Tennessee Center for Nursing Advancement Releases First-Ever Nursing Workforce and Geographic Distribution Report
The Tennessee Center for Nursing Advancement (TCNA) is proud to announce the release of the Tennessee Nursing Workforce and Geographic Distribution Report (2020–2024), the first comprehensive nursing workforce report produced by the Center.
This landmark publication provides an in-depth look at Tennessee’s nursing workforce, offering valuable insights into the supply, distribution, demographics, education pathways, and employment trends of nurses across the state. The report represents a significant milestone in the Center’s commitment to advancing data-driven workforce planning and strengthening Tennessee’s healthcare system.
Using data collected from multiple sources, the report examines trends among registered nurses (RNs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), while also highlighting geographic variations across Tennessee’s rural and urban communities. The findings help identify areas of workforce strength, emerging challenges, and opportunities for strategic investment in nursing education, recruitment, and retention efforts.
As healthcare organizations, educational institutions, policymakers, and community leaders work to address ongoing workforce shortages, access to reliable nursing workforce data has never been more important. Tennessee continues to face significant nursing workforce challenges, particularly in rural and underserved regions, making accurate workforce intelligence essential for long-term planning and decision-making.
The report was developed to serve as a resource for stakeholders across the state, providing a clearer understanding of where nurses are practicing, how the workforce is changing over time, and where future workforce development efforts may be needed most. By establishing a baseline for workforce monitoring, the report will also support future analyses and help inform statewide strategies aimed at ensuring Tennesseans have access to a strong and sustainable nursing workforce.
View the full report and explore Tennessee nursing workforce data Here
May 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.
Dawn Holt – Nashville
Dawn’s recognition reflects the dedication, compassion, and professionalism that nurses bring to their communities every day. Whether advocating for patients, supporting families, or providing expert care during challenging moments, nurses like Dawn make a lasting impact far beyond the walls of healthcare facilities.
Watch Dawn’s story here
*May NOM
Kendyl Davis – Tri-Cities
Kendyl is being recognized for the compassion, dedication, and heart she brings to pediatric nursing every day. Caring for children requires not only clinical expertise, but also the ability to provide comfort, reassurance, and support to both patients and their families. Kendyl’s commitment to treating her pediatric patients like family reflects the very best of the nursing profession.
Watch Kendyl’s story here
Stephanie Wilson – Chattanooga
Stephanie’s passion for nursing shines through in everything she does. When asked about her career, she shared, “This is what I was put on the earth to do,” a powerful reflection of the dedication, compassion, and purpose that define exceptional nurses.
Watch Stephanie’s story here
Zachary Sorensen – Memphis
Zachary is being recognized for the dedication, compassion, and professionalism he brings to nursing every day. Nurses like Zachary make a lasting difference through their commitment to exceptional patient care, teamwork, and service to their communities.
Watch Zachary’s full segment here
Follow us on Social Media – Swag Bag Winner
Thank you to everyone who followed our social media pages last month where we share the latest news, infographics, tips and tricks, and our latest video series, Why I Became a Nurse
Congratulations to Sylvia Cooper, winner of the TCNA Swag Bag!
Nurses Across Tennessee Encouraged to Participate in National Workforce Survey
Every two years, the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) and the National Forum of State Nursing Workforce Centers conduct the nation’s most comprehensive survey of the nursing workforce. The 2026 National Nursing Workforce Survey will provide critical data on the supply, demographics, education, employment, and experiences of nurses across the United States.
The information gathered through this survey plays an important role in workforce planning, policy development, education initiatives, and efforts to strengthen the nursing profession. Findings help inform decisions that impact nurses, healthcare organizations, educators, and policymakers nationwide.
A nationally representative sample of licensed registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical/vocational nurses (LPN/VNs) will be selected to participate between March and September 2026. Selected nurses may receive the survey by email or U.S. mail and are strongly encouraged to respond.
Participation is especially important because each selected nurse represents the experiences and perspectives of countless colleagues across the profession. Results from the 2024 survey provided valuable insights into the post-pandemic nursing workforce, identifying areas of recovery while also highlighting ongoing workforce challenges and concerns about long-term stability.
Responses will be combined with those from nurses across the country to create a national nursing workforce dataset. The findings will be analyzed by NCSBN and the National Forum of State Nursing Workforce Centers and published in the Journal of Nursing Regulation.
If you are selected to participate, please take the opportunity to share your experiences and help shape the future of nursing.
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.
Nurse Wellness Matters: Finding Time to Recharge This Summer
As we celebrate the Fourth of July and embrace the summer season, many of us look forward to spending time with family and friends, enjoying community events, and taking advantage of longer days and warmer weather. For nurses, however, holidays and summer months can often mean busy schedules, extra shifts, and continued dedication to caring for others when their communities need them most.
This issue marks the launch of a new Nurse Wellness section in our newsletter, a feature inspired directly by feedback from our readers. In a recent survey, wellness was one of the most requested topics, highlighting the importance of supporting nurses not only professionally but personally as well.
Summer serves as a valuable reminder that wellness doesn’t always require major lifestyle changes. Often, it is the small moments that make the biggest difference. Taking a short walk outside during a break, enjoying a meal with family, attending a community event, staying hydrated during long shifts, or simply watching fireworks with loved ones can provide opportunities to recharge and reconnect.
The Fourth of July celebrates independence, but it can also serve as a reminder that maintaining personal well-being requires intentional choices. Nurses spend countless hours caring for patients, advocating for families, and supporting their communities. To continue providing that care, it is important to extend the same compassion to themselves.
Throughout future editions, this wellness section will share practical strategies, resources, and evidence-informed approaches to support physical, emotional, and professional well-being. Topics will include resilience, stress management, sleep health, work-life integration, financial wellness, and burnout prevention.
As you enjoy the summer season, we encourage you to find one small way to invest in your own well-being. A few moments of rest, connection, or reflection can go a long way toward helping you stay healthy, energized, and ready for the important work you do every day.
Thank you for helping shape this newsletter through your feedback. We look forward to supporting your wellness journey in the months ahead.
Wellness Tip of the Month:
Get Outside for 10 Minutes
Research shows that spending even a few minutes outdoors can help reduce stress, improve mood, and increase energy. Whether it’s a walk between shifts, enjoying your morning coffee outside, or attending a local Fourth of July event, a little sunshine and fresh air can be a simple but effective wellness boost.
Future Nurse Explorers Summer Camp Inspires the Next Generation of Nurses
TCNA partnered with the East Tennessee State University College of Nursing to host the inaugural Future Nurse Explorers Summer Camp, providing middle school students with an engaging introduction to nursing and healthcare careers through hands-on learning experiences.
Throughout the week, campers explored the skills and responsibilities of healthcare professionals while participating in interactive activities designed to build confidence and spark interest in the nursing profession. One of the camp’s most notable achievements was that each participant earned CPR certification, gaining a valuable life-saving skill and a firsthand look at emergency response.
Students also participated in first aid workshops where they learned how to respond to common injuries and medical situations. In separate 911 emergency scenarios, campers worked through realistic emergency situations, practicing communication, teamwork, and critical thinking skills used by healthcare professionals every day.
Another highlight of the camp was a concussion simulation that helped students better understand the physical and cognitive effects of head injuries. The experience encouraged empathy for patients while introducing important concepts related to injury prevention and recovery.
The Future Nurse Explorers Summer Camp was created to expose students to healthcare careers at an early age and help them envision themselves in future nursing roles. By combining hands-on activities, simulation-based learning, and direct interaction with healthcare educators, the camp offered participants a meaningful glimpse into the impact nurses make in their communities.
The success of this inaugural program highlights the importance of early career exploration and TCNA’s commitment to strengthening Tennessee’s future nursing workforce. TCNA and ETSU College of Nursing look forward to building on this success and inspiring even more future healthcare professionals in the years 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.
Teresa Phillips, RN
Time: 12:00 – 1:00 P.M. EST.
11:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M. CST.
Speaker: Teresa Phillips, RN
Topic: Helping Healers Heal: Understanding Tennessee’s Professional Assistance Program. Supporting healthcare professionals through recovery, resilience, and safe return-to-practice pathways.
All TCNA webinars are free to attend and open to nurses, nursing students, and healthcare professionals across Tennessee.
Sign up here
Tiffany Elliott, PhD, RN
Time: 12:00 – 1:00 P.M. EST.
11:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M. CST.
Topic: From Student to Scholar: Simulation and AI in Nursing Education
All TCNA webinars are free to attend and open to nurses, nursing students, and healthcare professionals across Tennessee.
Sign up here
Don’t Miss Voices from the Nursing Frontline Podcast Summer Season
Throughout the summer, we will be taking a short break from new episodes while re-airing some of our most popular and impactful conversations from previous seasons. It’s a great opportunity to catch up on episodes you may have missed or revisit listener favorites.
Thank you for continuing to support Voices from the Nursing Frontline. We look forward to returning with new episodes and fresh conversations in Season 6.
Listen to our podcast here
