Sharon Adkins, M.S.N., R.N.
Adkins named TNA director
Vanderbilt's Sharon Adkins, M.S.N., R.N., has been named executive director of the Tennessee Nurses Association (TNA), the professional organization for the state's 70,000 registered nurses.
“We are very excited about having Sharon take on this new role for TNA,” said Debianne Peterman, Ph.D., M.S.N., director of Nursing Education and Development. “She will be a wonderful advocate for nursing and we look forward to working with her in this new capacity.”
Adkins has served Vanderbilt for more than 20 years in various roles, including director of the Center for Parish Nursing & Health Ministries, consultant for The Learning Center, service specialist, conference and seminar coordinator, and adjunct faculty. She recently developed the Center for Parish Nursing & Health Ministries. She will maintain an adjunct faculty position at the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing.
“Sharon brings nursing experience at the national, state and local levels to our association,” said Susan Sanders, M.S.N., R.N., president of TNA. “Along with her experience, she brings ideas on how to move Tennessee's nursing profession forward.”
Adkins began her nursing career in 1970 as a staff nurse at the University of Minnesota Hospital in Minneapolis. Her expertise also includes working as a perinatal coordinator, hospital representative, pharmaceutical sales representative and as an inservice coordinator for the Mayo Medical Center-Methodist Hospital in Rochester, Minn.
She holds a bachelor's of science in nursing degree from the University of Minnesota, a master's of science in nursing in nursing administration degree from VUSN, and is a 1997 graduate of the Parish Nurse Preparation Institute at the Marquette University College of Nursing.
Adkins will join the TNA in August, replacing Deanna Menesses, who recently relocated back to Louisiana.