The American Nurses Association History and functions

Table of Contents

The American nurses association was formed in 1896. At first, this ANA was referred to as the Nurses Associated Alumnae. This association was only formed to represent nurses in the US. After 16 years of being known as the Nurses Associated Alumnae, this association became known as the American Nurses Association. The first convention of the formation of the Nurses Associated Alumnae was held in 1896, and all the attendees were not registered nurses (Nursing world, 2012). This was as a result of the absence of laws for use in licensing the nurses then. The main aim behind the formation of the American Nurses association was to assist nurses to partake in the development of national healthcare through nurses’ well-being in the workplace.

In 1897, the Nurses associated alumnae formed constitution and bylaws that led to Canada and American nurses Associated Alumnae being organized. In 1898, the first annual convention was held. As time passes by, the nurses associated alumnae further progressed to develop the American Journal of nursing. The association also affiliated with the American Society of Superintendents of training schools to form the American federation of nurses. The federation was intended at gaining membership in the National Council of Women.

For over one hundred years, the ANA membership has grown remarkably and its services expanded. This association is also responsible for the publishing of a huge collection of nursing practice and profession materials (ANAsafepatienthandling, 2012). So far, there is an established code of professional nursing ethics and a means through which nurses are credentialed in their area of specialization (Nursing world, 2012). Most of all, ANA’s main role has been in advancing the nursing profession such that it earns intense respect throughout the world. The association has also openly welcomed different nursing practice perspectives to advocate for each nurse regardless of their status of membership.

Value of ANA code of ethics to the professional nursing practice

In the nursing profession, the American nursing profession acts as the voice. Throughout the United States, ANA represents the concerns of approximately 3.1 million nurses that are registered. The ANA code of ethics teaches nurses how to respect patients, colleagues, and families. Respect is crucial aspect of nursing given that it allows the establishment of trust and honesty. Through the ANA code, the nurse is also reminded that their main role is in commitment to the patient. The patient can be an individual, family, community or group. Commitment to patient indicates that the nurse should give the highest priority to the patient thereby resolving all problems that the patient or their family maybe encountering (Nursing world, 2012). The nurse is also expected to promote learning, guarantee understanding and facilitate making decisions. All decisions must be founded on what is right and what is wrong. The ANA code is an essential tool in promoting the safety, health, and rights of patients.

Healthcare institutions have to make sure that their nursing operations are guided by the nursing professional code. This way, the welfare of patients who seek care there will be protected. Health institutions will ensure that the rights of patients (Nursing practice, 2012). Through the code of ethics, nurses are required to be responsible and accountable for their actions. In their services, they should serve others just like they could do to themselves. Nurses should contribute towards the nursing profession, education, practice, knowledge development and administration. Nurses are also called to participate in professional association as a way of articulating their values, shaping social policy, and maintaining the integrity.

ANA provisions and their application to may professional goals

Two of the provisions I value most are “the nurse’s main obligation is to the patient whether a person, relations, collection, or society” and “the profession of nursing, as represented by associations and their member, is accountable for communicating nursing values, for uphold the reliability of the profession and its application, and for determining collective policy” (Nursing practice, 2012).

As a nurse, it is a necessary obligation to promote the patients’ health. In this case, a commitment is necessary to guarantee that the patient and their health come first at all times. This means that, in my line of duty, I have to identify problems being encountered by the patient and his family. For instance, a case where patients feel that their patient is not receiving the right attention and the patient is threatening to take his or her life from despair. In addition, taking the history of a patient should be done carefully to ensure that the right diagnosis is given to the patient. Commitment comes with dedication. The devotion of time to take patients’ history serves in the identification of sickness and in determining the patients’ diagnosis. This way, instances of misdiagnosis will be rare.

With changes in technology and other strategic needs, the health care institution is subject to change. As a result, participation in associations is relevant in articulating values, in nurses, sustaining integrity levels, and shaping social policy. This can occur through participation in communication of nursing values and retention of professional standards within the institution of practice. Given increased cases of binge drinking, an initiative to enlighten young people to drink responsibly or avoid driving when drunk will serve as a legitimate social policy issue. This policy is supported by many emergency departments which have to attend to one or more accident by a drunk driver.

References

ANA safe patient handling, (2012). ANA’s History. Retrieved from http://www.anasafepatienthandling.org/Main-Menu/SPH-Background/ANA-History.aspx

Nursing world, (2012). ANA History. Retrieved from http://www.nursingworld.org/FunctionalMenuCategories/AboutANA/History

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