About Tennessee Center for Nursing Advancement

Recognition & Awareness Observed each year on September 8, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nurses Day (established by the Association of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nurses) honors the nurses who care for children, adolescents, and young adults with cancer and blood disorders. September is also Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, recognizing the patients, families, and healthcare professionals impacted by pediatric cancer. What…

Transplant Nursing Statistics and Key Facts Transplant nurses are essential members of the transplant team, working before, during, and after organ or tissue transplants. They coordinate care for both recipients and donors, prepare patients for surgery, manage immunosuppression, and provide education and support throughout the process NurseJournal.org. Career Overview Take approximately 4-5 years to become a transplant…

Federal judge Blocks Student Loan Rule Affecting Graduate Nursing Education One issue that has been top of mind for many in nursing this spring is the U.S. Department of Education’s revised definition of “professional degree” programs, which would have removed graduate nursing and several other health professions from that designation. While this may have appeared…

Tennessee Center for Nursing Advancement Releases First-Ever Nursing Workforce and Geographic Distribution Report The Tennessee Center for Nursing Advancement (TCNA) is proud to announce the release of the Tennessee Nursing Workforce and Geographic Distribution Report (2020–2024), the first comprehensive nursing workforce report produced by the Center. This landmark publication provides an in-depth look at Tennessee’s nursing…

TCNA Launches Strategic Planning Initiative in Partnership with AdvanceAI The Tennessee Center for Nursing Advancement (TCNA) is beginning a new strategic planning initiative designed to help guide the future direction and growth of the organization. As part of this effort, TCNA has partnered with AdvanceAI and has scheduled several working sessions with their team to…

TCNA Attends Tennessee Health Occupations Students of America’s State Leadership Conference in Chattanooga This month, our team attended the Tennessee Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) State Leadership Conference, where we had a table for rising health professionals to learn more about the work we do every day. In addition to outreach efforts, TCNA team members…

TCNA presented Senator Crowe with the Nursing Champion Award   This month, our Executive Director, Dr. Jennifer Hitt, and Nurse Scientist, Dr. Belinda Fleming, presented Senator Crowe with the Nursing Champion Award in recognition of his ongoing commitment to legislative actions that advance and support the nursing community across Tennessee. Thank you, Senator Crowe, for all…

TCNA attends TNA’s Day on the Hill   The Tennessee Center for Nursing Advancement advocated for nurses across the state at TNA’s Day on the Hill on February 11, 2026.  While they were there, they weren’t alone. Nurses, educators, and students from across the state came to engage with Tennessee’s lawmakers and advocate not only for…

“Nurse: Empathy Heals” Film Premieres at ETSU  The Tennessee Center for Nursing Advancement hosted the premiere of “NURSE: Empathy Heals” at the East Tennessee State University Martin Center for the Arts, bringing together nurses, students, health care leaders and community members to honor the compassion and resilience at the heart of the nursing profession. Created by…

The Tennessee Center for Nursing Advancement hosted the premiere of “NURSE: Empathy Heals” at the East Tennessee State University Martin Center for the Arts, bringing together nurses, students, health care leaders and community members to honor the compassion and resilience at the heart of the nursing profession. Created by Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Chusy of Plan A Films,…

The Tennessee Center for Nursing Advancement invites the community to attend the free premiere of “NURSE: Empathy Heals” on Thursday, Jan. 8, at 6 p.m. at the East Tennessee State University Martin Center for the Arts. This powerful new documentary, created by Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Chusy of Plan A Films, celebrates the vital role nurses play in our community. The evening…

Join the Tennessee Center for Nursing Advancement on Jan. 8 at 6 p.m. for the free premiere of NURSE: Empathy Heals, a film inspired by nurses in our region, and created for everyone who believes in the power of nurses and the stories that shape our communities. This powerful new documentary by award-winning filmmaker Chusy…

A Season of Spotlight: Tennessee’s Nurses, Statewide As the days turn crisp and gratitude comes to the forefront, Tennessee is celebrating the people who carry our communities through every season, our nurses. This November marks a milestone for recognition across our state: the Nurse of the Month program is now officially statewide. From Memphis to…

Finding Balance This Fall: A Message to Tennessee Nurses Fall in Tennessee is a season of change, cooler mornings, colorful hillsides, and the return of football Fridays. But for nurses, it’s also the start of one of the busiest times of the year. Flu season, respiratory illnesses, and the steady demands of patient care often…

Nearly One Year After Helene: A Reflection for Tennessee Nurses As we approach the one-year mark since the devastating Helene flood, our hearts turn back to a moment that reshaped lives, homes, and entire communities across East Tennessee. For nurses across the region, the Helene flood wasn’t just a natural disaster, it was a call…

A New Semester, A Renewed Commitment to Nursing As August rolls in, campuses and classrooms across Tennessee are coming back to life. Whether it’s the hum of students returning to clinical rotations or the quiet determination of nurses pursuing advanced degrees, there’s an unmistakable sense of energy that marks the beginning of a new semester.…

Reflecting on Independence Day: Honoring Tennessee’s Nurses As the fireworks fade and the festivities wind down, we at the Tennessee Center for Nursing Advancement want to take a moment to honor a different kind of hero, our nurses. While communities across the state celebrated the Fourth of July with friends, family, and freedom, thousands of…

Statewide Hurst Reviews: Preparing Tennessee’s Nurses for Success The Tennessee Center for Nursing Advancement is proud to announce a statewide initiative aimed at supporting nursing graduates and professionals preparing to take or retake the NCLEX. In collaboration with Hurst Review Services, the Center is offering a series of 3-Day Comprehensive NCLEX Review Courses in key…

Celebrating Nurses Week: Honoring the Heart of Healthcare Each year, Nurses Week offers a meaningful opportunity to pause and recognize the dedication, compassion, and expertise of nurses who serve our communities day in and day out. At the Tennessee Center for Nursing Advancement, we see firsthand the impact nurses have, not only on individual patients…

Supporting the Future of Nursing at the Mid‑South Nursing Summit The Center is excited to share that we are partnering with RJP Systems to develop a new, third‑party website designed to better serve our nursing community. This modern, user‑friendly platform will offer streamlined access to resources, increased opportunities for engagement, and timely, relevant information for…

Exciting Updates from the Center: A New Chapter Begins The Center is thrilled to announce that we are working in partnership with RJP Systems to develop a brand‑new, third‑party website designed to enhance user experience and better serve our community. This initiative is aimed at creating a modern, user‑friendly platform that provides valuable resources, engagement…

National Forum Annual Meeting Highlights The National Forum of State Nursing Workforce Centers convened its annual subscribers meeting on January 13-14, 2025, bringingtogether nursing leaders, workforce experts, and policymakers to address critical challenges in the nursing profession.The event featured comprehensive reports and discussions on workforce trends, policy advocacy, and innovative strategies tostrengthen the nursing workforce…