Exploring Professional Nursing Associations and Organizations

Nursing Professional Organizations

• American Nurses Association (ANA)
• American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN)
• Black Nurses Association (BNA)
• Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing (Sigma)
• International Council of Nurses (ICN)
• American Assembly for Men in Nursing (AAMN)
• National League for Nursing (NLN)

Selected Organization for Further Analysis: American Nurses Association (ANA) Mission Statement The mission of the American Nurses Association (ANA) is to advance the nursing profession to improve health care for all. Goals

• To foster high standards of nursing practice.
• To promote a safe and ethical work environment.
• To bolster the health and wellness of nurses.
• To advocate on health care issues that affect nurses and the public.

One Issue Currently Addressed by the ANA One issue currently addressed by the ANA is the shortage of nurses. The ANA estimates that there will be a shortage of 1.1 million registered nurses by 2030. This shortage is due to a number of factors, including the aging population, the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases, and the retirement of baby boomer nurses. Significance of the Issue to the Health Needs of a Culturally Diverse Society The nursing shortage has a significant impact on the health needs of a culturally diverse society. When there are not enough nurses, patients may have to wait longer for care, and they may not receive the same level of care. This can be especially harmful to minority patients, who are more likely to be uninsured or underinsured. Ethical/Legal Concerns in the Delivery of Health Care Associated with the Issue The nursing shortage raises a number of ethical and legal concerns. For example, nurses may be asked to work longer hours or to take on more patients than they can safely manage. This can lead to errors and patient harm. Specific Nursing Roles and Educational Preparation of Nurses Related to the Issue Nurses play a vital role in addressing the nursing shortage. Nurses can help to recruit and retain nurses by creating a positive work environment and by advocating for policies that support nurses. Nurses can also help to address the nursing shortage by expanding their scope of practice and by taking on new roles, such as nurse practitioners and nurse midwives. Future Impact of the Issue on Professional Nursing Practice The nursing shortage is expected to have a significant impact on professional nursing practice in the future. Nurses will need to be more adaptable and flexible in their practice. They will also need to be more skilled in using technology to provide care. One Strategy to Resolve the Issue One strategy to resolve the nursing shortage is to increase the number of nurses who are educated each year. This can be done by expanding nursing programs and by making nursing education more affordable. Another strategy is to make the nursing profession more attractive to new graduates. This can be done by offering competitive salaries and benefits, and by creating a positive work environment. Conclusion The nursing shortage is a complex issue with no easy solutions. However, by working together, nurses can address this issue and ensure that all Americans have access to high-quality health care. Additional Information The ANA has a number of resources available to help nurses address the nursing shortage. These resources include:

• The ANA Nursing Shortage Resource Center
• The ANA Nurse Retention and Recruitment Toolkit
• The ANA Nurse Leadership for Change program

Nurses can also get involved in addressing the nursing shortage by advocating for policies that support nurses and by raising awareness of the issue.  

Sample Solution