care. Wages earned her Licensed Practical Nurse Certification from Haney Vocational School and her bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration from Southern New Hampshire University.
The board is made up of 13 members: seven Registered Nurses who have been engaged in the practice of professional nursing at least four years (one must be an advanced practice registered nurse, one must be a nurse executive, and one must be a nurse educator member of an approved program); three Licensed Practical Nurses who have been engaged in the practice of practical nursing at least four years; three consumer members who have never been connected with the practice of nursing. All board members must be Florida residents and one must be at least 60 years old.
These appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.
