I chose the objective Discuss the role of the American Nurses Association (ANA) as an

advocate for nurses and a force for change in the health care system (Kelly & Tazbir, 2014,
p.186). I guess I have known about the American Nurses Association, but I have never really
cared about what they did or represented. After reading about this organization and what they
are trying to accomplish I have a greater appreciation for what they are doing for nurses all over
the nation. One of the things that the text talked about that I did not know is that ANA represent
RNs whether they are members or not, and I feel their mission says it all; Nurses advancing
our profession to improve health for all (Kelly & Tazbir, 2014, p.192). Not only are they trying to
make nursing as a profession better for us as nurses, but they are also trying to help improve
the way we are caring for our patients so that they too get the best care. An example of this was
the Magnet Recognition Program they started, which recognizes facilities that demonstrate the
best of nursing care (Kelly & Tazbir, 2014). I feel this is so great that they want to motivate us as
nurses to be our best not only for ourselves but for those we care for. In the ANA national annual
reports from 2014 it just shows the kind of things that they are trying to improve. They first
address the issue of staffing, which I know from personal experience can be hard, especially
when it is short. This also leads into one of the next issues which was fatigue. This can be a
result of the staffing, but this was to include not only physical but mental fatigue as well. They
also discuss topic such as education, advocacy, influence, care coordination, pursuing quality,
and improving health to just name a few of the topics (American Nurses Association, 2015).
After reading this and some of the other things published by ANA it makes me want to more
actively read what they are involved in and maybe in the future play a more active part. I feel it is
motivating to know this nurse group is working to make our nursing profession the best it can be
by trying to change polices and procedures, but also advocate for our patients in making their
care and experience better, through education and care.

American Nurses Association. (2015). Leading the Way. American Nurse, 47(3), 7-10.

Kelly, P., & Tazbir, J. (2014). Essentials of Nursing Leadership & Management. (3rd, ed.). New
York, NY:Delmar, Cengage Learning.