The Tennessee Center for Nursing Advancement hosted the premiere of “NURSE: Empathy Heals” at the East Tennessee State University Martin Center for the Arts, bringing together nurses, students, health care leaders and community members to honor the compassion and resilience at the heart of the nursing profession.

Created by Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Chusy of Plan A Films, the documentary explores the power of empathy through real, first-person stories from nurses. The film celebrates the vital role nurses play in their communities while offering an intimate look at the moments that shape their professional journeys.

The evening began with a reception, followed by a toast to nurses hosted by the ETSU Research Corporation and delivered by ETSU President Dr. Brian Noland. Remarks were also shared by Allison Myers, executive director of StoryCollab; Ballad Health CEO Alan Levine; ETSU Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Kimberly McCorkle; and Dr. Dena Evans, dean of the ETSU College of Nursing. Dr. Jennifer Hitt, executive director of the Tennessee Center for Nursing Advancement, then launched the film screening.

Following the screening, audience members participated in a Q&A featuring nurses and project collaborators who shared their experiences and helped bring the stories to life. The discussion provided attendees with an opportunity to reflect on the emotional depth of nursing, the importance of empathy in patient care, professional resilience, and the future of health care.

After the premiere, Tennessee Hills honored nurses and first responders with a complimentary beverage at its Johnson City location, continuing the evening’s focus on appreciation and community support.

“NURSE: Empathy Heals” is part of the Nurse Narratives Initiative, a collaboration between Ballad Health, the Tennessee Center for Nursing Advancement, the ETSU College of Nursing and StoryCollab, powered by the ETSU Research Corporation. The initiative brings first-person stories to life to elevate and honor the nursing profession through storytelling, education and advocacy.

To learn more about the film and the Nurse Narratives Initiative, visit https://tcfna.org/nurse-narratives/.

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