I Am TNAby Shayla Green, MSN, RN
I am a Clinical Director of a 48-bed Med-Surg unit at Methodist LeBonheur Healthcare, University Hospital in Memphis, Tenn., and I am TNA.
TNA membership means I have made a commitment to the nursing profession to protect our practice and our patients. TNA means having legislative influence on the decisions that are being made on the state and national level that affect my practice and my profession daily.
The clinical director role is full of challenges and opportunities for professional growth. Mastering the challenges and maximizing every learning opportunity will keep me busy for awhile. I plan to remain in this role for the next several years to gain as much experience as possible.
I became a nurse in 2003 after I received my BSN from the University of Memphis. I practiced at LeBonheur Children’s Hospital while getting my MSN in Nursing Administration from the University of Memphis. Once I have had the opportunity to learn and grow in my current role, I plan to pursue a DNSc in Administration from the University of Tennessee, Memphis.
Imagine a world in which any military member could be granted an opportunity to take nursing boards and practice along side of you after successful completion–without ever receiving didactic or clinical instruction found only in nursing school….Imagine a world in which you did not have a Board of Nursing governing your practice, but instead your practice was governed by the Medical Board….Imagine a world where the nursing shortage was “fixed” by giving medical assistants more responsibilities and tasks to do without any critical thinking training….If you can imagine this world, then this is the world without TNA. The Tennessee Nurses Association is our voice and our protection for the future.
Now imagine a world, where every nurse that earned an RN license became an active member of TNA. In that world, nurses would have the strongest professional voice in healthcare!
My story is simple, I became a Registered Nurse because it gives me an opportunity to do what I love most–help and take care of people. I strongly believe that this is God’s purpose for my life. It is His will that I serve Him and what better way than by helping others and sharing His love.
My commitment and support of TNA will never waiver. TNA is my legislative voice that keeps us in the forefront, and without a voice, we become vulnerable and fade into the background.
My story is my passion…my passion is nursing.