Nursing groups unite to form Nursing Organizations Alliance

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

coalitions of nursing specialty organizations unite

http://www.aspmn.org/html/policy01.htm

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 nursings visibility and impact on health through communication, collaboration and advocacy.

the historic vote to create the alliance occurred on november 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 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 healthcare issues. structural nursing components of a multidisciplinary organization are also welcome to join.

patricia seifert, msn, rn, cnor, crnfa, faan, a past president of the association of preoperative registered nurses, was elected to serve as leader of the coordinating team that will operationalize the alliance structure. in addition to seifert, six other 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, can, 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.

[Mijourney]

Hi. I think it's important for coalitions like this to form between those considered leaders in their specialties. Nursing deserves that because it's vital to the public's health. Hopefully, they will make sure that any dissenting views they may have will not overwhelm the cause or priorities of the coalition. If they do offer dissenting views, I hope these are kept in check because the press will blow this up even more than the nursing shortage.

[fiestynurse]

Coalition building is vital to any mass movement. I know this from working with "Health Care for All - California" We have about 40 coalition organizations that we work with. Even though we have differing views in some areas, we come together for one cause and that is, the fight for a National health care program.

I am thrilled to see nursing organizations coming together in this manner. Let's support and encourage this kind of action!