Tennessee Nurse - May 2021

Volume 84 • Number 2 • Summer 2021 

Tennessee Nurse 

The voice for professional nursing in Tennessee since 1905 

The Official Publication of the Tennessee Nurses Foundation 

Quarterly publication distributed to approximately 105,000 Registered Nurses in Tennessee. 

I Am TNA 

Ashley Carter 

Cindy Borum 

See Page 9 

Ashley Carter, RN, BSN 

Interim Board Member of TNA District 1 

When I decided to return to school for my Master of 

Science in Nursing, I specifically sought out a TNA/ANA 

membership for professional development, networking, 

and continuing education benefits. I have been in the 

nursing field since 2013 and have been aware of the TNA/ 

ANA since that time but never really understood what 

being part of this organization meant for me as a nurse. 

I have been amazed by how much I’ve already learned 

since beginning my membership less than a year ago. 

At first, I felt intimidated by the number of advanced 

practice nurses I’ve encountered, but everyone has been 

great! I’ve had the opportunity to connect with nurses 

who have similar passions as myself. I have been able to 

share my stories and allow my voice to be heard by not 

only other nurses but also state legislature and nursing 

students. I feel like an active member of my community 

as I am currently serving as an interim board member 

for my district. There are so many opportunities to get 

involved and make a difference! I would encourage any 

nurse who is not a member but interested, don’t be afraid 

to get involved and reach out. We are a powerful group of 

professionals, no matter your specialty or tenure. 

TNA/ANA has several outlets for you to participate, 

so come join us! 

I Am TNA continued on page 9 

current resident or 

Non-Profit Org. 

U.S. Postage Paid 

Princeton, MN 

Permit No. 14 

• Have you considered running for a TNA state 

or district office but fear “I just don’t know 

enough yet”? 

• Are you interested in helping your district 

association become more active but aren’t 

sure where to start? 

• Would you like to learn more about how to 

advocate for your patients and your profession? 

• What are the TN Nurses PAC and TNF? How 

do we boost local membership? 

Participants will receive answers to all of these 

questions! Information will be provided regarding the TNA 

state board and its responsibilities, and the role of the TN 

Board of Nursing, in addition to discussions on how to 

look for other leadership opportunities. 

TNA, and our nursing profession, have a stronger voice 

when we learn from each other and unite our voices. 

Through this program, the goal of TNA is to engage and 

educate TNA members about the association’s programs, 

services, and partnerships to groom future nurse leaders. 

Register today at https://form.jotform.com/211155223840142

Page 2 Tennessee Nurse May, June, July 2021 

The Tennessee Nurse is the official publication of the 

Tennessee Nurses Foundation, 545 Mainstream Drive, Suite 405, 

Nashville, TN 37228-1296 

Phone: 615/254-0350 • Fax: 615/254-0303 

Email: tnf@tnaonline.org 

Published exclusively by the 

Tennessee Nurses Foundation and the 

Arthur L. Davis Publishing Agency, Inc. 

TNF 2020-2021 Board of Trust 

Raven Wentworth, President 

Dara Rogers, Vice President 

Debra Sullivan, Treasurer 

Amy Hamlin, Secretary 

Cindy Borum, Jeny Conrad-Rendon, Brad Creekmore, 

Patsy Crihfield, Shannon Davis, Ken Edmisson, 

Kristin Fitchpatric, Alicia Frasure, Julie Hamm, Karen Hande, 

Kenda Harrison, Heather Jackson, Bill Jolley, Carla Kirkland, 

Sharon Little, Sue MacArthur, Jennifer Pearson, Bonnie Pilon, 

Nancy Stevens 

TNA 2021 Board of Directors 

Carla Kirkland, President 

Julie Hamm, President-Elect 

Heather Jackson, Vice President 

Nancy Stevens, Secretary 

Jennifer Hitt-Mayo, Director – Membership 

Kerry Copeland, Director – Education 

La-Kenya Kellum, Director – Operations 

Marcia Barnes, Director – Government Affairs 

Laura Reed, Director – Practice 

TNA 2021 District Presidents 

Lisa Beasley, District 1; Co-Presidents: Angela Heatherly & Erin 

Morgan, District 2; Ginny Massey-Holt, District 3; Nancy Stevens, 

District 4; Christine Reed, District 5; 

Raven Wentworth, District 6; Shannon Johnson, District 8; 

Chaundel Presley, District 9; Christy Blount, District 10; 

Vacant, District 12; Marcia Barnes, District 15 

TNA Board 

Actions 

At the March 19 Board of Directors Meeting, 

the TNA Board took the following actions: 

• Reviewed District compliance status 

• Approved sending Nurses Week cards 

to members 

• Approved the nomination of Kristen 

Fitchpatric to ANA as a subject matter 

expert to the Commission on Racism 

• Approved submitting a grant to ANA/ 

ANF to replicate the RNconnect 2 wellbeing 

initiative in Tennessee 

• Ratified vote to appoint La-Kenya 

Kellum to fill vacant Director of 

Operations position on the Board 

• Made appointments to the TnPAP Board 

of Directors, Reference, Education, 

GOVA, PAC, Membership, and Practice 

committees 

TNF Board 

Actions 

At the March 26 Board of Trustees Meeting, 

the TNF Board took the following actions: 

• Approved merchandise for sale for Nurses 

Week promotion on Bonfire, https://www. 

bonfire.com/store/tennessee-nursesfoundation/ 

• Plans are being made for selling 

merchandise at the conference Silent 

Auction 

• Will initiate a column in the Tennessee 

Nurse focusing on mental health & wellbeing 

• Group formed to review scholarship 

criteria, the scholarship amount, and how 

scholarships are solicited and allocated 

• Approved sending Nurses Week card to 

members per budget allocation 

Managing Editor 

Kathryn A. Denton 

TNA Staff 

Tina Gerardi, MS, RN, CAE, Executive Director 

Diane Cunningham, Office Manager 

Kathleen Murphy, Director, Government Affairs/Chief Lobbyist 

Kathryn Denton, Director, Computer/Network Systems, 

Managing Editor - Tennessee Nurse, TNF Program Manager 

The official publication of the Tennessee Nurses Foundation 

shall be the Tennessee Nurse. The purpose of the publication shall 

be to support the mission of the Tennessee Nurses Foundation 

and Tennessee Nurses Association through the communication 

of nursing issues, continuing education and significant events of 

interest. The statements and opinions expressed herein are those 

of the individual authors and do not necessarily represent the 

views of the association, its staff, its Board of Directors, or editors 

of the Tennessee Nurse. 

Article Submissions: The Tennessee Nurses Foundation 

encourages submissions of articles and photos for publication 

in the Tennessee Nurse. Any topic related to nursing will be 

considered for publication. Although authors are not required 

to be members of the Tennessee Nurses Association, when 

space is limited, preference will be given to TNA members. 

Articles and photos should be submitted by email to Kathryn. 

Denton@tnaonline.org or mailed to Managing Editor, Tennessee 

Nurses Foundation, 545 Mainstream Drive, Suite 405, Nashville, 

TN 37228-1296. All articles should be typed in Word. Please 

include two to three sentences of information about the author 

at the end of the article and list all references. Preferred article 

length is 750-1,000 words. Photos are welcomed as hard copies 

or digital files at a high resolution of 300 DPI. The Tennessee 

Nurses Foundation assumes no responsibility for lost or damaged 

articles or photos. TNF is not responsible for unsolicited freelance 

manuscripts or photographs. Contact the Managing Editor for 

additional contribution information. 

Reprints: Tennessee Nurse allows reprinting of material. 

Permission requests should be directed to Tennessee Nurses 

Foundation at Kathryn.Denton@tnaonline.org. 

For advertising rates and information, please contact Arthur 

L. Davis Publishing Agency, Inc., PO Box 216, Cedar Falls, Iowa 

50613, (800) 626-4081, sales@aldpub.com. TNF and the Arthur 

L. Davis Publishing Agency, Inc. reserve the right to reject any 

advertisement. Responsibility for errors in advertising is limited to 

corrections in the next issue or refund of price of advertisement. 

Acceptance of advertising does not imply endorsement 

or approval by the Tennessee Nurses Foundation of products 

advertised, the advertiser, or the claims made. Rejection of an 

advertisement does not imply a product offered for advertising 

is without merit, or that the manufacturer lacks integrity, or 

that this Foundation disapproves of the product or its use. TNF 

and Arthur L. Davis Publishing Agency, Inc. shall not be held 

liable for any consequences resulting from purchase or use of an 

advertiser’s product. Articles appearing in this publication express 

the opinion of the authors; they do not necessarily reflect views 

of the staff, Board or membership of TNA and TNF or those of the 

national or local associations. 

Copyright©2020 by the Tennessee Nurses Foundation. The 

Tennessee Nurse is published quarterly in February, May, August 

and November. Published free for TNA members and emailed to 

registered nurses licensed in Tennessee. Others may request a 

subscription to the Tennessee Nurse for $30 per year by contacting 

Kathryn.Denton@tnaonline.org.

May, June, July 2021 Tennessee Nurse Page 3 

From the Executive 

Director 

Tina Gerardi, MS, RN, CAE 

I am looking forward to the beginning of Summer. 

Summertime for me is a time to relax and renew with family 

and friends. My wish is that since most of you have been fully 

vaccinated that you will be able to do this over the next few 

months. I hope you have enjoyed the Nurses Month activities 

and reading about TNA members featured on the TNA 

Facebook page during the month of May and are as inspired 

as I was by their work and commitment to advancing the 

profession. 

The Tennessee Nurses Foundation has begun selling 

merchandise on Bonfire to help support the work of the 

Foundation, including nurse scholarships and grants. Tina Gerardi 

Merchandise is available for purchase at https://www.bonfire. 

com/store/tennessee-nurses-foundation/ More selection will be added over the next few 

months. 

TNA has worked tirelessly during the legislative session to update nursing practice, 

increase penalties for assaulting nurses, increase the number of school nurses, and 

improve legislation related to the use of graduate nurses and medical assistants. For more 

details, review the legislative update. 

We are beginning work to bring you all an exciting annual conference on October 

14-16 in Chattanooga. Please consider submitting an abstract for a poster or podium 

session. TNA is also soliciting a call for nominations for the offices of secretary, director 

for operations, director for governmental affairs, director for practice, and TNA 

representatives to the ANA Membership Assembly. To learn more about TNA and 

leadership opportunities within TNA, please make plans to attend the TNA Leadership 

Boot Camp on June 12. This will be a half-day virtual event. 

Finally, as I looked back on the one-year anniversary of the pandemic, I took time to 

pause and evaluate my life and what was most important to me. Having spent some 

portion of the year working virtually from my home in Florida and being closer to family 

and friends there, I made the decision that it was time for me to retire from full-time 

employment. I always promised myself that if I was not 100% committed to my position, 

it was time to move on. I found myself in that position and decided to submit my intent 

to retire to the Board in March. I am happy to continue working through conference 

2021 and look forward to seeing many of you there to celebrate the Year of the Nurse 2.0 

because one year was not enough!! Wishing you all a Happy Memorial Day weekend – 

please take time to reflect, relax and renew!! 

From the President 

Carla Kirkland 

MSN, APRN, ACNP-BC, FNP-BC, ENP-BC 

This time last year, I was thinking, “Surely this epidemic 

stuff will be much better by the end of October, and we 

can still have our annual TNA conference in person, maybe 

with some safety measures.” As you know, we ended up 

switching to a virtual conference last year, which was well 

received and well attended by our nurses. BUT, I’m so 

ready to see everyone again! I’m back to being cautiously 

optimistic that we will be able to meet in person this 

year. And I’m excited that we will be in Chattanooga! If 

you haven’t been to a TNA annual conference before, 

the educational offerings are always amazing; members 

receive insight and updates on the workings of the Carla Kirland 

Association, the Foundation, Government Affairs, and 

the TN Nurses PAC, are able to vote on candidates for the TNA Board of Directors 

and other matters affecting the Association at Membership Assembly; and the 

networking with other nurses from around the state IS.THE.BEST! 

Another huge reason to attend conference this year is to say farewell and 

express our tremendous gratitude to our TNA Executive Director, Tina Gerardi. As 

you have heard by now, Tina has decided it is time to retire. We wish her only the 

best! Tina has been wonderful to work with and has done an exceptional job being 

the face and voice of the Association, especially over the past year as she advocated 

for PPE and other essential supplies for health care workers during the pandemic, 

provided updated COVID-19 information to nurses and the public, and worked with 

other organizations and coalitions for improved health care in our state. Tina has 

had an active voice in health policy at the state and Federal level, working with ANA 

and AANP, and advocating with our legislators for Full Practice Authority for APRNs, 

stronger laws regarding violence against nurses, improved school nurse ratios, 

protecting the title “nurse,” and many others. Her experience and expertise have 

enriched the Tennessee Nurses Association and the Tennessee Nurses Foundation 

under her leadership! 

Thank you for your continued stamina and resilience! Thank you for your 

continued membership and support of TNA. I look forward to seeing you at the TNA 

Annual Conference October, 14-16 at The Chattanoogan Hotel! 

TNA/TNF Seeking 

Dynamic Leader 

Executive Director for the Tennessee 

Nurses Association (TNA) & 

Tennessee Nurses Foundation (TNF) 

The Tennessee Nurses Association is a non-profit membership organization 

representing the interests of registered nurses in the state of Tennessee. 

TNA’s vision is to be the unifying voice for nursing in Tennessee to positively 

influence the future of healthcare. The Association’s mission is to empower the 

registered nurse, advocate for the practice of nursing, and champion quality 

health care for all Tennesseans. The Tennessee Nurses Foundation is a 

charitable organization formed to provide a mechanism for supporting 

programs that meet the special needs of TNA members and other nurses in 

Tennessee. The goals of TNF are to promote the professional image of nursing; 

support nursing education; facilitate leadership development, encourage 

nursing research, and support professional health and wellness. 

The Executive Director is a representative of the TNA/TNF mission, vision, 

and goals to the public, community partners, legislators, and membership. 

The Executive Director will report directly to the TNA/TNF Board of Directors 

and will manage the day-to-day operations of the TNA office and staff. The 

five key areas of responsibilities include: leadership and management; 

financial and legal; communications; advocacy and engagement; and 

membership and development. 

Graduate education required, with executive leadership experience 

or management experience in a healthcare organization or healthcare 

membership association. Registered nurse preferred. 

Interested applicants should submit queries and CVs to: Diane Cunningham, TNA 

Office Manager via email: Diane.Cunningham@tnaonline.org or visit https://tnna. 

associationcareernetwork.com/job/executive-director/56867895/ 

Tennessee Board of Nursing 

Appoints New Executive Director 

Effective March 7, 2021, Sherry Richardson was appointed 

Executive Director of the Tennessee Board of Nursing. Sherry 

said, “It has been a pleasure to work with the Board for over 

five years, serving in the interim director role for the past 

year and as a nurse consultant. I am thankful for the support 

I have received and look forward to continuing to work with 

our applicants, licensees, facilities, and organizations.” 

During Sherry’s time with the Tennessee Board of 

Nursing, she has had the privilege of working with schools 

of nursing, board members, facilities, and professional 

organizations. She currently serves as a Nurse Licensure 

Compact Commissioner for Tennessee with the National 

Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) as well as a 

Sherry Richardson, 

MSN, RN, CMSRN 

member of the Leadership Succession Committee. Sherry previously served on the 

NCLEX Item Review Subcommittee for three years. 

Sherry began her nursing career in 1997 with an associate degree from Columbia 

State Community College. She later completed her BSN at MTSU and an MSN at 

APSU. Sherry has been a Certified Med-Surg Nurse since 2007. Prior to her time at 

the Board of Nursing, she devoted 13 years to nursing education as an instructor 

and program director at TCAT-Hohenwald, coordinating nursing education, surgical 

technology, and nurse assistant programs in four rural counties. Her previous practice 

experience includes Med-Surg, OR/PACU, mental health, geriatrics, and hospice care. 

Sherry also volunteered to teach BLS/CPR classes for Girl Scouts, local rescue squad 

members, and middle school health classes. 

Let us care for your career. 

Call 931-438-7380 or visit 

LincolnHealthSystem.com to apply. 

Sign on Bonus & Incentives Available! 

Lincoln Health System is looking for 

exceptional RNs and LPNs to help 

us care for our community.


TENNESSEE NURSES ASSOCIATION PRESENTS THE 2021 

ANNUAL CONFERENCE 

YEAR OF THE NURSE 2.0: 

ONE YEAR WASN’T ENOUGH 

The TNA Achievement Awards Reception will 

be different this year. The reception will be a 

celebration for all the conference attendees in 

recognition of the hard work and dedication you 

have provided to your patients, students, and the 

communities you serve. Further details are on the 

next page. 

In addition, this conference will focus on exceptional 

Tennessee nurses making a difference in patient 

care, nursing education, evidence-based practice, 

and advocating for the profession and healthcare in 

Tennessee. The keynote address will focus on self-care, 

which is so very important to all of us regardless of our 

nursing role. Attendees will receive 5.0 contact hours. 

Who would have known how much 2020 would 

have proven the resilience, perseverance, kindness, 

and humility that are so prevalent in the nature of 

those who chose to become a nurse. 

Throughout the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic and into 

2021, YOU have continued to sacrifice so much to 

save people’s lives and to maintain normalcy during 

this unprecedented time. YOU are the heroes of this 

generation, and it is the reason that TNA will continue 

celebrating the Year of the Nurse throughout 2021 and 

during the TNA Annual Conference in October. 

2021 TNA Conference Registration Fees. Register NOW and Save While Early-Bird 

Pricing is Available! Visit: TNAonline.org/Events to register. 

IMPORTANT DEADLINES 

Registration Early Bird Deadline Ends August 30 

Registration Onsite After September 26 

Registration Cancellation/Refund Deadline September 26 

Hotel Reservation Deadline September 30 

TNA REGISTRATION INFORMATION 

Pre-Conference 

Full Registration 

Friday Only 

This is a separate event with individual pricing. Includes admission only to the pre-conference. 

Includes lunch on Friday, Friday’s Welcome Event featuring exhibits, food, music, silent auction opening, and networking opportunities; 

attendance to all educational activities; entrance to Saturday Awards Reception; Exhibit Hall; Saturday luncheon; all breaks and 

Membership Assembly 

Includes lunch; educational activities for the day; Membership Assembly; Friday’s Welcome Event (see above) and breaks 

Saturday Only 

Includes educational activities for the day; entrance to Exhibit Hall; luncheon; Awards Reception and breaks 

2021 TNA CONFERENCE REGISTRATION FEES 

NOTE: Only paid registrants displaying an official TNA conference name badge will be allowed entrance to conference program events. 


Full TNA Conference 

Registration - Includes 

Friday and Saturday 

Friday Only 

Saturday Only 

Early Bird! 

Before 

Aug 30 

Regular 

Aug. 31 until 

Sept. 26 

On-Site 

After Sept 

26 

Early Bird! 

Before 

Aug 30 

Regular 

Aug. 31 until 

Sept. 26 

On-Site 

After Sept 

26 

Early Bird! 

Before 

Aug 30 

Regular 

Aug. 31 until 

Sept. 26 

On-Site 

After Sept 

26 

Early Bird! 

Before 

Aug 30 

Regular 

Aug. 31 until 

Sept. 26 

On-Site 

After 

Sept 26 

TNA 

Member 

Non- 

Member 

TNA 

Members 

that are 

full time 

students or 

Retired 

$120 $135 $150 $316 $368 $394 $222 $243 $264 $243 $264 $285 

$120 $135 $150 $420 $472 $498 $274 $295 $316 $285 $316 $337 

$120 $135 $150 $269 $285 $311 $202 $222 $243 $222 $243 $264 

Guest Tickets for Saturday - Exhibits and Schools of Nursing Luncheon. $50 

All fees include a 4% processing fee.


TENNESSEE NURSES ASSOCIATION PRESENTS THE 2021 

ANNUAL CONFERENCE 

YEAR OF THE NURSE 2.0: ONE YEAR WASN’T ENOUGH 


Nurses on Boards Training 

Thursday, October 14 (Noon – 5:00 p.m.) 

This year there will be an afternoon pre-conference 

training session sponsored by the Tri-State (AR, MO, 

TN) Nurses on Boards Team. There is an additional cost 

for this training above the cost of the conference. Look 

for more information about this program and contact 

hours awarded on the TNA website and in the Monday 

emails to members. 

Conference Keynote Speaker: 

David Spak 

DRUMinSYNC 

DruminSync will be providing a one-hour 

motivational, empowering, and interactive keynote 

presentation at this year’s 2021 Tennessee Nurses 

Association Annual Conference on October 15, 2021. 

David Spak, founder of DRUMinSYNC, will be 

focusing on nurse resiliency and self-health through 

inspiring and often humorous stories on how to 

combat burnout and compassion fatigue. He also 

has a very popular interactive segment using…. 

DRUMMING!!! David shows how evidence-based 

simple rhythms and music can create a better work 

environment and a healthier YOU! 

David Spak is a professional drummer who has 

been awarded a Grammy (nominated on seven other 

occasions) and played drums with several major 

country acts. A few years ago, he transitioned his 

percussion world into one focused on using drums, 

rhythm, and other instruments to help health care 

workers, especially nurses. He has published and 

presented his approach to many audiences and is 

currently working with nurse researchers to document 

outcomes. 

TNF Silent Auction 

The Tennessee Nurses Foundation will hold its 

Annual TNF Silent Auction and will offer a unique 

assortment of items for sale, with proceeds going 

to support nurses through TNF’s programs, as well 

as opportunities to support fellow colleagues. The 

TNF Silent Auction—your shopping extravaganza— 

begins Thursday evening and ends Saturday at 

4:30 p.m. 

Donations are being accepted through 11:00 a.m. 

on Saturday, October 16, the last day of the auction. 

An intent to donate form is available at this link 

https://form.jotform.com/211255239922050 

TN Nurses PAC Live and Silent 

Auctions 

Exhibits & Schools of Nursing Luncheon 

The Exhibits and Schools of Nursing Luncheon held 

Saturday, October 16, allows all attendees to visit with 

the large variety of vendors who exhibit and provide 

an opportunity to learn more about new products 

and services. It also offers an excellent opportunity 

for graduates from the many schools of nursing to visit 

with alumni. 

Edna Mason Memorial TNA 

Conference Scholarship 

The Tennessee Nurses Foundation is pleased 

to offer a scholarship to attend the TNA Annual 

Conference. This scholarship is only available to 

Registered Nurses in direct care, AND you must be a 

first-time attendee to the TNA Annual Conference. 

Previous conference attendees will not be eligible. 

TNF will award one (1) scholarship in 2021 to 

cover the TNA Annual Conference registration fee. 

This scholarship does not include lodging or travel. 

Transportation to and from the conference, hotel, 

additional meals, incidentals, etc., is the responsibility 

of the scholarship winner. 

Submission Deadline: August 31, 2021 

Apply today at: https://form.jotform. 

com/211256119244045 

Hotel Information 

Membership Assembly 

All TNA members who attend this Annual Conference 

will be eligible to vote on all issues, positions, 

resolutions, and policies brought before the assembly. 

Don’t miss this chance to let YOUR voice be heard! 

Let’s Vote! 

TNA members will vote for Board officers and 

Directors Friday evening. Election results will be 

announced during the closing of the Membership 

Assembly on Saturday. The slate of candidates will be 

at TNAonline.org as soon as it is available. If you are 

unable to attend the conference, Absentee Ballots 

are available. Information on requesting an Absentee 

Ballot is available in this issue of the Tennessee Nurse. 

Help Us Celebrate TNA’s Executive 

Director, Tina Gerardi, on Her 

Retirement 

Tina Gerardi, our Executive Director, is retiring at 

the close of the Annual Conference. Join us in thanking 

her, celebrating all that she has done for Tennessee 

nurses, and wishing her a happy retirement. 

TN Nurses PAC will hold both a live and silent 

auction. If you are interested in donating items to 

either of the PAC auctions, please email Kathleen. 

Murphy@tnaonline.org for more information and a 

donation sheet. 

TNA Achievement Awards 

Reception 

In honor of Year of the Nurse 2.0, One Year Wasn’t 

Enough, and in recognition of the unprecedented 

work all nurses have been doing during the COVID-19 

pandemic, TNA is honoring ALL registered attendees 

at this year’s TNA Achievement Awards Reception. 

A small gift of appreciation will be given to all who 

attend the reception. Thank you for your exceptional 

dedication, your commitment, your resilience, and your 

professionalism during this crisis. When you register 

for the conference, there will be an option to upload 

a high-resolution headshot photo. TNA prefers you 

upload the photo while you are registering, but should 

you have problems, please send it by email to tna@ 

tnaonline.org with your name and credentials and that 

the photo is for the conference! 

Book hotel room reservations online using 

TNA’s direct booking link. Visit the Events menu at 

TNAonline.org and click The Chattanoogan Hotel. 

You may also call the hotel directly at (800)619- 

0018. PLEASE NOTE: You must use TNA’s Group ID 

#725303 to receive the discounted room rate. 

The special room rate of $149, single or double, 

per night plus tax, will be available until TNA’s group 

block is filled. The cut-off date for the discounted 

rate is Thursday, September 30, 2021. After this date, 

reservations will be accepted at the hotel’s prevailing 

rate, based on room type availability. 

Join TNA in Chattanooga, TN, 

from October 14 - 16, 2021, to experience a 

conference jam-packed with opportunities 

to engage and network with colleagues and 

pursue professional development, all while 

earning contact hours. With three days of 

sessions and hundreds of nurses, you don’t 

want to miss this event!


CALL FOR CANDIDATES 

TNA Members – Help Lead and Shape TNA Policy 

Nominations Accepted Now for 

Several Elected Positions 

Tina Gerardi, MS, RN, CAE, 

TNA Executive Director 

The Tennessee Nurses Association Nominating 

Committee is actively seeking nominations for 

several positions that will be open for election 

on the TNA ballot at Membership Assembly on 

October 15. A nomination to one of the Board of 

Directors’ positions allows you to lead and make a 

difference in your state professional association. 

YOU are the Voice of TNA! 

Positions Available: 

• Secretary – 1 to be elected 

• ANA Membership Assembly 

Representative – 3 to be elected 

• Director, Government Affairs – 1 to be 

elected 

• Director, Operations – 1 to be elected 

• Director, Practice – 1 to be elected 

• Nominating Committee – 3 to be elected 

I encourage ALL TNA members who are 

interested in serving on the Board of Directors 

to submit the online Call for Candidates 

form, available at https://form.jotform. 

com/211174777262155. The link is also available 

at TNAonline.org/Events. The submission 

deadline date is June 25, 2021. 

No handwritten, faxed, or mailed Call for 

Candidates Applications will be accepted. All 

Call for Candidates applications will be reviewed 

and selections made by the TNA Nominating 

Committee. Thank you in advance for your 

willingness to serve. 

Tina Gerardi, 

MS, RN, CAE 

There is a call for 

resolutions posted in 

this issue of Tennessee 

Nurse. Last year several 

members asked how 

resolutions are formatted 

for consideration by 

the TNA Membership 

Assembly. I hope that this 

brief article provides you 

with some guidance on 

how to write a resolution. 

The information below is 

garnered from Robert’s 

How to Write a Resolution 

Rules of Order Newly Revised, 11th Edition and the TNA 

Policy and Procedure Manual. 

A resolution or a long or complicated motion should 

be prepared in advance of the meeting and should be 

put into writing before it is offered. The deadline for 

submission of resolutions this year is August 13, however, 

TNA policies and procedures allow for resolutions to 

be submitted to TNA no later than 30 days prior to 

the Membership Assembly. Resolutions shall then be 

referred to the Reference Committee for appropriate 

review. Resolutions cannot be submitted from the 

floor of the Issues or Bylaws Forums, or Membership 

Assembly except by affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) 

of the members of the Membership Assembly present 

and voting. Any resolution submitted from the floor and 

accepted for presentation must be submitted in written 

form. 

Resolutions must be submitted adhering to the 

following guidelines: 

• The Resolution shall deal with a single topic. 

• The Resolution shall be accompanied by an action 

plan in sufficient detail to allow a financial impact 

statement to be delivered. 

CALL FOR RESOLUTIONS 

The Tennessee Nurses Association is issuing 

a formal Call for Resolutions for the 2021 TNA 

Membership Assembly to be held during the TNA 

Annual Conference on October 15 – 16, 2021, at 

The Chattanoogan Hotel, Chattanooga TN. 

Resolutions can be submitted by any TNA 

member. 

If you wish to submit a Resolution, please 

submit by email to Diane Cunningham, at the TNA 

office, diane.cunningham@tnaonline.org, no later 

than August 13, 2021. 

• The Resolution and 

accompanying action 

plan shall be concise 

and clear. 

• The Resolution shall 

have relevance to the 

Tennessee Nurses 

Association and/or 

citizens of the state of 

Tennessee. 

• The Resolution shall 

not duplicate existing 

Association policy 

or Bylaws or be 

redundant. 

TNA resolutions 

include a preamble, a preamble consists of brief 

statements of background and reasons for the resolution. 

A preamble consists of one or more clauses beginning 

with “Whereas,…” To avoid detracting from the force 

of the resolution itself, a preamble generally should 

contain no more clauses than are strictly necessary. 

The last paragraph of the preamble should close with 

a semicolon, after which a connecting expression 

such as “therefore” or “therefore, be it” is noted. 

The preamble is then followed by the actions being 

requested of the Membership Assembly. These actions 

are written as “Resolved” clauses, the resolved is 

generally in italics, followed by action clauses, not 

in italics. If there are more than one resolving clause, 

each of them should be a separate paragraph. 

The resolution format therefore is as follows: 

Whereas, The (text of preamble), 

Whereas, Text of additional background/reason….; now, 

therefore be it 

Resolved, That (text of action). Additional actions should 

be in additional resolved statements. 

TNA resolutions, therefore, should be submitted using the following template. 

TENNESSEE NURSES 

ASSOCIATION MEMBERS 

ONLY REQUEST FOR 

ABSENTEE BALLOT - 2021 

TNA Member Agreement: I understand that 

mailing the TNA ballot to me in the manner and 

form that has been approved, discharges TNA’s 

responsibility to me in the matter of absentee 

voting. I further understand that requesting an 

absentee ballot removes my name from the list 

of eligible voters at the TNA Annual Conference. 

Absentee ballot requests must be submitted 

online through the TNA Request for Absentee 

Ballot JotForm at https://form.jotform. 

com/211174722236146. The submission 

deadline is September 14. 

The absentee ballot with return instructions 

will be mailed to you by September 17. Your 

completed ballot must be received at TNA 

headquarters by the close of business on 

October 7, 2021. 

If you have questions, please contact Diane 

Cunningham at Diane.Cunningham@TNAonline. 

org or call 615-254-0350 ext. 4. 

NOW HIRING 

Registered Nurses - ALL AREAS including 

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We are currently recruiting RNs in Lexington, KY in all areas 

of UK Chandler, UK Good Samaritan, Eastern State Hospital 

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INSERT NAME OF RESOLUTION HERE 

WHEREAS, Insert Resolution Information, and 

Continue using WHEREAS until you have covered all background/reasons; and now, therefore be it 

RESOLVED, Insert Resolved Information, and 

Continue using RESOLVED until you have covered all action issues. 

Submitted By, 

Insert Name(s) 

Insert Submitter’s email address 

*Resolutions requiring resources must include a financial impact statement 

We invite you to submit an 

abstract to be considered for 

oral or poster presentation 

at the 2021 TNA Annual 

Conference, Year of the Nurse 

2.0 – One Year Wasn’t Enough 

in Chattanooga, Tennessee. 

Poster abstracts may be on any 

topic. The focus/content of your 

oral abstract should relate to 

one of the following themes: 

• Palliative Care Role in COVID 

• Mental Health & Well-Being/Self-Care 

• How you survived 2020: Practical Solutions to 

Helping Others 

• Recruiting/Retaining & Caring for a Diverse 

Workforce 

• Leadership 

• Bullying/Violence 

• Care of the Elderly/Dementia 

• Alternatives/Complementary Therapies for Pain 

CALL FOR ABSTRACTS 

TNA Annual Conference 

Year of the Nurse 2.0 

One Year Wasn’t Enough 

October 15 – 16, 2021 

The Chattanoogan Hotel 

Chattanooga, TN 

(Office Use Only) Resolution ________________ 

MA Disposition _________________________ 

• Topics for Educators 

• Topics for Bedside Nurses 

If you have an innovative 

project or topic that does not quite 

fit into any of these categories, 

please submit, as a few innovative 

presentations outside those 

boundaries will be considered. 

ABSTRACT SUBMISSION DEADLINE: 

Abstract submissions must be received by 4:30 p.m. 

CST, on June 25, 2021. 

SUBMISSION ACCESS LINK 

Submit abstracts at: https://form.jotform. 

com/211174317727151 or visit TNAonline.org/Events. 

If you have questions, please 

email TNA@TNAonline.org.


Government Affairs 

It’s A Wrap For 2021 Legislative Session 

Kathleen Murphy 

TNA Director of Government Affairs and Lobbyist 

The State Legislature has gone home for the first part 

of the two-year General Assembly. We actively supported 

four specific pieces of legislation: full practice authority 

for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses, restoring the 

increased penalties for assaulting a nurse performing 

official duties, increasing funding for school nurses through 

the BEP school funding system, and allowing Advanced 

Practice Registered Nurses to order home health for their 

patients. We also negotiated and participated in advocacy 

on legislation that needed to be improved, changed, or 

defeated in order to protect nursing practice. 

Kathleen Murphy 

HB 184 / SB 176: Increasing Access to Care for Tennesseans: This bill was 

introduced on behalf of TNA and the Coalition for Access to Care for Tennesseans. 

The legislation was heard in the Senate Commerce Committee and was rolled to the 

first calendar of 2022 by bill sponsor Senator Lundberg. Given the circumstances 

surrounding this past year and this legislative session, we believe this was the 

right decision and will better position our legislation for passage in 2022. Please 

understand that while our work is not done, we are making good progress. 

To help gain support of the legislation, TNA accepted an amendment to the bill 

that created a transition to prescribing. Other amendments issued by the health 

department were also added to the legislation. Having the prescription amendment 

added and on record is a great win, as it gives us an opportunity to continue 

to educate members on the issue leading into next year’s legislative session. 

Legislators were very clear that the bill would not advance without some transition 

to prescribing included. The bottom line is this: we are in a better position to 

continue to educate members and advocate on the importance of this legislation. 

SB19/HB864: No nurse should have to choose between protecting themselves or 

caring for their patients, and this legislation will help nurses feel more empowered 

to report actual or threats of assault. Last August, during the Special Session, the 

legislature rewrote the assault code and removed nurses from the increased 

penalties section. #EndNurseAbuse SB19/HB864 restored nurses into the assault 

code and increases the visibility that physical assault against nurses will not be 

tolerated. 

A big thank you to Jimmy Closser, RN, who testified about his firsthand 

experience with assault as part of the committee hearings. His willingness to share 

his experience has undoubtedly helped this legislation pass. 

SB582/HB537: Unfortunately, this legislation to increase funding for school 

nurses did not pass committee, nor was it funded through the Governor’s budget. 

We will continue to work with a coalition of other advocates to push for increased 

staffing levels and funding for school nurses. 

SB478/HB743: APRN’s Authority for Home Health Orders bill passed and 

modernizes TN health care services by allowing patients to choose their provider 

and does not force a new relationship with a physician they have never seen just to 

meet an administrative requirement. This will ensure greater access to home health 

services. By eliminating a step in the authorization process, it will speed up the time 

for services and allow providers to have claims submitted and approved. 

Our fight for legislative changes to protect and promote the registered nurse is 

not over just because the legislature has gone home. The time and energy you have 

put in to contact these legislators and emphasize the importance of our positions 

are greatly appreciated and essential to our mission. We cannot thank you enough 

for your efforts and look forward to your continued support as we approach the 

next session. If you would like to get more involved, please email Kathleen Murphy 

at kathleen.murphy@tnaonline.org. 

TN Nurses PAC 

Want to protect and promote 

the nursing profession? 

Donate to the TN Nurses 

PAC today. 

When I am presenting workshops on nursing political advocacy, and legislative updates, 

one of the top questions I receive is, “why do the doctors or hospitals have so much 

power?” Of course, there are a number of answers to questions like that, but when it 

comes down to it, it’s politics. 

The Tennessee Nurses Political Action Committee not only allows nurses to have a 

strong collective voice during campaign season, but it also can support the legislative, 

lobbying, and coalition building efforts in and out of legislative session. 

We saw legislation passed that (HB1045/SB212) requires the board of nursing, upon 

learning a nurse was indicted for or convicted of certain criminal offenses, to restrict 

or revoke, respectively, the nurse’s ability to prescribe controlled substances and 

requires to suspend a nurses’ license upon finding they failed to comply with physician 

collaboration requirements; and requires facility administrators to report certain 

information. This is a serious change from our American tradition of innocent until 

proven guilty. We expressed our concerns to legislators on committees and leadership, 

but ultimately the bill passed. 

The Hospital Association brought legislation (HB1353/SB1267) that would authorize 

hospitals to hire nursing students who have graduated but had not passed their NCLEX 

or other licensing requirements yet. The pandemic was the main reason they cited for 

this legislation and the nursing shortage that has been growing for years. While we were 

ultimately able to get this legislation amended to where we took a neutral position on the 

legislation, it was a fight to get nurses voices heard. This legislation was a prime example 

of too many decisions being made about our profession and the care we provide, without 

nurses being involved and having a seat at the table. 

If nurses don’t get involved, other people will. The hospital CEO, administrator, doctors, 

or other medical professionals will gladly tell candidates and legislators that everything is 

perfect in the nurse’s profession or what changes they think should be made. But when 

nurses speak up and advocate, then nurses and patients win. 

These two pieces of legislation are only a few examples of what happens when 

legislators, other healthcare organizations, and associations do not involve nurses or 

consider the impact on nursing when drafting legislation and policy. Every day we read 

about working environments being compromised, hospital bottom lines, and nurses being 

pushed to the edge. 

Political Action is hard work and takes time, but the results are worth it. We must 

continue to work on developing relationships with all legislators even if they are not 

considered “pro-nurse.” We are in difficult times. But this is about your profession, the 

care you provide, your livelihoods, and your ability to protect your family and loved ones. 

In order to have a stronger voice at the state capitol, we need a strong political action 

committee that will reinforce our lobbying and advocacy efforts. To do that, WE NEED 

YOU. We need you to contribute to the Tennessee Nurses Political Action Committee 

today. 

Please help us promote and protect YOUR nursing profession. Donate today: https:// 

tna.nursingnetwork.com/page/94251-donate-to-tn-nurses-pac 

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Delores Jackson, PhD, MSN, BSN, ASN, RN 

Dependency and Abuse 

of Opioids 

Prescribing opioids is not the 

problem. Opioids provide highly 

effective pain management 

for acute pain originating 

from injury, surgery, cancer, 

and palliative or end-of-lifecare. 

Appropriate prescribing 

achieves adequate pain control; 

reduces patient addiction 

risks, abuse, or toxicity; and Delores Jackson 

minimizes drug diversion. 

Nevertheless, abuse and overdose deaths are still 

problematic, although data indicate US healthcare 

providers are making headway; since 2012, prescription 

overdose deaths have been declining. There were 67,367 

US drug overdose deaths in 2018, which represented 

a 4.1% decline from 2017. Seventy percent of US drug 

overdose cases involved opioids. But deaths from natural 

and semi-synthetic opioids such as those typically 

prescribed by primary care practitioners (hydrocodone, 

oxycodone, or codeine) actually declined 14% from 2017 

to 2018. Tennessee deaths from prescribed opioids also 

declined in 2018. 

Nursing Roles 

All RNs contribute to safe care delivery, patient 

assessment, pain management and education, 

whether working as an office RN, Advanced Practice 

Registered Nurse (APRN), or Nurse Practitioner (NP) with 

advanced practice credentials that include specialized 

pharmacology education with prescriptive authority. 

The diversified roles of RNs extend beyond primary 

care to assorted direct patient care and leadership 

positions. As skilled educators and patient advocates, 

nurses help patients and families understand other 

pain management modalities such as physical therapy, 

psychological management options, complementary 

medicine and non-opioid management strategies to ease 

the burden of pain. The American Nurses Association 

(ANA) noted that in part, the current US crisis has 

been created by ineffective medical efforts to manage 

chronic pain. The ANA applauds nurses as key players 

for pain management by providing early recognition and 

pain interventions in primary care settings, including 

patient-centered, interdisciplinary and self-management 

strategies. 

Spotlight on Practice 

Nursing Contributions for Safe & Effective Opioid Pain Management 

How Can Nurses Provide Safe Pain Management? 

Remove Barriers to Effective Pain Management 

Several barriers exist that can impact effective pain 

management. Nurses can overcome these barriers by 

transforming their practice to eliminate key problems that 

interfere with adequate pain control. 

1) At the clinical institution level, interdisciplinary 

teams can develop best practices for pain 

management, treatment plans and drug 

prescriptions. 

2) Individually, nurses should expand their 

education by attending conferences, searching 

for current evidence-based practices via 

professional literature, and taking additional 

coursework (CEUs) on opioid prescription 

best practices. Best practice should include 

an interdisciplinary focus that includes mental 

health, behavioral health, and complementary or 

alternative pain management approaches. 

3) Nurses must remain diligent to avoid cultural 

or societal stigma for those who report pain. 

It is our duty and responsibility to treat pain to 

promote an optimal quality of life and reduce 

suffering. Likewise, we must be cognizant that 

patient cultural barriers might exist that could 

impede the patient’s willingness to discuss pain. 

4) Costs of pain management can be a barrier, 

particularly if we recommend or order 

treatment plans other than drug management. 

Some insurances will not pay for alternative 

or complementary medicine options, mental 

health services, or other care modalities outside 

drug regimens. Anti-inflammatory herbals may 

be useful, but not if the patient cannot afford 

these expensive nutritional supplements. Even 

rehabilitation services such as PT may be limited 

under many insurances and Medicare plans. 

Know State Regulations for Prescription Drug 

Monitoring Programs (PDMP) 

All 50 states have developed PDMPs. Access to PDMPs 

may determine if the patient has a history of using 

multiple doctors, frequent ER visits, or demonstrates 

other evidence of prior drug abuse such as frequent 

opioid prescriptions. The PDMP also records primary 

care prescription activity. It is the provider’s responsibility 

to know all state regulations and required reporting. 

Unfortunately, inconsistent data collection and nonstandardized 

regulations have created confusion for 

providers and thus have not been as effective as hoped. 

Worse, in some cases, these regulations have thwarted 

some primary care providers’ desire to order opioids, 

which have caused fears that some patients’ pain 

management needs are not effectively met which could 

lead to patients seeking illicit pain relief strategies. 

Other state or federal guidelines. To curb abuses, 

states mandate physical assessments prior to prescribing 

an opioid drug. To protect the public, prosecution 

immunity is enacted for citizens who attempt to assist 

a person who may have overdosed. Drug disposal, 

community education, and expanded naloxone 

distribution are other safety mechanisms set forth by 

legislation. 

Create Treatment Plans that Include 

Addiction Risk Assessments 

Nurses obtain thorough patient histories and 

should verify injury by usual diagnostic assessments. 

Assessments should include level and intensity of pain; 

pain relief measures; how pain interferes with quality 

of life, such as its impacts on physical and psychological 

function; household support systems; and if pain is 

interfering with work, home relationships, mood, sleep, 

exercise, leisure activities, or food consumption. 

Information from family members, the patient 

interview, and a thorough assessment include screening 

tools to define the patient’s addiction risks. Low-risk 

patients would receive the usual amount of monitoring 

and follow-up. As the risk increases, the level of 

monitoring and frequency of follow-up visits increase. 

Monitoring could include pill counts and urine drug 

screens. Higher risk patients should be referred to pain 

management clinics and always receive short acting 

opioid formulas. 

Based on the patient’s history and family member 

accounts, the nurse determines if the patient 

demonstrates or verbalizes behaviors that might suggest 

high risk for drug addiction or abuse. Behaviors that might 

suggest a problematic return to normal daily activities 

include daytime sleeping instead of night; lack of usual 

family involvement and interactions; decreased appetite; 

poor hygiene and appearance, mood swings or volatility; 

and impaired functioning due to potential effects of drug 

use. 

The decision to continue, alter, or stop opioid 

drug regimens is based on the patient’s progress in


meeting treatment plan objectives while avoiding 

adverse behaviors suggestive of overdose or diversion. 

Satisfactory plan of care outcomes are improving pain 

levels, function, and quality of life. 

Opioid Prescription Patient Education by Nurses 

1) Take opioid as prescribed, noting the importance 

of sticking with the dose regimen. Patients 

should know what to do if they miss a dose or if 

pain is not managed by the recommended doses. 

2) Remind patients that the medication should not 

be crushed or chewed. 

3) Warn patients of the dangers of using CNS 

depressants, including sedatives, alcohol, or illicit 

drugs. 

4) Reinforce the fact that due to the addictive 

nature of the drugs, discontinuation should be 

accomplished by tapering the drug’s dosing with 

primary care provider assistance. 

5) Drugs should never be shared. To avoid 

diversion, opioids should be locked up in a secure 

location. 

6) Potential side effects include death due to 

respiratory depression. 

7) The drug could impact one’s ability to drive, 

operate machines, or affect balance that could 

cause falls. 

8) Instruct the patient on safe disposal of unused 

opioids. Many senior centers or primary care 

offices are depositories for unused drugs. 

Community awareness. Nurses are often instrumental 

in providing community education. These educational 

sessions might be in schools, at hospitals, senior centers, 

or at other community locations. All aspects of opioid 

safety should be taught to interested key community 

members to heighten awareness. 

Naloxone. Release of Naloxone (Narcan) toolkits 

to the general public, families of those who use 

opioids, and patients themselves has increased in the 

US over the last few years. These life-saving kits do 

not treat overdoses of benzodiazepines, stimulants, 

or barbiturates but do reverse the effects of opioids, 

including heroin and fentanyl, when the first symptoms 

of respiratory arrest or coma occur. Since 2019, Narcan 

can be dispensed for Tennessee individuals at risk of 

opiate-related overdose. 

Conclusion 

The ANA advocates for all RNs, APRNs and NPs to 

practice in the fullest extent of their education and 

practice authority for the implementation of patient 

treatment plans and access to care to combat pain and 

the opioid crisis. The ANA promotes care delivery instead 

of litigation or legal actions against those who have fallen 

victim to this national epidemic. 

I Am TNA continued from page 1 

Cynthia (Cindy) Borum, 

DNP, APRN, FNP-C, NE-BC 

TNA District 3 

Member of the TNF Board 

of Trust 

My nursing career has 

enriched my knowledge 

and the ability to fulfill 

my ongoing commitment 

to confidently serve the 

healthcare needs of my 

patients and my community. I believe that nursing 

is admired and respected by professionals both 

inside and outside the medical community. As 

nursing professionals, we have an ethical and social 

responsibility to utilize our intellectual capabilities 

to promote the health of our patients, our 

communities as well as the healthcare system. 

I have been a nurse for 35 years, and nursing 

is a part of my DNA. In fact, my career choice 

in the nursing profession was greatly influenced 

because of the connection to helping others. I have 

always wanted to be a nurse, and as a young girl, I 

volunteered as a candy striper in the hospital, where 

I fed patients and helped the nursing staff. After 

high school, I started working on my baccalaureate 

nursing degree at the same time I worked during the 

summer as a nursing assistant. 

Both TNA and ANA proudly remind us that noble 

characteristics of nursing are honesty and trust. 

Nursing continues to be recognized as the most 

trusted profession for 18 years consecutively (ANA, 

2020, Gallup, 2020). My values, beliefs, and faith 

are my compass that guides me both personally and 

professionally. My passion comes from my values 

and beliefs of doing the right things and doing things 

right for others. I am dedicated to lead by example 

through my actions and behaviors. 

After receiving my baccalaureate nursing degree, 

I worked with critically ill patients. I quickly 

discovered my niche in nursing and my desire to 

care for chronically ill cardiovascular patients to 

‘mend the broken hearts.’ During this time in my 

career, I took advantage of every opportunity to 

expand my education and apply my knowledge as an 

expert cardiovascular nurse. My ministry is bringing 

awareness of the unhealthy lifestyle behaviors 

that contribute to cardiovascular disease. These 

behavioral factors are established by social and 

cultural norms within many Tennessee communities. 

I actively participate in community activities like 

the annual Heart Walk, ‘Go Red for Women’ Heart 

campaign and provide CPR classes to organizations 

within my community. As a faith community nurse, 

I provide health promotion activities such as blood 

pressure checks for people of all faiths. I learned 

about faith community nursing through TNA. 

Furthermore, I lead by example and role-model 

a healthy lifestyle that includes physical activity, 

healthy eating, and not smoking. 

Every nurse is a leader with developed leadership 

competencies. The diverse collection of leadership 

knowledge and clinical skills that I have ascertained 

throughout my career constantly opens doors 

for new opportunities. Utilizing leadership 

competencies like coaching, mentoring, emotional 

intelligence, change management, systems thinking, 

active listening, adaptability, self-awareness, and 

relationship management allow me to work with 

multi-professional teams both inside and outside of 

healthcare. The ANA webinars and online courses 

are a marvelous approach for ongoing learning and 

the attainment of continuing education credits. 

As a nurse practitioner, I recognize the 

contributions of advanced practice registered 

nurses to address policy issues that improve access 

to care and population health across Tennessee. 

Because of my TNA membership, I am involved 

in and advocate for advanced practice registered 

nurses. Through TNA, I network with Tennessee 

nurse leaders to discuss real-life issues. Together, 

we address problems such as quality of care and 

access to healthcare for Middle Tennesseans. 

Establishing lifelong relationships and working 

collaboratively with key stakeholders is a benefit of 

TNA membership. 

Nurses play a critical role in the new era of 

healthcare, and I have a responsibility to positively 

influence the patient experience, improve 

population health, and make healthcare affordable. 

There is so much to do in health care, and I am 

poised to lead healthcare transformation and 

promote good health. In the words of Florence 

Nightingale, “Let us be anxious to do well, not for 

selfish praise but to honour and advance the cause, 

the work we have taken up.” I take pride in being a 

member of ‘our’ professional organization, TNA, to 

honor and advance nursing’s cause. 

References 

American Nurses Association. (2020). ANA president proud 

of nurses for maintaining #1 spot in Gallup’s most honest 

and ethical professions poll. Retrieved from https:// 

www.nursingworld.org/news/news-releases/2020/ 

american-nurses-association-president-proud-of-nursesfor-maintaining-1-spot--in-gallups-2019-most-honestand-ethical-professions-poll/ 

Gallup. (2020). Nurses again outpace other professions for 

honesty, ethics. Retrieved from https://news.gallup. 

com/poll/274673/nurses-continue-rate-highest-honestyethics.aspx 

Vicinus, M. & Nergaard, B. (Eds.). (1990). Ever yours, Florence 

Nightingale: selected letters. Cambridge, MA: Harvard 

University Press.


Nurses Well-Being 

Please Tell Me Your Story 

Brittany Haskell, DNP, PMHNP-BC, CNE 

Vanderbilt University School of Nursing 

“Since COVID arrived at 

our doors in February 2020, I 

have been taking care of this 

patient population. Initially, 

you had that heightened sense 

of anxiety and apprehension 

of not knowing what to 

expect. A lot of that was due 

to the fact that it was new, 

just that situational anxiety. 

A lot of it also was the fact 

that so much was going on Brittany Haskell 

in the news, like information 

overload. The anxiety wasn’t just for me. It was also 

for my husband and also worrying that I might expose 

somebody. Workwise, everyone was kind of on edge 

just trying to figure out what to expect in general.” 

Critical care nurse Chelsea Riddlespur has spent 

the last year working between a medical intensive 

care unit (MICU) and coronavirus 2019 intensive care 

unit (COVID-19 ICU) at Vanderbilt University Medical 

Center. This is a snapshot of her story during the 

COVID-19 pandemic. She continues on to explain 

the stress of initially not knowing how best to care 

for patients, the emotional toll of caring for patients 

without the support of their family, and the grief over 

difficult patient losses. Meanwhile, in her personal life, 

Chelsea was navigating a custody arrangement with 

their stepchild and starting graduate school. 

While working with COVID-19 patients has been 

challenging, Chelsea notes that some aspects are 

rewarding, such as meeting the social and emotional 

needs of her patients creatively and celebrating health 

improvements. Chelsea has been fortunate to work on 

a unit with a strong culture of supportive collaboration, 

including clear communication and adaptability to 

change. One of those changes is offering psychological 

support for nurses through a scheduled time for 

connection and storytelling. During a year when nurses 

have experienced so much, it is time to share and listen 

to those stories. 

Psychological effects of COVID-19 on nurses 

Over the past year, the COVID-19 pandemic has 

presented unique challenges for nurses in both 

their professional and personal lives. Repeatedly, 

the nursing workforce around the globe has 

been found to be psychologically affected by the 

COVID-19 climate. Nurses have and continue to 

experience increased stressors, including limited 

access to personal protective equipment, increased 

NOW 

SEEKING 

experienced 

RNs 

patient volume and intensity at work, ever-changing 

healthcare protocols, social isolation, and caregiver 

role strain. These factors create a perfect storm for 

an increase in mood symptoms, like depression and 

anxiety, and trauma responses, like post-traumatic 

stress disorder (PTSD). After a year of working during 

a pandemic, chronic stress is leading to an inevitable 

increase in compassion fatigue and burnout, which 

has the potential to negatively impact patient care 

and health outcomes. 

Healthcare executives, healthcare systems, and 

communities are aware of the psychological effects 

COVID-19 has had on nurses, which has led to an 

increasing call for support. While they recognize 

that psychological support is needed, they are 

still struggling to find the best ways to offer that 

support. 

A Renewed Interest in Mental Health 

A benefit of the pandemic has been a renewed 

emphasis on the psychological well-being of the 

nursing workforce. National and global healthcare 

related organizations, such as the Centers for Disease 

Control and Prevention, American Nurses Association, 

and World Health Organization, have launched or 

enhanced resources to aid healthcare employee 

mental health. In addition, healthcare organizations 

have taken an interest in broadening accessible 

psychological support services for employees, such 

as offering continuing education, informational 

emails, and access to mental health resources. While 

these structural supports are beneficial, they do not 

provide concrete and applicable tools that nurses 

can use to support each other on a daily basis. 

Nurses have the potential to serve as a source of 

psychological support to each other, but they need 

the time, space, and healthy workplace culture to do 

so. 

What is storytelling? 

Storytelling, also called narrative pedagogy, is an 

approach to teaching and learning resulting from lived 

experiences. Storytelling is not a new phenomenon, 

having been used by nearly every culture dating back 

to 1000 BC. Storytelling in nursing has been found 

to engage listeners, promote empathy, enhance a 

feeling of community, allow exploration of shared 

experiences, and enhance discussion. All of which are 

desperately needed for nurses working during the 

COVID-19 pandemic. Naturally, storytelling is combined 

with reflection, which uses contemplation to create 

meaning from lived experiences for enhanced learning. 

Storytelling is frequently used in nursing education 

but is underutilized for nurses in practice experiencing 

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a chronically stressful work environment, like nurses 

working during COVID-19. During a workday, a nurse 

may listen to dozens of patient stories, but rarely have 

an opportunity to share and listen to the stories of 

their peers, which needs to change. Nurses need to be 

empowered to take time to share their stories, which 

necessitates support by healthcare administration, 

hospital systems, and communities. 

Implementing Storytelling 

When COVID-19 cases decline in the future, the 

experiences and stories of nurses like Chelsea’s will still 

exist. Nurses have lived experiences over the past year 

that have the potential to start the healing process 

through storytelling and listening, but they need a safe 

space to be able to share. For storytelling to begin, 

the nursing work environment needs to normalize 

sharing nursing experiences, which includes decreasing 

stigma surrounding the stressors and subsequent 

psychological distress presented by COVID-19. Nurses 

and nurse managers are integral parts of that process 

to shift to a culture of experience inclusion. Storytelling 

can happen in many different ways – in person during 

scheduled meetings or debrief times, through a virtual 

format, or even through videos or journaling. Chelsea 

shared that her unit started Compassionate Caregiver 

Stress Sessions, which is a weekly designated time 

for nurses to share stories and provide support to 

each other. She also noted that storytelling can be 

embedded into unit activities through debrief sessions 

after difficult patient situations. Any participation is 

beneficial. Not every nurse is going to want to share 

their story, but healing can still happen through 

listening. In addition, nurses are not going to be 

the only ones benefitted by sharing their stories. 

Through storytelling, nurse managers and hospital 

administration can gain a better understanding of the 

needs of nurses, which will allow them to adapt to the 

evolving needs of nurses. 

Conclusion 

COVID-19 has strained the psychological wellbeing 

of nurses. While hospital administration and 

hospital systems have tried to provide the support 

that nurses need, nurses can also serve as a source 

of support for each other through storytelling. Space 

and time dedicated to storytelling can improve the 

psychological well-being for nurses now and into the 

future. Implementing storytelling should be considered 

for every healthcare setting. 

References 

Bruce, A., Daudt, H., & Breiddal, S. (2018). Can writing and 

storytelling foster self-care? A qualitative inquiry into 

facilitated dinners. Journal of Hospice & Palliative Nursing, 

20(6), 554-560. doi: 10.1097/NJH.0000000000000478 

Carmassi, C., Foghi, C., Dell’Oste, V., Cordone, A., Bertelloni, 

C. A., Bui, E., & Dell’Osso L. (2020). PTSD symptoms in 

healthcare workers facing the three coronavirus outbreaks: 

what we expect after the COVID-19 pandemic. Psychiatric 

Research, 292(2020), 113312. https://doi.org/10.1016/j. 

psychres.2020.113312 

Haigh, C. & Hardy, P. (2011). Tell me a story – a conceptual 

exploration of storytelling in healthcare education. 31(2020), 

408-411. doi: 10.1016/j.nedt.2010.08.001 

Luo, M., Guo, L., Yu, M., Jiang, W., & Wang, H. (2020). The 

psychological and mental impact of coronavirus disease 2019 

(COVID-19) on medical staff and general public – a systematic 

review and meta-analysis. Psychiatry Research, 291(2020), 

113190. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2020.113190 

Phillips, C. S. & Becker, H. (2019). Systematic review: expressive 

arts interventions to address psychosocial stress in healthcare 

workers. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 2019(75), 2285-2298. 

doi: 10.1111/jan.14043 

Sigherian, K., Steege, L. M., Cobb, S. J., & Cho, H. (2020). Insomnia, 

fatigue and psychosocial well-being during COVID-19 

pandemic: a cross-sectional survey of hospital nursing staff in 

the United States. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 2020(00), 1-14. 

doi: 10.1111/jocn.15566 

Tracy, D. K., Tarn, M., Eldridge, R., Cooke, J., Calder, J. D. F., & 

Greenberg, N. (2020). What should be done to support the 

mental health of healthcare staff treating COVID-19 patients? 

The British Journal of Psychiatry. doi: 10.1192/bjp.2020.109


TNF Auction, Merchandise, Campaigns. 

Oh My! TNF offers many easy ways to 

help support Tennessee Nurses 

Student Forum 

Raven Wentworth, DNP, RN, APRN, AGPCNP-BC, FNP-BC 

Tennessee Nurses Foundation (TNF) President 

The theme for the TNA Annual Conference in 2021 is “Year 

of the Nurse 2.0 - One Year Wasn’t Enough.” The conference 

is scheduled for October 14-16 at The Chattanoogan in 

Chattanooga, Tennessee. The Tennessee Nurses Foundation will 

host a silent auction to raise funds that will support Tennessee 

nurses through initiatives such as scholarships, grants, 

leadership development, and professional health and wellness. 

We hope that you plan on attending the conference and will 

visit the silent auction area. You will have the opportunity to 

bid on an assortment of unique items and experiences. There 

will also be a “mystery wallet” and “mystery box,” which will 

add to the fun. Donations for the silent auction will be accepted Raven Wentworth 

on-site. If you have an artistic talent or a small business and 

would like to donate an item, you may do so at the conference. Gift baskets, home décor, 

Christmas and Halloween items, gift certificates, and spa kits are just a few ideas for 

donations to the silent auction. 

TNF Merchandise Available Now! 

TNF will be launching various campaigns throughout the year to offer nurses an 

assortment of nursing related t-shirts, totes, and mugs. Merchandise will be available to 

view at the annual conference. However, do not wait. Order today and wear your shirt 

to conference! You may view and purchase now at https://www.bonfire.com/store/ 

tennessee-nurses-foundation/ 

Less Than A Latte 

We encourage you to support TNF by making a donation to the “Less Than A Latte” 

campaign. It is not a secret that most nurses love coffee. After all, caffeine has been known 

to help a few of us survive that twelve-hour night shift. Consider supporting TNF and 

donating the cost of a latte or two via Venmo, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, credit card, 

text, or check. Your tax-deductible donation will help TNF’s mission to promote professional 

excellence in nursing. See below for details on the Less Than A Latte campaign. 

Your Donations Help TNF Support Tennessee Nurses 

The TNA District Educational Scholarship is an educational scholarship sponsored by 

the Tennessee Nurses Foundation (TNF) to all TNA District Associations in an amount up 

to $2,000 for fiscal year (FY) 2020-2021. We would like to congratulate the recipient(s) in 

each district as well as the winner of the 2021 Scholarly Writing Contest. Recipients will be 

highlighted in an upcoming issue of the Tennessee Nurse. 

Hey there! I’m Lesleigh Meece, the Vice-President of the 

Tennessee Student Nurses Association. I am currently a student 

in the ABSN program at Union University in Hendersonville. My 

story echoes that of many students enrolled in second degree 

programs – nursing was not my first career choice. At several 

points in my life, I was actually positive I would never work 

in healthcare. This stemmed from a load of resentment and 

animosity I felt toward the healthcare providers that weren’t 

able to save my mother’s life. June of 2001 was the start of a life 

that was flooded by nurses, doctors, and hospitals for years. It 

was the day of my mother’s car wreck. The wreck that put her 

in a 3-month coma and stole her ability to thrive for nine years. 

The wreck that ultimately took her life. For nine years I watched 

ER nurses, neurosurgeons, and home care nurses simultaneously 

Lesleigh Meece 

TSNA Vice 

President 

try to return normalcy to my mother and our family’s lives. When my mother passed, I was 

filled with so much anger towards the very nurses and doctors that worked tirelessly to care 

for her. I was eight years old and could not understand how this happened. In my head, 

saving people was their job, and they had failed. 

For years I was sick at the thought of going to a hospital or even visiting a doctor. It was 

after I began working at a medical spa in the Spring of 2018 that a career in nursing became 

an option. I was given the opportunity to work closely with a nurse practitioner who had 

recently made the transition from neurology to medical aesthetics. She shared with me 

some heart wrenching, triumphant, and all-around inspiring stories. I was able to peek into 

the mind of a healthcare provider that has worked in many fields, with many individuals. 

Our talks gave me a deeper, more meaningful understanding of the physical and emotional 

toll nursing can take on a person. My resentment turned to passion almost instantaneously. 

It was then that I realized there is so much more to nursing than giving baths and medicine. 

There are elements of emotion, passion, and understanding that are essential in helping 

patients and their loved ones, and that is exactly what I want to do. Within a week, I was 

applying to nursing programs all over Tennessee, and within two months, I received my 

letter of acceptance from Union University. It was a whirlwind, but I felt peace wash over 

me knowing that I would be able to make a positive impact on patients like my mother and 

families like my own. 

My journey to this point has been filled with twists, turns, and hard decisions, but I 

wouldn’t change a thing about it. I am absolutely thrilled to be where I am today and with 

the trajectory of my future. Serving as Vice-President of TSNA has given me the opportunity 

to hear the stories of so many other student nurses with unconventional paths. I hope to 

continue to utilize this position to share the stories of RN’s and student nurses to inspire 

hopeful nurses. 

We all have our favorite beverages that we purchase once a day, 

or two to three times a week. Your Less Than a Latte donation will 

help a latte toward the Tennessee Nurses Foundation’s (TNF) 

mission of promoting professional excellence in nursing. 

You may also text your donation to (202) 858-1233 using the 

shortcode “Latte.” Help support a nurse by donating the cost of 

one, two, or three of your favorite beverages each month. 

Which one will you be? A donate the cost of a latte person, a 

“Caffeine Frenzy” person, or an “I Drink a Latte” person?


National Nurses Week 

Celebrations 

2021 Scholarly Writing Contest 

The Tennessee Nurses Foundation (TNF) announces 

Natalia Phillips, RN, MSN as the 2021 TNF Scholarly 

Writing Contest winner. The contest is held yearly in 

celebration of National Nurses Week. 

It gives us great pleasure to award Ms. Neese with 

a check for $1,000, plus a free registration to the 

TNA Annual Conference, held October 14-16 at The 

Chattanoogan Hotel, Chattanooga, TN. 

I would like to express 

my sincere gratitude to the 

Tennessee Nurses Foundation 

for this exciting opportunity 

and a very generous prize! The 

2021 Scholarly Writing Contest 

provided a wonderful venue for 

my ideas on nurse mentoring 

and retention strategies. The 

thoughts expressed in this work 

were inspired by the resilience 

of nurses who continue to 

advocate for the profession. 

Natalia Neese, 

RN, MSN 

These nurses carry on the flame of their passion through 

the perils of this pandemic and other healthcare 

challenges to pass it onto the new talent. I look forward to 

attending the TNA Annual Conference and meeting more 

nurses dedicated to the art of caring and mentorship. 

Ms. Neese’s paper, Mentoring Strategies for 

Use with New Nurses and Strategies to Retain the 

Experienced Nurses, is available under the Tennessee 

Nurses Foundation (TNF)menu at TNAonline.org. 

To access electronic copies of the 

Tennessee Nurse, please visit 

http://www.NursingALD.com/ 

publications 

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District News 

District 1 

President: Lisa Beasley 

Virtual meetings continue for 

our district, including a member 

meeting held on January 28 with 

a presentation on the most upto-date 

information for treating 

pain by Dr. Moacir Schnapp, 

neurologist and Medical 

Director for the Mays Schnapp 

Neurospine and Pain Clinic. On 

February 25, district 1 extended 

our member meeting to all of the 

districts across the state as Dr. Lisa Beasley 

Michelle Fiscus, Medical Director for Vaccine Preventable 

Diseases at the Tennessee Department of Health, 

discussed vaccine disinformation in the age of a pandemic. 

During our March member meeting, we were honored 

with two guests speaking on the effects of COVID-19 on 

mental health in both inpatient and outpatient settings. 

Joy Golden, MSN, RN, CEO, and Managing Director for 

Lakeside Behavioral Health and Kelly Sealey MHA, MAT, 

Health Manager and COVID-19 Response Unit with the 

Shelby County Health Department presented startling 

statistics of increased depression, substance use, and 

suicidal ideation. 

Congratulations to TNA District 1 Educational 

Scholarship recipients! 

District 1 Scholarship Recipient 

• Tasha Wilson, RN - graduate student in the FNP 

concentration at the University of Memphis 

Loewenberg College of Nursing. 

TNF’s TNA District 1 Educational Scholarship recipients 

• Brianna Hall, pre-licensure undergraduate student at 

the University of Tennessee Health Science Center 

College of Nursing ABSN program. 

• Jamiee Staples, pre-licensure undergraduate student 

at Baptist Health Sciences University College of 

Nursing 

District 1 is currently planning to recognize and honor 

our nurses during nurse’s month in May. We continue 

to be grateful for our nurses who carry on in the face of 

adversity. Thank you for your courage, and the district 1 

board wants you all to know that we are here supporting 

you. 

District 2 

Co-Presidents: Angela Heatherly and Erin Morgan 

District 3 

President: Ginny Massey-Holt 

District 3 met on April 15th 

via Zoom for the quarterly 

membership meeting. It was 

a night to honor the future 

of nursing through our 2021 

scholarship winners. District 

members, family, friends, faculty 

and workplace supporters 

of the scholars were also in 

attendance. Thank you to all for 

making it a night of celebration. 

We are pleased to announce Ginny Massey-Holt 

our two TNF/TNA-supported District 3 Scholars: Danielle 

(Dee) Leilani Butler is our MSN student scholar, and Mary 

(Melissa) Newell is our Pre-licensure scholar. Our TNA 

D3 scholar (supported by a district-funded scholarship) is 

Isabella Beck. 

We want to share two upcoming events: 

Upcoming June Outdoor Leadership and Adventure Event: 

On Friday, June 11th beginning at 9:30 am, come to 

a Leadership and Adventure Event at Higher Pursuits 

Canoe and Kayaking in Columbia, TN. True Colors is a 

temperament and personality typing program designed 

to help you better understand individual differences and 

successfully navigate communication and conflict. We will 

work in small groups through the True Colors program in 

the morning, enjoy a provided lunch and then paddle down 

the scenic Duck River (flat water) for a relaxing afternoon 

of sunshine. Visit District 3’s webpage at TNAonline.org 

for further details. Must pre-register, limited to about 20 

participants. —Dr. Ginny Massey-Holt, District President. 

Upcoming July Membership Meeting: 

Our July 15th membership meeting will include a 1.0 

CNE activity - Vitamin N: Nature Interventions for Mental 

Well-Being presented by Dr. Rose Vick, Assistant Professor, 

Vanderbilt University School of Nursing. She is a Family 

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, and her 

scholarship and clinical interests are in psycho-oncology. 

Dr. Vick will provide an overview of the many mental 

health benefits of being outdoors. This in-person socially 

distanced meeting will take place at the beautiful 400- 

acre Marcella Vivrette Smith Park in Brentwood, featuring 

an outdoor pavilion and over 6 miles of hiking trails. Join 

us to learn about the benefits of “Vitamin N” in overall 

health and well-being. Dinner will be provided. Please save 

the date, and check District 3’s webpage for registration 

details.—Dr. Stephanie Abbu, District Vice President. 

District 5 

President: Christine Reed 

District 5 held a virtual meeting 

on April 20. Dr. David Reagan, 

former Chief Medical Officer for 

the Tennessee Department of 

Health and current Pandemic 

Consultant for Ballad Health, joined 

and presented information about 

the COVID-19 pandemic response. 

In June, the district will 

reconvene, and Gail Broyles, 

Corporate Director of Informatics 

at Ballad Health, will speak Christine Reed 

about electronic medical record 

implementation during a pandemic. District members 

are also looking forward to the group’s annual legislative 

breakfast, which will take place in August. 

Our district has thus far honored three “Nurses of the 

Month!” Our honorees are: 

• Gail Broyles, who was recognized in February for her 

contributions to leadership in nursing informatics 

• Susan Grover, who was recognized in March for her 

military service, leadership in nursing education, and 

dedication to underserved populations 

• Jane Mustain, who was recognized in April for her 

leadership in multiple nursing specialties including 

informatics, dialysis, and education 

Members are invited to visit our website at https://tna. 

nursingnetwork.com/page/94134-district-5 and Facebook 

page at www.facebook.com/TNAD5 for all our updates! 

District 15 

District News continued on page 14 

District 2 hosted 270 Nurses 

and Nursing Students on March 

18, 2021, for a Health Policy 

Education session lead by Dr. 

Carole Meyers entitled Nurses 

on the Move: Legislative Know 

How and Advocacy. This event 

provided free CNE to District 

2 nurses and health policy 

education to local nursing 

students. 

Additionally, District 2 has 

highlighted local food banks 

on social media and supported 

them financially and with food 

drives during April’s month of 

service. 

Finally, District 2 meetings 

continue on Zoom the third 

Monday of each month. 

Angela Heatherly 

Erin Morgan


District News 

District News continued from page 13 

District 6 

President: Raven Wentworth 

Congratulations to Walker 

Williams, BSN student at the 

University of Memphis-Lambuth. 

Walker was selected as the 

2020-2021 TNF TNA District 6 

Educational Scholarship recipient. 

Walker will be graduating in 

December of 2021 and plans 

to pursue a graduate degree in 

nursing. We applaud Walker’s 

hard work and leadership. 

Many members joined the Raven Wentworth 

Nurses Day on the Hill that 

was held March 2, 2021. Several legislative bills were 

discussed after a brief review of the legislative process. We 

encourage members to remain engaged and to continue 

to form relationships with policymakers. 

District 6 will be meeting virtually on Thursday, June 3, 

at 5:30 p.m. A guest speaker will be joining us to discuss 

the social, environmental, and genomic determinants of 

health. An event will be created on the FB page, and TNA 

members will receive an email with the zoom link. We 

welcome members, nonmembers, and students to attend 

virtually. As we move forward, our passion is to meet the 

needs of our District 6 nurses, and so we welcome topic 

suggestions and input. Please contact us if you’d like more 

information. 

Save the date! TNA will be conducting a Virtual TNA 

Leadership Boot Camp on Saturday, June 12, from 9 a.m. 

to 12:30 p.m. CT. The Annual TNA Conference is scheduled 

for October 14-16, 2021, in Chattanooga, TN! Please mark 

your calendars and plan to attend. 

District 15 

President: Marcia Barnes 

Greetings from District 15. 

Welcome to all new District 

15 and renewing TNA members! 

Hope most of you have 

received your COVID-19 vaccine 

as we push to put this pandemic 

behind us. We all know, nurses 

are resilient, agile, and flexible. 

These are requirements for our 

profession and help make us all 

effective and wonderful nurses. 

This is even more true during 

Marcia Barnes 

these trying times. 

District 15 held its last quarterly meeting, April 19, 

2021, virtually. We had an informative presentation 

by John Alexander, Attorney, with Rainey, Kizer, 

Reviere, & Bell Law Firm with offices in Chattanooga, 

Memphis, Jackson, and Nashville. Mr. Alexander’s 

practice focuses primarily on the areas of medical 

malpractice defense, insurance defense, and insurance 

coverage. He also represents healthcare providers in 

matters before Tennessee’s various medical Boards 

and litigates contract disputes. He is a member of 

the Firm’s Malpractice Group and the Firm’s Tort 

and Insurance Group. His presentation concerned 

healthcare liability during the COVID-19 Pandemic. 

We have two celebrations for District 15 members: 

Dionne Brady, BSN, RN, CCM, has recently been promoted 

to Health and Social Services Nurse Manager in the TN 

Community and State Plan at United Healthcare, and 

Jeanmarie Hill, RN, CHPN received her certification as a 

Certified Hospice & Palliative Care Nurse. She works at 

Alive Hospice. 

Please remember to share your news and 

accomplishments so we can celebrate with you and include 

them in the next issue for District 15. 

We had a busy legislative session with several bills 

pertinent to nursing, including the school nurse bill, assault 

bill, graduate nurse bill, and full practice authority (FPA) for 

APRNs. FPA was put on the January 2022 agenda. TNA will 

be hosting advocacy events throughout the summer, so be 

on the lookout for announcements. Our advocacy efforts 

are not finished, as we must work diligently for the rest of 

the year to further our profession. Don’t forget, reach out 

to your legislators when you receive action alerts. 

We need to build up our PAC. We are unable to do 

this successfully without your help. Remember, donate 

to Tennessee Nurses PAC. Every donation counts. Visit: 

https://tinyurl.com/eaa7em8x to make a donation. 

Save the Date! TNA Annual Conference is Celebrating 

the Year of the Nurse 2.0, One Year Wasn’t Enough, 

October 14-16, 2021, at The Chattanoogan Hotel, 

Chattanooga, TN. Make plans to attend. 

Let us not forget to encourage and support each other. 

We must be strong advocates for our profession, let our 

voices be heard, and promote quality care and access for 

the citizens of Tennessee. 

Marcia Barnes 

District 15 President 

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NURSING.VANDERBILT.EDU 

Vanderbilt is an equal opportunity affirmative action university.


New & Returning Members 

District 1 

Jeffrey Banham, Shannon Barber, Jesse Bebout, 

Bridgett Boone, Cherico Bowman-Jefferson, Latoria 

Boyland, Gina Butler, Susan Campbell, Lanny Coker, 

Rosemary Crawford, Anna Devine, Ashling Durkan, 

Cindy Earle, Brittny Ellis, Bob Faucher, Evelyn Fox, 

Philip Frost, Starr Gaskins, Rebecca Grant, Allison 

Graves, Allison Hanson, Tammara Harris, Rebecca 

Hensley, Curtis Hill, Linda Kelly, Chrisla Key, Stacey 

LaBarre-Powell, Paula Langley, Scarlett Lenair, Rebekah 

Lewallen, Lisa Lloyd, Bridget Mans, Garred Miller, Robin 

Morrison, Thanh Nguyen, Annastasia Ouma, Carol 

Pahde, Wendy Pineda, Michael Powers, Lindsey Reap, 

Mariah Salim, Veronica Sanders, Debriel Satzinger, 

Larry Slater, Amy Spicer, Lisa Swolensky, Emily Thomas, 

Amelia Torres, Monique Watson, Wendy Weaver, 

Michelle Whitaker, Rachel Whitaker, Allyson Williams, 

Felicia Woods 

District 2 

Christi Banks, Lynn Beeler, Amy Beffrey, Chelsea 

Bird, Amy Bloomer, Amanda Carr, Cindy Carroll, 

Samantha Caton, Nastassja Cox, Kassie Detchemendy, 

Stephanie Fancer, Amy Gentry, Jane Gertz, Farideh 

Golembiewski, Angela Gregg, Heather Gregg, Erica 

Griffith, Lisa Hill, Lori Hinchey, Jennifer Hoskins, Joel 

Hurst, Andrea Janoyan, Melissa Justice, Heather 

King, Rae-Lyn King, Karen Lasater, Teresa Lucas, 

Emily Messer, Michelle Moore-White, Deborah 

Perry, Ramona Proctor, Amy Seal, Joyce Stewart, Tara 

Strange, Courtney Turman, Dianna Vermilyea, Connie 

Winder 

Parker, Deborah Payne, Allison Pitts, Brittany Polk, 

Sherry Raber, Shannon Rappe, Mark Richardson, 

Raymond Romano, Cara Rood, Sarah Salyer, Jonathan 

Shipley, Robert Simeone, Allison Stepuszek, Tanaya 

Summers, Brandi Thomas, Sandra Topping, Molly 

Truesdale, Amanda Tufly, Dena Wampler, Alexis Weber, 

Ashley Wheeler, Lee Wineland 

District 4 

James Allen, Crystal Anderson, Jamie Bird, Donita 

Blanken-Little, James Bowen, Denise Carlton, Hea Chong, 

Karen Crowder, Janet Daniel, Samantha Dmochowski, 

Jennifer Dodd, Laurena Glass, Debra Honey, Samantha 

Kirby, Christina Lassila, Patricia Maynor, Leslie McBride, 

Robert Mendoza, Elizabeth Moore-Jones, Logan Moulton, 

Marlee Mullin, Cenean Raphemot, Jenny Schiele, Jessica 

Scott, Catalina Shope, Rhonda Simmons, Sue Strother, 

Edward Tempel II, Holly Walker, Marlene Wilkey, Olivia 

Wilson, Robert Yeary, Regena Young 

District 5 

Patti Altman, Patricia Barnes, Melissa Brewer- 

Vanover, Barbara Brock, Dallas Broyles, Shawna Caudill, 

Stephanie Cook, Angela Flemmer, Robin Freyling, Erica 

Goins, Destani Gray, Holly Hamner, Bobby Harrison, 

Nathan Hitchcock, Leah Holden, Morgan Houchins, 

Kelly Jackson, Alyse Jordan, Tommi Key, Jlee Kimes, 

Kristal King, Christine Knowles, Amanda Lane, Holly 

Mitchell, Monna Nelms, Brad Overbey, Janett Pate, 

Kristen Perkins, Tabitha Quillen, Leanne Reagan, Carol 

Shrum, Abbie Slagle, Megan Sturdivant, Pattie Taylor, 

Suzanne Tubbs, Sharon Vickers, Angela Winters 

District 6 

Susan Bowman, Charlotte Boyd, Brandy Brown, 

Cynthia Early, Kyona Goodwin, Julia Kimmins, Rhiannon 

Martinez, Delecia Parker, William Parker, Brandy 

Rogers, Summer Sanders, Shanna Wilkes, Candice 

Woodruff 

District 8 

Sonja Hart, Elizabeth Riddle, Sherrie Smith 

District 9 

Lavinia Austin, Tori Banegas, Shawn Billingsley, 

Gail Cook, Dana Evans, Lawrence Green, Anne Koci, 

Rebecca Kojak, Sara Loveday, Alissa Slack, Joanna 

Slagle, Shauna Wiley Samuel, Judith Zuercher 

District 10 

Mandi Beuerlein, Carla Davis, James Jones 

District 12 

Ava Kendall, Clarissa Stark, Tammy Teems 

District 15 

Kathy Andrews, Tiffany Bledsoe, Sandi Camacho, 

Betsy Compton, Julia Cowden, Brittany De Leon, 

Stephanie Foglia, Adrienne Foster, Kimberly Frantz, 

Michelle Hammons, Kaye Harris, Mary Hensley, Mary 

Keith-Marcus, Susie Leming-Lee, Tiffany Locke, Judy 

Lowe, Erica May, Amanda Moon, Rebecca Robinson, 

Melody Rudolph, Beverly Scott, Amy Sharpe, Darletta 

Steinmetz, Pamela Taylor, Hannah Tran, Brigitte 

Williams 

District 3 

Mark Autry, Andrea Baird, Kortnie Birgy, Rajpati 

Bodh-Ceres, Alexandra Brown, Shanda Brown, Katie 

Burger, Caitlin Caroland, Carrie Chambers, Kayla 

Chapman, Jeffie Cherry, Cynthia Childress, Sonya 

Claxton, Kelly Cobb, Mary Cooper, Ann Crim, Neil 

Cross, Sherry Crossfield, Jonathan Curtis, Jordan 

Daley, Suzanna Davis, John Decker, Abigail Defeo, 

Rachel Denice, Jackie Estill, Molly Fonseca, Gregory 

Gladstone, Katie Gormley, Megan Graff, Linda Griffith, 

Briana Hamilton, Jennifer Hicks, Aaron Hirsch, Mikayla 

Holloman, Robin Hopp, Kathryn Hughes, Rachel 

Hughes, Cynthia James, Kimberly Johnson, Nancy 

Jones, Rebecca Keck, Kayla Keller, Abigail King, Lori 

King, Casey Klein, Irene Lancaster, Rebecca Loatwall, 

Michael Mann, Sandra Marklin, Dawn McCray, 

Amanda McDaniel, Kristi Meacham, Linda Mefford, 

Alyssa Miller, Monica Milovancev, Kathryn Murphy, 

Ariel Newton, Caitlin Pandillo, Kathryn Paradis, Jennifer 

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580-304-9915


Member News 

Jennifer (Jenny) Aycock, MSN, RN, CCRN 


Jenny Aycock has been appointed as 

the new chief nursing officer at TriStar 

Skyline Medical Center. 

Anna Cook, PMHNP-BC 


Ms. Cook’s article titled Pandemic 

Pressures & Stress Takes Toll on Mental 

Health was recently published in 

Memphis Medical News. 

Michelle Estes, BSN, RN-BC 


Michelle Estes was recently honored 

with the 2021 University of Tennessee 

Health Science Center’s Dr. John W. 

Runyan, Jr. Community Nursing Award. 

Congratulations! 

Heather Jackson, 

PhD, APRN, FNP-BC 


Congratulations, Heather Jackson! 

Ms. Jackson was recently announced 

as one of thirty-eight NP leaders 

across the country as a 2021 Fellow of the American 

Association of Nurse Practitioners (FAANP). 

Mary Lambert, DNP, RN, FAAN 


Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly 

has chosen public health veteran 

and Chattanooga native Mary 

Lambert to direct the city’s new 

Office of Community Health. Dr. Mary Lambert is 

a Chattanooga native who has served in multiple 

assignments across the nation, including with the 

assistant secretary of health, the White House, the 

Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Centers 

for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). She 

was also deployed in the wake of the September 

11, 2001 attacks and in response to the national 

capitol anthrax exposure event. She is a retired O-6 

from the U.S. Army and U.S. Public Health Service 

Commissioned Corps. 

Mariann Piano, 

PhD, RN, FAAN, FAHA 


Mariann Piano was recently listed as 

a healthcare leader in the INCHARGE 

Healthcare 2021 issue of the Nashville 

Medical News. Ms. Piano, of Vanderbilt University 

School of Nursing, is a Nancy & Travis Professor of 

Nursing and Senior Associate Dean for Research & 

Postdoctoral Fellowship Director. 

Patricia Sengstack, DNP, FAAN 


Patricia Sengstack was recently listed 

as a healthcare leader in the INCHARGE 

Healthcare 2021 issue of the Nashville 

Medical News. Ms.Sengstack is the 

Senior Associate Dean for Informatics at Vanderbilt 

University School of Nursing. 

Megan Shifrin, MSN, RN, ACNP-BC 


Ms. Shifrin was recently announced as one of 

thirty-eight NP leaders across the country as a 

2021 Fellow of the American Association of Nurse 

Practitioners (FAANP). Congratulations, Megan! 

Now Recruiting! 

LPN, RN, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, 

ACT Registered Nurse 

Must be actively licensed to practice by the State of TN 

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Workplace Violence De-Escalation Training 

Lisa D. Beasley DNP, APRN, NP-C, RN 

Introduction 

According to the Occupational Safety and Health 

Administration (2016), violence against nurses in the workplace 

has been increasing in alarming numbers, with recent research 

indicating the rise has spiked as much as 110%. Half of all 

workplace violence is committed against healthcare workers. 

In a health risk appraisal conducted by the American Nurses 

Association, 1 in 4 nurses reported physical assault by a patient 

or patient family member (2016). What makes this even more 

disturbing is that these assaults go greatly underreported. 

A surveillance report conducted by the Emergency Nurses 

Association discovered that the majority of the 7,000 Lisa D. Beasley 

emergency room nurses surveyed indicated assault by a 

patient or patient family member and did not report the incident (2011). This growing 

rate of assaults has sparked legislation on both national and state levels, including 

the Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act 

which passed the United States House of Representatives in November of 2019. While 

legislation has been implemented or proposed at the state level across the country, 

many believe the penalties are not harsh enough. 

Answering the Call 

The University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Nursing (UTHSC 

CON) is taking action to empower nurses and other healthcare workers in recognizing 

and de-escalating potential hostile situations. Dr. Sara Day, Professor and Assistant 

Dean for Community and Global 

Partnerships, leads the Management 

of Aggressive Patient Situations (MAPS) 

program through a grant obtained by the 

Tennessee Hospital Association (THA). 

The team includes Dr. Randy Johnson, 

Associate Professor; Dr. Jacqueline Sharp, 

Assistant Professor; Dr. Diana Dedmon, 

Assistant Professor; Dr. Gabrielle Jackson; 

and Dr. Lisa Beasley, Assistant Professor. 

MAPS consists of a two-day program 

that emphasizes active learning through 

a variety of learning strategies for adult 

LtoR: Dr. Nicole Knox, Christian 

Brothers University participant, 

engaging with Dr. Jacqueline (Jackie) 

Sharp on de-escalation techniques. 

learners. “MAPS is a ‘train the trainer’ 

program that certifies the trainer and 

provides the necessary tools for trainers 

to, in-turn, teach the program to nurses 

and other healthcare professionals,” said 

Dr. Day. 

The Curriculum and Training 

The curriculum was developed by faculty who completed the Management of 

Aggressive Behavior instructor certification course through MOAB® International. 

Commercial programs have limitations as they are designed for a general audience 

and are expensive; however, MAPS is unique because it was designed by nurses to 

meet the specific needs of healthcare providers and is offered without cost throughout 

Tennessee. The current UTHSC CON MAPS team members present the original 

curriculum and discuss the topics relevant to gaining the skills necessary to recognize 

and subvert aggressive patient situations. Concepts for the learning outcomes 

include cultural awareness, self-awareness and self-reflection, verbal and non-verbal 

communication, strategies in therapeutic communication and emotional confrontation, 

stages of conflict, and strategies to diffuse conflict in various stages. Real life situation 

videos with standardized patients and healthcare providers were created to stress deescalation 

techniques with patients in varying stages of conflict. “Our team has really 

worked hard to engage participants and encourage discussion,” said Dr. Day, who also 

commented that the teach-back method is incorporated into the training as part of 

the certification requirement. The current team has trained nurse educators at Maury 

Regional Medical Center in Columbia and faculty at Christian Brothers University 

in Memphis with upcoming sessions scheduled with Vanderbilt Behavioral Health 

and Jackson-Madison County General Hospital. MAPS training is well suited for any 

healthcare facility employing nurses and for implementation into the curriculum of 

nursing schools and colleges. 

More information on violence against nurses in the workplace can be found on the 

American Nurses Association website in the resource guide, “A Nurse’s Call to Action!” 

at https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/work-environment/end-nurse-abuse/. 

The cost of MAPS training is paid for by the grant. To schedule the MAPS training 

program for your institution, please contact Dr. Sara Day by email at sday5@uthsc.edu 

or telephone at 901-930-8007. 

About the author: Dr. Lisa Beasley is an assistant professor at the University of 

Tennessee Health Science Center College of Nursing, Department of Health Promotion 

and Disease Prevention in Memphis. Dr. Beasley is also the president of TNA District 1. 

References: 

ANA’s New Health Risk Appraisal Evaluates Nurses’ Health, Wellness, Safety. (2014). Georgia Nursing, 

74(1), 1–2. 

Emergency Department Violence Surveillance Report. (2011).https://www.ena.org/docs/defaultsource/resource-library/practice-resources/workplace-violence/2011-epdf?sfvrsn=5as81911_6 

Occupational Safety and Health Administration. (2016). Workplace Violence in Healthcare 

Understanding the Challenge. https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3826.pdf 

Dr. Sara Day providing teach-back instructions to the Christian 

Brother’s University participants. 

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Caring During COVID-19: Nursing Education 

Mary Eve Rice, DNP, MSN, CPNP, 

Bettina Shank, DNP, MSN, RN, CNE, 

Terri Clark, MSN, RN, 

Michele Robertson, DNP, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, 

Amy S. Hamlin, PhD, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, 

Tasha Ruffin, DNP, RN, 

& Debra Rose Wilson, PhD, MSN, RN, IBCLC, 

AHN-BC, CHT 

The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged individuals 

and systems across the planet, and in the world of 

nursing, innovative approaches were required, and 

valuable lessons are still being learned. The world has 

seen nurses step up to the plate to manage the care 

of the ill and then to vaccinate the masses. Nursing 

education had to also step up to the plate to ensure that 

there are graduates stepping into practice. This article 

reviews some of the challenges that nursing education 

in Tennessee has overcome and gives honor to nursing 

schools across the state who found creative, safe, and 

thorough ways of preparing students for practice. This 

is written through the eyes of nursing professors from 

Austin Peay State University, TN. 

Nursing faculty were faced with the difficult act of 

balancing a quality nursing education with navigating 

the challenges of living through a pandemic. COVID-19 

impacted teaching methods, clinical experiences, 

existing policies, styles of leadership, personal and 

academic lives of nursing students, and nursing 

faculty’s professional and personal lives. During these 

unprecedented times, leaders worldwide faced the 

obstacles head-on, with creative ideas, collaboration, 

and flexible hearts to care for those we serve. 

Taking Care of Students 

Nursing school is known for intense rigor and 

demanding requirements. Nursing students were 

already tackling the stressors of obtaining a nursing 

degree when the COVID-19 pandemic compounded 

this into what seemed to be an impossible challenge. 

Nursing instruction changed drastically and abruptly. 

Students struggled to adjust while facing numerous 

hurdles with their children at home full-time and 

unstable income sources for their family. Many nursing 

students (RN to BSN and graduate students) were not 

only students but also essential workers. Going to 

school and working in healthcare during a pandemic is 

incredibly strenuous and overwhelming. Faculty made 

efforts to alleviate stress by offering stress management 

webinars via zoom, with prizes. A pedagogy of care 

includes an added focus on flexibility, connection, 

empowerment, prediction, and preparation. Faculty 

allowed more flexible deadlines and opportunities for 

revision submissions without lessening quality work 

expectations. Faculty consistently made extra efforts 

to reach out to students, assessing stress levels and 

evaluating students’ overall mental health. Followup 

emails and telephone calls reminded students 

that the faculty cared. Faculty played a crucial role in 

empowering students to persevere. 

Taking Care of Teaching and Learning 

Before the pandemic, the use of technology in 

nursing education was not uncommon. Nursing faculty 

and students were familiar with learning management 

systems, video conferencing, virtual quizzing, simulation, 

and other online technologies. With the sudden impact of 

the pandemic, transitioning to an online platform became 

necessary. Student learning outcomes could not be 

compromised. Zoom sessions focused on academic issues 

but were also adapted to include logistical, technical, and 

emotional support. Zoom meetings allowed opportunities 

for review or further instruction. Assignments were 

adapted to support online learning and included 

developing a virtual “telehealth” visit experience for 

nurse practitioner students, online teaching opportunities 

for nurse educator students, and online simulation for 

traditional pre-licensure students. 

Test proctoring services were shut down when the 

outsourced proctors went on lockdown. Some students 

needed reliable computer equipment and reliable 

internet to stream online lectures, and the university 

assisted. Concerns with the Family Educational Rights 

and Privacy Act (FERPA) and student privacy arose from 

video conferencing’s exponential use. Solutions included 

proctoring students via online video conferencing, bringing 

small groups to campus lab activities while maintaining 

social distancing and personal protective equipment (PPE), 

and avatar-based online simulation. 

Taking Care of Clinical 

Clinical learning is a staple for nurses and healthcare 

professionals. Public safety and the need to develop 

new colleagues in the healthcare sector collided. 

Fortunately, multiple large community hospitals 

collaborated and continued to allow modified clinical 

experiences for nursing students. Long term care 

facilities, some hospitals, and other community partners 

could not allow students. But, as clinical agencies 

closed their doors to students, the Tennessee State 

Board of Nursing began offering educational programs 

guidance. The guidance allowed undergraduate nursing 

programs to increase virtual simulation and on-ground 

labs to account for up to 50% of clinical hours. For 

graduate students, the National Organization of Nurse 

Practitioner Faculties (NONPF) sent a statement to all 

programs reaffirming the minimum requirement of 500 

direct patient clinical hours for NP programs. NONPF 

stated that programs requiring greater than the 500 

minimum direct hours could waive the additional hours 

if a student had demonstrated educational outcomes 

and competencies or use virtual simulation. Later, as 

the vaccine became available, APSU student nurses and 

their faculty (like many other Schools of Nursing across 

TN) provided immunization sites for the State of TN. 

Taking Care of Policy 

With COVID-19 also came many policy addendums, 

from classroom spaces to clinical placements, and 

most importantly, considerations to faculty, staff, and 

student safety. A campus COVID-19 Task Force was 

formed and kept everyone abreast of the viral threat 

and thresholds. Community partners from within the 

community, university, and state banded together to 

make uniform informed changes with safety, healthy 

work environments, and education at the heart of each 

decision in an unprecedented way. Clinical sites, external 

partners, and the state board of nursing helped guide 

decisions. Networking and collaboration were a staple 

of quality leadership in education during COVID-19 and 

policy changes helped to clarify concerns and fears 

amongst the faculty, staff, and students. At all levels, 

policymakers worked creatively and with innovation 

to ensure educational and workforce needs were met 

while maintaining public safety and sufficient access to 

healthcare. 

Taking Care Through Leadership 

In March 2020, leaders in nursing education 

programs had to adapt quickly and lead with conviction. 

Leadership skills had to evolve to accommodate the 

continually changing virus challenges for the faculty 

and the students. To establish a culture of connection 

during a socially distanced period was fostered 

through weekly zoom meetings among the faculty and 

weekly student communication to keep all informed. 

The Nursing Director created and posted YouTube 

videos for the students and faculty to view, providing 

uplifting messages to ease anxiety and improve morale. 

Leadership focused on providing transparent, positive 

communication by attempting to deliver the right 

message, at the right time, in the right way during the 

ever-changing havoc experienced day-to-day. Positive 

feedback from faculty, thank you emails, and reassuring 

calls solidified leadership efforts and helped rejuvenate 

leadership for the continued challenges. 

Taking Care of Faculty 

Holistic nurses are taught to put their own “oxygen 

mask on first” to care for another, as is wisely advised 

in every pre-flight safety lecture. Peer-reviewed 

research reminds nurses to care for themselves, draw 

on resilience, seek out online resources, and extend 

compassion to others. Activities that helped regulate the 

community and boost faculty morale included weekly 

email messages from leadership, regular Zoom meetings 

to check-in, and a surprise Zoom wedding shower for 

a nursing faculty member. Additionally, celebrating 

birthdays, successes, and milestones via Zoom helped 

normalize the need to celebrate life events and remain 

a supportive community. The School of Nursing held a 

civility challenge during an established “Civility Week.” 

This week encouraged different cohorts of faculty 

to try to “out-civil” each other. The week ended with 

planned team-building activities, prizes, laughter, 

and encouragement. In difficult times, nurses must 

remember to step back, breathe, rest, and intentionally 

choose self-care as an internal resource. Working 

during a world crisis impacts personal lives, as well as 

professional practice. Nurturing healthy relationships, 

choosing one’s battles carefully, seeking mindfulness 

and compassion training, taking breaks, getting 

outside, and sharing gratitude, are examples of ways to 

incorporate deliberate self-care. 

Conclusion 

During COVID-19, nurse educators across Tennessee 

are finding successful new teaching methods and lessons 

far beyond coping. Lessons learned help direct continued 

restructuring and program improvement. Despite a 

worldwide pandemic, positive reflections and outcomes 

have arisen. Unity was a crucial element of success. Faculty 

and students kept the focus on as much of a positive 

experience as possible. Transparency and inclusion for all 

aided in the fluid teaching environment. 

Nursing students and faculty have been tremendously 

affected financially, academically, and psychologically. 

COVID-19 turned the world upside down in a matter of 

days and weeks, and those impacts still exist. The silver 

lining to the pandemic is that successful innovative teaching 

and learning modalities were developed and will continue. 

Schools of Nursing across Tennessee remain committed 

to empowering students to become critical thinkers, 

healthcare leaders, excellent communicators, and life-long 

learners. These lessons were only enhanced through the 

challenges of COVID-19. 

This research/manuscript did not receive any specific 

grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or 

not-for-profit sectors. 

References available upon request.


Take Out Your Phones! 

Using QR Codes in a Health Assessment Course 

to Overcome Social-distancing Obstacles 

Cory Wilbanks, DNP, APRN, AGACNP-BC, 

FNP-C, CNL, CNE 

Assistant Professor, UTHSC College of Nursing 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, 

a plethora of strategies to engage 

nursing students were deployed 

by academicians everywhere. 

With social distancing guidelines 

in effect, many hands-on and 

face-to-face learning sessions 

were cancelled or interrupted. 

Despite these obstacles, nursing 

education must continue virtually, 

and health assessment courses, 

like all other nursing courses, must 

Cory Wilbanks 

trek along, ensuring the safety of educators and students 

alike.1 The use of quick response (QR) codes is one method 

of shaking up an ordinary didactic lecture. With cell phones 

and tablets in nearly every student’s hand, the use of this 

technology is easy to incorporate. This article will explore 

the use of QR codes in learning breath sounds in an 

undergraduate accelerated BSN health assessment course 

during virtual nursing education. 

What are QR Codes? 

The easiest way to describe a QR code is to think of a 

barcode that is linked to media or text on the other end. A 

QR code allows an electronic device’s camera to scan the 

barcode, revealing links to pictures, sounds, and video. 

Unlike one-dimensional barcodes, QR codes are twodimensional.2 

To elaborate, the phone’s built-in camera 

app can be used to decipher the code, allowing the learner 

to utilize material that is linked to the unique coded image. 

A separate scanning app is not always necessary. Many free 

online QR code generators are available for use. 

Using the QR Code for Assessment Skills 

To disrupt the monotony of didactic lecture and create 

virtual hands-on learning in a health assessment course, 

QR codes were deployed during the respiratory system 

module to help learn and decipher breath sounds through 

a respiratory assessment activity carried out via Zoom. 

After determining what breath sounds would be required 

for students to learn, the hunt for these fair use sounds 

commenced. Once obtained and saved for use, the next task 

involved finding a QR code generator that would be used 

to link these breath sounds to a QR code. After choosing a 

free QR code generator, a PowerPoint was created that 

contained fair use images of human torsos/thoraces. 

At this point, personal creativity is utilized. Each 

thorax or torso within the PowerPoint was assigned 

a QR code that was linked to a specific breath sound. 

Breath sounds used included normal vesicular, bronchial, 

and bronchovesicular sounds. Adventitious sounds that 

were used included wheezes, rhonchi, and crackles. On 

each slide was a documentation area, which allowed the 

student to document assessment findings for each virtual 

patient (Figure 1). The breath sounds activity called for the 

students to enter into Zoom break-out rooms for virtual 

assessment using their electronic devices and QR codes 

and discussion of the findings, an aspect of learning that 

was temporarily hindered by a growing pandemic. 

Conclusion 

QR codes can easily be incorporated in didactic lecture 

to create a more active, hands on learning experiences in 

an undergraduate ABSN health assessment course. Utilizing 

this innovative technology allows for virtual engagement 

during times of uncertainty and monotonous lecturing. 

Students welcomed this innovative learning activity in lieu 

of in person, face-to-face class. There remain numerous 

opportunities for the use of QR codes in nursing education. 

References 

1. Dewart G, Corcoran L, Thirsk L, et al. Nursing education in a 

pandemic: Academic challenges in response to COVID-19. Nurse 

Education Today. 2020;92,104471. https://doi.org/10.1016/j. 

nedt.2020.104471. Accessed March 8, 2021. 

2. Downer T, Oprescu F, Forbes H, et al. Enhancing nursing and 

midwifery student learning through the use of QR codes. 

Nursing Education Perspectives. 2016;37(4), 242–243. doi: 

10.1097/01.NEP.0000000000000040. Accessed March 8, 2021. 

Figure 1. QR codes linked to breath sounds for virtual auscultation and documentation 

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COVID-19 Vaccinations: 

Knowledge vs. Myth to Get Back to A New Normal 

Erin Morgan, DNP, FNP-BC 

In Tennessee, the COVID-19 virus has infected 826,371 

people, and 12,022 individuals have lost their lives as of 

April 13, 2021. The virus has become the third leading 

cause of death in the United States for 2020. Now 

that multiple vaccinations are more widely available, 

nurses can educate the public about their options and 

dispel the myths surrounding these important tools 

to decrease future COVID-19 infections and deaths. 

Nurses have remained the most trusted profession 

throughout the pandemic, and therefore, must use this 

position to inform the public about their vaccine options. 

Understandably, individuals may remain hesitant to Erin Morgan 

obtain a new vaccine when they still have unanswered 

questions. Nurses have always provided detailed education to allow individuals 

to make the most informed choice for their health. Information surrounding 

COVID-19 vaccination is no different. 

Vaccine Options 

Currently, there are three COVID-19 vaccines approved for emergency use 

authorization (EUA) in the United States, two-dose Pfizer or Moderna Vaccines 

and the single-dose Johnson and Johnson-Janseen vaccine. Nurses should 

recommend individuals receive any vaccine that is available to them. The 

FDA has deemed all of the vaccines safe and effective to prevent infection 

and severe complications from COVID-19. This recommendation applies to all 

individuals, not just those who have co-morbidities. As more individuals are 

vaccinated against the virus, the number of available individuals COVID-19 can 

reside continues to decrease. 

mRNA Vaccines 

The Pfizer vaccine was first approved for use in December 2020, with the 

Moderna vaccine approval following shortly after. Both vaccines require two 

doses; 21 days between Pfizer doses and 28 days between Moderna doses. 

These two vaccines use messenger RNA to provide COVID-19 immunity. This 

mRNA technology has been studied for years and has already been used in 

some cancer treatments. These vaccines use mRNA to instruct cells to make 

a ‘spike protein’ similar to that of the COVID-19 virus. The recipient’s immune 

system responds to these new proteins by making antibodies. These new 

antibodies remain with the recipient to recognize the similar ‘spike protein’ if a 

COVID-19 infection occurs. The mRNA does not change the vaccine recipient’s 

DNA; instead, it trains the immune system how to respond if the virus is 

encountered. 

Side effects for the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines include pain or swelling at 

the vaccine site, fever, muscle aches, fatigue, or headache. These symptoms 

may occur after the first or second dose. Individuals who have had COVID-19 

may have more side effects with the first dose. However, many individuals who 

have not had COVID-19 report more side effects after a second dose. 

Viral Vector Vaccine 

The Johnson and Johnson-Janssen vaccine is the most recent to receive 

approval. This vaccine is a single-dose injection that offers convenience and 

expediency compared to the other two vaccine options. This vaccine was 

tested later during the pandemic resulting in differing effectiveness data that 

should not be compared to the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines. Additionally, the 

Johnson and Johnson-Janssen vaccine was tested in locations where variants 

of COVID-19 were already circulating, affecting results of the study. The use 

of this vaccine was paused to examine six blood clotting events in women. 

Nevertheless, the Johnson and Johnson-Janssen vaccine has already been 

received by millions of individuals to date. 

The Johnson and Johnson-Janssen vaccine provides immunity through a 

viral vector instead of mRNA. Viral Vectors, non-infectious harmless viruses, 

are used to transmit information to the recipient’s immune system. The vector 

instructs the recipients’ immune system how to produce antibodies for the 

‘spike protein’ recognizable on the COVID-19 virus. While considered effective 

after two weeks per the CDC, immunity increases up to 28 days past the single 

dose. Viral vector vaccines have already been used to treat cancer and the 

Ebola virus. 

Side effects are similar to the previous two vaccines and include pain or 

swelling at the vaccine site, fever, muscle aches, fatigue, or headache. The CDC 

recommends that women between the ages of 18-50 who receive the Johnson 

and Johnson-Janssen vaccine should be aware of the rare but increased risk of 

thrombocytopenia syndrome. Any individual who feels uncomfortable with this 

risk is recommended to obtain one of the other two vaccine options. 

Vaccine Hesitancy 

Many patients and fellow nurses have questions and concerns about 

these new vaccinations. These apprehensions are valid and may take time to 

overcome. One way to dispel myths and answer questions surrounding these 

vaccines is to provide evidence-based education from trusted sources and then 

let the patient or nurse choose for themselves. 

The process was rushed 

All medications and vaccines must go through an approval process with the 

FDA. All three vaccinations currently approved have undergone this process 

and received emergency use authorization (EUA). This approval does not mean 

that the steps for approval were shortened or skipped; instead, it provides 

approval for widespread use in the pandemic when benefit is demonstrated. 

Scientists were able to accelerate the development of these vaccines 

due to several factors. Scientists shared information between countries and 

between companies in an unprecedented effort to roll out multiple COVID-19 

vaccine options at once. Cooperation occurred in the scientific community 

using methods that were already in progress, such as viral vector and mRNA 

technology, developed for a new purpose. Moreover, governments provided 

funding to help cover costs for the development of vaccines locally and abroad; 

in the United States, this was titled “Operation Warp Speed.” Additionally, 

many volunteers of varying ages and races enrolled in the vaccine trials 

decreasing the time to find participants. Finally, vaccine developers were able 

to move through the phases of vaccine development promptly. Phase 3 trials 

were completed relatively quickly due to the infectious and widespread nature 

of COVID-19, when many participants were exposed, proving effectiveness. All 

of these factors allowed multiple vaccines to be developed in a time of great 

need.


Millions of individuals have received all three 

vaccines with few severe side effects. Extensive 

monitoring continues for each vaccine, which makes 

these vaccines the most scrutinized in recent history. 

During this writing, Johnson and Johnson- Janssen 

vaccine distribution was paused to examine the data 

for six patients who developed blood clots. The pause 

was brief; however, the examination demonstrates 

the ongoing commitment to safety surrounding 

these vaccines. It is understandable for individuals 

to have questions about a strongly recommended 

new therapy. Providing answers and resources 

to individuals who express concerns about the 

unprecedented process may alleviate their concerns. 

I’m healthy and don’t need it 

It is recommended that all individuals receive the 

COVID-19 vaccine when it is available to them. The 

risks associated with COVID-19 are higher than the risk 

associated with any side effects from the vaccine at this 

time, even for those who are young and healthy. Each 

time an individual becomes sick with COVID-19, there is a 

risk of severe disease to themselves and passing it along 

to others around them who can also become seriously 

ill. Vaccination is the safest way to obtain immunity 

to COVID-19 at this time. As more individuals become 

immunized, the virus will have fewer places to spread, 

decreasing overall illness and allowing a return to normal. 

I had COVID and don’t need the vaccine 

Scientists continue to study how long immunity to 

the disease lasts after a COVID-19 infection. While rare, 

it is possible individuals can become re-infected with 

the virus. Individuals who previously had COVID-19 may 

notice some side effects with the first dose of the twodose 

Pfizer or Moderna series; however, most side effects 

remain mild. Each time an individual becomes sick with 

COVID-19, there is a risk of severe disease, long-term 

health effects, and spreading the disease to others who 

can also become significantly ill. 

Conclusion 

Tennessee’s quickest way to emerge from this 

pandemic is through public health measures nurses 

have pioneered for years: vaccinations, handwashing, 

and education. Nurses themselves may have concerns 

and questions about receiving a vaccine after a year of 

difficulty and division. Conversations about COVID-19 

vaccines should be held in a spirit of acceptance and 

inquiry, allowing individuals to ask questions and feel 

comfortable about the choices they are making for 

themselves. Shaming and embarrassing individuals will 

only foster ongoing resistance and suspicion. Instead, 

nurses should focus on the benefits of vaccination: A 

quicker return to normal, protection of patients and 

loved ones, and the ability to gather with others who are 

vaccinated without masks. 

Reference websites for nurses: 

- https://covidvaccinefacts4nurses.org/ 

- https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/ 

vaccine-benefits.html 

- https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-anddiseases/coronavirus/is-the-covid19-vaccine-safe 

References available upon request. 

If This is Nursing, I Do Not Want It! 

Emily Messer, MSN, RN 

Nursing is the most trusted 

profession as voted by the 

public for two decades. What 

an amazing honor! However, 

behind the veil, nursing is known 

to have a culture comparable 

to hazing, and the phrase “eat 

our young” is commonly used. 

Unfortunately, this behavior is 

heaped upon the youngest of our 

profession. A phrase heard many 

times from nursing students is, Emily Messer 

“If this is nursing, I don’t want 

it!” When exploring the motivation for the statement, it is 

never the patients but fellow nurses. 

Students attend clinical, and they are so eager to 

follow a bedside nurse. Many come back with excited 

reports of observing procedures, getting to practice skills, 

and amazing nurses they followed. But, just as often, they 

report having negative clinical experiences because of 

uncivil nurses. 

Incivility is defined by the American Nurses 

Association (ANA) as “one or more rude, discourteous, 

or disrespectful actions that may or may not have a 

negative intent behind them” (2015). Students have 

reported having doors shut on them intentionally, nurses 

rolling their eyes and walking away after a student asks 

a question, being obviously ignored, and being spoken to 

poorly. Often, the student has no idea why they are being 

mistreated and is left wondering what they did wrong. So, 

what is the cause of the nurse’s uncivil behavior, and what 

is fostering the culture of incivility? 

Culture of Incivility 

Cultures develop when any group of people is 

together long enough to develop common practices, 

beliefs, and behaviors. A major contributor to 

developing negative traits is a lack of mutual respect. 

If members of the group are viewed as valuable with 

worthy contributions, that will be reflected in the 

treatment they receive. So often, novice and beginner 

nurses are viewed as noncontributing members of the 

group, and therefore have contentious experiences 

with future colleagues. It is common for this 

treatment to go unreported and simply accepted as 

the status quo. 

One reason not to report is to be accepted. People 

are social creatures, and the desire for belongingness 

is strong. Individuals will tolerate and adopt harmful 

behaviors if the potential result is acceptance (Samson- 

Mojares, 2014). Feeling connected results in improved 

overall well-being, as evidenced by lower rates of 

depression, improved physical health, and a longer 

life span. The inverse of that is true as well, with 

those struggling with isolation demonstrating signs 

of decreased well-being, decreased physical health, 

and higher risks for hastened mortality (Canevello & 

Crocker, 2017). 

According to Evans, another contributor to incivility 

in nursing is prolonged exposure to highly stressful 

work environments (2017). Parts of our profession 

are inherently stressful, which is to be expected when 

caring for individuals during their sickest times. This 

is only exacerbated by increasing patient complexity, 

pandemics, lack of proper supplies and equipment, 

If This is Nursing continued on page 22


If This is Nursing continued from page 21 

and caregiver burnout. This exposure to prolonged stress can have damaging 

effects if corrective mechanisms are not incorporated. 

The trajectory of a career in nursing is comparable to the general adaptation 

model created by Hans Selye in 1950. This model explains the body’s responses 

when exposed to prolonged periods of stress. The three phases of the general 

adaptation model include alarm, resistance, and exhaustion. Please see the image 

on the previous page for further explanation. 

The beginning is where new nurses are on fire for the profession, going to 

work every day driven by the thrill of saving lives. However, this is also the 

time when experience is lacking, and advanced nurses are heavily relied upon. 

If the quest for support is met with incivility, the new nurse enters the alarm 

phase, and the beginning of their career is only made more difficult. 

As the new nurse gains experience, the persistent stress leads to the 

resistance phase, and the nurse accepts the situation as normal. Outward 

displays of the resistance phase include frustration, irritability, and lack of 

focus. Continuing on, the exhaustion phase sets in. Signs and symptoms of the 

exhaustion phase include burnout, fatigue, anxiety, and decreased tolerance. 

Mental health suffers greatly during the exhaustion phase, resulting in lack of 

sleep, lack of self-care, and overall irritability. Now, this is the nurse who is 

being relied upon by the new nurses coming up behind them, and the support 

given is potentially aggressive and derogatory. 

All the aforementioned conclusions could then posit that incivility does not 

result from negative intent but rather a product of emptiness and burnout. So, 

what can be done to promote a civil culture among all levels of nursing? 

How to Combat Incivility 

Changing the norm must start at the beginning of the professional 

experience. As reported by Nickitas, Cynthia Clark recommends integrating 

civility training throughout the nursing curriculum. Suggestions include 

programs that can be purchased, creating scenarios where students can 

role play, developing codes of conduct that include expected behaviors, 

and positively reinforcing and recognizing demonstrations of civility (2014). 

However, this is just the beginning, and this endeavor must be carried into the 

workforce. 

At the bedside, the responsibility of promoting civility falls to the 

institution, management, peers, and self. Cynthia Clark also recommends 

that a commitment to civility be present in the mission, vision, and value 

statements of the institution (Nickitas, 2014). Furthermore, the institution and 

management should provide the following: comprehensive orientations, peer 

mentoring, offering advice and assistance to new nurses, structured positive 

reinforcement from senior/expert peers, offering conflict management 

services, offering civility education to management, and hosting social 

gatherings to promote collegial relationships (Smith, Andrusyszyn, & 

Laschinger, 2010). 

Additionally, peers can respond and support their colleagues in real-time. 

When an occurrence of incivility occurs, the target of the maltreatment can 

say a code word that alerts surrounding peers who can then come and stand 

behind or beside the target to offer support (Evans, 2017). The individual 

can complete assessment tools to aid in self-reflection and evaluation of 

behaviors in stressful moments. (Evans, 2017). According to the ANA position 

statement, all occurrences of incivility should be addressed immediately and 

privately with the offender, reported through the appropriate channels, and 

documented adequately (2015). 

Conclusion 

In conclusion, incivility is plaguing nursing, not from a place of 

maliciousness but from exhaustion. Commitments must be made from all 

levels to combat this issue before any real change can begin. Educators must 

arm the next generation with tools to handle this malady, institutions must 

commit on a global level and a managerial level to provide proper training 

and policies, and nurses must commit to demonstrating professional respect 

toward peers and self-reflection of behaviors. 

References 

American Nurses Association. (2015). Incivility, bullying, and workplace violence. American 

Nurses Publishing. 

Canevello, A., & Crocker, J. (2017). Compassionate goals and affect in social situations. 

Motivation and Emotion, 41(2), 158-179. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11031-016- 

9599-x 

Evans, G. (2017). Training for toxic work culture should start in nursing school: Preparing 

for incivility, bullying, preventing violence. Hospital Employee Health, 36(5), 49–52. 

Samson-Mojares, R. (2014). Rising above the culture of incivility in nursing. Florida Nurse, 

62(4), 16. 

Selye, H. (1950). Stress and the general adaptation syndrome. British medical journal, 

1(4667), 1383–1392. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.1.4667.138 

Smith, L. M., Andrusyszyn, M. A., & Laschinger, H. K. (2010). Effects of workplace incivility 

and empowerment on newly-graduated nurses’ organizational commitment. Journal of 

Nursing Management, 18(8), 1004-1015. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2834.2010.01165.x


Honoring Healthcare Heroes 

Through the Brave of Heart Fund 

Heather Nesle 

President, New York Life Foundation 

Vice President, New York Life Insurance Company 

Heather Nesle is president of the New York Life Foundation, 

the charitable foundation created by New York Life Insurance 

Company. In addition to her Foundation duties, she is 

vice president of New York Life’s Corporate Responsibility 

Department. 

In April 2020, New York Life announced that it has 

partnered with Cigna to launch, through their foundations, 

the Brave of Heart Fund. The Fund provides financial and 

emotional support to the families of healthcare workers 

and volunteers nationwide – including doctors, nurses, 

Heather Nesle 

technicians, orderlies, cafeteria workers, custodians 

– who lost their lives to COVID-19. Please see the FAQs at https://www. 

braveofheartfund.com/faqs for the complete definition of eligible healthcare 

workers. 

The Fund launched with initial contributions of $25 million each from the 

New York Life Foundation and Cigna Foundation. To further support the Fund, 

the New York Life Foundation also provided a dollar-for-dollar match on the first 

$25 million in individual donations received, and Cigna has committed to provide 

behavioral and emotional health support to the families to help them cope with 

grief. 

The Brave of Heart Fund is our way to honor these heroes by doing what New 

York Life and Cigna do best – supporting these individuals and their families with 

financial and emotional support and being there when we are needed most,” said 

Heather Nesle, President of the New York Life Foundation. 

“I think New York Life Chairman and CEO Ted Mathas said it best,” Nesle 

continued, “In tough times, true heroes are revealed. The heroes today are not 

only the courageous and selfless frontline healthcare workers and volunteers 

who, without hesitation and without question, have put themselves in harm’s way 

to help those who desperately need it, but also their families who are living with 

the anxiety and fear of what may happen to their loved ones in the days ahead.’” 

The Fund provides eligible families with initial charitable grants of $15,000 

that seek to provide peace of mind by covering their immediate expenses and 

getting health and wellness services to them quickly. Eligible families of fallen 

healthcare workers will also be able to receive up to an additional $60,000 to 

aid their recovery. Grants will be made subject to a determination of need at 

the discretion of E4E Relief, a subsidiary of the public charity Foundation For 

The Carolinas, working in partnership with New York Life and Cigna. 

All contributions made to the Fund will go to providing monetary grants to 

the loved ones of eligible healthcare workers and volunteers who lost their lives 

battling COVID-19, including spouses, domestic partners, children, and parents. 

In a press release issued by E4E Relief, John Varkey, who recently lost his 

wife, Aleyamma John, a longtime Queens Hospital Center nurse, to COVID-19, 

said: “The generosity of the Brave of Heart Fund during what has been the 

toughest time of my life has made such a difference. I am so grateful to 

everyone who found it in the goodness of their hearts to think of the families of 

the heroes who gave the ultimate sacrifice caring for their fellow humans during 

these unprecedented times.” 

To date, the Fund has disbursed more than 555 grants worth more than 

$12.9 million to families of healthcare workers who lost their lives fighting the 

COVID-19 pandemic. The Fund has processed over 630 applications from 38 

states and 385 unique grantees (many receive both Phase One and Phase Two 

grants). Thirty-five percent of the healthcare worker’s decedents represented in 

the Fund right now are in the nursing profession, and 82 percent of the nurses 

were the primary or the sole income provider in their households. 

It has been reported through various sources that there are nearly 4,000 

U.S. healthcare workers who have died from COVID-related illness, so clearly, 

there are many more families to reach. While we have money to give, we need 

assistance in locating eligible families and getting them information about the 

Fund. 

For more information, please visit braveofheartfund.com, where individuals 

can start the grant process by verifying eligibility to apply for a Brave 

of Heart Fund grant. Additional bereavement resources can be found at 

newyorklifefoundation.org.

Tennessee Nurse - May 2021

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