About Tennessee Center for Nursing Advancement

Emergency nurses provide rapid, highly skilled care to patients experiencing sudden illness, injury, trauma, and life-threatening emergencies, often when every second matters.  What Is an Emergency Nurse? Emergency nurses are registered nurses who specialize in the rapid assessment, stabilization, treatment, and ongoing monitoring of patients with urgent and emergent healthcare needs. They care for patients…

What Is Pediatric Nursing? Pediatric nursing focuses on the health of infants, children, adolescents, and, in some settings, young adults. Because children’s bodies, communication abilities, medication needs, and developmental stages differ from those of adults, pediatric nurses provide: Pediatric nurses care for both the child and the family. A Brief History 1965: The first pediatric nurse…

Preparing Today’s Learners. Shaping Tomorrow’s Nursing Workforce. National Nurse Educator Day Nurse educators are experienced nursing professionals who prepare the next generation of nurses, mentor practicing clinicians, and advance the nursing profession through education, scholarship, leadership, and innovation. What Is a Nurse Educator? Nurse educators combine clinical expertise with educational leadership to prepare students and…

National Association of Neonatal Nurses is the professional organization (NANN) nann.org What Is Neonatal Nursing? Neonatal nursing is a subspecialty of nursing that works with newborn infants born with a variety of problems ranging from prematurity, birth defects, infection, cardiac malformations, and surgical problems. The neonatal period is defined as the first month of life;…

Overview Vascular nursing is a specialized area of nursing focused on the care of patients with diseases and disorders of the vascular system, including arteries, veins, and lymphatic circulation. The Society for Vascular Nursing defines the specialty as advancing care for individuals with vascular conditions across the lifespan while promoting professional development and research. Vascular…

Transforming Patient Care Through Clinical Expertise, Leadership, and Innovation National Clinical Nurse Specialist Recognition Week September 1–7, 2026 What is a Clinical Nurse Specialist? Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNSs) are graduate-prepared APRNs (master’s or doctoral degree) with advanced clinical education in a nursing specialty. Depending on state law and certification, CNSs may diagnose, treat, prescribe medications,…

Nursing informatics is the specialty that transforms data into needed information and leverages technologies to improve health and health care equity, safety, quality, and outcomes. (ANA statement) Why Do We Need Informatics Nurses? Nursing informaticists improve health systems which can improve health outcomes for patients.  These nurses work to develop communications and information technology systems…

Flight nursing is a specialized area of emergency, trauma, and critical care nursing practiced during air medical transport. Flight nurses care for seriously ill or injured patients aboard helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft, and air ambulance systems. They often respond to scenes, transfer patients between facilities, respond to disasters, assist with military evacuations, and manage specialized transports.…

Providing Care, Compassion, and Expertise at the Intersection of Healthcare and Justice Care. Evidence. Advocacy. What Is Forensic Nursing? Forensic nurses specialize in caring for patients who have experienced violence, trauma, or abuse. They provide medical care while also collecting evidence, documenting findings, and supporting patients through legal processes. This specialty includes roles such as…

Hospice & Palliative Care Nurses: Caring for Patients and Families Through Serious Illness Hospice and palliative care nurses provide comfort, dignity, and support to patients and families facing serious illness. Through expert symptom management and compassionate communication, they help ensure care aligns with what matters most. Caring for patients and those who love them every step…

Perinatal nursing is a maternal–newborn specialty focused on care before conception, during pregnancy, labor and birth, and the early postpartum period. Perinatal nurses provide clinical assessment, patient education, family support, complication surveillance, and coordination of care for pregnant and postpartum patients and newborns. They work closely with obstetricians, certified nurse-midwives, nurse practitioners, neonatology teams, lactation…

Nephrology nurses work in a team-oriented environment, using their nursing skills and knowledge to make independent decisions. They care for patients of all ages who are experiencing, or are at risk for, kidney disease. The American Nephrology Nurses Association (ANNA) is a non-profit, non-partisan membership organization established to support nephrology nurses. Mission and Purpose ANNA’s…

Leadership, Service, and Global Impact- Providing advanced clinical care, operational leadership, and humanitarian support across the U.S. Armed Forces WHO ARE MILITARY NURSES Military nurses are commissioned officers who deliver healthcare in clinical, operational, and combat environments across Army, Navy, and Air Force systems. As registered nurses, they serve in the armed forces, providing care…

A workforce and certification snapshot of nurses delivering complex, high-impact care across the continuum Workforce Snapshot Workforce estimates vary due to lack of a centralized national registry. What is WOC Nursing? WOC nurses specialize in: This specialty combines clinical expertise + patient education + long-term care management. The Role of a WOC Nurse WOC nurses bridge…

Who They Are  Medical-Surgical Nurses (Med-Surg RNs) are registered nurses who specialize in the care of adult patients with a wide range of acute and chronic medical conditions. They are the largest nursing specialty and serve as the foundation of hospital-based patient care across the healthcare system.  Professional Organization  The Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses (AMSN) is the…

Recognizing certified nursing assistants (CNAs) whose compassion, dedication, and hands-on care support patients every day. During National Nursing Assistants Week, we celebrate the caregivers who are at the heart of patient care, providing compassionate, and dedicated care to patients every day. With over 1.4 million nursing assistants nationwide, CNAs provide essential, hands-on support that helps patients maintain…

A strategic overview of the nursing specialty at the frontline of global emergencies. What is Disaster Nursing?  Disaster nursing ensures continuity of care for vulnerable populations during system disruption. Who Do Disaster Nurses Serve? Health disparities intensify during disasters—nurses mitigate that risk. Core Roles of Disaster Nurses Global Frameworks & Leadership International Council of Nurses…

Celebrating Nurses Who Deliver Hope and Strength in Cancer Care During Oncology Nurses Month, we celebrate and recognize the specialized nurses who care for patients across the cancer continuum and support patients and families across every stage of the cancer journey. With 1 in 3 people affected by cancer and over 18 million survivors, oncology…

Powering High-Acuity Care at the Frontline A data snapshot of the workforce delivering life-saving care in the most complex clinical environments. Critical care nurses are essential to modern healthcare—delivering rapid, complex, and life-saving interventions every day. As workforce pressures grow, supporting recruitment, education, and retention in this specialty is critical to sustaining high-quality patient outcomes.…

Skilled Nursing Overview Long-term care (LTC) and post-acute care (PAC) are typically provided in skilled nursing settings, where licensed nurses deliver a higher level of clinical care than what is available in non-medical residential facilities. Skilled nursing care includes services that must be performed or overseen by registered nurses or licensed practical/vocational nurses, such as…

Recognizing the impact of nurses across Tennessee who deliver care, improve outcomes, and strengthen communities.  National Nurses Week 2026, celebrated May 6–12, honors more than 5 million nurses across the United States whose expertise and dedication power healthcare every day. As the American Nurses Association marks its 130th anniversary, this year’s theme, “The Power of Nurses™,” highlights the essential…

What Is the Podcast?  A storytelling and dialogue-based podcast that elevates the voices of nurses, nurse leaders, and healthcare professionals by sharing lived experiences, leadership insights, and real-world challenges shaping nursing today.  Purpose  Who It Reaches  Core Themes  Why It Matters  Impact  Listen at:  https://tcfna.org/podcast/ 

What Is the Nurse Leadership Fellowship?  A structured, applied leadership development program that equips nurse leaders with practical tools to lead people, teams, and change in complex healthcare environments.  Participant Qualifications & Program Conditions:  Program Details:  Program Title: Certificate in Nurse Leadership Learning Hours: 4-6 hours per week for 14 weeks (approximately 60 hours of required learning…

The Center rolled out a comprehensive, multi-channel digital marketing strategy designed to expand awareness, reach targeted nursing audiences, and drive engagement across platforms.  Total Digital Impact (All Channels)  Channel Performance Snapshot  Display Advertising  Pre-Roll / Online Video  Streaming Audio  Streaming / Connected TV  Geofencing  Social Media  Key Takeaways 

Who They Are  Occupational Health Nurses (OHNs) are registered nurses who specialize in promoting and protecting the health and safety of workers across industries including healthcare, manufacturing, corporate, and government settings.  Professional Organization  The American Association of Occupational Health Nurses (AAOHN) is the primary professional organization representing occupational and environmental health nurses. AAOHN supports over 3,200 members…

What Is the Nurse Leadership Fellowship?  A structured, applied leadership development program that equips nurse leaders with practical tools to lead people, teams, and change in complex healthcare environments.  Participant Key Takeaways

Honoring Physician Leadership in Tennessee  Active Physicians in Tennessee ≈ 18,800 physicians practicing statewide 264 physicians per 100,000 residents This is about 13% below the national physician supply per capita, highlighting ongoing workforce demand for doctors across the state (THA).  Nurses Are Essential Partners in Care  Registered Nurses per 1,000 Population Tennessee ranks about 22nd nationally with ≈ 9.0 nurses per 1,000 residents (Becker’s Hospital Review)  Registered…

Students Gain Essential Leadership Skills  Stats:  Preparing Students for Healthcare Careers  Stats:  Strengthening Tennessee’s Healthcare Workforce  HOSA helps develop the leadership, technical, and professional competencies needed for healthcare careers. By connecting students to real-world healthcare experiences, Tennessee HOSA strengthens the future workforce pipeline.  Source: Tennesseehosa.org 

This week recognizes the dedicated nurses and healthcare associates whose expertise, compassion, and commitment strengthen digestive healthcare and improve patient outcomes every day. Specialized Care in Digestive Health Gastroenterology nurses specialize in the care of patients undergoing diagnostic and therapeutic procedures for digestive diseases. They provide critical support before, during, and after endoscopic procedures, helping…

A Powerful Statewide Network  Key Stats:  A Global Healthcare Leadership Organization  Key Stats:  Preparing the Next Generation of Healthcare Leaders  Tennessee HOSA empowers students to become leaders in the global health community through education, collaboration, and real-world experience. As part of Tennessee’s Career and Technical Education system, HOSA connects classroom learning with real healthcare career…

What Is the Nurse Leadership Fellowship?  A structured, applied leadership development program designed for emerging and current nurse leaders. The fellowship focuses on real-world leadership application, equipping participants to lead people, teams, and change in today’s complex healthcare environment.  Program Impact:  As a results of this program, fellows are better able to:  The Nurse Leadership Fellowship continues to demonstrate measurable impact in…

Tennessee’s participation in the Nurse Licensure Compact represents a significant advancement in modernizing nursing practice and strengthening workforce mobility. As illustrated in the infographic, the compact allows eligible nurses to hold one multistate license that enables them to practice across participating states, reducing administrative barriers while increasing flexibility and access to employment opportunities. Nurses who meet uniform licensure requirements, including…

The Nurse Leadership Fellowship is strengthening the capacity of nurse leaders to navigate one of healthcare’s most pressing challenges: leading change while sustaining team performance and personal resilience. As highlighted in the infographic, fellows across both cohorts identified change leadership, influencing others, coaching for performance, and collaboration as essential competencies for modern nursing leadership. Notably, 92% of 2024…

Key Points  How It Works Important Compliance Notes  Source: NCSBN, Nurse Licensure Compact FAQs 

The Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC): Nursing Across State Lines Key Points Source: National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) 

1. Sustained Outperformance of National Average 2. Stability and Resilience During the Pandemic 3. Strong and Steady Improvement 4. Implications for Workforce Pipeline

2. Pandemic Impact and Recovery 3. Significant Rebound in 2023–2024 4. Implications for Nursing Education and Workforce