ANA House of Delegates Approves New Structure to Better Meet the Needs of Nation's Nurses

Alabama Nurse,  Sep-Nov 2003  

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Subsequent to that, the ANA Board of Directors, at the request of the CMAs, undertook a strategic planning process that led to the creation of a Futures Task Force that was charged with clarifying the role of the ANA. After defining a future goal for the ANA - "To be the unifying force to advance quality health care for all" - and strategic goals, the task force looked at how to achieve the defined goals, and determined that restructaring should be considered. This process ultimately led to the development and passage of the new bylaws amendments.

"This is truly a historic moment for ANA and nursing," Blakeney said. "This House has taken action that will not only enable us to better advocate for, and meet the needs of, today's nurses, but also will set a standard of inclusion and excellence for the nurses of tomorrow. We have begun a process of unification that will strengthen nursing's voice in various arenas and help further the mission of the profession."

In addition to offering new membership categories, reflecting the rights of member constituencies to participate in governance, and enabling UAN and CAN to function as autonomous but connected organizations, the new bylaws clarify the distinct roles of the HOD and Board of Directors. In addition, delegates approved a change in the schedule of the House of Delegates. ANA will continue to hold an annual House of Delegates through 2006 and then move to a biennial schedule.

The American Nurses Association is the only full-service professional organization representing the nation's 2.7 million registered nurses (RNs) through its constituent member associations. The 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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