The American Nurses Association (ANA) is the premier professional organization representing the interests of the nation’s 4 million registered nurses. Founded in 1896, the ANA is the strongest voice for the nursing profession, advancing the profession by fostering high standards of nursing practice, promoting a safe and ethical work environment, bolstering the health and wellness of nurses, and advocating on health care issues that affect nurses and the public.
What is the American Nurses Association (ANA)?
The ANA is a national professional association that represents registered nurses (RNs). The ANA is committed to advancing the nursing profession and improving the quality of health care for all. The ANA does this by advocating for nurses and patients, developing nursing practice standards, and providing resources and support to nurses.
What are the ANA’s goals and objectives?
The ANA’s goals and objectives are to:
- Advance the nursing profession
- Improve the quality of health care for all
- Advocate for nurses and patients
- Develop nursing practice standards
- Provide resources and support to nurses
Why is the ANA important to nurses?
The ANA is important to nurses because it is the strongest voice for the nursing profession. The ANA advocates for nurses and patients at the state and federal levels, and it develops nursing practice standards that help to ensure that nurses provide high-quality care to their patients. The ANA also provides resources and support to nurses, such as professional development opportunities, continuing education courses, and legal assistance.
ANA Membership
Who can join the ANA?
Any RN can join the ANA. The ANA also offers membership to other health care professionals, such as licensed practical nurses (LPNs), nursing students, and retired nurses.
What are the benefits of ANA membership?
ANA members receive a variety of benefits, including:
- Access to ANA’s practice resources, such as the Code of Ethics for Nurses, Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice, and position statements
- Professional development opportunities, such as webinars, conferences, and online courses
- Continuing education courses
- Legal assistance
- A subscription to the American Nurse journal
- Advocacy support at the state and federal levels
How to join the ANA
To join the ANA, visit the ANA website and complete the online membership application.
ANA Practice Resources
The ANA provides a variety of practice resources to nurses, including:
ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses
The ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses is a set of ethical principles that guide nurses in their practice. The Code of Ethics is based on the four core values of nursing: respect for persons, autonomy, beneficence, and justice.
ANA Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice
ANA Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice defines the scope of nursing practice and sets standards for the delivery of nursing care. The Scope and Standards of Practice is updated regularly to reflect the latest advances in nursing practice.
ANA Position Statements
The ANA develops position statements on a variety of health care issues, such as patient safety, nursing education, and workforce policy. ANA position statements are used to advocate for nurses and patients at the state and federal levels.
ANA Professional Competencies for Registered Nurses
The ANA Professional Competencies for Registered Nurses describe the knowledge, skills, and attitudes that nurses need to provide high-quality care to their patients. The Professional Competencies are used to develop nursing education programs and to assess the competence of nurses.
ANA Evidence-Based Practice Resources
The ANA provides a variety of evidence-based practice resources to help nurses make informed decisions about their practice. These resources include the ANA Evidence-Based Practice Center, which conducts systematic reviews of research literature, and the ANA’s Best Practice Guidelines, which provide evidence-based recommendations for nursing practice.
ANA Advocacy and Policy Work
The ANA advocates for nurses and patients at the state and federal levels. The ANA works to influence health policy and legislation that affects nurses and patients. The ANA also works to educate policymakers about the importance of nursing and the need for a strong nursing workforce.
ANA’s role in advancing nursing practice and patient care
The ANA plays a vital role in advancing nursing practice and patient care by:
- Developing nursing practice standards
- Advocating for nurses and patients at the state and federal levels
- Providing resources and support to nurses
- Conducting research on nursing
ANA’s work to influence health policy at the state and federal levels
The ANA works to influence health policy at the state and federal levels by:
- Testifying before Congress and state legislatures
- Meeting with policymakers
- Submitting written comments on proposed legislation and regulations
- Mobilizing its members to contact policymakers
How nurses can get involved in ANA advocacy and policy work
Nurses can get involved in ANA advocacy and policy work by:
- Joining the ANA and becoming a member advocate
- Contacting their elected officials about important nursing issues
- Testifying at public hearings on proposed legislation and regulations
- Writing letters to the editor of their local newspaper
- Participating in ANA-sponsored advocacy campaigns
ANA’s Role in the Global Nursing Community
The ANA plays a vital role in the global nursing community by:
- Working to promote global nursing excellence
- Partnering with international nursing organizations
- Providing resources and support to nurses in developing countries
- Advocating for the rights of nurses around the world
ANA’s work to promote global nursing excellence
The ANA works to promote global nursing excellence by:
- Supporting the development of international nursing standards
- Providing scholarships and fellowships to nurses from developing countries
- Offering educational programs on global nursing issues
- Advocating for the inclusion of nurses in global health initiatives
ANA’s partnerships with international nursing organizations
The ANA has partnerships with a number of international nursing organizations, including the International Council of Nurses (ICN) and the World Health Organization (WHO). These partnerships allow the ANA to collaborate with other nursing organizations on global nursing issues.
How nurses can get involved in ANA’s global initiatives
Nurses can get involved in ANA’s global initiatives by:
- Joining the ANA’s Global Nursing Institute
- Volunteering to work on ANA-sponsored global nursing projects
- Donating to ANA’s Global Nursing Fund
- Advocating for the rights of nurses around the world
Conclusion
The ANA is the premier nursing organization in the United States. The ANA is committed to advancing the nursing profession and improving the quality of health care for all. The ANA does this by advocating for nurses and patients, developing nursing practice standards, and providing resources and support to nurses.
How nurses can support the ANA and its work
Nurses can support the ANA and its work by:
- Joining the ANA
- Becoming a member advocate
- Donating to the ANA
- Volunteering their time and skills
- Advocating for the ANA’s priorities at the state and federal levels
FAQs
Q. What is the difference between the ANA and the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)?
The ANA is a professional organization that represents registered nurses (RNs). The NCSBN is a non-profit organization that develops and administers the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). The NCSBN also sets standards for nursing education and practice.
Q. How does the ANA develop and revise its Code of Ethics and Scope and Standards of Practice?
The ANA develops and revises its Code of Ethics and Scope and Standards of Practice through a consensus-building process that involves nurses from all areas of the profession. The ANA also seeks input from the public and other stakeholders.
Q. +How does the ANA advocate for nurses and patients at the state and federal levels?
The ANA advocates for nurses and patients at the state and federal levels by testifying before Congress and state legislatures, meeting with policymakers, submitting written comments on proposed legislation and regulations, and mobilizing its members to contact policymakers.
Q. How can I get involved in ANA advocacy and policy work?
You can get involved in ANA advocacy and policy work by joining the ANA and becoming a member advocate, contacting your elected officials about important nursing issues, testifying at public hearings on proposed legislation and regulations, writing letters to the editor of your local newspaper, and participating in ANA-sponsored advocacy campaigns.
Q. How can I learn more about the ANA and its work?
You can learn more about the ANA and its work by visiting the ANA website or by contacting the ANA at (800) 262-2329.
