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 contributed to the conference through educational presentations. Drs. Kathleen Kinser and Belinda Fleming delivered a session on Research 101, introducing students to foundational concepts in healthcare research and its role in advancing evidence-based practice. Dr. Monaco Briggs presented Healthcare Careers in the Age of Technology and Data, highlighting how innovation, digital transformation, and data-driven decision-making are reshaping career opportunities in the healthcare landscape.
Thank you to all the students and advisors who stopped by our table and attended our team members’ presentation. We loved connecting with you and sharing more about nursing opportunities.
Help Shape the Future of our Newsletter
Your perspective matters. We’re actively refining this newsletter to better support nurses, educators, and healthcare leaders, and your feedback directly informs what we create next.
Take a brief survey (2–3 minutes) to share what’s most valuable to you, what’s missing, and how we can improve. Your input will guide future content, topics, and resources.
As a thank-you, participants will be entered to win a TCNA Swag Bag.
April Nurse of the Month Honorees
Across Tennessee, nurses continue to make a profound impact in their communities. This month, we are proud to recognize the following Nurse of the Month honorees.
Demeka Kinzer – Memphis
Demeka Kinzer has been a registered nurse for 14 years and currently serves as a case manager at the Memphis VA Medical Center. Nursing represents a second career for Demeka, reflecting a purposeful transition into a profession centered on service and patient advocacy. Her work supporting veterans highlights both her clinical expertise and her commitment to those who have served.
Watch Demeka’s full segment here
Sarah Keasler – Chattanooga
Sarah Keasler, recognized as Local 3’s Nurse of the Month, practices at the Center for Sports Medicine and Orthopedics in Chattanooga. Known for her dedication to patient care and teamwork, Sarah plays a vital role in supporting recovery and mobility for her patients. Her recognition underscores the importance of specialized nursing care in outpatient and rehabilitation settings.
Watch Sarah’s full segment here
Janice Woodby – Tri-Cities
Janice Woodby is a licensed practical nurse at the Mountain Home VA Medical Center and has served patients for over two decades. Her long-standing commitment to caring for veterans reflects both deep professional experience and a strong sense of purpose. Janice shared that working with veterans is especially meaningful, a sentiment that continues to guide her work each day.
Watch Janice’s story here
Now Accepting Applications: Nurse Leader Fellowship
Strong nursing leadership is essential to addressing today’s complex healthcare challenges. From workforce shortages to quality improvement demands, nurse leaders play a critical role in shaping clinical environments, supporting teams, and driving patient outcomes. To meet this need, the Center is now accepting applications for the next cohort of the Nurse Leader Fellowship.
The Nurse Leader Fellowship is designed to support emerging nurse leaders as they transition into leadership roles and strengthen foundational competencies. Through a structured, cohort-based model, participants engage in guided learning focused on communication, team leadership, decision-making, and navigating the complexities of today’s healthcare systems.
What sets this fellowship apart is its emphasis on real-world application. Fellows are encouraged to immediately apply leadership concepts within their practice settings, building confidence and refining their leadership approach in real time. This practical focus ensures that participants leave the program with not only knowledge, but the ability to lead effectively in dynamic healthcare environments.
Early outcomes from the fellowship demonstrate meaningful growth in participants’ leadership confidence and skill development, reinforcing the value of intentional leadership training in strengthening the nursing workforce.
If you are a nurse ready to grow into a leadership role—or an organization looking to support the development of emerging leaders—this fellowship offers a unique opportunity to invest in the future of nursing.
Applications are now open.
Learn more and apply here.
Tennessee Nursing Integrity and Oversight Act
The Tennessee Nursing Integrity and Oversight Act, sponsored by Rusty Crowe (R–Johnson City), has passed the General Assembly with a 91–1 vote and has been sent to Governor Bill Lee’s desk.
The bill introduces new oversight for out-of-state nursing programs that place students in Tennessee clinical settings or utilize Tennessee-licensed preceptors. Working with the state Board of Nursing, TCNA will establish standards focused on transparency, accountability, and patient safety.
These standards must address all of the following:
- Verification and licensure of all preceptors used in this state, and verification of in-state residents enrolled in the programs.
- Annual reporting requirements, including student placement numbers, preceptor utilization, faculty oversight, and student outcomes.
- Minimum standards for faculty supervision and clinical oversight.
- Data collection for tracking clinical placements.
- Administrative costs incurred by the board to evaluate and monitor out-of-state programs.
- Mechanisms for ensuring educational equivalency and the protection of Tennessee patients and preceptors.
For Tennessee nurses, this legislation aims to strengthen clinical training standards, improve oversight of external programs, and better protect both patients and the nursing workforce.
ATTENTION NURSES: Participate in the NSSRN
The Nurses across the country have a critical opportunity to shape the future of the profession. The National Sample Survey of Registered Nurses (NSSRN) is the primary source of data used to understand the nursing workforce—and the decisions made from this data directly impact staffing, education, funding, and workforce policy.
If you were selected, your perspective represents not only your own experience, but also the realities of nurses in your community. Without strong participation, the challenges nurses face—workload, burnout, workforce shortages—may not be fully captured or addressed.
The survey is conducted by the Health Resources and Services Administration in partnership with the United States Census Bureau, and your response is confidential.
What You Can Do
- Watch for a letter in the mail from the U.S. Census Bureau
- If you receive one, take a few minutes to complete the survey
- Encourage colleagues who were selected to participate
Your voice is essential. By participating, you are helping ensure that the future of nursing is informed by real experiences—not assumptions.
Don’t Miss Season 5 of Voices from the Nursing Frontline Podcast
Don’t Miss Season 5 of Voices from the Nursing Frontline Podcast
In the latest episode of the Voices from the Nursing Frontline Podcast, Dr. Lisa Beasley and Dr. Andrea Sebastian continue their discussion on Child Abuse Prevention Month by focusing on what happens after a provider suspects child maltreatment.
They explain an important distinction: healthcare providers do not need proof to report concerns—only reasonable suspicion. Investigations are handled by Child Protective Services and law enforcement.
The episode also highlights:
• How providers document injuries
• What information is needed when making a report
• How reporting systems work in Tennessee
• How to communicate with families in a respectful and trauma-informed way
Early recognition and reporting can help protect children and prevent further harm.
Listen to learn how healthcare providers play a critical role in keeping children safe.
Listen to the latest episode here
