TCNA attends TNA’s Day on the Hill
The Tennessee Center for Nursing Advancement advocated for nurses across the state at TNA’s Day on the Hill on February 11, 2026.
While they were there, they weren’t alone. Nurses, educators, and students from across the state came to engage with Tennessee’s lawmakers and advocate not only for themselves but also for their patients, schools, and profession.
The event offered students a meaningful opportunity to learn how health policy shapes the nursing profession and patient outcomes.
Want to learn more about nursing advocacy?
February Nurse of the Month Honorees
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.
Ayana Anderson – Nashville
Ayana works in the Trauma Unit at Vanderbilt Children’s. She was inspired at a young age by nurses who cared for her grandfather.
Watch Ayana’s story here
Mercedes Barnett – Tri-Cities
Mercedes works at Holston Medical Group Pediatrics in Kingsport, where she has found her calling. Getting to watch her patients grow, Mercedes says she is living her dream job with a dream team.
Watch Mercedes’ story here
Robin Carpenter – Chattanooga
Robin spent the first 18 years of her nursing career as an OB nurse, but has worked as a school nurse for over a decade. Robin told Local 3 News, “If you had told me 20 years ago that I was gonna be a school nurse, I would say no way.” It would turn out to be the best decision.
Watch Robin’s story here
Reagan Williamson – Memphis
Reagan, a trauma ICU nurse at Regional One Health, was inspired to become a nurse after hearing stories from nurses throughout the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Watch Reagan’s full interview here
Dr. Jennifer Hitt Visits Bangalore, India
Our Executive Director, Dr. Jennifer Hitt, recently traveled to Bangalore, India, to explore and cultivate international partnerships in nursing education and clinical practice.
During her visit, Dr. Hitt met with leadership from multiple nursing schools and their affiliated hospitals across Bangalore to build meaningful relationships and lay the foundation for long-term collaboration. She also observed students during their clinical rotations and noted that, despite differences in resources and infrastructure, the students were highly engaged and demonstrated strong patient-centered connections.
The visit highlighted significant opportunities for bidirectional learning among faculty and students, allowing for the exchange of best practices across diverse cultural and clinical settings. Discussions also included the potential development of future pilot programs.
These emerging partnerships have the potential to strengthen our academic programs and advance the global nursing workforce.
– Cheryl Scott RN, BSN, MSN, EdD, CHSE
Time: 12:00 – 1:00 P.M. EST.
11:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M. CST.
Speaker: Cheryl Scott, RN, BSN, MSN, Ed.D., CHSE
Topic: Improving Our Understanding and Utilization of the IPEC Competencies
Target Audience: Nurse educators
All TCNA webinars are free to attend and open to nurses, nursing students, and healthcare professionals across Tennessee.
Sign up here
– Carl Mangum PhD, RN
Date: March 19
Time: 1:00 – 2:00 P.M. EST.
12:00 – 1:00 P.M. CST.
Speaker: Carl Mangum, PhD, RN
Topic: Nurses and Disasters: Are You Ready?
Target Audience: registered nurses (RNs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), advanced practice nurses (APRNs), nursing leaders, and other healthcare professionals
All TCNA webinars are free to attend and open to nurses, nursing students, and healthcare professionals across Tennessee.
Sign up here
Don’t Miss Season 5 of Voices from the Nursing Frontline Podcast
Season 5 of the Voices from the Nursing Frontline podcast is here!
In the latest episode of Voices from the Nursing Frontline, Dr. Tosha Harris shares what it means to care for the smallest and most vulnerable patients in the NICU. She reminds us that the NICU is not a nursery—it’s a high-acuity environment where babies may weigh only one or two pounds and where clinicians must constantly watch for subtle changes that can quickly become life-threatening.
Dr. Harris also speaks to the importance of trauma-informed, family-centered care. Parents enter the NICU overwhelmed and afraid, and advocacy begins with presence, clear communication, and helping families feel seen and supported during an incredibly difficult time.
This episode highlights the skill, compassion, and leadership required in neonatal nursin and why these nurses and advanced practice clinicians are essential to babies, families, and the future of healthcare.
Listen to the latest episode here
Dr. Hitt Published in the Journal of Nursing Regulation
Dr. Jennifer Hitt was recently published in the Journal of Nursing Regulation, a leading national publication focused on nursing policy and regulatory practice. Her work contributes to essential conversations shaping the future of nursing across Tennessee and beyond.
Pictured left to right, Logan Mink, Carl Deertz, Dr. Kathleen Kinser, Bucky, Dr. Monaco Briggs
The Tennessee Center for Nursing Advancement Spreads Joy at Niswonger Children’s Hospital with Coloring Books
This month, several members of our team visited Niswonger Children’s Hospital alongside ETSU’s mascot, Bucky, to deliver coloring books to patients. It was a truly meaningful day as we spent time with patients and shared TCNA’s coloring book as part of our ongoing effort to strengthen the nursing pipeline.
We hope the patients and nursing staff enjoyed the visit as much as we did. Special thanks to Ballad Health for the warm welcome and for allowing us the opportunity to connect with their patients.
