The Voice of Nursing
The Tennessee Nurses Association (TNA) is the voice for all registered nurses in Tennessee. It is the only full-service organization whose membership is open to any registered nurse licensed to practice. Since its establishment, TNA has remained a powerful force working for the advancement of the professional nurse in order to provide the citizens of this state with quality, cost-effective health care.
TNA History
The formation of TNA in 1905 began with the drive to develop and pass a law to regulate nursing practice. The first bill was introduced in 1907 but was defeated. In 1909, a second attempt was made to pass a bill and it was once again defeated. But, on February 14, 1911, after much tenacious lobbying by TNA members across Tennessee, the first nurse practice act became law.
Today, the nurse practice act regulates nursing and protects the public from unsafe nursing practice. The law includes a clear definition of professional nursing practice and necessary educational qualifications a registered nurse must have in order to practice. It also outlines the criteria schools of nursing must meet in order to gain approval by the Board of Nursing to educate registered nurses. TNA continually updates the nurse practice act to reflect the changing role of the registered nurse.
Click HERE for Today’s Nurse Practice Act in HTML
Click HERE for Today’s Nurse Practice Act as an Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) file.
Representation
TNA is governed by a Board of Directors and a House of Delegates elected by members of its 11 local districts. All district presidents serve on the Board, along with five officers. TNA is a constituent of the American Nurses Association (ANA) which represents the nation’s 2.7 million RNs. TNA is represented in the ANA House of Delegates by nine delegates elected by the TNA membership biennially.
Professional Watchdog
TNA and ANA actively promote the profession and serve as advocates for registered nurses. TNA and ANA also serve as watchdogs for the profession by continual involvement in local, state, and national governmental affairs, including a full-time lobbying presence at the Tennessee Legislature and the U.S. Congress. Members, upon recommendation by TNA, are appointed to serve on policy-making boards and commissions at all levels of government.
Continuing Education
TNA is committed to providing a well-rounded selection of continuing education activities that meet the needs for professional development of registered nurses throughout the state. TNA is accredited by the American Nurses Credentialing Center as a provider and approver of continuing nursing education. TNA contact hours are recognized broadly by certifying bodies of nursing specialties. TNA presents a variety of statewide educational conferences, a Spring Health Policy Summit, and a convention each calendar year. TNA members always receive contact hours at reduced fees.
Advocacy
The Tennessee Nurses Foundation (TNF) is a nonprofit organization founded in 1982 to support programs to meet the special needs of nurses in Tennessee. TNF’s programs include professional assistance, education, research, promotion of nursing and leadership development.
TNF houses a Memorial Education Loan Program providing low interest loans to TNA members who wish to further their education.
TNF’s Leadership Nursing Tennessee Scholarship Program is designed to cultivate and mentor nursing leaders across the state. After the applicant identifies an appropriate leadership program, the next step is to complete TNF’s scholarship application.
TNF administers the Tennessee Nurses Professional Assistance Program (TNPAP). This program offers a voluntary, individualized program for chemically dependent and psychologically or physiologically impaired nurses. The Professional Assistance Program provides advocacy, referral, and monitoring services to nurses and other healthcare professionals throughout Tennessee.
Cutting-Edge Information
Members of TNA are also members of a local district association. And, TNA is a constituent member of ANA and is thereby able to jointly provide well over 100 benefits and services for members, including free subscriptions to the American Nurse, the Tennessee Nurse, and the American Journal of Nursing. TNA offers a credit card program, discounts on national certification programs, and a wide variety of group insurance programs, including professional and personal liability.
Networking
TNA provides many opportunities for networking. In addition to continuing education activities throughout the year and specialized Listservs (Advanced Practice Nurses, Forensic Nursing and School Health), members enjoy the opportunity to network with others from within their local nursing communities at TNA district meetings.
The Strength of Nursing
More than a decade of research demonstrates that when there are more registered nurses working in hospitals, there are lower mortality rates, shorter lengths of stay, fewer complications, and even lower costs.
TNA will continue to work for professional nurses to help ensure that consumers receive quality, cost-effective health care and that nursing continues to speak with one strong voice. To join TNA and have a voice in these professional and political arenas, call 615/254-0350 and sign up today.
