FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 27, 2001
CONTACT:
Hope Hall, 202-651-7027
Cindy Price, 202-651-7038
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ANA President Joins Commission Addressing Workforce Shortages in Health Care
Washington, DC -- American Nurses Association (ANA) President Mary Foley, MS, RN, has joined a commission of health care leaders charged with addressing one of the most significant problems facing the health care field -- the workforce shortage.
The Commission on Workforce, which is comprised of a diverse group of health care professions and organizations, will identify strategies to increase recruitment, retention and development of qualified caregivers and support staff in hospitals. The Commission will not only look at the nursing shortage, which is steadily increasing, but will also look at a variety of health care positions that are also seeing a decreasing applicant pool, such as pharmacists, technicians and therapists.
"Current and emerging shortages in health care personnel poses a real threat to our nation's health care system," said Foley. "Now is the time to address the myriad of issues causing the current and emerging staffing shortages. It will also be important that the essential role of the registered nurse (RN) be assured in both current and future care models. ANA will continue to promote the RN's role in care delivery."
ANA and its constituent members have been strong advocates for the improvement of workplace conditions B attacking such issues as inadequate staffing and mandatory overtime B to address the emerging nursing shortage. In February of this year, ANA released the results of a national on-line survey, the ANA Staffing Survey, which revealed that nurses are extremely discouraged and discontented with their current work environment. ANA is committed to ensuring that these issues are addressed in any discussions regarding the shortage of nurses and other health care professions. Representing a broad nurse membership, including staff nurses, faculty administrators and advance practice registered nurses, Foley will be able to bring workplace issues and other concerns of the profession to the table as the Commission seeks solutions to the overall workplace shortages.
"With direct nursing care having a major effect on patient outcomes, the nursing profession knows we can't delay in looking for real solutions. Safe, quality patient care is at risk," said Foley.
The work of this year-long initiative, sponsored by the American Hospital Association, will be documented in a report that will offer a blueprint of solutions to be shared outside the health care field with government leaders and a variety of professional groups including educators, labor and technology leaders.
"All sectors of the health care industry must make a united effort to help solve this growing crisis," said Foley. "I welcome the opportunity to work with other health care leaders on this very important initiative and I'm committed to ensuring that the concerns of our nation’s nurses are not overlooked."
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The American Nurses Association is the only full-service professional organization representing the nation's nearly 2.7 million Registered Nurses through its 54 constituent associations. ANA advances the nursing profession by fostering high standards of nursing practice, promoting the economic and general welfare of nurses in the workplace, projecting a positive and realistic view of nursing, and by lobbying the Congress and regulatory agencies on health care issues affecting nurses and the public.
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