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.
For many, this season brings a fresh start, a new chapter in a journey that is both personal and deeply professional. For students just beginning their LPN, RN, or BSN pathways, this moment is filled with hope, nerves, and the promise of possibility. For faculty and preceptors, it’s an opportunity to inspire the next generation and shape the future of the profession. And for working nurses returning to school, it’s a courageous act of growth, often balanced alongside full-time responsibilities.
At the Tennessee Center for Nursing Advancement, we see you. We see the early-morning commutes, the late-night study sessions, the clinical hours, the leadership development, and the quiet moments of doubt that require encouragement and support. Whether you’re in the classroom, at the bedside, or both, we are here to advocate for you, amplify your voice, and champion your success.
This semester, we’re especially excited about the continued momentum of our Nurse Leader Fellowship and Clinical Faculty Training Program, the growing footprint of our Nurse of the Month initiative, and the launch of our statewide storytelling campaign, Vitals & Voices: Stories from TN Nurses. These programs are fueled by your stories, your dedication, and your drive to make a difference.
As you step into this semester, know that your work matters, every assessment, every note of encouragement to a classmate, every patient interaction. You are shaping the future of healthcare in Tennessee, and we are honored to walk alongside you.
Here’s to a successful and meaningful semester!
Celebrating Nurses Across Tennessee: Expanding Our Nurse of the Month Program
The Tennessee Center for Nursing Advancement is proud to celebrate the incredible contributions of nurses across our state through the Nurse of the Month program, a growing initiative that shines a spotlight on nurses who lead with heart, skill, and an unwavering commitment to patient care.
Launched in May 2025 in partnership with Ballad Health, WJHL-TV, and ABC Tri-Cities, the program began in the Tri-Cities area to honor nurses who go above and beyond in their roles. We’re thrilled to announce that the program is now expanding to Nashville (WKRN News 2), Knoxville (WATE 6 on Your Side), and Memphis (WREG News Channel 3), with Chattanooga coming soon (WRCB Local 3 News)!
Welcoming New Honorees Across Tennessee
We’re excited to introduce our newest Nurse of the Month honorees:
Nashville: Penny Butler (St. Thomas) – WKRN Link
Knoxville: Crystal Shipley (Seymour Medical) – WATE Link
Memphis: Dessa Nicks (Baptist Memorial) – WREG Link
TriCities: Karen Combs (Ballad Health) – WJHL Link
To nominate a nurse making a difference, visit: Nomination Link.
Your dedication, compassion, and leadership inspire those around you every day. From advocating for patients and mentoring fellow nurses to going above and beyond in times of need, you embody the very best of Tennessee nursing. Thank you for the care, leadership, and excellence you bring to your communities and to our profession!
Strong Start for Two Key Nursing Workforce Initiatives
The Tennessee Center for Nursing Advancement is proud to celebrate a successful launch of two vital statewide initiatives designed to strengthen the nursing workforce: the Clinical Faculty Training Program and the Emerging Nurse Leader Fellowship.
Launched on July 14, 2025, these programs are already making an impact:
✔ 23 nurses are participating in the Emerging Nurse Leader Fellowship
✔ 25 nurses are enrolled in the Clinical Faculty Training Program
Both initiatives are free to participants and include a $250 stipend upon successful completion, in recognition of each nurse’s time, commitment, and leadership.
🧑🏫 Clinical Faculty Training Program
Tennessee’s nursing programs continue to face a shortage of qualified faculty. This program provides experienced nurses with the foundational skills and confidence to step into educator roles—whether in academic settings, clinical instruction, or simulation labs.
Program Highlights:
- 10 CEUs
- 4 weeks of online instruction (launched July 14)
- Ongoing monthly support over 11 months
- Practical strategies for clinical teaching and student engagement
💡 A second cohort of the Clinical Faculty Training Program begins August 18, 2025. While our current classes are full, we encourage anyone interested in joining a future cohort, or those who know someone who may benefit, to contact us for more information.
🌟 Emerging Nurse Leader Fellowship
This 13-week fellowship prepares early-career nurses to lead with confidence across clinical, academic, and policy settings. Through mentorship, systems thinking, and a capstone project, fellows are gaining tools to drive real change in their organizations and communities.
Program Highlights:
- 24 CEUs
- Leadership development & health policy immersion
- Mentorship and project-based learning
- Virtual cohort with statewide networking opportunities
These programs are a reflection of the Center’s unwavering commitment to strengthening the nursing pipeline, developing leadership at every level, and building a more resilient, prepared nursing workforce for Tennessee.
Voices from the Nursing Frontline Podcast Returns August 27!
As summer winds down, Voices from the Nursing Frontline is gearing up for an exciting new chapter. We’re thrilled to announce that Season 4 launches on Tuesday, August 27, bringing with it fresh stories, deeper conversations, and a renewed commitment to amplifying the voices of nurses across Tennessee.
In the lead-up to the relaunch, we’ve been revisiting some of the most powerful episodes from Season One. Whether you’ve been with us since the beginning or you’re just discovering the show, now is the perfect time to catch up on the stories that continue to inspire and challenge our nursing community.
What’s New This Season?
We’re excited to welcome our new permanent host, Dr. Lisa Beasley, a respected nurse leader, educator, and fierce advocate for the profession. With her at the helm, Season 4 will dive into timely issues, highlight diverse voices, and explore what it truly means to lead, serve, and heal in today’s healthcare landscape.
Thank you for your continued support of Voices from the Nursing Frontline. We can’t wait to share this next chapter with you.
🎧 Catch up on past episodes: Click to Listen
📅 Season 4 premieres August 27
📣 Stay tuned, and don’t forget to share with your fellow nurses and healthcare colleagues!
Now Available: TNCA’s 2024-2025 Annual Report
The Tennessee Center for Nursing Advancement is proud to share our 2024–2025 Annual Report, highlighting a year of meaningful progress, new partnerships, and bold steps toward strengthening the nursing profession across Tennessee.
From the expansion of the Nurse of the Month program into new regions, to the launch of statewide leadership and faculty development initiatives, this year’s report reflects the Center’s continued commitment to advancing nursing through innovation, collaboration, and data-driven solutions.
Highlights from this year’s report include:
✅ Launch of the Emerging Nurse Leader Fellowship and Clinical Faculty Training Program
✅ Rollout of Vitals & Voices: Stories from Tennessee Nurses
✅ Expansion of Nurse of the Month to Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, and Chattanooga
✅ Development of Tennessee’s first Nursing Workforce GIS Dashboard
✅ Partnerships to support NCLEX readiness and student-to-practice transition
✅ Continued investment in policy, advocacy, and education
“While the numbers and milestones are important, this report is ultimately a story about people, the nurses who show up every day, the partners who believe in our mission, and the statewide community working to build a stronger, more sustainable future for nursing,” said Dr. Jennifer Hitt, Executive Director of the Center.
We invite you to read the full report and see how your support, partnership, and engagement are making a difference across the state.
📘 Read the 2024–2025 Annual Report: Here
As we look ahead, we remain committed to listening, learning, and leading alongside Tennessee’s nurses. Thank you for being part of the journey.
Welcome to the Team, Dr. Kathleen Kinser!
The Tennessee Center for Nursing Advancement is excited to welcome Dr. Kathleen J. Kinser, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC to the team as our newest Nurse Scientist. With more than 27 years of nursing experience across clinical care, research, and academia, Dr. Kinser brings a wealth of expertise and passion to our mission of strengthening Tennessee’s nursing workforce.
In her role, Dr. Kinser will contribute to statewide nursing research, workforce planning, and the development of evidence-based health policy initiatives. Her background spans acute and critical care, cardiology, chronic disease management, and outpatient surgery, along with nearly a decade of research focused on interstitial lung disease.
Dr. Kinser earned her BSN from the University of Colorado Colorado Springs and completed both her MSN and DNP at Vanderbilt University School of Nursing. Her doctoral research on vitamin D malabsorption in post-surgical bariatric patients was selected for presentation at the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) national conference. She is also a published author, an active nonprofit board member, and a dedicated mentor to the next generation of nurses.
Most recently, Dr. Kinser served as an Assistant Professor of Nursing at Northeast State Community College and worked as a nurse practitioner in the Department of Surgery at Vanderbilt.
Please join us in giving a warm welcome to Dr. Kinser, we’re thrilled to have her on board and look forward to the meaningful contributions she’ll make to nursing advancement across the state!
Vitals & Voices Continues at TNA Annual Conference in Memphis
The Tennessee Center for Nursing Advancement is proud to lead Vitals & Voices: Stories from TN Nurses, a growing statewide storytelling initiative designed to capture the real experiences, wisdom, and impact of nurses across Tennessee.
Formerly known as the Nurse Narratives Initiative, Vitals & Voices launched with a powerful pilot event at Chattanooga State Community College, followed by events at Christian Brothers University in Memphis and Tennessee State University in Nashville. Over the past few months, we’ve had the privilege of recording the personal journeys of more than 20 nurses, each sharing why they entered the profession, what sustains them, and the advice they’d offer to future generations.
In July, the project continued in Knoxville and the Tri-Cities, where even more nurses added their voices to this meaningful archive. Each 20-minute recording becomes part of a living collection that supports workforce development, deepens public understanding, and elevates the voices of those who too often care in silence.
These are stories of purpose, persistence, and passion, told by the people who live them every day.
📍Next Stop: Memphis
We’re excited to announce that Vitals & Voices will be on-site at the Tennessee Nurses Association Annual Conference this October in Memphis! If you’ll be attending the conference and are interested in participating in a recorded interview, we’d love to hear from you.
🎙️ Want to share your story?
Please reach out to us at nursingadvancement@etsu.edu to reserve a time slot or learn more.
📸 Sharing Stories, Elevating Voices The portraits captured during Vitals & Voices sessions are now being featured in a variety of ways, including our annual report, website, and even statewide television ads promoting the Nurse of the Month program. These images reflect the strength, diversity, and dedication of Tennessee’s nursing workforce, and are helping to humanize and elevate the profession in a powerful, visual way.
We’re deeply grateful to every nurse and nursing student who has contributed so far, and we’re just getting started. Stay tuned for more highlights as Vitals & Voices continues to grow across Tennessee.
Let’s make sure every nurse’s voice is heard.
TCNA Team Volunteers in Erwin for Helene Clean-up
On July 31st, members of the Tennessee Center for Nursing Advancement team rolled up their sleeves to support Helene Clean-up efforts in Erwin, TN. The devastating flooding caused by Helene left many homes and community spaces in need of restoration.
Working alongside local volunteers, the TCNA team helped remove debris, and assist residents in reclaiming and repairing their homes. While the work was hard, the spirit of community was stronger, reminding us that nursing is not only about caring within hospital walls, but also about stepping forward when our neighbors need us most.
Although Dr. Hitt was unable to attend this particular event, she spent time earlier in the month volunteering at a summer camp, continuing TCNA’s tradition of giving back in diverse and meaningful ways.
We are grateful for the opportunity to serve and proud to be part of a community that comes together in times of crisis.
