National Forum Annual Meeting Highlights
The National Forum of State Nursing Workforce Centers convened its annual subscribers meeting on January 13-14, 2025, bringing
together 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 to
strengthen the nursing workforce nationwide.
Key Takeaways from the Meeting:
Forum Updates & Achievements – The President’s Report highlighted collaborations, data advancements, and diversity initiatives,
reinforcing the Forum’s role in supporting a sustainable nursing workforce.
Financial Stability – The Treasurer’s Report confirmed sound financial health, with funds strategically allocated to research, education,
and advocacy efforts.
State Participation Growth – The Forum now has 47 state representative subscribers and over 100 associate subscribers, reflecting
increased engagement in workforce planning.
Workforce Strategies & Innovation – Presentations emphasized data-driven workforce planning, upskilling programs, and new models
of care delivery integrating technology and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Policy & Advocacy – Discussions centered on legislative developments, workforce regulations, and advocacy strategies, encouraging
direct engagement with policymakers to advance nursing workforce policies.
Media & Communication Training – Attendees received training on effective storytelling, media engagement, and social media
strategies to amplify nursing workforce initiatives.
The 2025 Annual Subscribers Meeting reaffirmed the Forum’s commitment to leading collaborative efforts in workforce development
and policy formulation. As nursing continues to evolve, the Forum remains at the forefront, driving impactful change for a strong,
well-prepared nursing workforce across the nation.
Transforming Healthcare with GIS: Mapping the Future of Nursing
Geographic Information System (GIS) is a cutting-edge technology that captures, analyzes, and visualizes geographic data to identify
patterns and relationships based on location. By combining maps, data, and analytics, GIS provides actionable insights that support
decision-making across various fields—including healthcare.
In nursing, GIS plays a pivotal role by integrating location-based insights and data to improve patient care, streamline workflows, and tackle public health and workforce challenges. Here are some of the key ways GIS can be applied in nursing:
Improving Healthcare Access: Identifying underserved areas and ensuring
resources are directed where they are most needed.
Health Education and Policy Planning: Providing data-driven insights for public
health initiatives and advocacy efforts.
Workforce Planning: Mapping workforce distribution to address nursing shortages
and optimize staffing.
To advance the use of GIS in healthcare, the Center has partnered with East Tennessee State University’s Center for Rural Health and Research to co-develop a community GIS dashboard. This dashboard provides detailed data visualizations tailored for the state of Tennessee (view the
dashboard here) and the Appalachian Highlands region (explore the story map here).
Both dashboards are currently in the testing phase, and we encourage you to explore them and share your feedback with the Center.
Your input is invaluable as we refine these tools to ensure they meet the needs of our community.
Exciting Opportunities at the Center
The Center is expanding, and we are seeking passionate professionals to join our mission of advancing nursing excellence and innovation. We
currently have two open positions that offer exciting opportunities to contribute to meaningful work in nursing.’
Office Coordinator
We are looking for a highly organized and detail-oriented Office Coordinator to support the daily operations of the Center. This role is essential in
ensuring efficient administrative processes, managing communications, and coordinating events. The ideal candidate will be a proactive
problem-solver who thrives in a dynamic environment.
Nurse Scientist
Our Center is seeking a Nurse Scientist to lead and support innovative nursing research initiatives that drive improvements in nursing practice and
healthcare outcomes. This role is instrumental in conducting and managing research projects, analyzing data, and disseminating findings to
advance evidence-based practice.
Coming Soon: Data Analyst Position
We are also in the process of reviewing a Data Analyst position, which will be posting soon. This role will support the Center’s research and
data-driven initiatives by analyzing trends, generating reports, and providing insights.
Webinar Recap: Dr. Stephanie Abbu’s Insights on Nursing Leadership & Innovation
Our latest webinar, hosted by the esteemed Dr. Stephanie Abbu from Vanderbilt, was an incredible success! As part of our quarterly webinar series, Dr. Abbu delivered an insightful session that engaged nurses, students, and faculty from across Tennessee.
Key Takeaways from the Webinar
Current State of Nursing – Dr. Abbu discussed the evolving role of nurse leaders and how innovation is shaping the future of patient care.
Strategies to Set Career Goals – A major highlight was the emphasis on empathy, with strategies to enhance patient-centered care and strengthen teamwork within healthcare settings.
Building Effective Mentoring Relationships – She explored the growing role of technology, including digital tools that streamline
workflows and improve patient outcomes.
Engagement & Feedback
An impressive 85.7% of participants rated the webinar as excellent and found it relevant!
Key Takeaways Shared by Participants:
- Clarifying career goals in nursing
- Staying relevant in nursing care
- Effective strategies for building a successful nursing career
Missed the Webinar?
Don’t worry! If you couldn’t attend, all supporting documents can be found on our website www.tcfna.org
What’s Next?
Our next quarterly webinar is already in the works! If you have topic suggestions or would like to recommend a speaker, we’d love to hear from you. Let’s continue growing, learning, and shaping the future of nursing together.
Stay connected for updates on upcoming webinars and events!
Social Media Impact: Monthly Snapshot
Each month, we will be highlighting our social media impact. Through intentional strategies, we are amyplifying voices, sharing valuable resources, and keeping our audience informed about key developments in nursing.
What’s Driving Our Success?
Engaging Content – We showcase impactful programs, leadership insights, and real-world nursing stories that resonate with our audience.
Timely Updates – From breaking healthcare news to professional development opportunities, we keep nurses, students, and faculty connected.
Community Conversations – By fostering discussions and elevating diverse voices, we create a space where Tennessee’s nursing professionals can learn, share, and grow together.
By the Numbers: This Month’s Facebook Social Media Performance
Reach:
F: 764 (22.6% decrease from last month) I: 9 (28.6% increase) L: 120 (20% increase)
Views:
F: 3.3k (3.9% increase from last month) I: 86 (13.2% increase) L: 3,329 (30.3% increase)
Page Visits:
F: 68 (6.8% decrease from last month) I: 9 (same) L: not available
New Followers:
F: 2 (71.4% decrease) I: not available L: not available
Each interaction—whether a like, comment, or share—strengthens our community and amplifies the impact of nursing across Tennessee. Thank you for being part of this journey!
Let’s Keep the Momentum Going!
If you haven’t already, follow us on to stay updated on the latest nursing news, events, and resources. Have ideas for content? Let us know—we love hearing from you!
Stay connected. Stay informed. Stay inspired.
F= Facebook; I= Instagram; L= LinkedIn
