TNA D3 Music City District, Tennessee Nurses Association

04/20/2026

We are excited to share this upcoming opportunity to learn, connect, and continue fostering support for nurses and healthcare professionals!

The 2026 Trauma Summit: Great Teams Equal Great Care will take place on Friday, May 15 from 8:00 AM–12:00 PM and offers both in-person and virtual attendance options. This event will feature important and timely topics including:
• Farm injuries
• Neonatal emergency interventions
• End-of-life and futility considerations
• Pre-hospital resuscitation
• Mental health and su***de

Hosted by the TriStar Trauma Network at the HCA Healthcare Capitol View Building in Nashville, this is a wonderful opportunity to engage in meaningful continuing education while supporting collaboration and excellence in patient care.

Complimentary breakfast will be provided for in-person attendees, and participants can earn up to 5 hours CME/CEU/CE credits.

As nurses, strong teams and strong professional connections matter. Opportunities like this help us continue growing together, strengthening our profession, and supporting one another in the work we do every day.

04/19/2026

Join us in supporting Ray Coe in his candidacy for ANA President!

🚨 𝐀 𝐕𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐍𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐬. 𝐀 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. 🚨

The future of nursing needs strong, steady, and thoughtful leadership, and 𝐑𝐚𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐞’𝐬 𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐜𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐍𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 brings a clear focus on the issues that matter most to nurses across every role, setting, and specialty.

With decades of experience in nursing, leadership, advocacy, and governance, Ray’s platform is grounded in a simple but powerful belief: 𝐧𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞 𝐚 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 in the legislature, the boardroom, the classroom, and at the bedside.

His priorities reflect the concerns nurses are talking about every day:
🩺 𝐒𝐚𝐟𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐠
💵 𝐅𝐚𝐢𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐢𝐦𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
🎓 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐲 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭
📊 𝐍𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡
📣 𝐀𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐯𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐧𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐬

This campaign is about the nursing profession.
It’s about advocating for nurses, protecting the future of nursing, and ensuring that the people who provide care are also cared for.

✨ 𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
Because nurses don’t just need to be in the room, 𝐰𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐝.

💬 𝐋𝐞𝐭’𝐬 𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐤, 𝐧𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐬:
If you could choose ONE issue ANA should prioritize over the next four years, what would it be?

👇 Drop your thoughts in the comments:
• Safe staffing
• Nurse pay & reimbursement
• Faculty support / nursing education
• Mental health & workforce well-being
• Nursing advocacy / policy voice
• Other (tell us below!)

04/16/2026

Advancing Health in Tennessee: The Case for Full Practice Authority

As we continue to evaluate health outcomes across our state, it is important to consider the systems and policies that directly influence access to care.

The visual above highlights two critical realities:

* States with Full Practice Authority (FPA) for nurse practitioners are more widely represented among higher-performing health systems
* Tennessee remains both a restricted practice state and ranked among the bottom tier for overall health outcomes

This correlation invites a necessary and timely conversation.

Why Full Practice Authority Matters

Full Practice Authority allows nurse practitioners to:

* Evaluate, diagnose, and treat patients independently
* Prescribe medications without unnecessary supervisory barriers
* Expand access to care, particularly in rural and underserved areas which constitute the majority of our state

For Tennessee, where many communities already face provider shortages and limited maternal, primary, and mental health services, these restrictions can unintentionally contribute to:

* Delayed care
* Reduced access points for patients
* Increased strain on already overburdened systems

The Impact on Our Communities

When access to care is limited, the consequences extend beyond individual patients:

* Preventable conditions escalate
* Maternal and chronic disease outcomes worsen
* Health disparities widen—especially in vulnerable populations

Empowering nurse practitioners to practice to the full extent of their education and training is not about replacing care—it is about strengthening the healthcare workforce and improving system responsiveness.

Moving the Conversation Forward

As nurse leaders and advocates, we have an opportunity to thoughtfully engage in this space.

Consider:

* How can we better educate stakeholders and legislators on the safety and effectiveness of FPA?
* What data and patient outcomes can we elevate to support evidence-based policy change?
* How can we build collaborative partnerships across disciplines to move beyond opposition and toward solutions?
* What role can we play in ensuring that policy decisions reflect the real needs of Tennessee communities?

Improving Tennessee’s health outcomes will require bold, informed, and collaborative action. Expanding practice authority is one evidence-based strategy that deserves continued attention and dialogue.

We welcome your thoughts—how can we, as a profession, help shape a legislative environment that better serves our patients and communities?

04/14/2026

As we recognize Black Maternal Health Week, we are called not only to raise awareness—but to confront a reality that continues to impact our communities across Tennessee.

Tennessee consistently ranks among the worst states in the nation for maternal outcomes, with a maternal mortality rate of 42.1 deaths per 100,000 births—nearly 80% higher than the national average.

But the data becomes even more concerning when we examine disparities:

* Black women in Tennessee experience maternal mortality at nearly 2–3 times the rate of white women
* In some reports, rates for Black women reach as high as 116 deaths per 100,000 live births
* 74% of pregnancy-related deaths are considered preventable

These are not just statistics—they represent mothers, families, and communities experiencing preventable loss.

Across our state, limitations in maternal healthcare access continue to widen this gap:

* Rural hospital closures and reduced obstetric services
* Limited access to prenatal and postpartum care
* Gaps in mental health and substance use support—now a leading contributor to maternal deaths
* Persistent inequities tied to insurance status, socioeconomic factors, and systemic bias

The impact is far-reaching. When maternal health suffers:

* Infant outcomes decline
* Families face long-term emotional and financial strain
* Communities experience generational health disparities

As nurses, we are uniquely positioned to lead change. Black Maternal Health Week is a reminder that clinical excellence alone is not enough-we must also advocate for equity, access, and accountability within our systems.

This means:

* Elevating patient voices and addressing implicit bias
* Supporting policies that expand access to maternal care
* Strengthening community-based and culturally responsive care models
* Continuing to lead with ethics, advocacy, and courage

Improving maternal outcomes in Tennessee is not optional—it is a professional and moral imperative.

Together, we can move from awareness to action—and ensure that every mother has a safe and supported journey through pregnancy, birth, and beyond.

04/13/2026

In every professional organization, leadership should be grounded in integrity, transparency, and a commitment to the collective good.

However, there are moments when a fear loop can emerge—when influence is used not to empower, but to control. This occurs when individuals in leadership roles prioritize personal agendas over organizational mission, using fear, intimidation, or coercion to discourage others from speaking up.

The impact of this dynamic is significant:
It silences diverse perspectives
It undermines psychological safety
It erodes trust across teams
And ultimately, it compromises the very mission we are all here to serve.

As nurses and nurse leaders, we are held to a higher standard—one rooted in advocacy, ethics, and accountability. The same courage we bring to the bedside must also extend to our professional spaces.

Breaking the fear loop requires intentional action:
Creating environments where respectful dissent is welcomed
Encouraging open, transparent communication
Holding leadership accountable to shared values and ethical standards
Supporting one another in speaking up for what is right—not what is easy.

Strong organizations are not built on silence. They are built on trust, integrity, and the collective willingness to do what is in the best interest of those we serve.

Let’s continue to lead with courage—and create spaces where every voice can contribute to meaningful progress.

04/12/2026

Today, on World Parkinson’s Day 2026, we stand in recognition, support, and advocacy for the millions of individuals and families impacted by Parkinson’s disease.

Parkinson’s is more than a diagnosis—it is a daily journey that challenges mobility, independence, and quality of life. As nurses, we are uniquely positioned to make a meaningful difference through compassionate care, patient education, and advocacy for continued research and resources.

This day is a reminder of the critical role nurses play across the continuum:
• Supporting early recognition and symptom management
• Promoting dignity and quality of life for those living with Parkinson’s
• Partnering with families and caregivers
• Advocating for equitable access to care and emerging treatments

We also recognize the strength and resilience of those living with Parkinson’s. Your voices, experiences, and perseverance continue to shape better care and deeper understanding.

Let us continue to lead with empathy, advance our knowledge, and champion those we serve.

04/05/2026

It’s Friday… and it may feel heavy.

Moments in life—and in healthcare—can feel overwhelming.

There are days when hope feels distant, when loss is real, and when the weight of what we carry as nurses is undeniable.

But as we reflect this Easter season, we are reminded of something powerful:

Darkness is not the end of the story.

In nursing, we stand at the bedside during some of life’s hardest moments. We witness grief, uncertainty, and vulnerability—but we also witness resilience, healing, and renewal.

Easter reminds us that:

* Hope can be restored
* Strength can rise from struggle
* Light follows even the darkest days

As nurses, we embody that hope for others—through compassion, presence, and unwavering care.

So if today feels heavy, hold on to this:

Sunday is coming.

Wishing all of our members and their families a meaningful and peaceful Easter.

04/05/2026

Let’s be honest.

Doing the right thing isn’t always popular.
And doing what everyone else is doing doesn’t make it right.

Leadership has a way of revealing this.

Your title may influence how others see you—
but your daily decisions define who you truly are.

In nursing, where advocacy, safety, and ethics intersect, this matters deeply. This is where emotional intelligence and integrity must work together.

Leaders with strong emotional intelligence don’t shift with every opinion or external pressure.
They pause. They reflect. They remain grounded—especially when it’s difficult.

Here’s a clear distinction:

High EI is NOT:

* Protecting your ego instead of listening
* Staying silent to avoid tension
* Ignoring how decisions impact others
* Reacting before thinking
* Deflecting accountability
* Seeking approval at the expense of values
* Compromising integrity to fit in
* Avoiding hard conversations
* Choosing pride over people
* Giving in when pressure builds

High EI IS:

* Owning mistakes with honesty
* Standing firm in values-based decisions
* Saying no when it matters
* Responding with intention, not impulse
* Leading with empathy, not ego
* Doing the right thing—even when standing alone
* Regulating emotions to think clearly
* Speaking up for what is right
* Developing others, not just directing them
* Staying anchored despite external noise
* Actively listening to perspectives beyond your own

Here’s the reality:
Integrity isn’t tested when it’s easy. It’s tested when it costs you something.

In those moments—when the pressure is real and the path isn’t popular—
ask yourself:

Do your values stay the same?

04/03/2026

📣 Let’s show up and support District 15! 💙

Join us for an important and timely discussion at the upcoming District 15 meeting:

🗓 Monday, April 6, 2026
🕡 6:30 PM CT
💻 Via Zoom

🎤 Featured Presentation:
Using Your Nursing Intuition to Address Human Trafficking in Tennessee

We are excited to hear from Dr. Lauren Pinkston, a wife, mother of four, seventh-generation Tennesseean, and candidate for Governor, whose work includes 15 years of counter-trafficking research and advocacy for survivors. Her passion for supporting working families, improving education, and advancing opportunity across Tennessee makes this a conversation you won’t want to miss.

As nurses, our intuition, advocacy, and awareness can make a real difference. This is such an important topic, and I hope many of you will join in for this meaningful discussion.

💬 Drop a comment below if you plan to attend!
🙋‍♀️ Have you ever attended a District 15 meeting before?
📲 Tag a fellow nurse who should join you!

🔗 Join via Zoom:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81504415194?pwd=FujRGPRb73b0Ht89ow0jDpYZt7Yxab.1

Meeting ID: 815 0441 5194
Passcode: 605533

04/02/2026

The strength of our profession depends on our willingness to listen.

“If your system cannot tolerate honest feedback from the people closest to the work, it will eventually lose the very insight it needs to function.”

In nursing, those closest to the work are the bedside clinicians, educators, and frontline leaders who experience the realities of healthcare every day. Their voices are not optional—they are essential.

As a profession grounded in advocacy, safety, and ethical practice, we must foster environments where:

* Honest feedback is welcomed, not discouraged
* Psychological safety is prioritized over hierarchy
* Concerns can be raised without fear of retaliation
* Lived experiences inform decision-making and system improvement

Silencing or dismissing frontline perspectives does not protect the system—it weakens it.

Nurses are not only caregivers; we are critical thinkers, patient advocates, and system informants. When we create space for transparency and dialogue, we strengthen not only our teams, but the outcomes of those we serve.

Let us continue to lead with integrity, listen with intention, and build systems that value the voices of those doing the work.

04/01/2026

Trans rights are human rights.

We see you. You matter. ❤️

03/26/2026

Nurses as Change Agents: Standing Firm in What Is Right!

Nursing has never been a passive profession. Nurses are change agents, advocates, and ethical leaders positioned at the intersection of patient care, systems improvement, and professional accountability.

Advocacy is not always comfortable. It requires honesty, courage, and a willingness to accept the personal and professional weight that can come with doing what is right. At times, that weight may include scrutiny, resistance, or even liability. Yet, the responsibility to uphold safe, ethical, and evidence-based care and decisions remains non-negotiable.

In today’s complex healthcare environments, nurses will encounter pressure, hierarchy, arrogance, or even bullying. These challenges test more than clinical competence—they test our ethical and moral compass.

Professional integrity demands that we:

* Speak up when something is unsafe or unethical
* Advocate for patients and colleagues, even when it is difficult
* Remain grounded in standards, not influenced by intimidation or convenience
* Accept that doing the right thing may not always lead to the expected or easiest outcome

Right is right. Wrong is wrong. There is never a circumstance where doing the right thing is the wrong decision.

As a profession, we must continue to stand firm in our principles, support one another, and lead with integrity—because the trust placed in nursing depends on it.