Tennessee Yearbook 2020

TNA VIRTUAL CONFERENCE | 2020: YEAR OF THE NURSE
Welcome from the TNA President
Carla Kirkland, MSN, APRN, ACNP-BC, FNP-BC, ENP-BC
On behalf of the Tennessee Nurses Association Board of Directors and Staff, I welcome
you to the 2020 Tennessee Nurses Association (TNA) Annual Conference. I am thankful for
technology, which allows us to still be able to connect and support each other, although we,
unfortunately, cannot meet in person this year.
The theme of this year’s conference is 2020: Year of the Nurse. We have done our best,
via a virtual platform, to still bring you excellent continuing education offerings, with the
opportunity to earn up to 10 contact hours and learn at your leisure. We felt it was important
to be able to conduct the yearly business of the Association with our members through
Membership Assembly. A superb slate of candidates will be presented, all of whom are
eager to join the TNA leadership team and represent the needs of our nurses.
What a year 2020 has been! I am so proud of all of our nurses in Tennessee, who have been leaders and
caregivers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The strength, resilience, and willingness to do whatever has been
needed for our communities has been noticed and well documented. Student nurses (our future leaders)
and even nurses coming out of retirement have stepped up to help. TNA has made every effort to advocate
for our nurses, provide frequent updates and support. Tina Gerardi, our TNA Executive Director, has done an
excellent job representing nurses in the media and educating the public on a regular basis!
Nurses have always been protectors of our most vulnerable populations, including the poor, those in
underserved areas, and those with poor health literacy. COVID-19 has brought to light many deficiencies
in our health care system, many of which nurses were already aware. It has also exposed health care
disparities, especially among persons of color. TNA needs YOUR voice to join the voice of the Association,
to advocate for these people, our patients, and our families, to improve health care in our state.
Please review the resolutions submitted this year, regarding 2020: Year of the Nurse, and regarding Support
for Persons of Color, to see and understand the commitment TNA has for supporting our nurses, toward
working to eradicate institutional racism.
TNA is diligently continuing the work toward full scope of practice for Tennessee APRNs, in an effort to
improve health outcomes. We made much progress this year and will continue to work with the Coalition
for Access to Care in Tennessee in this effort. Please watch for requests from TNA regarding advocacy
opportunities.
Thank you for being a member of the Tennessee Nurses Association, for your support, and for your
attendance at our virtual conference! I encourage you to reach out to the leadership of the TNA District
where you live, to volunteer for a leadership position, or see in what area(s) your assistance is needed.
Together we will grow and succeed!
Best Regards,
Carla
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