TNA PRESIDENT'S NOTE
TEXAS NURSES ASSOCIATION
A Century of Transformation
Amy McCarthy DNP, RNC-MNN, NE-BC, CENP
President, Texas Nurses Association
DEAR TEXAS NURSES,
As we celebrate more than a century of Texas Nursing, it’s remarkable to reflect on the last 100 years of our profession in the state. So much has changed—our knowledge, our technology, our scope of practice—but the spirit of Texas nursing remains as strong and steadfast as ever.
When I think about where we began, I’m reminded of the early 1900s, when Texas nurses worked in small community hospitals or private homes, providing bedside care and public health support during epidemics such as tuberculosis and polio. Over time, the role of the nurse expanded dramatically, and it continues to evolve—especially now, in the age of artificial intelligence and rapid technological change. I firmly believe that the next decade will bring transformations we can scarcely imagine today.
The creation of Texas’s first baccalaureate nursing programs in the mid-20th century—and later, the establishment of nurse practitioner and DNP programs—advanced nursing into a profession grounded in both art and science. Yet one thing has never changed: Texas nurses have always been the backbone of patient care, advocating for safety, dignity, and access in every era.
I firmly believe that the next decade will bring transformations we can scarcely imagine today.
Throughout our history, Texas nurses have stood on the frontlines of every major health crisis—from the 1918 influenza pandemic to COVID-19. The 1950s brought mass polio vaccination campaigns led by public health nurses; the 1980s demanded courage and compassion in the face of the AIDS epidemic; and more recently, nurses have been vital to disaster relief during hurricanes, snowstorms, and other emergencies. Every generation of Texas nurses has faced its own challenges, but our courage and sense of duty have never wavered.
Education, too, has evolved. Once centered in hospital-based diploma programs focused on bedside skills, nursing education in Texas now incorporates research, technology, leadership, and population health. Our state is home to some of the nation’s most respected BSN and DNP programs, while the Texas Board of Nursing, established in 1909, continues to shape the standards for safe and competent practice. Still, some challenges persist—faculty and clinical staff shortages, rural access to education and care, and better protections for the profession remind us that the work of progress is never finished.
Policy and advocacy have always been central to who we are as Texas nurses. From creating the original Nurse-Friendly Program—now known nationally as Pathways to Excellence—to securing safe harbor protections, peer review processes, whistleblower rights, and workplace violence legislation, Texas nurses have led the way. Most recently, we’ve advanced safe staffing legislation, ensuring nurses have a voice in staffing decisions that impact patient care.
Despite a century of transformation, the essence of Texas nursing endures. Whether in 1925 or 2025, we are defined by resilience, compassion, and innovation. From the halls of Congress to border clinics and academic centers, our mission continues to revolve around these actions: to care, to teach, to lead, and to speak for those who cannot.
As your President, I am profoundly proud of the work the Texas Nurses Association has done—and continues to do—to support, protect, and champion Texas nurses. The tools and titles may have changed, but the spirit of Texas nursing—independent, inventive, and unyielding remain the same. Here’s to the next 100 years of leadership, advocacy, and excellence in nursing! TN
