chapter 15 | Nursing Yesterday and Today 2492.Advocate for policy that incorporates the prin-
ciples of primary health care (access, interdisci-
plinary, patient and community involvement,
health promotion) and respects the Canada
Health Act
- Advance the regulation of RNs in the interest
of the public
4.Collaborate with nurses, other providers, stake-
holders, and the public to achieve and sustain
quality practice environments and positive
client outcomes
5.Advance international health
6.Promote awareness of the profession so that the
roles and expertise of RNs are understood,
respected, and optimized (abbreviated from
CAN-AIIC at http://www.CNA-nurses.ca))
The core policy issues identified by the ANA in
2007 were:
■Nursing shortage
■Workplace rights
■Workplace health and safety
■Appropriate staffing
■Patient safety and advocacy
Although more than 2 million people are mem-
bers of the nursing profession in the United
States, only about 10% of the nation’s RNs are
members of their professional organization. The
many different subgroups and numerous specialty
nursing organizations contribute to this fragmen-
tation, which makes presenting a united front
from which to advocate for nursing difficult. As
the ANA works on the goal of preparing nurses
during the 21st century, nurses need to work
together in their efforts to identify and promote
their unique, autonomous role within the health-
care system.
Many advantages are available to nurses who
join the ANA. Membership offers benefits such as
informative publications, group life and health
insurance, malpractice insurance, and continuing
education courses. As the major voice of nursing in
the United States, the ANA lobbies the govern-
ment to influence laws that affect the practice of
nursing and the safety of consumers. The power of
the ANA was apparent when nurses lobbied
against the American Medical Association’s
(AMA) proposal to create a new category of
health-care worker, the registered care technician,
as an answer to the nursing shortage of the 1980s.
The registered care technician category was never
established despite the AMA’s vigorous support.
The ANA frequently publishes position state-
ments outlining the organization’s position on par-
ticular topics important to the health and welfare of
the public and/or the nurse. Box 15-1 summarizes
some of the current position statements available
from the ANA, which can be accessed on the ANA
Web site (nursingworld.org/) or are available by
mail on request. Likewise, the Canadian Nurses
Organization publishes position statements on
such issues as education, ethics, healthy public pol-
icy, leadership, practice, primary health care, protec-
tion of the public, and research (Nursing Now,
2005; 2007).
Finally, the ANA offers certification in various
specialty areas. Certification is a formal, voluntary
process by which the professional demonstrates
knowledge of and expertise in a specific area of
practice. It is a way to establish the nurse’s expertise
beyond the basic requirements for licensure and is
an important part of peer recognition for nurses. In
many areas, certification entitles the nurse to salary
increases and position advancement. Some special-
ty nursing organizations also have certification pro-
grams.National League for Nursing
Another large nursing organization is the National
League for Nursing (NLN). Unlike ANA mem-
bership, NLN membership is open to other health
professionals and interested consumers. Over 1500
nursing schools and health-care agencies and more
than 5000 nurses, educators, administrators, con-
sumers, and students are members of the NLN
(nln.org/aboutnln/info-history.htm).
The NLN participates in test services, research,
and publication. It also lobbies actively for nursing
issues and is currently working cooperatively with
the ANA and other nursing organizations on
health-care reform. To do such things more effec-
tively, the ANA, NLN, American Association of
Colleges of Nursing, and American Organization
of Nurse Executives have formed a coalition called
the TriCouncil for the purpose of dealing with
issues that are important to all nurses.
The NLN formed a separate accrediting
agency, the National League for Nursing
Accrediting Agency (NLNAC). The NLNAC is
responsible for the specialized accreditation of
nursing education schools and programs, both