For more than 120 years, the Tennessee Nurses Association (TNA) has served as the professional home for registered nurses across the Volunteer State. Founded in 1905, TNA is the oldest and most established nursing organization in Tennessee, functioning as the state’s constituent member of the American Nurses Association (ANA) — the largest professional organization representing registered nurses in the United States. From its earliest days lobbying for landmark nursing legislation to its modern-day advocacy work in the Tennessee General Assembly, TNA has remained a consistent and powerful force in shaping the nursing profession and improving healthcare across the state.
TNA conducts and shares nursing research to keep members informed about workforce trends, patient outcomes, and the evolving landscape of nursing practice in Tennessee.
TNA’s Ongoing Role in Shaping the Nurse Practice Act
While TNA’s greatest legislative triumph was securing the original Nurse Practice Act in 1911, the organization’s work in this area has never truly ended. Nursing practice evolves continuously as medical science advances, care delivery models shift, and new challenges emerge. TNA works actively to ensure that Tennessee’s Nurse Practice Act is regularly updated to reflect current, evidence-based practice standards for registered nurses.
An outdated Nurse Practice Act can restrict nurses from delivering the full scope of care they are trained and qualified to provide, create legal ambiguity around emerging care delivery models, and leave the public inadequately protected from unsafe practice. By staying engaged in the legislative process year after year, TNA ensures that Tennessee’s regulatory framework keeps pace with the realities of modern nursing.
Conclusion
The Tennessee Nurses Association stands as a testament to what organized, persistent professional advocacy can achieve. From its founding in 1905 — when a group of determined nurses came together to bring regulatory standards to their profession — to its 120th anniversary in 2025, TNA has never wavered from its core mission: to promote and protect registered nurses and to advance the practice of nursing for a healthier Tennessee.
Through its democratic governance structure, legislative advocacy, political action committee, Tennessee Nurses Foundation, continuing education programming, and robust membership benefits, TNA provides registered nurses with the tools, community, and collective power they need to thrive professionally and drive meaningful change in healthcare. With over 100,000 RNs practicing in Tennessee — and a national ANA network of more than 4.4 million — the case for professional unity through TNA has never been stronger. For any RN practicing in the Volunteer State, membership in TNA is more than an organizational affiliation: it is an investment in the profession, in patients, and in the future of healthcare across Tennessee.
Whether you are a nursing student preparing to enter the workforce, an experienced RN seeking professional development, or simply someone interested in how the nursing profession organizes itself at the state level, understanding TNA’s mission, structure, history, and membership benefits provides valuable insight into how nurses advocate for themselves — and for their patients.
A History of the Tennessee Nurses Association
The Tennessee Nurses Association was established in 1905, during a period of rapid growth and transformation in American healthcare. At the turn of the twentieth century, nursing was largely an unregulated occupation. Anyone could call themselves a nurse regardless of training or competence, creating significant risks for the public. A group of dedicated Tennessee nurses came together with a clear purpose: to professionalize nursing, standardize education, and protect both the public and the nursing profession through formal regulation.
From its founding, TNA directed much of its energy toward a single legislative goal — the passage of a Nurse Practice Act for the state of Tennessee. This effort, while ultimately successful, was anything but easy.
The Fight for the Nurse Practice Act: 1907–1911
The road to nursing regulation in Tennessee required extraordinary persistence. TNA members introduced their first legislative bill in 1907, but it was defeated. Undeterred, they returned in 1909 with a second attempt — which was also defeated. On their third effort, TNA members lobbied intensively throughout the state, and on February 14, 1911, their work finally paid off: Tennessee’s first Nurse Practice Act was signed into law.
This milestone was monumental. The Nurse Practice Act established legal definitions of professional nursing, set minimum educational qualifications for those wishing to practice nursing in Tennessee, and outlined criteria that nursing schools were required to meet to receive approval from the State Board of Nursing. In one sweeping piece of legislation, TNA had transformed nursing from an unregulated occupation into a licensed profession — a victory that continues to protect Tennessee patients and nurses to this day.
Key Historical Milestones
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1905 | Tennessee Nurses Association formally established |
| 1907 | First Nurse Practice Act bill introduced — defeated in the legislature |
| 1909 | Second Nurse Practice Act bill introduced — again defeated |
| 1911 | Third effort succeeds: Tennessee’s first Nurse Practice Act signed into law on February 14 |
| 1982 | Tennessee Nurses Foundation (TNF) established to support nursing programs and education |
| 2025 | TNA celebrates its 120th anniversary; annual conference held in Jackson, TN |
Growth Through the Decades
Over the following century, TNA continued to evolve alongside the nursing profession itself. As healthcare grew more complex, TNA broadened its work to encompass continuing education, political advocacy, research, workforce development, and community health initiatives. In 1982, the organization established the Tennessee Nurses Foundation (TNF), a separate philanthropic arm designed to support programs benefiting TNA members, nurses statewide, and nursing students. TNF has since become a key vehicle for scholarships, mentoring resources, and innovation grants that strengthen the nursing pipeline across Tennessee.
In recent years, TNA has modernized its governance and operations, updating its bylaws to enhance member engagement, partnering with a professional management company (NGAGE), and retaining a contract lobbyist to amplify nurses’ voices in the Tennessee General Assembly. As TNA celebrated its 120th anniversary in 2025, it did so as a leaner, more agile, and more politically engaged organization than ever before.
TNA’s Mission and Core Purpose
The mission of the Tennessee Nurses Association is clearly defined and member-centered. According to TNA’s governing documents, the organization exists:
“…to promote and protect the registered nurse and to advance the practice of nursing in order to assure a healthier Tennessee.”
This mission statement reflects three interconnected priorities that guide TNA’s work across all programs and activities:
- Promoting registered nurses — raising the visibility, status, and professional recognition of RNs throughout Tennessee and beyond.
- Protecting registered nurses — defending nurses’ legal rights, scope of practice, and workplace conditions through legislation, advocacy, and legal support.
- Advancing the practice of nursing — ensuring that nursing care in Tennessee reflects current evidence-based standards, that the workforce remains educated and competent, and that the profession continues to grow and evolve.
These three pillars translate into concrete action: lobbying at the Tennessee State Capitol, offering continuing education programs, publishing clinical and professional resources, and providing nurses with the tools they need to deliver safe, high-quality patient care.
Governance and Organizational Structure
TNA is governed through a democratic structure that gives members a direct voice in the association’s direction and decisions.
Board of Directors
The Board of Directors serves as the corporate body of TNA. It is composed of the association’s elected officers — including the President and President-Elect — as well as Directors elected from among the membership. The Board holds the authority delegated to it by the Membership Assembly and acts on behalf of the full membership in the intervals between Assembly meetings. It sets organizational priorities, oversees financial management, and guides TNA’s strategic direction.
Membership Assembly
The Membership Assembly (MA) is TNA’s primary legislative and deliberative body. It convenes annually and provides the formal mechanism through which members establish policy, pass resolutions, and elect leadership. The Membership Assembly ensures that TNA remains accountable to the nurses it represents.
Geographic Districts
TNA has divided the state of Tennessee into geographic districts, generally organized around sets of counties. This district structure ensures that nurses across all regions of the state — from Memphis and Nashville to Knoxville and the rural communities in between — have local representation within the broader organization. District associations provide local networking, professional development opportunities, and advocacy at the community level.
ANA Representation
As Tennessee’s official constituent member of the American Nurses Association, TNA also elects representatives to the ANA’s House of Delegates — the national body that sets policy for the nursing profession across the United States. This connection gives Tennessee nurses a direct pathway to influence national healthcare policy and legislation, extending the reach of TNA’s advocacy far beyond state borders.
TNA Membership: Who Can Join and How
TNA membership is open to registered nurses (RNs) licensed in the state of Tennessee. With over 100,000 RNs practicing in the state, TNA represents a significant opportunity for nurses across every specialty, clinical setting, and career stage to unite under a common professional banner.
Membership Types
TNA offers two primary membership pathways, allowing nurses to choose the level of engagement and benefits that best fits their professional needs:
| Membership Type | Includes | Voting Rights | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Joint Membership (TNA & ANA) | Full TNA membership + full ANA membership and benefits | Voting member of both TNA and ANA | Varies (set by ANA; includes TNA component) |
| TNA State-Only Membership | TNA and district association membership only; does not include ANA | Full voting member of TNA | $199/year or $17.09/month (automatic draft) |
Nurses who choose the Joint Membership gain access to the combined resources of both TNA and ANA — including ANA’s vast library of clinical resources, career tools, national advocacy representation, and a professional network of over 4.4 million nurses across the country. Those who opt for the State-Only membership receive all TNA-level benefits and retain full voting membership within TNA, but are not ANA members.
Member Benefits
TNA membership delivers a broad range of professional, educational, and financial benefits:
- Legislative updates — Members receive timely email alerts and updates about legislative issues directly affecting nurses and healthcare in Tennessee.
- TNA News Express newsletter — A free members-only publication keeping nurses informed on organizational news, advocacy developments, and professional opportunities.
- Tennessee Nurse journal — Access to TNA’s official journal, featuring clinical articles, policy updates, and professional development content.
- Continuing education discounts — Reduced registration fees for TNA-sponsored CE events, including in-person conferences and online modules.
- Navigate Nursing webinars — A monthly free webinar series on topics ranging from clinical practice to leadership and policy.
- Members-only online resources — A dedicated section of the TNA website with tools, toolkits, research surveys, and advocacy resources.
- Career Center access — Job listings and career development resources through both the TNA and ANA career portals.
- ANA Leadership Institute (Joint members only) — Structured leadership development programming through the American Nurses Association.
- Affinity program discounts — Substantial savings on professional liability insurance, certification and accreditation exams, continuing education, and partner services.
- Networking opportunities — Connections with nurses across Tennessee and nationally through district associations, committees, and the annual conference.
- Leadership development — Opportunities to build leadership skills through elected positions, committee service, and advocacy work.
Advocacy and Political Action
One of TNA’s most critical functions is its ongoing advocacy work at the Tennessee State Capitol. Every legislative session, TNA monitors proposed legislation that could directly affect nursing practice, nursing education, and healthcare services throughout the state. TNA’s Government Affairs & Programs team works to ensure that nurses’ voices are heard and respected by legislators and policymakers, regardless of which party holds power.
TNA’s philosophy is straightforward: decisions made in the state legislature have real consequences for nurses and their patients, and nurses cannot afford to be passive bystanders in the political process. TNA provides members with an Advocacy Programs & Toolbox — a set of resources that equips nurses to engage with their elected officials effectively, communicate professional concerns with clarity, and participate in the political process with confidence.
TN Nurses Political Action Committee (PAC)
Alongside its general advocacy work, TNA oversees the TN Nurses PAC — a voluntary, unincorporated political action committee focused specifically on electoral and candidate-level engagement. The PAC is a separate entity from TNA and is not affiliated with any political party. Its core activities include:
- Educating and assisting nurses at all levels in understanding and participating in the political process
- Identifying and supporting nurse candidates who seek elected state office
- Interviewing and endorsing candidates for Tennessee state office who demonstrate meaningful support for nursing and healthcare legislation
- Raising and distributing funds to support endorsed candidates
Membership in the PAC is open to any nurse or healthcare supporter who makes a voluntary contribution. The PAC Board of Trustees, together with TNA’s contract lobbyist and government affairs committee, evaluates candidates carefully based on their positions on nursing and healthcare issues — not their party affiliation.
The Tennessee Nurses Foundation
Established in 1982, the Tennessee Nurses Foundation (TNF) is the philanthropic arm of the Tennessee Nurses Association. TNF was created to provide a formal mechanism for supporting programs that benefit TNA members, nurses throughout Tennessee, and nursing students entering the profession.
Among TNF’s most significant contributions to the profession is its Nurse Mentoring Toolkit, which is made available to hospitals and nursing schools statewide. This resource helps healthcare organizations build structured mentoring programs that support new graduates through the difficult transition into clinical practice, improve nurse retention, and develop the next generation of nursing leaders.
TNF also awards Innovation Grants to support creative solutions to healthcare and nursing challenges in Tennessee. Community fundraising events such as the TNF 5K help raise funds for the Foundation’s ongoing programs. Proceeds from TNF activities — including book sales such as A 100 Year History of the Tennessee Nurses Association — are directed back into programs that advance TNA’s mission.
Education and Professional Development
TNA is committed to the lifelong learning and professional growth of its members. Key educational offerings include:
- Annual Conference & Membership Assembly — TNA’s signature event, bringing together nurses from across Tennessee for educational sessions, keynote speakers, professional networking, and organizational business. The 2025 conference, held in Jackson, TN, coincided with TNA’s 120th anniversary.
- Nurse Educators Institute — A specialized program designed for nurses working in educational roles, addressing curriculum development, teaching strategies, and the evolving demands of nursing education.
- Leadership Summit — An annual program focused on building leadership capacity in nurses at every career stage.
- Navigate Nursing Webinars — A monthly free webinar series available to all TNA members, covering clinical, professional, and policy topics.
- Delegation in Nursing Practice — Specialized education on the legal and ethical dimensions of nurse delegation, a critical competency for RNs supervising unlicensed assistive personnel.
- Nursing Research Surveys —