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 will begin with a reception featuring light hors d’oeuvres at 6 p.m. The ETSU Research Corporation will host a toast to nurses, offering one complimentary beer, wine (for guests 21 and older with a valid ID) or a non-alcoholic beverage to all guests. The film screening will follow and conclude with a live Q&A featuring nurses and project collaborators who shared their experiences and helped bring these stories to life.
Following the event, Tennessee Hills will honor nurses and first responders with a complimentary beer at its Johnson City location, upon presentation of the event program and badge (for guests 21 and older with a valid ID).
The event is free and open to the public, but seating is limited. Learn more at nurseempathyheals.org.
2025, A Year of Growth
Our team has grown to address the needs of nurses across the state, adding nurse scientists, Dr. Kathleen J. Kinser and Dr. Belinda Fleming, both of whom bring decades of experience in nursing. They contribute to statewide nursing research, workforce planning, and evidence-based health policy initiatives.
Our outreach has also expanded. We’ve represented Tennessee nurses throughout the state, at national nursing conferences, and internationally at the International Council of Nurses Congress in Helsinki, Finland.
We partnered with StoryCollab on the Nurse Narratives Initiative, and we are excited for the premiere of Nurse: Empathy Heals, a powerful new documentary created by Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Chusy of Plan A Films, which celebrates the vital role nurses play in our community.
We didn’t stop there; our team collaborated with Linebender, a creative agency based in Nashville, to travel across the state and interview nurses about their careers, aiming to inspire the next generation of nurses and shed light on some of the challenges nurses face every day.
If 2025 has taught us anything, it’s that Tennessee Nurses are incredible, and that together, we can shape the future of nursing.
Best,
Jennifer Hitt
Executive Director
December Nurse of the Month Spotlights
We’re proud to celebrate the nurses who care for Tennessee, body, mind, and spirit. Through the Nurse of the Month program, we honor nurses whose compassion, skill, and leadership create meaningful change for their patients, colleagues, and communities.
Amber Kerr – Chattanooga
Amber Kerr is a family nurse practitioner in Dayton, TN, where she runs her own practice, Integrative Wellness. She told Local 3 News she never thought she would end up in the medical field when she was growing up.
“Nursing just kind of fell into my lap. It seemed like an honest career. It seemed like something that would fit me. I think I have a lot of compassion for others, and I wanted to be a part of something that was bigger than myself,” said Kerr.
Learn more about Amber’s story here.
Bambi Bromley – Nashville
Bambi Bromley is an RN Care Coordinator at the VA Medical Center in Murfreesboro. Bambi, a nurse with over 35 years of experience and daughter of a veteran, shared with WKRN that the values her father instilled in her played a significant role in her decision to become a nurse.
Watch Bambi’s full interview here.
Crystal Arnold – Tri-Cities
Crystal Arnold, RN, COCN, a wound care nurse at Ballad Health, told WJHL, “I love to just be able to help a person through a situation and see them get better, or at least give them some support when it’s not going in the right direction.” On the side, she also volunteers with an ostomy support group.
Learn more about Crystal’s story here.
Hannah Newby – Knoxville
Hannah Newby, a geriatric nurse at The Life Care Center of Crossville, told 6 News that she was inspired to pursue a career in nursing after giving birth to twins who had to stay in the neonatal intensive care unit at East Tennessee Children’s Hospital. She called her profession “the most rewarding job you can have.”
Learn more about Hannah’s story here.
Shelania Downey – Memphis
Shelania Downey, an RN at Lt. Col. Luke Weathers, Jr. VA Medical Center in Memphis, told Live at 9, “Nursing isn’t just a career, it is a profound act of service that promises to care when others can’t care for themselves.”
See Shelania’s announcement here
Congratulations to the class of 2025! We are glad to celebrate the newest generation of nurses. From late night study sessions to clinic hours and countless hours of hard work, you rose to the challenge. Thank you for choosing a path of service, compassion, and impact. Tennessee is proud of you and the future of healthcare is brighter because of you!
Nurses from across the state came together to say congratulations here
Tennessee Represented at the American Nurses Association’s National Leadership Summit
Our Executive Director, Dr. Jennifer Hitt, recently represented Tennessee at the American Nurses Association’s National Leadership Summit! The annual summit brings together nursing leaders from across the country to collaborate on workforce solutions and groundbreaking innovation in healthcare.
Team Members Attend OADN Annual Convention
TCNA was pleased to attend the Organization for Associate Degree Nursing (OADN) Annual Convention, held in Nashville from November 20–22. Nursing educators and leaders from across the country gathered under the theme Elevating Nursing Education, Embracing Change, Strengthening Community to share strategies, research, and innovations shaping the future of associate degree nursing.
The conference offered valuable insights into nursing education, workforce development, and pathways that support student success and strengthen the nursing pipeline. TCNA team members Carl, Dr. Kinser, and Dr. Hitt attended the convention, engaging in conversations that align closely with TCNA’s mission to advance and support the nursing workforce in Tennessee.
Nurses’ Role and Assessment in Domestic & Intimate Partner Violence: Identification and Care of Victims
– Carla Kirkland MSN, APRN, ACNP-BC, FNP-BC, ENP-BC
Join us on January 21 at 12 pm for an informative webinar focused on understanding and responding to domestic and intimate partner violence (DV/IPV).
During the webinar, participants will learn:
- Which populations are most vulnerable to domestic and intimate partner violence
- Five common behaviors of abusers in domestic and intimate partner relationships
- Five practical tips for navigating patient care when working with DV/IPV victims
All TCNA webinars are free to attend and open to nurses, nursing students, and healthcare professionals across Tennessee.
Voices from the Nursing Frontline Season 4 Finale
In this final episode of Season 4, Dr. Lisa Beasley talks with three nursing students from UTHSC who open up about why they chose nursing, what their days really look like, and the moments that changed how they see patient care.
From accelerated vs. traditional tracks to clinical surprises, emotional resilience, and the skills that humbled them — this conversation is honest, encouraging, and full of heart. If you’ve ever wondered what nursing school is truly like, this is the episode for you.
Happy Holidays
The Tennessee Center for Nursing Advancement would like to wish you a happy holiday season. As we reflect on the year, we are grateful for the dedication, compassion, and resilience of Tennessee’s nursing community. We hope the holidays bring peace, renewal, and moments of well-deserved rest.
