Voices from the Nursing Frontline

Motivating Nurses Through Patient Care with Tiffany Street and host, Dr. Lisa Beasley

In this conversation, Dr. Tiffany Street shares her journey through nursing, leadership, and clinical practice at Vanderbilt Heart and Vascular Institute. She currently serves as the Associate Nursing Officer and continues to practice as an acute care nurse practitioner in vascular surgery, a specialty she has loved since 2005. She oversees clinical operations across 23 clinics in Tennessee, with additional locations in Kentucky, Indiana, and Alabama, making her service line the first at Vanderbilt to operate in four states. Dr. Street talks about her unconventional path into nursing. She originally studied biology and chemistry with plans for medical school but discovered the nursing model through a nurse practitioner she worked with after graduation. She completed a bridge program at Vanderbilt, moved into cardiac surgery at the VA, and eventually shifted into vascular surgery, where she has spent most of her career. She later pursued leadership, which eventually led her back to Vanderbilt in a director role and then into executive nursing leadership. Her motivation for earning both her MSN and DNP grew out of wanting to serve, lead, and better understand the systems guiding patient care. A major theme she returns to is balance. With over 400 FTEs under her leadership, she emphasizes the importance of motivation, communication, and purpose. She believes strongly in starting with the “why” when leading change and in staying connected to frontline staff and patients. Continuing her own weekly clinical practice keeps her grounded and gives her credibility with the teams she leads. She notes the importance of reflection, feedback, and the role of informal leaders in shaping culture. Dr. Street also speaks passionately about advocacy and professional governance. Her involvement in organizations like the Society for Vascular Nursing and the Tennessee Nurses Association grew from realizing how deeply public policy affects nursing practice. She encourages nurses to get involved at any level—through professional organizations, unit councils, or grassroots advocacy—because their voices directly impact patient care and the future of the profession.

From Bedside to Breakthroughs: Dr. Ann Cashion on Nursing Science

* Nurse scientists play a critical role in translating research into improved patient outcomes.  *  Mentorship is one of the most influential factors in developing future nurse researchers.  *  Nurses bring unique clinical insight to interdisciplinary research teams.  *  Symptom science and genomics continue to shape modern nursing research and precision health.  *  Successful nurse scientists are strong team leaders who collaborate across disciplines.  *  Persistence, curiosity, and relationship-building are essential traits for research success.  *  Health equity remains a major issue, especially in underserved rural communities.  *  Nurses should pursue leadership roles beyond traditional bedside and management positions, including policy and government.  *  Research funded through the federal government supports critical healthcare discoveries that private industries may overlook.  *  The future of nursing innovation includes AI, big data, precision health, and collaborative team science.

Collaboration Between an Archivist and Nursing Faculty to Open a Nursing Theory Center

In this episode of Voices from the Nursing Frontline, Dr. Lisa Beasley speaks with Dr. Marie Gill and Jennifer Langford about the creation and expansion of the Dr. Margaret A. Newman Center for Nursing Theory at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. Together, they discuss: *  The rare collaboration between nursing faculty and archival professionals  *  Preserving the legacy of nursing theorist Dr. Margaret Newman  *  Using historical archives to enhance nursing education and scholarship  *  The role of digital archives in global nursing research access  *  How archival materials inspired scholarly dialogue and international collaboration  *  Future plans involving AI and digital engagement with nursing theory collections  Key Discussion Points *  The importance of preserving nursing history and theory  *  How archives can support nursing education and research  *  The impact of Dr. Margaret Newman’s work on nursing theory  *  Creating immersive educational experiences through archival collections  *  Expanding access to nursing scholarship through digital technology  *  International interest in nursing theory research  *  The future of AI-supported archival engagement in nursing education  Featured Guests *  Dr. Marie Gill — Associate Professor and Director of the Dr. Margaret A. Newman Center for Nursing Theory  *  Jennifer Langford — Archivist and Special Collections Librarian, University of Tennessee Health Science Center  Brought to You By Tennessee Center for Nursing Advancement

Domestic Violence Awareness with Carla Kirkland

Abuse is about power and control—not just physical violence—and often goes unseen.   Nurses are in a unique position to identify abuse across all care settings.   Routine, nonjudgmental screening helps patients feel safe to disclose.   Subtle signs (chronic symptoms, delayed care, controlling partners) can signal abuse.   Leaving an abusive relationship is often the most dangerous time—safety planning is essential.   Trauma-informed, empathetic communication builds trust and supports disclosure.   Collaboration with community resources improves outcomes for survivors.   Education and awareness are key to breaking cycles of violence and protecting patients.

Recognizing the Signs: From Suspicion to Action with Andrea Sebastian, Part Two

Key Topics Covered: *  Reasonable suspicion vs. proof in mandatory reporting  *  Provider role vs. investigator role in child abuse cases  *  Documentation best practices (injury description, body maps, photography)  *  Reporting procedures in Tennessee (hotline and online reporting)  *  Information required when making a report  *  Trauma-informed communication with caregivers  *  Maintaining professionalism and objectivity during reporting  *  The importance of early intervention in child safety  Key Takeaway:  Healthcare providers are mandated reporters who act on suspicion, not proof. Prompt, objective reporting can protect children and improve long-term outcomes. Brought to you by:  Tennessee Center for Nursing Advancement