FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE/July 3, 1997

CONTACT: Sara Foer [202/651-7023]; Joan Meehan [202/651-7020]

ANA House of Delegates Works to Protect Nurses, Patients

Washington, DC -- In motion after motion, the 67th session of the American Nurses Association House of Delegates (ANA HOD) took bold steps to protect nurses' scope of practice, economic welfare, and professional opportunities in the United States and other countries. From June 26 through June 29 in Washington, DC, the ANA HOD actions reinforced nursing's commitment to the safety and quality of patient care, a long-standing priority for ANA.

"The reason that I came into nursing is the reason I'm still here," stated ANA President Beverly L. Malone, PhD, RN, FAAN, at the opening ceremony of the ANA HOD. "It's still the most passionate thing that I know--it's about the delivery of safe, quality care to patients."

Unlicensed Assistive Personnel

The issue of unlicensed assistive personnel struck a deep chord of anxiety at the ANA HOD. Although some individual states have begun to regulate UAP in hospitals, the House unanimously agreed (96%) not to advocate for any new regulation of UAP at this time. In addition, the House directed the ANA to provide guidelines to SNAs that already have enacted UAP regulation.

Economic Equity for VA Nurses

The House overwhelmingly voted that ANA advocate for equity for RNs who are in the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) as compared to other federal employees. Currently, because RNs are the only professional group in the DVA subject to the department's locality pay system, they have experienced six years of economic compression with little or no salary advances.

International Mobility of RNs

The increasing international mobility of RNs coupled with the potential impact of international trade agreements and employment practices on nursing practice prompted the ANA HOD to approve a motion directing the ANA to advocate actively for professional opportunities for RNs in the United States and other countries. ANA will achieve this goal by collaborating with international and national organizations and monitoring the impact of international trade agreements.

Multi-state Licensure

In discussing the implications of telehealth and multi-state licensure, the ANA HOD reviewed such issues as collective bargaining, tracking of nurses in various settings, data collection relative to work force projections, and disciplinary implications. The ANA HOD recommended that the ANA examine issues surrounding multi-state licensure for RNs and continue to collaborate with the National Council of State Boards of Nursing on this topic.

Health Care Production of Toxic Pollution

Offering personal testimonies, more than 95 percent of the delegates voted to reduce health care production of toxic pollution. In addition, the ANA HOD moved to endorse the position statement on regulated medical waste as published by the Association of Operating Room Nurses, collaborate with other organizations in developing federal and state standards for dioxin emission from medical waste incinerators, and educate RNs and other health care personnel about medical waste issues.

Elimination of Racism

By an overwhelming majority (92%), the House voted to develop a position statement on the elimination of racism. The ANA HOD recommended using the Ohio Nurses Association's statement on "Nursing Workplace Being Free of Racism" as a model.

ANA's Vision and Goals

More than 96% of the delegates voted to accept the following short-term vision and two-year goals and priorities.

Short-term Vision
Quality health care for all people is assured by protecting and enhancing professional nursing practice in all environments.

1998-1999 Goals and Priorities
I. ANA and SNAs will assure that the registered nurse is an essential provider in all practice settings through education, research, collective bargaining, workplace advocacy, legislation and regulation.

II. ANA and SNAs will collectively and collaboratively advocate for access to comprehensive quality health care, affordable for all people.

III. ANA and SNAs as multipurpose organizations will continue to be strong and effective at the state, national and international levels.

This year's meeting was held at the Sheraton Washington Hotel in Washington, DC. The ANA HOD meets annually to vote on issues important to the profession. The next meeting will be held in San Diego, CA., as part of ANA's biennial Convention, June 26 - July 1, 1998.

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