Indiana State Nurses Association

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.

06/03/2026

What began as a simple request for a new bulletin header quickly blossomed into something much more—a collection of beautiful, inspiring artwork created by nurses across Indiana. Through images, words, and creative expression, these submissions reflect the depth, humanity, and perspective that nurses bring not only to their practice, but to the world around them.

We are proud to recognize these thoughtful and talented nurse artists who remind us that healing extends beyond the bedside. Their work captures stories of resilience, compassion, and identity—offering a glimpse into the many ways nurses process, reflect, and connect.

Kadee Klafka, BSN, RN, CCRN, CMC, CSC
"A Work of Heart"
This artwork reflects layers of ourselves that bleed into one another and into nursing - a work of heart.

Mellanee Neeley, RN, PMHNP-BC
"Medicated"
As a psychiatric nurse practitioner and having a background working in substance use/recovery units, working with nurses who have struggles with their own addiction, it inspired me to create this piece. The chemical symbol represented is serotonin. Using the pill bottle and the baggy is to tie the world of prescription medications with addiction and how, either way, we are searching for help to feel better, either through mental health medications or self-medicating with illicit substances. I'm hoping to bring awareness to mental health and substance use as a disease process, and how it impacts the nursing community.

06/01/2026

The wait is over! 🎉 The Indiana Nurses Foundation is excited to announce that our award nominees and winners have been selected and notified.

We are honored to celebrate the incredible nurses, leaders, and advocates who continue to make a lasting impact on the nursing profession and the communities they serve. Thank you to everyone who submitted nominations and helped recognize the excellence that exists across Indiana nursing.

Stay tuned as we begin highlighting this year's outstanding nominees and winners! 💙

https://indiananurses.nursingnetwork.com/page/103505-indiana-s-nurses-of-influence

05/31/2026

Your voice matters. Your advocacy matters. Your membership matters.

By joining ISNA and ANA through dual membership, you become part of a powerful community advancing the nursing profession at both the state and national level. Together, we are shaping healthcare, supporting nurses, and creating change for the future of nursing.

Join us today and stand with nurses across Indiana and beyond.

05/29/2026

Luther Christman, PhD, RN, FAAN was the first man to be named dean of a nursing school in the United States and founded the American Association for Men in Nursing. He questioned the idea of who could be a nurse and the value of nursing expertise. He was the first dean to employ African-American women as faculty at Vanderbilt and advocated for the recruitment of more men into the nursing profession. He also elevated the profession’s authority in healthcare by pioneering academic nursing education models from the baccalaureate to doctoral level.

05/28/2026

Join the AWHONN Indiana Section for an essential four-part webinar series titled “How to Avoid Getting Sued: What Every Nurse Needs to Know.” These engaging one-hour sessions are specifically designed for nurses. Enhance your knowledge of common legal risks and discover real-life scenarios that could result in lawsuits. You'll also gain practical strategies to ensure you remain compliant and confident when faced with challenging situations. Don’t miss this valuable opportunity to safeguard your career and provide the best care possible!

05/27/2026

Applications are now open for the 2026-2027 American Nurses Association Minority Fellowship Program (MFP).

MFP has equipped master's- and doctoral-level nurses to lead in mental health and substance misuse care for more than 50 years, addressing su***de prevention, addiction treatment, youth and maternal mental health, crisis response, and care for individuals with co-occurring conditions.

The 2026-2027 application period closes June 8, 2026.

https://apply.emfp.org/?utm_campaign=26_ANA_MFP_SAMHSA&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--vZKjBuNyhN6-YAyrLpUcYeFuXSrOPFEnN6GouA1FfImViyIX4D8YilZYPskJzvWWZL34f72OEkXaYw3HeUiB3rGp05Q&_hsmi=419019429&utm_content=Application_EM2&utm_source=hs_email

05/26/2026

Are you interested in learning more about advocacy at the state and federal level? Are you ready to advocate for positive change to improve care and our profession? Do you have an innovative idea or passion project that requires support to kick off the ground? ISNA is now accepting American Nurse Advocacy Institute applications for the 2026-2027 cohort.

Submit your application by June 5th!
https://form.jotform.com/251184536718159