I Am TNA
by Edna Mason, RN
It was 1946 when a 14-year-old girl felt the call to become a nurse. I had never been inside a hospital until I was 13. A neighbor had fallen off of a ladder and broken his neck. When I visited him, the sight of that dear man gasping for breath inside a giant O2 tent did not frighten me.
I was monitor in my physics class at Knoxville High School, when my teacher asked me if I had plans to attend college. I told him I wanted to attend Carson-Newman, or Baptist Hospital Nursing School, but we did not have the finances. He leaned back in his chair and asked, “have you heard of Berea College in Berea, Ky., where everyone works their way through school?” So, with his help, I applied and was accepted in the 1950 class. I graduated with a diploma in 1953.
Because I was active in the Kentucky Student Nurses Association, I knew that I wanted a BSN in Nursing, so I attended some extra classes. It was in Kentucky that I perceived the importance of belonging to the American Nurses Association. After graduation, I worked at Good Samaritan Hospital for two years. It was there I was initiated into the real world of going from student nurse to RN. In 1955, I married my first husband, and we moved back to Berea, where I again worked in Berea College Hospital–much smaller than Good Samaritan. In 1956, when I was pregnant with our first child, Janet (who now is a critical care RN), I was privileged to be nominated to go to Chicago, Ill. It was my first experience as a Delegate of a convention. While there, I attended the world premiere of the movie Oklahoma.
The ANA Convention gave me a delightful taste of desiring to support staff nurses. In 1956, we moved to Mt. Vernon, Ky., where I worked in Rockcastle County Baptist Hospital. We only had about 23 beds, but we did everything. It was before I-75 was completed, and we were like an emergency center, until we could send patients on to the larger hospitals. I continued to be active in KNA. Our other two children, Vanessa and Doug, were born there.
In December of 1961, we moved back to my hometown, Knoxville. In January 1962, I began working at Fort Sanders Presbyterian Hospital (now FSRMC). I started on the medical unit, later worked ER for five years, then the surgery unit. When two orthopedic units were opened, I was asked to be Head Nurse on one of the units. I stayed on orthopedics for seven years. I continued active in the local TNA District 2, as I had joined in 1962. I was Chair of the General Duty Section for several terms. Later, I was District 2 Treasurer for about eight years. Attending the TNA convention as a State delegate showed me the need to support our association, even though I did not always agree with all of the policies. TNA keeps me updated on important legislation that affects all nurses.
During the early 60s, I attended UT classes to get a degree in Industrial Education. I was a Junior, when events in my life prevented my obtaining my desired degree. When the neuroscience unit opened, I chose to work on that unit as a staff nurse. The head nurse positions were eliminated. I stayed on Neuro until 2007, when I retired fulltime.
I have been nominated and gratefully honored with numerous awards over the years including Employee of the Month, TNA Staff Nurse of the Year (1992) and TNA District 2 Hall of Fame (2007). In 1992, I was nominated and chosen to receive the first Kellifer Award for an RN given by the Medical Staff.
When I retired, a position opened in NSY EDU to teach new hires phlebotomy. I was delighted to accept. I also do audits and help teach as needed. I work 4-hour shifts occasionally at St. Mary's Residential Hospice. It has been my privilege to pray with many patients, families, and employees over the years.
When I remarried in 1979, I married a man that loves nurses and attending our TNA Conventions and local meetings. One year, he received an “Honorary Nurse” plaque!!
In conclusion, I continue to see the need to continue recruiting new and experienced nurses to belong to TNA/ANA. I am TNA.