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Midland Trailblazer
First LVN to Join the Texas Nurses Association in Texas
By Sonia Castillo
Reprinted with permission. This article originally appeared in the April 2024 issue of The Derrick.
In the dusty basin of Midland, Texas, where oil derricks dot the horizon and the wind hums stories of old through the weathered streets, there is a spirit of determination that mirrors the endless sky. A town with heart, this place is not where you’d expect to find tales of unprecedented strides in the nursing field. Yet, within the humble walls of Midland Memorial Hospital, a story unfolded—a story of a nurse named Nancy.
Nancy Ornelas’s story begins in Andrews, Texas, where the seeds of her passion for the profession were planted in the fertile soil of labor and delivery. Her hands, though new to the craft, were guided by a relentless spirit and an eagerness to serve. Her three decades within the halls of healing have not just been time spent but always with goals set on the horizon. She represents a bridge between cultures within the nursing community—a fusion of the richness of her Hispanic heritage with the progressive ideals of modern nursing.
Through the years, her title may have read Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN), but her roles were as varied as the countless lives she touched. From the surgical buzz of the Operating Room to the watchful peace of the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit, Nancy’s path was never linear but always upward, always forward. In a career that reflects both ambition and determination, Nancy’s career whispers a call to action—to those who walk the same halls, to the LVNs whose path mirrors hers—a request to follow her pursuit of knowledge, advocacy, and improvement by joining hands in the Texas Nursing Association. In a significant step forward for the nursing profession in Texas, the Texas Nurses Association (TNA) has made a landmark decision to include Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) as members of the professional organization. This inclusion signifies a progressive move towards a more unified nursing community, recognizing the contributions and challenges LVNs face in healthcare.
In a significant step forward for the nursing profession in Texas, the Texas Nurses Association (TNA) has made a landmark decision to include Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) as members of the professional organization.
TNA made strategic plans in 2023 to include LVNs in the organization.” Our Board feels strongly that LVNs are nurses, too, and that they face policy issues and practice issues that need a strong advocate, just as RNs do, and TNA wants to fill that role for them,” explained Belinda Richey, TNA’s Member Services Director. This change serves as a powerful catalyst for LVNs like Nancy Ornelas. Her diverse roles and advocacy for nurses’ professional footing make her story a symbol of the determination and excellence that the TNA aims to exemplify.
The initiative is part of a two-year pilot, signifying the start of an inclusive era under the association’s 2023-2028 strategic plan. The goal is to engage with LVNs across Texas affirmatively, hoping to seamlessly blend their membership into the TNA’s framework. Realizing the rapid changes in healthcare delivery and the essential role of LVNs, the TNA Board collaborated closely with Adam Ramirez, President of the Licensed Vocational Association of Texas, to establish a comprehensive membership offering for LVNs in Texas.
In a personalized letter to current LVNAT members, Joyce Batchellar, President of the Texas Nurses Association, wrote, “We are impressed with your existing commitment to the nursing profession through joining LVNAT and hope you will enjoy the benefits that membership in TNA offers. A TNA membership parallels an LVNAT membership at no additional charge. At the end of your current membership, you will receive an invoice for TNA membership for $60.00 per year that you can pay all at once, or you may choose a monthly payment plan of $5.50 per month.”
An LVN membership now comes with a slew of benefits and a promise for a resilient professional future at a nominal membership cost designed to encourage widespread participation. “The goal is to have more LVNs join the association by mid-summer”, according to Darrick Nicholas, Communications Director for TNA. “Right now we have 88 LVNs that have joined TNA and we hope to have a few hundred in the coming months. TNA will run a campaign this spring on social media and its website to promote benefits, perks, and resources for LVNs across the state.
Today, Nancy’s reach extends beyond the bedside and the committee room into the broader landscape of nursing. Her passion for legislative change and her active engagement with board decisions place her at the heart of advancement for the nursing vocation in Texas. Nancy works within the Center for Advancing Professional Excellence as a Clinical QI Assistant for Midland Health. Additionally, Her voice is strong on the Workplace Violence Committee as a member and leader. Nancy has participated in initiatives across the organization that promote safety and mandate policy for safety protocols. “It’s not just about nurturing those in her care but also about shaping an environment where every nurse can thrive, safety is important, and growth is encouraged,” Ornelas explains. Nancy’s narrative is not just one of personal triumph; it is a call to action for all LVNs to seek broader horizons, united with the professionals within the TNA. Ornelas was the first in Texas to become part of TNA, with an official membership beginning in January. “Becoming an LVN member of TNA, now we have a network of over 16,000 Texas nurses to bring the nursing profession, so now we believe the importance of the LVN voice wants to be heard,” Ornelas advocates. With the inclusion of LVNs into TNA, Ornelas’s efforts and those of many compassionate LVNs will gain the support and recognition they deserve. Her trailblazing path to the TNA membership as an LVN paves the way for others. Dr. Kit Bredimus, Chief Nursing Officer for Midland Health, states, “I am so excited to see the Texas Nurses Association take this bold step in recognizing the contributions of LVNs in nursing and truly representing nurses across Texas. The inclusion of LVNs to membership is leading the way and I hope to see this progress continue on the national level. Locally, Midland Health has long recognized the key role that LVNs play in patient care, and I am proud of our work in building our transition to practice programs (LVN Internship, Residency, Transition, and Fellowship) to support their progression into the acute care setting and beyond.”
Nancy Ornelas inspires every LVN to capitalize on the opportunities offered by the inclusion of the TNA. It is an invitation to advocate, lead, and elevate the profession to new heights.
And proudly, Ornelas, from Midland’s small but mighty community, became the first licensed vocational nurse to join the Texas Nurses Association. It was more than a membership—it was ground breaking. Nancy Ornelas inspires every LVN to capitalize on the opportunities offered by the inclusion of the TNA. It is an invitation to advocate, lead, and elevate the profession to new heights.
“Being one of the first to get invites to different webinars, events across the state, current pending legislation, and having a voice within the Texas Nurses Association is powerful. One of the biggest things you know about is professional development events, resources for publications, and engagement opportunities for new initiatives. The biggest part is that Midland Health will pay for your membership,” emphasized Ornelas.
Her story does not end at Midland Memorial Hospital’s doors. It is but an invitation for you to join her and the passionate professionals within the Texas Nurses Association. For the nurses who nurse with every dawn and stand steadfast until the stars claim the sky, you are the hidden gems of this profession. And in joining your peers in the Texas Nurses Association, your sparkle can shine even brighter, casting new lights on the path to excellence in nursing.
Are you ready to write the next chapter in the story of Texas nursing? Amplify your voice. Be the light that inspires a movement.
Join the Texas Nurses Association!
Sonia Castillo is the recognitions program coordinator for the Center for Advancing Professional Excellence.
