Professional Nursing Organizations & Ethics

1. MAJOR NURSING ORGANIZATIONS

American Nurses Association (ANA)

• Overview: National professional organization for registered nurses.

• Purpose:
    - Advance nursing practice
    - Set standards of care
    - Influence healthcare policy
    - Protect nurse and patient interests

• Key Functions:
    - Establishes:
      - Standards of nursing practice
      - Code of Ethics for Nurses
    - Uses a governance system to serve members.
    - Members pay dues that include:
      - Dual membership (state + national level in the U.S.)

• Committees: Nurses can serve at:
    - State level
    - Regional level
    - National level

National League for Nursing (NLN)

• Overview: Oldest nursing organization in the U.S.

• Focus: Nursing education.

• Key Contributions:
    - Standardizing nurse education
    - Supporting faculty development
    - Accrediting nursing education programs

Sigma Theta Tau International (Sigma)

• Overview: Nursing honor society.

• Focus Areas:
    - Leadership
    - Scholarship
    - Service

• Purpose:
    - Recognize nursing excellence
    - Advance global health

American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL)

• Focus: Nursing leadership roles.

• Appropriate for: Nurse leaders/managers.

National Student Nurses Association (NSNA)

• Overview: Organization for nursing students.

• Focus:
    - Leadership development
    - Advocacy
    - Professional socialization

2. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN NURSING

Benefits of Nursing Organizations

• Improve nursing practice.

• Support career advancement.

• Develop competency.

• Provide leadership opportunities.

• Promote advocacy for patients and nurses.

Professional Development Includes

• ✔ Maintaining competence.

• ✔ Enhancing nursing practice.

• ✔ Supporting career goals.

• ❌ NOT included:
    - Reducing license renewal costs.

Why Nurses Join Organizations

• Lifelong learning.

• Leadership development.

• Advocacy opportunities.

• Professional empowerment.

• Networking.

Volunteerism Benefits

• Career development.

• Professional empowerment.

• Personal empowerment.

• Demonstrates engagement in profession.

• Builds experience and leadership skills.

3. ETHICS IN NURSING

Code of Ethics (ANA)

• Created by: American Nurses Association.

• Purpose: Guides professional nursing behavior.

• Focus Areas:
    - Patient safety.
    - Patient rights.
    - Ethical care.

Nurse Responsibilities in Code of Ethics

• Protecting patients:
    - Safety.
    - Rights.
    - Health.

• Maintaining healthcare environments:
    - Establish safe environments.
    - Maintain safe environments.
    - Improve healthcare environments.

Purpose of Nursing Ethics

• Protect patient welfare.

• Guide decision-making.

• Promote accountability.

4. ROLES OF PROFESSIONAL NURSING ORGANIZATIONS

Functions:

• Promote lifelong learning.

• Define nursing values.

• Protect professional integrity.

• Shape healthcare policy.

• Provide structure for collaboration.

• Support volunteerism.

5. ADVOCACY IN NURSING ORGANIZATIONS

Advocacy Focus

• Organizations advocate for:
    - Patients (client care needs).
    - Nursing profession.
    - Specialty practice needs.
    - Education and workforce development.

6. SERVICE & VOLUNTEERISM

Appropriate Nursing Volunteer Activities:

• Health fairs (BP checks, screenings).

• Homeless shelters (basic care).

• Disaster response (emergency aid).

• International health outreach.

• Community education programs.

Student Nurse Volunteer Activities:

• Talking with patients.

• Helping with meals.

• Participating in facility events.

• Assisting with recreational activities (art, activities).

7. EDUCATION & ADVOCACY

To Raise Awareness in Nursing Practice, Include:

• Healthcare administrators.

• Policymakers.

• Public/community members.

• Interprofessional healthcare team.

8. KEY EXAM TAKEAWAYS (HIGH-YIELD)

• ✔ ANA = standards + ethics + governance.

• ✔ Sigma = honor society (leadership/scholarship/service).

• ✔ NLN = nursing education.

• ✔ AONL = leadership.

• ✔ NSNA = students.

• ✔ Professional orgs = career growth + advocacy + education.

• ✔ Ethics = patient safety, rights, and fairness.

9. CERTIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL NURSING ORGANIZATIONS

Overview of Certifications

• Nurses may pursue certifications in specialty areas after practicing for several years.

• Membership in professional nursing organizations helps to network, stay current in practice, and access research.

Definition of Licensure and Certification

• Licensure: Indicates safe practice and the minimum qualification.

• Certification: Shows excellence in a specialty of nursing.

• Nurses may become certified in the specialty in which they practice.   

Requirements for Certification

• Minimum work experience and education are required for each nursing certification.

• After meeting these criteria, nurses must pass an examination and maintain continuing education and work requirements.

• Certifications are available for RNs as well as advanced practice nurses.

American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)

• Awards Magnet Recognition to hospitals that demonstrate excellence and innovation in nursing.

• Individual nurses can seek certification through ANCC.

Professional Organizations and Membership Value

• Important aspect of nursing profession allows access to information, resources, and a voice in profession.

• Notable organizations include:
    - ANA
    - NLN
    - ICN
    - Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing
    - NSNA

• Participating in NSNA while in nursing school is a significant beginning to a nurse’s career.

• Over 80 specialty organizations exist, including:
    - American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
    - Emergency Nurses Association
    - National Association of School Nurses
    - Oncology Nurses Society.

10. FUTURE DIRECTIONS

Aging Population Statistics

• Worldwide, people are living longer and healthier lives.

• By 2050, 1 in 6 people globally will be over age 65 (16%), compared to 1 in 11 in 2019 (9%).

• The greatest increase is occurring in developing countries, resulting in increased demands on healthcare systems (UN, 2020).

Nursing Shortage Information

• World Health Organization (WHO) Data: Over 4 million people lack quality healthcare globally; an additional 18 million health workers are needed.

• National nursing shortage projected to be 569,240 by 2030, primarily in the West (Zhang, Tai, Pforsich, et al., 2018).

• Nursing schools struggling to expand capacity due to faculty shortages, clinical site limitations, and increased retirement.

Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN)

• Funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, adapted competencies from IOM report for nursing.

• Core Competencies:
    - Patient-centered care
    - Teamwork and collaboration
    - Evidence-based practice
    - Quality improvement
    - Safety
    - Informatics

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine Report

• Goals include addressing aging populations, mental health issues, ensuring culturally competent care, and working to full capability of nurses.

• Recommendations focus on structural changes to support nursing in crisis and disaster, health equity, and preventive care.

National Patient Safety Goals

• Established by TJC in 2003 to improve hospital patient safety.

• Hospital Goals for 2021:
    - Improve accuracy of patient identification.
    - Enhance communication among caregivers.
    - Ensure safety when using medications.
    - Mitigate risks associated with anticoagulant therapy.   - Maintain accurate medication information.
    - Reduce harm from clinical alarms.
    - Minimize healthcare-associated infections.
    - Identify risks specific to hospital patient populations.

• These goals are subject to reassessment as new patient care challenges arise.