IU School of Nursing

When Katie Feley, DNP, RN, looks back on her childhood, the memories that shaped her future are filled with scrubs and a desire to help others.

“I’ve wanted to be a nurse since I was three years old,” Feley said. When her brother was treated at the Mayo Clinic, she saw firsthand the compassion and skill of the nurses who cared for him.

“The kindness of the nurses made an impact on me,” she said. “That experience solidified everything.”

Today, that spark has grown into a career centered on service and advocacy. Feley now leads the Indiana State Nurses Association—the largest professional nursing association in the state—as its chief executive officer.

One Purpose, Many Hats

Feley described ISNA’s mission simply: to advocate for safe, supportive environments where Indiana nurses “feel empowered, valued, and respected.”

The organization’s message to its members is equally clear: “Be informed, advance your practice, and find joy in the art and science of nursing.”

Representing LPNs, RNs, and APRNs statewide, ISNA amplifies the voice of Indiana’s nursing workforce in policy discussions, legislative processes, and professional development efforts. Its influence spans clinical, academic, and policy settings. As a voting member of the American Nurses Association, ISNA also helps shape national priorities.

“ISNA’s work is done through volunteer committees and elected board members,” Feley explained. “It’s an excellent way for nurses to learn how to use their voices most effectively. State-level advocacy is our priority. Federal is enticing because of its overall impact, but state level is so important because it impacts our everyday practice.”

Feley also serves as Executive Director of the Indiana Nurses Foundation, supporting both boards as they build long-term strategies and aim to “be relevant in 2040.”

With so many responsibilities, Feley said that she often wears multiple hats in a single day: “the CEO hat, the CFO hat, the CNO hat, the nurse educator hat.” Her work spans member engagement, business operations, board leadership, legislative drafting, academic partnerships, and producing ISNA’s weekly newsletter.

"Do What Your Heart Tells You"

Feley’s path to executive leadership is rooted in hands-on experience. She entered healthcare as a high school CNA—originally to strengthen her résumé—only to discover a deep passion for caring for patients and families. She began her nursing career working with “birth-to-toddler” patients in neonatal and pediatric units, spending six years in the NICU.

Early on, she felt especially called to support families during bereavement. But the emotional weight of the work, combined with frustrations surrounding leadership, eventually sparked a desire to influence systems rather than react to them. That realization brought her back to school.

After earning her master’s degree in nursing administration from the IU School of Nursing in 2014, Feley moved into system resource consulting and risk management, and something clicked.

“I found my heart in patient safety,” she said.

She returned to the School of Nursing to complete a DNP in Health Systems Leadership in 2017.

Despite a successful career in corporate healthcare, Feley felt increasingly drawn to a different kind of leadership. When a mentor encouraged her to consider a leadership role at ISNA, Feley knew that it was the right step.

“My love of risk management, safety, and policy aligns so well with the work I do today,” she reflected. She has now served as CEO for more than six years.

She credits graduate school as a pivotal part of her journey.

“I highly recommend going back to school if that is what your heart tells you to do,” she said. “The opportunities I’ve had because of advanced degrees have 100% led me to where I am today.”

She credits the IU School of Nursing with providing “one-of-a-kind” experiences that helped shape her career.

Investing in the Next Generation

ISNA is proud to support the future of nursing by offering meaningful opportunities for both new nurses and nurses-to-be, said Feley.

ISNA’s active partnership with the Indiana Area Health Education Centers helps connect high school students with opportunities to explore nursing careers. Student subscribers receive ISNA’s weekly newsletter, access discounted rates for ISNA events, and are encouraged to attend monthly board meetings.

New nurses within their first 18 months of practice are eligible to serve on the ISNA Board in a designated seat created to elevate the voices of emerging nurses. In addition, the Indiana Nurses Foundation includes a board seat for the Indiana Association of Nursing Students president, ensuring strong student representation.

Looking Ahead Together

“ISNA has continued to experience steady growth in the years following the pandemic,” said Feley. “Our collective voice is becoming stronger across Indiana. Advocacy beyond the bedside is no longer just the hot topic of today, it is literally our future.

“As the landscape of healthcare changes,” she continued, “ISNA supports nurses in navigating change by emphasizing personal and professional well-being, especially in this post‑pandemic era. We help nurses learn to use their voices, not simply to make noise, but to create meaningful, positive change.

“Above all, ISNA reminds nurses that they have a community that extends far beyond their workplace. Your network of support is here, so get engaged early and grow with us.”