FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 27, 2006

CONTACT:
Catherine Sebold, 301-628-5198
Cindy Price, 301-628-5038

RN Delegates To ANA's Annual Meeting Take Action To Protect The Public's Health

Measures Address Responses to Natural Disasters, Potential Flu Pandemic, and RNs' Ability to Fully Serve Patients

Washington, D.C. - Registered nurses took action to protect the public's health June 23-25, passing measures aimed at ensuring that patients have the essential care that RNs provide, and ensuring that RNs are part of improving America's response to natural disasters and potential flu pandemics. More than 600 RNs from around the country attended the American Nurses Association's (ANA) House of Delegates meeting.

Overwhelmingly, RNs voted to oppose initial maneuvers by the American Medical Association and other physician groups directed at limiting the services and care advanced practice and other registered nurses may provide - moves that could deny patients access to quality, affordable health services.

"For many years, registered nurses and advanced practice registered nurses have been successfully meeting patients' primary and specialized health care needs," said Rebecca M. Patton, MSN, RN, CNOR, the newly elected president of ANA. "We've earned the public's trust, and often we are the only health care professionals willing to care for people living in rural and other underserved areas. We believe the public is best served when health care professionals work together, and when patients determine who most effectively can meet their health care needs."

Advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) are RNs who have attained advanced education and expertise and specialize in clinical areas, such as pediatrics, anesthesiology, gerontology, neonatology and mental health. APRNs include nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, certified nurse-midwives and certified registered nurse anesthetists.

Delegates also passed the following measures, many of which have strong consumer-focused components, that:

• Call for RNs to work closely with government agencies and professional organizations to ensure a more coordinated and effective response to natural disasters, such as hurricanes.

• Advocate for an adequate supply of influenza vaccine and a well-structured plan to distribute it equitably if an influenza pandemic occurs. Additionally, ANA will launch an educational campaign to increase the number of consumers, including RNs, who receive seasonal influenza vaccinations each year.

• Build on ANA's campaign to reduce toxic chemicals in health care and everyday products by substituting safer alternatives. Part of that campaign involves educating policymakers, the public and RNs about the hazards they face and how those chemicals affect the environment and global health.

• Assist in alleviating the chronic and acute pain that millions Americans endure by working with policymakers and other health care professionals to promote effective pain management strategies. Ensure health care professionals are not subject to undue government scrutiny when they provide effective pain management.

• Prevent abusive behavior in the workplace, and establish a zero tolerance for work environments that allow abusive behavior, such as bullying, intimidation and sexual harassment.

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