LPNs: An Essential Part of Nursing’s Future
For too long, Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) have sometimes been overlooked in conversations about the nursing profession. That is beginning to change, and it is a change worth celebrating.
In June 2026, the American Nurses Association (ANA) Membership Assembly voted to amend its bylaws to welcome LPNs and Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) as ANA members. The historic decision recognizes what those of us who work alongside LPNs already know: LPNs are nurses, and they are an essential part of the nursing workforce. ANA specifically recognized LPNs/LVNs as critical members of the nursing care team who provide direct patient care in hospitals, long-term care, clinics, community settings, and home care.
This national change is especially meaningful for Tennessee. The Tennessee Nurses Association is scheduled to vote on LPN membership in October. Expanding membership would provide LPNs with a stronger voice within the professional nursing community and create more opportunities for collaboration, advocacy, leadership, and professional development.
LPNs bring tremendous value to patient care. They provide hands-on nursing care, build meaningful relationships with patients and families, recognize changes in patient condition, administer medications and treatments within their scope, contribute to care planning, and work closely with RNs, physicians, and other members of the healthcare team. In many healthcare settings, particularly hospitals, rural communities, long-term care, dialysis, home health, and other areas where workforce shortages are significant, LPNs are indispensable.
Tennessee’s own nursing regulations recognize that LPNs have nursing knowledge and preparation and provide for a directed scope of practice appropriate to their education, experience, and competency. As healthcare continues to evolve, there is an important opportunity to ensure that LPNs are able to practice to the full extent of their education and training.
Healthcare organizations are also recognizing the importance of creating stronger pathways into practical nursing. Ballad Health is a great example. Through the Ballad Health Academy, students can begin preparing for healthcare careers while still in high school, with pathways that can lead to LPN licensure. The program was created in partnership with schools and educational institutions to build a local healthcare workforce pipeline.
That is an important message: LPNs matter. They matter to patients. They matter to hospitals. They matter to communities. And they matter to the future of nursing. As the ANA opens its doors to LPNs nationally and Tennessee considers doing the same, we have an opportunity to recognize LPNs not as an afterthought or a stepping stone, but as an important and valued part of the nursing profession. We hope to see more LPNs, more opportunities for LPNs, and more recognition of the tremendous contributions LPNs make every day.
The Tennessee Center for Nursing Advancement invites you to participate in our new Job Satisfaction Survey. Your experiences and perspectives matter. By sharing your feedback, you will help us better understand what contributes to job satisfaction among nurses across Tennessee and the Appalachian Highlands and identify opportunities to strengthen the nursing workforce. The survey only takes a few minutes to complete, and participants may enter a drawing to win one of two $50 gift cards as a thank-you for participating. Share your experience and help us better understand what nurses need to thrive in their careers.
August 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.
Jennifer Lee – Nashville
Jennifer Lee passion for nursing is rooted in her dedication to compassionate care and patient advocacy, leaving a lasting impact on the patients she serves.
Watch Jennifer’s story here
Becca Evangelista – Nashville
For Becca Evangelista, support makes all the difference. She credits her team leaders, family, and friends for helping her through difficult days, allowing her to stay focused on delivering outstanding care to her patients.
Watch Becca’s story here
*July NOM
Kirsten Applegate – Knoxville
Kirsten told WATE, “nursing has been more than a career—it has been one of the things that kept me alive.” The recognition highlights her dedication, compassion, and commitment to patients
Watch Kirsten’s story here
Wendy Kirchhofer – Knoxville
Wendy Kirchhofer has loved being a nurse for over a decade, she told WATE “I love using my gifts at work, at home, and in my community to help humans. I am so blessed to be a nurse.”
Read Wendy’s story here
*July NOM
Lindsey Gibson – Chattanooga
Lindsey Gibson knew from third grade that she wanted to become a nurse—and today, she is living that dream by making a difference in the lives of students and families every day as a school nurse. Her passion for caring, advocating, and supporting children reflects the dedication that defines the nursing profession.
Watch Lindsey’s story here
Lynette Murdock – Memphis
Lynette Murdock started nursing with her mother, and continues her legacy as a transplant nurse at Methodist University where she gives her patient a second chance at life after kidney failure.
Watch Lynette’s full segment here
Autumn Davidson – Tri-Cities
Autumn Davidson didn’t originally plan to be a nurse, until her grandmother encoraged her to become a nurse. Now nearly 20 years later she’s preparing become a nurse practitioner.
Watch Autumn’s story here
Advance Your Leadership Journey with the Nurse Leader Fellowship
The Tennessee Center for Nursing Advancement is now accepting applications for the next Nurse Leader Fellowship, beginning September 7, 2026. Offered at no cost to participants, this 14-week, instructor-led online fellowship is designed to help new and emerging nurse leaders build the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to lead themselves, lead others, drive change, and strengthen healthcare organizations. Participants should expect to dedicate approximately 4–6 hours per week to coursework.
Eligible nurses who are interested in advancing their leadership skills are encouraged to apply. Applicants must meet the program’s employment and performance requirements and obtain supervisor approval before participating. Space is limited, and submission of a registration form does not guarantee acceptance, as final selections are based on eligibility, supervisor approval, and program capacity. Take advantage of this valuable professional development opportunity and invest in your future as a nursing leader.
Next class starts September 7
Request a Speaker or Meeting
Need a keynote speaker, strategic consultation, conference participation, or a meeting with Tennessee Center for Nursing Advancement leadership? We’ve made it easier than ever to connect with us.
Our new Request a Speaker or Meeting feature allows organizations to submit requests directly through our website. Simply complete the online form with your event or meeting details, and a member of our team will follow up with you.
Whether you’re planning a conference, educational event, leadership retreat, or would like to discuss collaboration opportunities, we’re here to help advance nursing across Tennessee.
TCNA Releases 2025–2026 Annual Report
The Tennessee Center for Nursing Advancement is proud to announce the release of its 2025–2026 Annual Report, highlighting a year of growth, innovation, collaboration, and statewide impact. The report reflects TCNA’s continued commitment to strengthening the nursing workforce across Tennessee and the Appalachian Highlands through research, education, leadership development, workforce data, professional engagement, and innovative pipeline initiatives.
Throughout the year, TCNA advanced work across its four strategic priorities: Pipeline Development, Collaboration and Innovation, Well-Being and Advocacy, and Data and Research. These priorities guided efforts to support nurses at every stage of their careers, strengthen nursing education, expand access to professional development, elevate the voices of nurses, and provide decision-makers with actionable workforce information.
The report also demonstrates the breadth of TCNA’s reach. During 2025–2026, the Center generated more than 13.5 million digital impressions and 1.5 million completed video views, grew its newsletter audience to more than 133,000 subscribers, produced more than 75 podcast episodes, collected 114 healthcare stories, received more than 1,500 Nurse of the Month nominations, and distributed over 2,000 healthcare career coloring books. TCNA staff also traveled approximately 100,000 miles to engage nurses, students, educators, healthcare leaders, policymakers, and partners across the United States and internationally.
Among the initiatives featured in the report are the Nurse Leadership Fellowship, Clinical Nurse Faculty Program, statewide workforce and geographic data projects, the Voices from the Nursing Frontline podcast, the NURSE: Empathy Heals documentary, the Nurse of the Month program, monthly webinars, nursing workforce publications, advocacy activities, and early pipeline programs designed to introduce children and students to healthcare careers.
The 2025–2026 Annual Report also recognizes the partners, advisory board members, healthcare organizations, academic institutions, professional associations, government agencies, and community leaders whose collaboration helped make this work possible. Their continued support has allowed TCNA to broaden its reach, respond to emerging workforce needs, and develop initiatives that benefit nurses and the communities they serve.
Electronic copies of the report are now available on the TCNA Reports & Publications webpage. Individuals and organizations may also request printed copies by emailing nursingadvancement@etsu.edu with their name, organization, mailing address, and the number of copies requested.
We invite you to explore the report and learn more about the people, partnerships, programs, and data shaping the future of nursing across Tennessee and the Appalachian Highlands.
Nurse Wellness Matters: The Power of Rest
For many nurses, rest can feel like a luxury rather than a necessity. Between demanding shifts, family responsibilities, continuing education, and the everyday demands of life, it can be difficult to slow down. Yet research continues to show that rest is one of the most important investments nurses can make in their physical health, emotional well-being, and ability to provide safe, compassionate care.
Rest is about more than getting enough sleep. It also includes taking time to mentally recharge, emotionally process difficult experiences, reconnect with loved ones, and engage in activities that bring joy and renewal. Even brief moments of recovery throughout the day, stepping outside for fresh air, taking a short walk, enjoying a quiet cup of coffee, listening to music during your commute, or practicing a few minutes of mindfulness, can help reduce stress and improve resilience.
As the pace of the year begins to accelerate, it’s easy to fall into the habit of pushing through fatigue. Instead, pay attention to what your mind and body are telling you. Feeling constantly exhausted, becoming easily irritated, losing motivation, or struggling to concentrate may be signs that it’s time to slow down and prioritize your own well-being. Seeking support from colleagues, family, or employee wellness resources is a sign of strength, not weakness.
Nurses dedicate their careers to helping others heal. Giving yourself permission to rest is not stepping away from that mission, it’s an essential part of sustaining it. When you take time to restore your own energy and well-being, you’re better prepared to care for your patients, support your team, and continue making a meaningful difference every day.
Wellness Tip of the Month: Schedule Time to Unplug
Choose one period this week, even if it’s just 30 minutes, to disconnect from work emails, social media, and other digital distractions. Spend that time doing something that helps you recharge, whether it’s reading, spending time outdoors, enjoying a hobby, or simply sitting in silence. Giving your mind a chance to rest can improve focus, reduce stress, and leave you feeling more refreshed for the days ahead.
Submit an Event
Does your organization have an upcoming nursing-related event to share? TCNA welcomes submissions for conferences, workshops, webinars, community events, and other nursing-focused activities.
Jill Cooper, BSN, RN
Time: 12:00 – 1:00 P.M. EST.
11:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M. CST.
Topic: Mastering Dosage Calculations: A Simplified Approach to Dimensional Analysis
All TCNA webinars are free to attend and open to nurses, nursing students, and healthcare professionals across Tennessee.
Sign up here
Voices from the Nursing Frontline Podcast Season 6 Debuts August 26
As we kick off Season 6 of Voices from the Nursing Frontline, we’re excited to bring you a new season filled with meaningful conversations, inspiring stories, and fresh perspectives from across the nursing profession. Thank you for being part of our community and for continuing to support the podcast. We look forward to sharing this next chapter with you and exploring the issues, innovations, and experiences shaping nursing today. Join us as we begin another season of conversations from the frontline.
Listen to our podcast here
