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AMERICAN NURSES' ASSOCIATION
1. Origin - Began with a meeting of nursing leaders at the World's Fair in
Chicago in 1890.
2. Membership - Each state is free to establish its own membership plans;
however, membership is limited to RNs. One reason for the low level of
membership is its high costs. In most areas of the country dues are $250 per
year.
3. Purpose - To support the advancement of nursing as a profession and to
support research in topics related to the profession itself.
4. Functions - It gets involved in all the issues that nursing confronts. It
also provides direct services to member such as access to a group
professional liability insurance plan and group insurance for health,
disability, and accident coverage.
5. Publications - The "American Journal of Nursing", "Facts about Nursing",
and the "American Nurse". The organization also publishes many pamphlets and
informational resources that are of value to a nurse.
6. Impact on Nursing - Initiates and influences legislation, establishes
nursing standards, establishes a code of ethical conduct, ensures a system
of credentialing nurses, provides for the professional development of
nurses, and represents nurses in public relations.
INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF NURSES
1. Origin - Began in 1899. Nurses from both the U.S. and Canada were
among the founding members.
2. Membership - National nursing organizations.
3. Purpose - To provide a medium through which national nurses' associations
may share common interests to promote health of the people and care of teh
sick throughout the world.
4. Functions - To promote the development of strong nursing associations. To
assist national nursing associations to improve the standards of nursing and
the competence of nurses. To assist national nursing associations to improve
the status of nurses. And to serve as a authoritative voice of nurses and
nursing internationally.
5. Publications - None
6. Impact on Nursing - Works with the U.N. when appropriate and with other
international health-related groups, such as the International Red Cross for
health care in general and nursing care throughout the world.
NATIONAL LEAGUE OF NURSING
1. Origin - Began in 1952 as an organization of both individuals and
agencies.
2. Membership - Individuals and agencies interested in the profession of
nursing and delivery of nursing care.
3. Purposes - To strengthen and support nursing services, to promote
research for widening the knowledge base of nursing education and practice,
to maintain responsiveness to its membership, to promote public
understanding and support of nursing, and to explore new avenues for
promoting nursing.
4. Functions - Offers continuing education, voluntary accreditation for
educational programs in nursing, and testing services, including
pre-entrance testing for potential students, achievement testing throughout
the program, and state board examinations for licensure.
5. Publication - "Nursing and Health Care"
6. Impact on Nursing - Provides accreditation, consultation, continuing
education, evaluation and testing, and research.
ANA POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (ANA-PAC)
1. Origin - Previously called the Nurses' Coalition for Action in
Politics (N-CAP). Is the ANA political action group founded in 1974.
2. Membership - Voluntary - Donations are accepted from nurses and other
interested parties.
3. Purpose - To become actively involved in the politics that affect
nursing.
4. Function - Undertake lobbying efforts as well as to work on behalf of
candidates.
5. Publications - The ANA helps to keep members informed of legislative
issues through the monthly newsletter, "Capital Update".
6. Impact on Nursing - Has affected many laws and regulations controlling
nursing.
NATIONAL COUNCIL OF STATE BOARDS OF NURSING (NCSBN)
1. Origin - NCSBN withdrew from ANA in 1978 to form NCSBN as a separate
entity.
2. Membership - Boards of Nursing in States and Territories.
3. Purposes and Functions - Develop licensing exams; develop model licensure
laws and regulation; disseminate information.
4. Publications - "Issues" (quarterly newsletter)
5. Impact on Nursing - To promote uniform standards for the nursing
profession.
NATIONAL STUDENT NURSES' ASSOCIATION
1. Origin - Formed in 1953 and incorporated in 1959. Originally, it
functioned under teh aegis of the ANA and NLN; however, in 1968 it became an
autonomous body, although it communicates with the NLN and ANA.
2. Membership - A student must be enrolled in a state-approved nursing
education program.
3. Purpose - Recruitment and maintenance of enrollment in nursing schools.
4. Functions - Is frequently asked to testify before congressional
committees when issues relevant to nursing education are being considered.
5. Publications - newsletter "Imprint"
6. Impact on Nursing - In 1975 the NSNA developed a Student Bill of Rights.
This document carefully balances the rights of students with the
responsibilities of students. It supports the view of students as competent
adults who are engaged in an educational program. The rights outlined relate
to the educational program itself, to the rules and policies of the
institution, and to freedom in personal life and decision-making.
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Written by Epstein LaRue, RN, BS, author
of "Highway Hypodermics: Your Road Map To Travel Nursing", "Love At
First Type", and "Crazy Thoughts of Passion."
http://www.epsteinlarue.com/ |
