I Am TNA
by Laurie Acred-Natelson, MSN, RN, CNAA, BC
Nursing Collaborative Liaison, Tennessee Organization of Nurse Executives
Only through the strong recommendation of a new and refreshing acquaintance at the University of Tennessee at Martin in West Tennessee did I embark on what would be a versatile and rewarding profession–Nursing. The year was 1972. I had always enjoyed the sciences during high school, yet simply had never entertained the idea of a healthcare career.
My inspiration to become an architect changed when my college colleague became a true mentor as I watched her caring for people, not only those in institutionalized settings, but persons that she encountered in everyday life. The realization that perhaps I could have a similar impact in the lives of people was an exciting revelation. Much unlike today, there was considerably less competition to achieve a first-pass admission to nursing school, and the next day I was in the nursing classroom learning anatomy and physiology. I was making a rewarding investment that would lead me to unconditionally enjoy what I do everyday. One of the most important things that nursing has taught me is that no matter what you do in life, you can apply nursing knowledge, skills, and societal interactions.
What I have learned is that when you encounter a zone of “discomfort” you can do your best work when you are challenged to do what seems to be impossible. As a nursing superior once said, “when you get comfortable in your job, you should be looking for another one.” That was over 25 years ago, and I shall never forget. That comment made a significant impact on me and the choices that I would make subsequently. My goal was to thwart mediocrity and maximize the resources within my control. After serving as critical care educator and nursing director for critical care/specialty services, I returned to school to obtain a master’s degree in nursing with a concentration in health systems’ management. This process was fulfilling, as I was able to network with professionals of similar backgrounds from across our state and beyond. Since that time, I have served as medical/surgical director at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center in Knoxville and most recently focused on growth of the neuroscience service line.
With the reality of budget cuts looming in our state, schools of nursing will not be exempt unless we raise community awareness and actively intervene. We must position ourselves to become more active in public discussion to prevent further hindrances to the attraction and education of high-quality nursing students. We cannot afford a decrease in the number of nurses. We have already been faced with the reality of a deficit in qualified faculty and sound decisions must be made to accommodate the needs of our demanding healthcare future. I have been a member of the Tennessee Nurses Association (TNA) since 1990 and am kept abreast of nursing trends and tribulations in our state and country through the various publications and venues offered through the outstanding efforts of this organization. There is an abundance of opportunities made available through membership in TNA including and not limited to, nursing partnerships, collaboratives toward common goals, legislative news and contacts, career center resources, volunteer activities, and new knowledge and innovations to assure that we are practicing in congruence with patient safety initiatives. Just surf www.tnaonline.org and you will see the breath of possibilities including timely issues in nursing practice that can impact your ability to have an informed voice in support of our profession. Nursing in Tennessee has considerable diversity from the Mississippi River west to the Appalachian Mountains east, with each area possessing unique strengths and opportunities toward provisions for high-quality, efficient, and effective healthcare deliveries for each individual population.
I am privileged to have a supportive family, including parents who continue to live in my West Tennessee birthplace town of Dyersburg who operate a family shoe store and working farm. My favorite extracurricular activities include fishing and bicycling. My sister and I enjoyed “catching the limit on redfish” during a recent Florida vacation. My husband and I monitor the evolution of growing vegetables and he is always providing interesting recipes for me to experiment on him. Yes, I am TNA.