The future of KSNA is shaped by the nurses who step forward to lead. We are proud to present the candidates for the Kansas State Nurses Association Board of Directors. Each candidate has shared a position statement outlining their professional background, leadership experience, and priorities for the association. We encourage members to take time to get to know these dedicated nurse leaders and cast their vote in support of KSNA’s continued growth, advocacy, and impact throughout Kansas.
President-Elect
Krista Miller, MSN, RN
I’ve been a nurse for being 20 years, and I love being a nurse. I’ve worked in the hospital, as a school nurse, and now I teach in a BSN program. As Nurses, we are the largest group of healthcare workers in the country and in Kansas. Together, we can make a huge impact on the decisions made, on how we support each other, and on creating a community of nurses in the state. We have incredible nurses in Kansas, and what we do every day is vital to the health of the state and the people we all love. I have an MSN in Nursing Education and am currently working on my PhD at the University of Kansas, where my focus is on burnout and turnover among nurses.
Alexis Simpson, MBA, BSN, RN, NI-BC
I oppose SB334, which proposes reducing educational requirements for nursing instructors. While I understand the intent to address the shortage of nursing faculty, lowering educational standards is not the best solution. Nursing education plays a critical role in preparing safe, competent, nurses and reducing instructor qualifications risks weakening both student preparation and the long-term strength of the profession. Instead, we should focus on creating pathways that make graduate level education more attainable for nurses interested in teaching. Expanding scholarships, loan forgiveness, and grant programs could help address faculty shortages while maintaining strong educational standards. Additionally, increasing flexible schedule options such as hybrid or remote programs could also make it easier for working nurses to pursue graduate level degrees.
I also support thoughtful legislation around AI to ensure technology supports nurses without diminishing clinical judgement.
Secretary
Linda Adams Wendling, PhD, MSN, MBA, APRN, CNP, GNP-BC, NEA-BC, CNE
I believe that nursing is an art and a science that continuously evolves. I believe that nursing is a profession with its own distinct body of knowledge. I also believe that it is essential that as a profession we continue to advocate for federal funding to support all levels of nursing education to facilitate the current and future nursing workforce at the state and national levels. I believe that KSNA should continue to support and advocate for safe staffing, address continued violence in the workplace, support strategies for self-care and healthy work cultures and environments. I believe that nursing must stay on the forefront to lead and guide the integration and appropriate application of generative artificial intelligence (GAI) within the profession of nursing. I believe it is essential that nursing, through professional organizations such as KSNA, continue to be a unified voice for these and other key issues in nursing. I would be honored to serve as the KSNA secretary.
Michelle Boggs, MSN, APRN, PMHNP-BC, FNP-C
One nursing issue that is especially important to me is improving access to timely, high‑quality mental health and primary care services across Kansas, particularly in rural communities. As a dual‑certified Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, I see firsthand the impact that workforce shortages, administrative barriers, and fragmented systems have on patients, families, and nurses.
I believe KSNA plays a critical role in supporting nurses through strong organizational leadership, accurate communication, and clear documentation that advances advocacy efforts. As Secretary, I am committed to supporting transparent governance, preserving organizational knowledge, and ensuring nurses’ voices are accurately represented as KSNA works to strengthen nursing practice and patient access statewide.
Board Member
Hannah Branham, MSN, RN
I am passionate about advancing nursing through advocacy, education, and workforce sustainability. Two key issues facing nursing today are workforce burnout and the growing need for qualified nurse educators. Nurses continue to face increasing patient acuity and staffing challenges, contributing to fatigue and turnover. At the same time, barriers to becoming nurse educators limit our ability to prepare the next generation of nurses. I support initiatives that promote safe staffing, support nurse well-being, and strengthen retention across all settings. I also advocate for maintaining high educational standards while creating realistic pathways for nurses to transition into educator roles.
As a board member, I would work to amplify the voice of nurses across Kansas and contribute to solutions that are both practical and forward-thinking.
Julie Crimmins, MBA, MSN, RN
As a KSNA Board member, I would focus on the review of the Board of Nursing’s policies and procedures to identify inconsistencies in how they are implemented, and consider adopting standardized practices used by other compact states for disciplinary actions as well as licensure review and renewal processes.
Laura Felty, RN, ADN, BSN
I am committed to representing my region. There are many major issues that need to be addressed in nursing. The government’s consideration of nurses as non-professionals when it comes to education loans is one of the most important. The nursing profession needs more professors. Many of us are unable to become professors without the benefit of these loans. This directly affects how many nurses are allowed to enter nursing programs. This will exacerbate the nursing shortage by not graduating enough student nurses to replace those who may be retiring.
Nicole Fleming, MBA, MSN, RN, CCM
I feel that after 28 years in the clinical role, it is now time for me to give back and help the KSNA become a place of trusted and transparent support for our members in all aspects of nursing. I look forward to serving the members in an effective and honest manner.
Alissa Stinnett, DNP, MPH, BSN,RN,CENP
Kansas, and the nation, continue to face critical workforce shortages driven by burnout, staffing challenges, and increasing complexity of care. I believe we must move beyond temporary fixes and advocate for sustainable workforce solutions. My position is to support policies that prioritize safe staffing models, invest in nurse wellbeing, and create flexible career pathways that allow nurses to remain in the profession long term. Retention is not just a workforce issue, it is a patient safety issue. Access to care, particularly in rural and underserved areas, remains a pressing concern. I strongly support removing unnecessary barriers that limit nurses from practicing to the full extent of their education and training. Expanding scope of practice, especially for advanced practice nurses, can significantly improve access, reduce disparities, and strengthen community health outcomes. I am committed to advancing evidence-based policy that empowers nurses.
Angela Storrer, PhD, APRN, ACNP- BC
I am seeking election to the KSNA Board to advocate for policies that strengthen nursing practice and improve healthcare access across Kansas. With over 32 years of experience as a nurse, nurse practitioner, and educator, I understand the realities of practice in both rural and urban settings and the support nurses need to provide safe, high‑quality care.
Two critical issues shape my commitment to this role: safe staffing standards and the ability for nurses and APRNs to practice to the full extent of their education and training. Safe staffing protects patients, reduces burnout, and supports retention. Full practice authority ensures Kansans receive timely, high‑quality care, especially in underserved areas. I also strongly support ongoing improvement in nursing education and environments that encourage no‑fault error reporting to strengthen safety culture.
I believe Kansas nurses deserve strong, experienced representation, and I would be honored to continue serving our profession.
Nominating Committee
Laura Mallett, MBA-HA, BSN, RN, NE-BC, CCM
I am running for a position on the nominating committee because I am committed to supporting strong leadership and fostering inclusivity within our organization. The nominating committee plays a vital role in identifying and encouraging nurse leaders across Kansas, ensuring that every voice is represented in our election process. If elected, I will work diligently to guarantee a fair and transparent nomination process, and to build a diverse and qualified slate of candidates that reflects the values and aspirations of our membership.
ANA Membership Assembly Representative
Shanna Cannaley, BSN, RN
My personal position is that the overall healthcare system would be improved by supporting the Affordable Healthcare for Kansas initiative to provide healthcare access affordability to low-income working adults.
My personal position also is against the nursing loan cap. A strict loan cap will prevent the education needed to enter or advance in the nursing profession. A cap of $200,00 will create barriers for earning advanced nursing degrees and ultimately worsen the nursing shortage.
Terri Roberts, JD, RN
If elected, I would represent Kansas nurses effectively at the annual Membership Assembly of the American Nurses Association by serving as a prepared, informed, and responsive voice for our state. I understand that the Assembly is the highest governing body of ANA, where decisions shape national nursing policy, organizational priorities, and the future direction of our profession. My role would be to ensure that the perspectives and needs of Kansas nurses are clearly articulated and thoughtfully considered in those discussions.
Drawing on more than 36 years of nursing leadership experience, I would carefully review all proposed bylaws, policy recommendations, and position statements in advance, seeking input from members of the Kansas State Nurses Association to ensure I am representing their views—not just my own. I would actively engage in dialogue, collaborate with delegates from other states, and advocate for policies that support safe practice environments.
