Tennessee Nurses Association/District 5

06/06/2025

Ready to shift your perspective? Discover the incredible resilience of women experiencing homelessness with Dr. Jean Croce Hemphill on June 17th at 6 PM. This powerful presentation will explore critical implications for nursing, advocacy, & policy. In-person or online!

Updated 6/6/25: This meeting will be held online only.
Online: https://etsu.zoom.us/j/7510656267?omn=84354884748

04/06/2025

We are honored to recognize Lena Hill as the 2025 Tennessee Nurses Association District 5 Nurse of the Year!

Lena currently serves as a RN Team Coordinator at Franklin Woods Community Hospital - Ballad Health. She has held this role since 2017.

We received eleven amazing nominations for Lena. From CNAs, to nurses, to management - everyone had wonderful things to say about this outstanding nurse.

Lena truly embodies nursing excellence, consistently demonstrating unparalleled compassion and kindness. As one nominator shared, "Lena cares so much for her patients as well as all the staff. She always jumps right in to help where needed and she is super knowledgeable." Another added, "Many patients at Franklin Woods compliment us for working so well together as a team and I think Lena Hill is one of the reasons due to the amazing example she sets for us each day. She has so much compassion for her patients that they will talk highly about how she cared for them."

She's a phenomenal mentor, shaping the next generation of nurses with her vast knowledge and unwavering support. "She has been my mentor for my time here (almost 5 years)," one nominator stated. "She always exemplifies what a nurse and leader should be."
Lena consistently goes above and beyond. As her manager shared, "I can count on her to always have my back and to provide honest input in all situations. Recently, we emergently had to evacuate all of our patients. I texted her and told her we were evacuating and she said, 'I just pulled in my driveway, let me put on my scrubs and I'll be right there.'"

Her compassionate leadership extends to supporting colleagues through difficult moments. One nominator recalled, "After the fact Lena came up to me and made sure I was ok because she knew that was my first code. I will never forget her leadership during the event but the time after with the support she gave me will always stand out the most to me."

Another nominator summed it up perfectly: "Lena is the very best nurse I know. She has perfectly embodied the title of nurse."
Thank you, Lena, for your tireless dedication, immense heart, and for being such an inspiring role model to us all! ❤️

08/05/2025

TNA District 5's President Stephanie Cook and Board Member Nikki Vanburen represented us well at 98.5 WTFM's annual Nurses Night Out event!

30/04/2025

TNA District 5 is proud to support the amazing nursing students at Milligan University! We've donated $200 to their Nursing Student Emergency Fund.

We know that life can throw curveballs, and we want to make sure these future nurses have a little extra support when they need it most. Helping them succeed is a win for all of us and the future of healthcare in our region!

13/04/2025

Just a few days left until our next meeting! We look forward to seeing you there.

Please join us on April 15, 2025, for our next general member meeting!

We are thrilled to be hosting Dr. Paula Masters, Chief Health Disparities Officer for Ballad Health. Dr. Masters provides leadership and support for a wide array of evidence-based health improvement programs and services aimed at reducing health disparities and inequities – both internally and externally to Ballad Health.

We will meet in person at ETSU, Nicks Hall, Room 220. Alternatively, you may join online at https://etsu.zoom.us/j/7510656267?omn=89551723482 (Zoom ID # 751 065 6267).

27/03/2025

We are excited to announce that we are now accepting nominations for Nurse of the Year!

Our district will honor an outstanding nurse who embodies excellence in the nursing profession. Nurses who have made a difference can be nominated by their peers for a variety of reasons and may include nurses in the following roles: Clinical, Administrative, Education, Non-Traditional Role, APRN. The nurse of the year is someone who represents nursing values such as compassion, kindness, knowledge, ethics, and innovation.

Candidates must meet two criteria:
1. Registered nurse or APRN
2. Must live and/or practice within the TNA District 5 12 county service area (Carter, Cocke, Grainger, Greene, Hamblen, Hancock, Hawkins, Jefferson, Johnson, Sullivan, Unicoi, and Washington counties)

Nominations will be accepted until 5 p.m. on April 25, 2025. After careful review of all nominations, the TNA District 5 Board will recognize this year's recipient during Nurses Week (May 6-May 12, 2025). Submit your nomination today at https://forms.gle/ytHrnDBiskDLJSMq5

27/03/2025

Please join us on April 15, 2025, for our next general member meeting!

We are thrilled to be hosting Dr. Paula Masters, Chief Health Disparities Officer for Ballad Health. Dr. Masters provides leadership and support for a wide array of evidence-based health improvement programs and services aimed at reducing health disparities and inequities – both internally and externally to Ballad Health.

We will meet in person at ETSU, Nicks Hall, Room 220. Alternatively, you may join online at https://etsu.zoom.us/j/7510656267?omn=89551723482 (Zoom ID # 751 065 6267).

25/02/2025

The deadline for the Tennessee Nurses Foundation annual grants and scholarships program is this Saturday, March 1! TNF is dedicated to supporting the education of nurses and fostering nursing research through various grants and scholarships. Don't miss out, visit their website now to learn more and apply.

https://bit.ly/3H8EGn6

25/02/2025

Tennesse Nurses: Your experiences are vital for research aimed at improving our profession! East Tennessee State University is conducting a study on workplace violence and burnout. Help us understand the challenges you face and drive positive change.

Workplace violence and burnout are real challenges in nursing, and researchers from Eastern Tennessee State University want to understand your experiences. By taking this quick 10-15 minute survey, you can help drive meaningful change in our profession.

Take the Survey: https://bit.ly/42JgGTk

02/02/2025

Make plans now to join us for our upcoming meeting!

At our February meeting, we want to hear from YOU! Nurses and nursing students are invited to discuss current challenges in the nursing profession, as well as ways we can help you grow as a nurse.

We will meet on Tuesday, February 18 at 6 pm. Join us in person at ETSU in Nicks Hall, Room 220, or online via Zoom. The meeting ID is 751 065 6267. The Zoom link is https://etsu.zoom.us/j/7510656267?omn=81470383367

02/02/2025

We encourage all TNA District 5 members to consider attending Nurses Day on the Hill on February 12. This event will provide a valuable opportunity for advocacy. Because we want to see strong representation from our district at this event, the board has designated funds to pay for a limited number of registrations. Please contact us at district5@tnurses.care for more information about the registration fee!

Nurses Day on the Hill is your chance to connect with state legislators and share your voice for nursing and healthcare in Tennessee. But advocacy is even more powerful and more fun when shared!

Bring a friend, colleague, or nursing student to join you for this inspiring day.

Register: https://bit.ly/4fpTFaN