General Info:
Texas Nurses Association, District 3 serves professional registered nurses living and working in Erath, Hood, Johnson, Palo Pinto, Parker, Somervall and Tarrant Counties. As one of the most active districts in Texas Nurses Association, we participate in both local and statewide events giving voice to the nurses of the district. TNA District 3 is an excellent place to meet and network with other professional nurses in our community and keep up on the issues which affect our profession and our practice. I worked in healthcare organizations in multiple roles for 14 years before I became a nurse. I had such respect and was in such awe of the nurses I worked with before I became I nurse. We often say, "I'll decide what I want to be when I grow up." It took me a while to grow up but I have never spent a moment of doubt since the first day I signed RN behind my name. While my career fulfills me in many ways, I also enjoy golf, cooking and trips to seminars with nurse friends. I participated and held office in my Student Nursing Organization while I was in school. It took a critical illness to make me realize there is no one more qualified to make decisions about nursing practice than nurses. I joined TNA as an avenue to positively impact all nurses and I proudly hold office to serve the nursing community in District 3. Abell-Hanger Professor Texas Christian University Harris College of Nursing and Health Sciences Nursing seems to have chosen me. I have a relative who is a nurse, and when I talked to her and heard how much she loved it I realized that I would probably enjoy it as well. I was right! Being a nurse is a part of me, now. I can't imagine doing anything else. There are so many different opportunities and avenues you can take. The possibilities are endless! There is no reason to ever leave nursing. When I am not at work, I spend time with my family. I have a wonderful husband and two beautiful boys. I am amazed at all that the Texas Nurses Association has done for nurses in Texas. TNA's relationship with our state's legislators is very impressive. They have forged solid connections in order to develop and enhance protections for nurses and patients. I feel secure knowing that TNA is advocating on my behalf. I am proud to be a part of TNA, and to feel that I am doing my part on behalf of nurses in Texas. I chose to become a nurse when I was 16 years old. I was visiting a high school classmate who was facing cancer surgery at Baylor University Medical Center and when I walked out, I made the decision to major in nursing. Thirty-three years after graduating from El Centro, I am just as proud of my ADN as I am my BSN from UT-Arlington. My career has included working in apheresis at Wadley Blood Bank to 20 years of pediatric nursing experience at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children and Cook Children's Health Care System. Of all my career roles, I am most satisfied with my current position at Baylor All Saints Medical Center because I can impact patient care and safety on numerous fronts. And, making sure that all patients have safe, quality care is the hallmark of the nursing profession. I have also worn 2 "regulatory hats" during my career. Currently, I serve Texas as a public member on the Board of Directors for the State Bar of Texas an appointment initiated by Governor Perry's Appointment Division and approved by the Supreme Court of Texas. Having served as an appointed member of the Texas Board of Nursing representing RN practice from 2001-2007, I am honored to serve Texas once again. As a professional organization, TNA empowers nurses to be involved in their communities and with government affairs. Being a member of TNA allows me to have my voice heard, and know that I can help make a difference for nurses and patients, not just in my own community, but throughout the state. I became interested in nursing as a career while working as a unit secretary at Arlington Memorial Hospital 30 years ago. Nursing affords me the