The Kentucky Nurses Association is split up into 11 chapters statewide.  Each chapter has its own leadership, meetings, priorities, and member benefits.  Take a look at the map below to identify which chapter you fall into.

Maybe you're a member and you've never connected to your local chapter, or maybe you're interested in membership and don't know where to start.  The information below is a good place to begin.

River City - Serving Bullitt, Henry, Jefferson, Oldham, Shelby, Spencer, and Trimble Counties

Bluegrass - Serving Bourbon, Clark, Estill, Fayette, Franklin, Jackson, Jessamine, Lee, Madison, Montgomery, Owsley, Powell, Scott, Wolfe, and Woodford Counties

Northern Chapter - Serving Boon, Bracken, Campbell, Carroll, Fleming, Gallatin, Grant, Harrison, Kenton, Lewis, Mason, Nicholas, Owen, Pendleton, and Robertson Counties

Heartland - Serving Breckinridge, Grayson, Green, Hardin, Hart, Larue, Meade, Nelson, and Taylor Counties

Western - Serving Ballard, Calloway, Carlisle, Crittenden, Fulton, Graves, Hickman, Livingston, Lyon, Marshall, and McCracken Counties

Pennyrile - Serving Caldwell, Christian, Hopkins, Muhlenberg, Todd, and Trigg Counties

REACH - Serving Adair, Allen, Barren, Butler, Clinton, Cumberland, Edmonson, Logan, Metcalfe, Monroe, Russell, Simpson, and Warren Counties

Green River - Serving Daviess, Hancock, Henderson, McLean, Ohio, Union, and Webster Counties

Nightingale - Serving Anderson, Boyle Casey, Garrard, Lincoln, Marion, Mercer, Rockcastle, and Washington Counties

Northeast - Serving Bath, Boyd, Carter, Elliot, Floyd, Greenup, Johnson, Lawrence, Magoffin, Martin, Menifee, Morgan, Pike, and Rowan Counties

Southeast - Serving Bell, Breathitt, Clay, Harlan, Knott, Knox, Laurel, Leslie, Letcher, McCreary, Perry, Pulaski, Wayne, and Whitley Counties

Nominations are now open for KNA's 2025 Annual Awards that honor nursing excellence and support of nurses across a variety of applications. Awardee must be a KNA member if a nurse.  Descriptions of each award are listed below.

Nursing Student of the Year - This award honors a nursing student who has made a significant contribution to the nursing profession in Kentucky or to KNA. 

Please note that all nurses being nominated must be members of the KNA. Not a Member? No worries. Join today!

Here are some of the things the KNA is doing for Nurses Month:

1. Leadership and Advocacy Conference - May 23rd at WKU.  Register before April 30th for an early bird discount.
2. Social Justice Movie Night - "Inclusive Care: The Hidden Cost of Anxiety and Depression" Thursday, May 29th, 6PM - 7:30PM  Register Here. 
3. Apricot Ribbon Lapel Pin - Now available in our Merch Store.  Show your nursing pride by getting your pin today.
4. Chapter Challenge - We're leading a push to get more members and grow the KNA's voice and influence.  Not a Member?  Join Today!  If you are a member, take the challenge, and invite a friend.  Don't forget: students and LPNs are encouraged to join. The ANA is currently offering a $15 Amazon Gift card when you join and use promo code: MBRAmazonCard2
5. KNF Raffle - The Kentucky Nurses Association Nurses Month Raffle is now open. Take a chance on Nurses! Your participation will help us raise money for nursing scholarships – and – you just might win a raffle prize! The raffle will close on Friday, May 30 at 7 pm ET. Winners will be chosen on June 5.  Check it Out.
6. CE - The benefit of Artificial Intelligence in Nursing: Part 2 - This course is a part -2 discussion on the benefits of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in nursing. This presentation was created to discuss how nurses can become engaged and comfortable in utilizing AI in their respective fields. This course is FREE to attend with a small charge for those who require a CE certificate. Register Here.
7. Multiple Op-Eds - Our membership has come together to raise our voices and share The Power of Nurses through media outlets by writing op-eds to continue to educate the public about the ever-expanding role of nurses.
8. Light Up the Sky - The Big 4 Bridge in Louisville will be lit up in honor of nurses.  We encourage chapters and nurses across the state to explore other opportunities to get buildings and bridges lit up to honor nurses.
9. Sharing Your WHY - The KNA staff is looking forward to sharing videos of nurses sharing why they got into the profession, their inspiration, and their goals for the future.  Keep an eye out on our social media channels and you may catch some familiar faces.  
10. LAA Graduation - at our Legislative Conference on May 23rd, our Legislative and Advocacy Academy Fellows will officially graduate.  This is an extraordinary class of nurse leaders and influencers.

National Nurses Week 2025 is just around the corner and this year the American Nurses Enterprise will be shining a light on The Power of Nurses™. We recognize the invaluable contributions of nurses worldwide and the real-life challenges they face every day. Whether you're a nurse, a healthcare professional, a patient, or simply someone who appreciates the critical role nurses play in our lives and society, National Nurses Week is the perfect time to share your gratitude and celebrate nurses.

With exciting opportunities to engage, contribute, share your stories, activate locally, and elevate #ThePowerOfNurses, we hope you will consider participating in some or all of American Nurses Enterprise planned activities. More details will be coming soon about the Healthy Nurse Healthy Nation™ Wellness Challenge, how to enter the National Nurses Week Getaway Giveaway Sweepstakes with a $4500 grand prize, and the list of where we will Light Up the Sky to celebrate nurses, or sign up for the Webinars below:

• Monday, May 5 at 3:00 P.M. ET: Code of Ethics Webinar sponsored by Capella. Through real cases and powerful examples, participants will examine how the Code provides a foundation for ethical decision-making, advocacy, and compassionate care.
• Tuesday, May 6 at 6:00 P.M. ET: Mary Eliza Mahoney Lecture will focus on social justice, a core pillar of Mahoney’s life and work. It will leverage Provision 9 of the American Nurses Association's newly revised Code of Ethics for Nurses.
• Friday, May 9 at 2:00 P.M. ET: Redefining and Elevating the Value of Nursing webinar in partnership with LinkedIn.

Raffle is back! The Kentucky Nurses Association Nurses Month Raffle is now open. Take a chance on Nurses! Your participation will help us raise money for nursing scholarships – and – you just might win a raffle prize!  There's some excellent deals to be had including some priceless items that you aren't available for sale elsewhere or events like a weekend in Nashville with Dolly Parton that are sold out.  Check out the raffle here and take a chance.

The raffle will close on Friday, May 30 at 7 pm ET. Winners will be chosen on June 5. You can jump on the KNA Facebook page and watch the raffle drawing live. Check back each week as new items will be added constantly!

The Leadership and Advocacy Conference is less than a month away!  If you haven't registered yet, now is the time.  If you register before the end of April, you can take advantage of discounted Early Bird Pricing (honestly, why pay more?).

Panel Discussion

There will be a panel discussion with current legislators. They will share their experience and answer questions from attendees on the legislative process or how to make an impact.

Words From Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear

We've been pleased to welcome Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear to our last 2 legislative conferences, and he is scheduled to make another appearance this year.  

Keynote Speaker

Join Us in Advocacy!

There is so much to learn at this conference and so much to do around the Bowling Green area.  We look forward to being more accessible to nurses in the western Kentucky area, and invite nurses from outside the area to come explore and make a weekend of it. Take Friday for professional development and networking, and then spend Saturday and Sunday exploring the Corvette Museum, Land Between the Lakes, Mammoth Cave, or heading a bit farther south to Nashville.

The Hyatt Place in Bowling Green will have a designated room block and serve as the Official hotel of WKU and the KNA for this conference.

Click Here to Register

Get the Most out of Conference

April 8, 2025 - The American Nurses Association is aware of the recent personnel changes and organizational restructuring within the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). These developments have sparked concerns among nurses nationwide regarding the potential impact on essential programs and services delivered by HHS in collaboration with nurses, patient advocates, and other healthcare providers.

While we share some of those concerns particularly about the consolidation of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), we note that the Trump Administration has indicated that key services, roles, and resources within the restructured agencies will continue to be met by other agencies and staff. The association will monitor that re-structured capacity and promptly report any gaps we identify to the Administration and Congress to ensure the needs of nurses, and the public are met by our federal partners.

It is imperative that Secretary Kennedy and Administration leaders ensure the uninterrupted continuation of the vital work of these agencies. Federal agencies must have the necessary staff to carry out the public health, research, quality, and operational work that the American people rely on for their health and well-being. The American Nurses Association appreciates the recognition that some programs and staff that are critical to the American public were terminated in error and that reinstatement will occur. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) programs that conduct surveillance and monitoring of outbreaks and disease, vaccine education and uptake, environmental contaminants and other public health and safety support remain essential to public health, especially during bird flu and measles outbreaks in various parts of the country. Nurses rely on staff and programs across HHS at CDC, SAMHSA, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the Health Services, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), the National Institutes of health (NIH), and the National institute of Nursing Research (NINR), to improve healthcare delivery and advance the science of healing and care.

As America’s most trusted profession, nurses are concerned about the ability of the restructured HHS to meet the many demanding needs of healthcare consumers. We are actively reaching out to members who engage with HHS agencies related to research, quality, occupational safety, mental health, substance abuse, and public health to help us identify any gaps in services, resources, and supports available under the new structure that we can share with the agencies, Administration and Congress.

The American Nurses Association is encouraged that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) saw few layoffs and that our valued federal partners remain engaged in their important work. Similarly, we note that the funding for the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) remains intact, as does the organizational structure of the Institute, which is critical for ensuring that nursing and our overall healthcare system continues to be driven by evidence and guided by federally funded research through NINR. Nursing research from nurse scientists impacts patients and clinicians across the health spectrum and helps ensure the delivery of patient-centered, quality care meets the needs of patients as effectively and efficiently as possible.

The American Nurses Association encourages HHS leadership and the Administration to engage nursing leaders as trusted experts and partners in public health. The association stands ready to collaborate on efforts that expand access to quality care and to improve understanding of patient needs through ongoing nursing research funded across NIH, particularly within NINR. Nurses are our largest health care profession and have an ethical obligation to advocate for their patients' needs.

We support efforts to promote efficiency and streamline operations, but we also demand that the key work of the agencies continue and that public health infrastructure that drives the health of the country be strengthened to better meet the needs of all people living in the country. During this time of rapid change, it is critical to ensure that the American Nurses Association and the public at large have accurate information about the real impact of policy changes happening at the federal level.

While the current changes introduce uncertainty, our commitment to advocating for the nursing profession and patient care remains unwavering. We are actively assessing the implications, engaging with key stakeholders, and ensuring that nurses' voices are welcomed and heard as we pursue the most strategic path forward that will benefit nurses and patients. We will deliver measured, thoughtful responses as we assess the true impact of the layoffs and reorganization of the massive federal agencies. Simply put, we stand ready to do whatever is in our power to protect the health of the public and safeguard our healthcare system as we leverage the trust the public has placed in us as advocates for better health and care.  

In response to reports on the draft Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Discretionary Budget Proposal, we are providing the following information to our members and urge everyone to take action.

As leading national nursing organizations, we oppose any reductions or eliminations to the Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development Programs, as well as the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR). Advanced Practiced Registered Nurses (APRNs) and Registered Nurses are fundamental to patient access to care in every community.

Title VIII programs are a very small portion of the federal budget, but provide oversized results for our health care workforce and patients. These programs are the cornerstone of federal support for nursing education in the United States. Cutting funding to the Title VIII programs would have far-reaching consequences for our health care system and the ability of patients to access care. Preserving and strengthening Title VIII funding and NINR is a direct investment in the nation’s health. As we continue to confront ongoing challenges – from public health crises to workforce shortages – it is critical to protect these programs to ensure that all Americans have access to the care they deserve.

As the Administration continues to finalize the FY 2026 budget, it is imperative that they consider the cost-effectiveness of vital nursing workforce programs and their far-reaching impact. We look forward to working with the Administration and Congress to preserve and strengthen investments in nursing that improve and ensure the health of our nation.

We urge all nurses to take action and send a message to their Members of Congress in support of the Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development Programs and the National Institute of Nursing Research.

Take Action Here