October 1997

The American Journal of Nursing (AJN), published monthly, is the official journal of the American Nurses Association. ANA directly publishes four columns in the journal: Washington Watch, Issues Update, ANA Resources and Vital Signs.

Washington Watch provides readers with information about key legislative, regulatory, legal and political happenings at the national level and explains ANA's involvement in these events.

ANA Hails Landmark Medicare Reimbursement Law as Nursing Victory: After eight of persistent efforts by ANA, provisions allowing direct Medicare reimbursement payments to all nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialists in ALL geographic locations were signed into law August 5.

Clinton Joins ANA In Supporting Genetic Nondiscrimination Legislation: ANA has gained some high-level company in its support of a bill that would prohibit insurance providers from denying or canceling insurance coverage or varying the terms and conditions of health insurance on the basis of genetic information.

Ruling Removes Obstacles to RN Organizing: The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled in late August that the charge nurses at Providence Alaska Medical Center are not supervisors and, therefore, are eligible for collective bargaining.

Issues Update explores one topic in each issue of direct relevance to nurses and the nursing profession and discusses ANA's outlook and involvement with the topic.

Nurses' CE Options Expand With Distance Learning: ANA is forging innovative delivery of continuing education through audioconferencing and computerized learning.

ANA Resources updates readers on new ANA products, publications or services.

Book Addresses Full Scope of Women's Health Care: "Women's Primary Health Care: Protocols for Practice," published by American Nurses Publishing, covers health experiences across women's life spans, health in relation to environment, and the process of attaining, maintaining, and assessing health.

1998 Convention Offers Intensive CE: ANA's 1998 San Diego Convention and Exposition will focus on unification as a means of strengthening the profession. Emphasizing individual professional development through educational preparation, the meeting offers nurses from all specialty areas the opportunity to network, exchange ideas and experiences, and plan a course of action for the profession's future.

Vital Signs is an opinion column on topics of significance to nurses and the nursing profession.

Giving Immunization a Boost: Through the efforts of public health and pediatric nurses, 78% of American two-year-olds have completed their primary series of immunizations. The remaining unprotected children, victims of the high cost of vaccinations, will benefit from Clinton-backed programs to fund free vaccine for uninsured and indigent children. "Every Child By Two," a program of the American Nurses Foundation, has achieved unparalleled success in promoting the goal of full immunization by age two.

Return to the AJN page.