FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 17, 2001
CONTACT:
Joan Meehan-Hurwitz,, 202-651-7020
Connie Helmlinger, 202-651-7024
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Coalitions of Nursing Specialty Organizations Unite
Washington, DC --Two long-standing coalitions of nursing organizations have united to create an even stronger voice for nurses to address vital practice and health policy issues.
Called the Nursing Organizations Alliance (the Alliance), the new group represents the merging of the National Federation for Specialty Nursing Organizations (NFSNO) and the Nursing Organizations Liaison Forum (NOLF), an entity of the American Nurses Association (ANA). Its mission is "to increase nursing's visibility and impact on health through communication, collaboration and advocacy."
"Nursing leaders believe there's strength in numbers, and the Alliance will be able to use the power of the collective membership of its member organizations to make a difference in the lives of nurses and their patients across the nation," said NOLF co-chair, Anne Manton, PhD, RN, FAAN.
"NOLF and NFSNO have been holding joint meetings for a few years and working together to advance many key issues, including health care reform and funding of the federal Nurse Education Act," explained ANA President Mary Foley, MS, RN. "This merger is a natural evolution of this partnership and we look forward to being part of a strong and effective Alliance."
The historic vote to create the Alliance occurred on Nov. 17, 2001, at a special meeting of NOLF and NFSNO member organizations in Salt Lake City, UT. Specifically, NFSNO members agreed to dissolve their organization. While NOLF members also signed on to the Alliance, NOLF will continue to operate until the ANA House of Delegates meets in June 2002 to revise its bylaws. The Nursing Organizations Alliance seeks to work with the ANA to identify opportunities to strengthen specialty nursing and to promote partnerships that enhance the public's well-being.
A group of specialty organizations established NFSNO in 1973 to address practice and leadership issues specific to specialty nursing. ANA created NOLF in 1982 to provide a formal structure in which national nursing specialty organizations and ANA could discuss professional and national health policy concerns and promote concerted action on key issues. Many specialty organizations belonged to both groups.
Membership in the Alliance is open to any nursing organization whose focus is to address current and emerging nursing and health care issues. Structural nursing components of a multi disciplinary organization are also welcome to join.
"The Alliance is a positive step forward for nurses nationwide – whether they specialize in OR, pediatrics, intensive care, or home health," said Sheila Haas, PhD, RN, FAAN, NFSNO president. "This new alliance will provide broader opportunities for leaders of specialty organizations to discuss best practices, as well as advocate for legislation and other measures that advance the profession."
Patricia Seifert, MSN, RN, CNOR, CRNFA, FAAN, a past president of the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses, who was elected to serve as leader of the coordinating team that will operationalize the alliance structure, commented on the environmental issues driving the merger. "Given the nursing shortage and other crucial issues facing the profession today, we need a united approach to ensure there are enough skilled specialty nurses to provide the kind of care patients need now and in the future. By working together more effectively, the Alliance will achieve its mission to increase nursing's visibility and impact on health."
In addition to Seifert, six others individuals representing a diverse group of organizations were elected to serve on the coordinating team. They include: Susan Shelander, RN, CPAN, treasurer of the coordinating team; American Society of Peri Anesthesia Nurses Belinda Puetz, PhD, RN - secretary of the coordinating team; Puetz & Associates, Inc. Michael Desjardins, RN, President, National Student Nurses Association Brenda Dugger, MA, RN, CRNI, CNA, President, Infusion Nurses Society Mary Jagim, BSN, RN, CEN, President, Emergency Nurses Association Edward Latham, RN, Past President, National Gerontological Nursing Association
To ensure continuity, Anne Manton, PhD, RN, FAAN, co-chairperson of NOLF and a past president, Emergency Nurses Association, also will participate on the team as the ANA/NOLF liaison.
The coordinating team will provide leadership for the programs of the Alliance including the Nurse in Washington Internship (NIWI) program. ANA will staff the organization during this transition phase. It is expected that the Alliance will convene its first official meeting in fall 2002.
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