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Nurses Have a Voice: Taking Action for Safer Workplaces
Nurses are trusted to speak up for their patients every day. On September 22, the American Nurses Association (ANA) is calling on nurses across the country to use that same voice to advocate for safer workplaces.
The 2026 Nurses Day of Action will focus on workplace violence prevention and the safety of nurses and other healthcare workers. Nurses across the country are being encouraged to contact their legislators, share their experiences, and raise awareness about the need for safer work environments.
Workplace violence is not simply a workplace issue—it is a nursing workforce issue. When nurses do not feel safe at work, it can affect recruitment, retention, morale, and ultimately the ability of healthcare organizations to maintain a strong workforce. Creating environments where nurses can safely care for patients is an important part of building and sustaining Tennessee’s nursing workforce.
Advocacy does not always require traveling to the Capitol or attending a legislative meeting. It can be as simple as contacting a legislator, sharing a personal experience, educating a colleague, or participating in a coordinated advocacy effort. When thousands of nurses speak about the same issue, the collective voice of the profession becomes difficult to ignore.
The Tennessee Center for Nursing Advancement encourages nurses throughout Tennessee to participate in Nurses Day of Action on September 22. Your experience matters. Your perspective matters. And your voice is an important part of shaping the future of nursing in Tennessee.
Nurses care for everyone. It is time to make sure we are caring for nurses, too.
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.
September 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.
Bailey Axthelm – Knoxville
Bailey Axthelm told WATE, “My favorite part of being a nurse is getting to know the residents that I take care of and cultivating a relationship with them as well as a family.” Bailey always thought she wanted to be a NICU nurse, but has spent the last four working in hospice, and has shown her a different world she may want to be part of.
Watch Bailey’s story here
Emily Williams – Chattanooga
Emily Williams told Local 3 News that she knew she would always end up in healthcare. Her mom was a medical assistant and Williams said watching her care for patients inspired her to follow the same path.
Watch Emily’s story here
Laura Silver – Memphis
Laura Silver told News Channel 3 “I like helping people understand theri illness and treatment. When information is understood, fear and anxiety are reduced. this can help the healing process go much smoother.”
Watch Laura’s full segment here
DeeDee Wolfe – Tri-Cities
DeeDee Wolfe never set out to become a nurse, but a love for her human anatomy class changed her direction. Now for over four decades she’s served her community in Hawkins County.
Watch DeeDee’s story here
Research Opportunity: Understanding Job Demands, Resources, and Burnout Among Acute Care Nurses
Acute care nurses are invited to participate in a dissertation research study examining job demands, job resources, and burnout in acute care nursing. The study is being conducted by Hannah Shipp, PhD Candidate at East Tennessee State University, and seeks to better understand the workplace factors that influence nurses’ professional experiences.
Nurses working in acute care settings bring an important perspective to this research. Their participation can help contribute to a greater understanding of how job demands and available workplace resources relate to burnout, an issue with important implications for the nursing workforce.
Participation involves completing an online survey that takes approximately 15–20 minutes. Acute care nurses who are eligible and interested are encouraged to participate, and colleagues are also encouraged to share the research opportunity with nurses in their professional networks.
Learn more or participate:
Acute Care Nurse Burnout Research Study
ETSU IRB ID#: c0726.5e
The Tennessee Center for Nursing Advancement is pleased to help share research opportunities that contribute to a stronger understanding of Tennessee’s nursing workforce and the experiences of nurses providing direct patient care.
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: Check In, With Yourself and Each Other
Nurses are trained to notice changes in others. A subtle shift in a patient’s condition, a colleague who seems overwhelmed, or a family member who needs extra support rarely goes unnoticed. But how often do we give that same attention to ourselves?
September is a good reminder that wellness includes more than physical health. Our emotional and mental well-being deserve attention, too. Long shifts, difficult patient outcomes, staffing challenges, workplace stress, and responsibilities outside of work can accumulate over time. Even when we feel as though we’re managing everything well, stress can show up in unexpected ways, difficulty sleeping, irritability, exhaustion, trouble concentrating, or simply feeling less like ourselves.
One of the simplest wellness practices is to regularly ask yourself, “How am I really doing?” Take a moment to consider what has been energizing you and what has been draining you. Are you getting the support you need? Have you made time for the people and activities that matter to you? Is there something you’ve been carrying that you need to talk about?
Checking in with others is just as important. Nursing is built on teamwork, and sometimes a genuine conversation with a colleague can make a meaningful difference. A simple “How are you doing?”…..followed by taking the time to truly listen, can remind someone that they don’t have to navigate a difficult day alone.
September is Suicide Prevention Month, making it especially important to recognize the value of connection and open conversations about mental health. If you or someone you know is struggling, reaching out for support is important. Employee assistance programs, mental health professionals, trusted colleagues, friends, and family can all be valuable sources of support. In a crisis, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available by calling or texting 988.
Nurses spend their careers watching over others. This month, make a commitment to look out for yourself and the people working beside you, too. Sometimes wellness begins with something as simple as noticing, asking, listening, and connecting.
Wellness Tip of the Month
Make the Check-In Meaningful
This week, choose one colleague, friend, or family member and ask how they’re doing, and give them your full attention when they answer. Then take a few minutes to ask yourself the same question. You don’t have to solve every problem. Sometimes recognizing what you or someone else needs is the most important first step.
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
Julie Scruggs
Date: October 14
Time: 12:00 – 1:00 P.M. EST.
11:00 – 12:00 P.M. CST.
Topic: A Secret Safe Place for Newborns of Tennessee: What Nurses Need to Know About Tennessee’s Safe Haven Law.
Audience: Nurses, student nurses, other healthcare providers.
All TCNA webinars are free to attend and open to nurses, nursing students, and healthcare professionals across Tennessee.
Sign up here
The Multistate License for RNs and LPN/VNs: Employer Edition
Date: October 13
Time: 3:00 – 4:00 P.M. EST.
2:00 – 3:00 P.M. CST.
Description: During this webinar we will provide an overview of how the multistate license works, discuss common misunderstandings, explain the importance of the 60-day residency rule, and reducing potential risk to the nurse and the employer.
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
The Tennessee Center for Nursing Advancement is proudly headquartered at East Tennessee State University.
