Professional Organizations and the Politically Active Nurse The American Nurses

Professional Organizations and the Politically Active Nurse The American Nurses Association (ANA) (2015) promotes continued development for nurses in Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice. Some of the standards focus on professional elements such as ethics, culturally congruent practice, communication, collaboration, and leadership. Under Standard 11, one of the competencies for a registered nurse is to contribute “to the evolution of the profession through participation in professional organizations” (American Nurses Association [ANA], 2015, p. 75). Professional nursing organizations can be found at the local, state, national, and international levels. Sometimes, nurses belong to multiple organizations. Choosing a professional organization can be a daunting task. Many nurses question the value of belonging to a nursing organization (Echevarria, 2018). One thing a nurse should consider is their personal goals and if they align with the organization. Some organizations offer educational resources, others exist for advocacy efforts, and some primarily promote professional development (Echevarria, 2018). Some professional organizations provide official publications, standards of practice, and position papers that influence nursing practice (Kearney-Nunnery, 2020). Ultimately, involvement in professional nursing organizations supports the transformation of healthcare and the growth of the nursing profession (Eschevarria, 2018). As mentioned above, some professional nursing organizations focus on advocacy efforts in the political arena. Kearney-Nunnery (2020) addresses understanding the political process and the development of political efficacy. The political imperative is the willingness to be involved and active and to continue to develop skills and an understanding of the evolving needs of people and the nursing profession. Political involvement for nurses ranges from exercising the right to vote to running for an elected position. Nurses can also be involved in decision making by being a member of a policy committee within an organization, attending local healthcare board meetings, or becoming a committee member of a professional nursing organization at any level. One basic way to be politically involved is to stay informed. Nurses should demand facts, not fiction, from elected representatives. To accomplish this, one must be apprised of the issues of the day. There are current issues on the nursing policy agenda that require nursing involvement in healthcare policy and reform. Also, of relevance is the call for action with a focus on safety, professional competencies, and effective patient outcomes. Health disparities, limited healthcare resources, and vulnerable populations persist on local, national, and global levels (Kearney-Nunnery, 2020). The nursing shortage is of particular concern and continues to demand the involvement of professionals in the field (Kearney-Nunnery, 2020). References American Nurses Association [ANA]. (2015). Nursing: Scope and standards of practice (3rd ed). Author Echevarria, I. M. (2018). Make connections by joining a professional nursing organization. Nursing, 48(12), 35–38. http://doi.org/10.1097/01.NURSE.0000547721.84857.cb Kearney-Nunnery, R. (2020). Advancing your career: Concepts of professional nursing (7th ed.). FA Davis.