Leadership Spotlight: Dr Rayna Letourneau

Biography

Rayna Letourneau, PhD, RN, FAAN is an Associate Professor at the University of South Florida College of Nursing, Executive Director of the Florida Center for Nursing, and President of the National Forum of State Nursing Workforce Centers. With over 20 years of nursing experience, she brings a strong clinical foundation in emergency nursing and a broad teaching portfolio spanning undergraduate, graduate, and interprofessional education.

Dr. Letourneau’s scholarship is dedicated to advancing nursing workforce development and promoting nurse well-being. She is a widely published author with numerous peer-reviewed and invited publications and presentations, and she amplifies the voices of nurses nationwide as host of the Frontline Nursing podcast.

She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master of Science in Nursing Administration from the University of Rhode Island, and her PhD in Nursing from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth.

In 2022, Dr. Letourneau received the President’s Award from the Florida Nurses Association and was named to the Florida Health Care Power 100 by City & State Florida for her leadership in health policy and workforce development. Most recently, she was inducted as a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing, Class of 2025, one of the profession’s highest honors.

Leadership in Nursing

Dr. Letourneau is a respected nurse leader whose work advances the nursing profession through workforce development, policy influence, education, and advocacy for nurse well-being. Across academic, state, and national leadership roles, she continues to shape conversations that strengthen the profession and support the future of nursing.

Her leadership reflects a commitment to building a resilient nursing workforce, elevating nurses’ voices, and promoting environments where nurses can thrive professionally and personally.

Education & Academic Influence

• Associate Professor at the University of South Florida College of Nursing
• Teaches across undergraduate, graduate, and interprofessional education
• Earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Rhode Island
• Earned a Master of Science in Nursing Administration from the University of Rhode Island
• Earned a PhD in Nursing from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth

Global Clinical & Professional Impact

• Advances nursing workforce development through state and national leadership
• Promotes nurse well-being through scholarship, advocacy, and professional engagement
• Widely published with numerous peer-reviewed and invited publications and presentations
• Brings clinical expertise rooted in emergency nursing to education and leadership
• Amplifies nursing perspectives nationwide through the Frontline Nursing podcast

Awards & Recognition

• Received the President’s Award from the Florida Nurses Association in 2022
• Named to the Florida Health Care Power 100 by City & State Florida
• Inducted as a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing, Class of 2025
• Recognized for leadership in health policy and workforce development
• Celebrated for scholarship dedicated to advancing nurse well-being and the nursing workforce

Mentorship & Community Influence

Dr. Letourneau’s influence extends through teaching, scholarship, public dialogue, and professional service. Her work helps prepare the next generation of nurses while also supporting experienced professionals through research, advocacy, and leadership development.

By centering workforce sustainability and nurse well-being, she continues to create meaningful impact across education, policy, and the broader nursing community.