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chapter 15 | Nursing Yesterday and Today 249 CikguOnline
2. Advocate for policy that incorporates the prin- The registered care technician category was never
ciples of primary health care (access, interdisci- established despite the AMA’s vigorous support.
plinary, patient and community involvement, The ANA frequently publishes position state-
health promotion) and respects the Canada ments outlining the organization’s position on par-
Health Act ticular topics important to the health and welfare of
3. Advance the regulation of RNs in the interest the public and/or the nurse. Box 15-1 summarizes
of the public some of the current position statements available
4. Collaborate with nurses, other providers, stake- from the ANA, which can be accessed on the ANA
holders, and the public to achieve and sustain Web site (nursingworld.org/) or are available by
quality practice environments and positive mail on request. Likewise, the Canadian Nurses
client outcomes Organization publishes position statements on
5. Advance international health such issues as education, ethics, healthy public pol-
6. Promote awareness of the profession so that the icy,leadership,practice,primary health care,protec-
roles and expertise of RNs are understood, tion of the public, and research (Nursing Now,
respected, and optimized (abbreviated from 2005; 2007).
CAN-AIIC at http://www.CNA-nurses.ca) Finally, the ANA offers certification in various
specialty areas. Certification is a formal, voluntary
The core policy issues identified by the ANA in process by which the professional demonstrates
2007 were: knowledge of and expertise in a specific area of
practice. It is a way to establish the nurse’s expertise
■ Nursing shortage
■ Workplace rights beyond the basic requirements for licensure and is
■ Workplace health and safety an important part of peer recognition for nurses. In
■ Appropriate staffing many areas, certification entitles the nurse to salary
■ Patient safety and advocacy increases and position advancement. Some special-
ty nursing organizations also have certification pro-
Although more than 2 million people are mem- grams.
bers of the nursing profession in the United
States, only about 10% of the nation’s RNs are National League for Nursing
members of their professional organization. The Another large nursing organization is the National
many different subgroups and numerous specialty League for Nursing (NLN). Unlike ANA mem-
nursing organizations contribute to this fragmen- bership, NLN membership is open to other health
tation, which makes presenting a united front professionals and interested consumers. Over 1500
from which to advocate for nursing difficult. As nursing schools and health-care agencies and more
the ANA works on the goal of preparing nurses than 5000 nurses, educators, administrators, con-
during the 21st century, nurses need to work sumers, and students are members of the NLN
together in their efforts to identify and promote (nln.org/aboutnln/info-history.htm).
their unique, autonomous role within the health- The NLN participates in test services, research,
care system. and publication. It also lobbies actively for nursing
Many advantages are available to nurses who issues and is currently working cooperatively with
join the ANA. Membership offers benefits such as the ANA and other nursing organizations on
informative publications, group life and health health-care reform. To do such things more effec-
insurance, malpractice insurance, and continuing tively, the ANA, NLN, American Association of
education courses. As the major voice of nursing in Colleges of Nursing, and American Organization
the United States, the ANA lobbies the govern- of Nurse Executives have formed a coalition called
ment to influence laws that affect the practice of the TriCouncil for the purpose of dealing with
nursing and the safety of consumers. The power of issues that are important to all nurses.
the ANA was apparent when nurses lobbied The NLN formed a separate accrediting
against the American Medical Association’s agency, the National League for Nursing
(AMA) proposal to create a new category of Accrediting Agency (NLNAC). The NLNAC is
health-care worker, the registered care technician, responsible for the specialized accreditation of
as an answer to the nursing shortage of the 1980s. nursing education schools and programs, both