Indiana State Nurses Association

06/18/2026

The ANA Dialogue Forum is an opportunity for ANA members to help shape the future of nursing by discussing and providing feedback on issues that impact our profession.

Our ISNA delegates will soon (June 26th) be representing Indiana nurses in these important conversations, and we want to hear from you! If there is a topic, concern, or issue you would like our delegates to bring forward during the ANA Dialogue Forum, please share your thoughts with us.

Dialogue Forum #1: Establishing a National Framework for the Prevention Reporting Accountability of Incivility Bullying Across Nursing Education Practice Settings
Presenters: Erik Carter, PhD, MS, APRN-ACNS, CCRN-A PHN; Nicole Demeter, DNP, APRN-CNM, FACNM, CNE; Stefan Smolenski, DNP, APRN-AGPCNP-BC
https://www.nursingworld.org/globalassets/ana/leadership--governance/ma/2026/dfbackgrounddoc-establishing-a-national-framework-for-the-prevention-reporting.pdf

Dialogue Forum #2: Nurses Leading Health Care Sustainability
Presenters: Joan Widmer, MS, MSBA, RN CEN, and Michelle Bouchard, MPH, BSN, RNC-NIC
https://www.nursingworld.org/globalassets/ana/leadership--governance/ma/2026/dfbackgrounddoc-nurses-leading-healthcare-sustainability.pdf

Dialogue Forum #3: Integrating Cannabis Nursing Competencies Through Education and Policy to Advance Patient Safety and Compassionate Care in Practice
Presenters: Deanna Collins Sommers, PhD, MSN, RN, Janice Putnam, PhD, RN, and Llewellyn Dawn Smith, MSN, RN, CNEcl
https://www.nursingworld.org/globalassets/ana/leadership--governance/ma/2026/dfbackgrounddoc-integrating-cannabis-nursing-competencies-through-education.pdf

06/17/2026

New Religious Exemption Option for Student Vaccinations Begins July 1

As nursing program administrators connect with clinical and community partners regarding these changes, we encourage you to share any barriers or implementation challenges with ISNA. Your feedback will help inform future advocacy efforts and identify issues that may need to be addressed during upcoming legislative sessions.

06/16/2026

How are you sleeping?

Stress in healthcare rarely announces itself clearly. It shows up in shorter patience, disrupted sleep, difficulty focusing, or a sense of disconnect from work that once felt meaningful. Many nurses continue to function at a high level while these signs are building, often without recognizing how close they are to being overwhelmed.

In Session 3 of A Safer Tomorrow, we will explore how to identify these patterns early and what practical coping strategies look like in real life. Recognizing your own “clinical vitals” is a critical step in maintaining both personal wellbeing and professional sustainability. Join us as we Identify Your Warning Signs and Coping Strategies June 25th at 4:00 (virtual).

Reserve your seat here: https://indiananurses.nursingnetwork.com/nursing-events/151809-identify-your-warnings-signs-and-coping-strategies #!info

06/15/2026

LGBTQ+ people have made significant and enduring contributions to the nursing profession, shaping not only patient care but also advocacy, education, and the broader culture of healthcare. Historically, many LGBTQ+ nurses worked in environments where they faced discrimination or were forced to conceal their identities, yet they remained deeply committed to patient-centered care. Even in these challenging circumstances, they fostered networks of mutual support and eventually helped create professional organizations that advocated for equity and inclusion in healthcare settings.

One of the most influential periods highlighting LGBTQ+ nurses’ contributions was the HIV/AIDS epidemic of the 1980s. During this time, stigma and fear led many healthcare providers to avoid caring for affected individuals. LGBTQ+ nurses, however, were central figures in delivering compassionate care and advocating for dignity and humane treatment. Bobbi Campbell, a nurse and one of the first individuals to publicly disclose an AIDS diagnosis, became a powerful advocate for patients and awareness efforts.

Nurse educators and advocates such as Chris Pappas have focused on integrating LGBTQ+ health issues into nursing curricula, ensuring that future nurses are prepared to care for diverse populations with competence and sensitivity. Broader activism by LGBTQ+ figures—including Barbara Gittings—also influenced healthcare by challenging the classification of homosexuality as a mental illness, ultimately transforming how LGBTQ+ patients are perceived and treated within clinical settings.

Evidence shows that healthcare environments with inclusive policies not only support LGBTQ+ staff but also improve nurse satisfaction, reduce burnout, and enhance patient care quality overall. LGBTQ+ nurses continue to advocate for policy changes, equitable treatment, and the elimination of health disparities affecting their communities. In doing so, they are not only advancing the nursing profession but also reinforcing its foundational ethical commitment to dignity, respect, and compassionate care for all individuals.

06/09/2026

Congrats to the 2026 Indiana Nurses of Influence!

The Indiana Nurses Foundation (INF) proudly announces Indiana’s 2026 Nurses of Influence Awardees and Nominees, an esteemed group of peer-nominated nurses recognized by their colleagues for exceptional contributions to the nursing profession and the health of Hoosiers across the state.

These influential nurses exemplify the core values of nursing—human dignity, integrity, autonomy, altruism, and social justice. Through leadership, advocacy, mentorship, and innovation, each nominee has made a lasting impact on patient care, strengthened the nursing workforce, and helped shape the future of the profession in Indiana.

The 2026 honorees represent excellence across diverse practice settings and career paths. Their dedication to advancing quality care, mentoring the next generation of nurses, and championing professional standards ensures a strong and enduring legacy for nursing in Indiana.

Since 1976, the Indiana Nurses Foundation has supported and strengthened nursing practice through philanthropy, funding research, quality improvement initiatives, and professional development opportunities. INF remains committed to advancing nursing leadership, advocacy, and community—today and for generations to come.

INF celebrated the top three Nurses of Influence award recipients with surprise visits that included sweet treats, flower bouquets, and a giant (faux) check—an unforgettable highlight of the celebration and a favorite moment for recipients and colleagues alike.

Please join us in congratulating the 2026 Nurses of Influence Award winners and nominees. Their passion, expertise, and unwavering commitment to excellence continue to inspire the nursing profession and communities throughout Indiana.

06/09/2026

This envelope from 1961 features the ANA logo, which includes a burning lamp. This earlier iteration of our iconic flame logo represents the unwavering passion and transformative power of nurses, igniting change and guiding healthcare with enduring commitment.

Join us in looking back on 130 years of ANA and celebrating The Power of Nurses™—then and now:
https://www.nursingworld.org/ana/about-ana/history/

06/08/2026

The Indiana State Board of Nursing brings together nurses and public representatives to ensure safe, high-quality healthcare for all Hoosiers. The Governor of Indiana is seeking a Consumer Member to serve on the Indiana State Board of Nursing.

Submission Form: https://form.jotform.com/251144598580059

06/05/2026

Shawn Keep, MSN, RN, is a dedicated nursing leader committed to strengthening the quality of nursing education. As the Education Compliance Officer for the Indiana State Board of Nursing, she conducts comprehensive site visits to nursing programs state-wide, ensuring that they meet rigorous education standards and are preparing students for real-world practice.

With 25 years of experience in surgical care and nursing management, Shawn brings a seasoned clinical perspective to her regulatory and education work. Mentorship has been a constant thread throughout her career. Whether she is teaching as an adjunct professor, guiding early career nurses, or shaping state-wide education policy, she is passionate about supporting the next generation of nursing professionals.

Outside of her professional roles, Shawn enjoys staying active at her home in Plainfield and enjoying time with her family, especially her two grandchildren.

Thank you, Shawn, for all you to do to support future nurses in Indiana!

06/05/2026

Congratulations to Dr. Jennifer Embree! ✨

SLACK is excited to welcome Jennifer Embree, DNP, RN, NE-BC, CCNS, FAAN, she/her/hers as our new Deputy Editor for JCEN! 👏

06/04/2026

The ISNA Board of Directors has recently revised its Staffing Statement to reflect the evolving realities of today’s healthcare environment and to reaffirm our commitment to safe, high-quality patient care. This update reinforces ISNA’s position that appropriate staffing is essential not only for patient outcomes, but also for the safety, well-being, and retention of nurses across Indiana.

The revised statement emphasizes the importance of evidence-based staffing decisions, nurse involvement in staffing plans, and organizational accountability in creating sustainable work environments. It also highlights the critical role of nurses’ voices in shaping policies that impact practice at the bedside and beyond.

We encourage all ISNA members to actively use this statement—in conversations with leadership, in shared governance councils, and in advocacy efforts at both the state and local levels. This is a tool designed to support you. By bringing it forward, referencing it in discussions, and aligning it with your practice environment, you help strengthen our collective voice and drive meaningful change.

Together, we can ensure that staffing decisions prioritize both patient safety and the health of the nursing workforce—and that nurses across Indiana are empowered to speak up, be heard, and lead.