What in the world does the ANA do?

~nurse~ · Oct 23, 2008

In reply to BillEDRN,

Unlike ANA, CNA and their union NNOC, and the many other organizations mentioned in various posts around this site, I can't tell you here what I am doing about it. At the risk of being kicked off this site permanently I will say I feel I am being censored here for mentioning what I have started to do to elevate nursing although it is of nurses, for nurses and only for the benefit of nurses, not for profit or personal gain. And censored by a nurse...no wonder nursing can't raise above its current level!

With a little work and planning I hope to not have to worry about the wellfare of nurses soon, but for now I will keep fighting, even though nurses are nurses' worst enemy. :banghead:

So there goes another :twocents: of my mind, soon maybe I'll be broke.

BillEDRN · Oct 24, 2008

In reply to BillEDRN,
Unlike ANA, CNA and their union NNOC, and the many other organizations mentioned in various posts around this site, I can't tell you here what I am doing about it. At the risk of being kicked off this site permanently I will say I feel I am being censored here for mentioning what I have started to do to elevate nursing although it is of nurses, for nurses and only for the benefit of nurses, not for profit or personal gain. And censored by a nurse...no wonder nursing can't raise above its current level!
With a little work and planning I hope to not have to worry about the wellfare of nurses soon, but for now I will keep fighting, even though nurses are nurses' worst enemy.
So there goes another of my mind, soon maybe I'll be broke.

Your "new kid in town" sounds interesting and I personally would be interested in hearing more about it. It is good to hear that you are actually doing something about the situation so I applaud your efforts. Now, the hard part is getting other nurses to buy into it.

I have to admit that I don't quite understand your comments about being censored, but if that is so, I would tend to agree that any attempt to do so should be loudly condemmed by every nurse here. Good luck on your endevours.

gcupid · May 16, 2011

Wow, from a rant about the uselessness of the ANA to the uselessness of the nurse, plus snuck a little political agenda in there as well.

Somehow...what I inferred from the post was that the ANA is worried about education and the advancement of nursing practice {almost to the point of being doctors.." they are neglecting basic nursing.

Instead of giving all attention to advancement in scope of practice can we just be in accordance with improving working conditions for the bedside nurses. If we can handle the entry level concerns, maybe we can expand to the rest...

gcupid · May 16, 2011

While you are correct that if nurses joined together to effect relevant changes to the healthcare industry, I have to ask what you are doing about it?
You may not agree with ANA, but if you and 100,000 like minded nurses were to join and mold the organization to your desires, then ANA would indeed represent you, the "working nurses." If indeed it doesn't adequately represent "working nurses" then most certainly it is because not enough "working nurses" participate in the processes that help direct the actions/direction of the organization.
I also think local nurses' unions are another way nurses could have a positive impact in their work enviornment, but all too often, nurses are much more vocal than they are active.
When I was part of the local nurses' union, (shop steward, local rep., negotiation committe, board member/chair, Exe. Director) I heard all the time about how the union didn't represent "me" or that we didn't fight hard enough in a discliplinary action. But, when asked to participate in the administration of the union, or to follow the contract language regarding issues associated with possible discliplinary action, nearly all declined and wanted "someone else" to do "it."
I don't mean to sound attacking, as that is not the intent. But change requires much more than just talk. It requires actions and unfortunately it frequently appears that nurses, as a group, aren't willing to put that much energy into it. Which, IMHO, is sad.

God forbid the "working nurse" be a prerequisite to joining the ANA... & could somebody please define the the term "working nurse"?

Start off representing the "working nurse" and they will join....I think a lot of people vote for candidates and donate to charities that represent there ideal (fill in the blank)...(it may be wrong but Im young, I have a lot to learn)

One person's reply stated an assignment of having 12 patients on med-surg to transferring to telemetry with 10 patients at 2300...I think being vocal should be enough...Surely that nurse was active when working that shift....I'd be so drained, I probably wouldn't have the energy enough to pick up the phone... (LOL!)

If 100,000's of nurses joined tomorrow with twice the organizational dues paid, What would happen?

but to end on a serious note...When dealing with a group of leaders with HIGH MORALS to represent , highly educated, & talented individuals..How much molding would need to take place in order to see greater changes at the bedside?

BillEDRN · May 17, 2011

God forbid the "working nurse" be a prerequisite to joining the ANA... & could somebody please define the the term "working nurse"?
Start off representing the "working nurse" and they will join....I think a lot of people vote for candidates and donate to charities that represent there ideal (fill in the blank)...(it may be wrong but Im young, I have a lot to learn)
One person's reply stated an assignment of having 12 patients on med-surg to transferring to telemetry with 10 patients at 2300...I think being vocal should be enough...Surely that nurse was active when working that shift....I'd be so drained, I probably wouldn't have the energy enough to pick up the phone... (LOL!)
If 100,000's of nurses joined tomorrow with twice the organizational dues paid, What would happen?
but to end on a serious note...When dealing with a group of leaders with HIGH MORALS to represent , highly educated, & talented individuals..How much molding would need to take place in order to see greater changes at the bedside?

Since I coined the term on my post, I define "working nurse" as a bedside nurse as opposed to an administrator with an RN after their name.

As to feeling "...being vocal should be enough...." well, that is the problem. It's sort of like complaining about politicians but not voting. Being "vocal" is never enough and has proven time and time again to accomplish nothing of significance. You make an interesting observation in that after your shift you'd be too tired to pick up the phone, implying (at least to me..) that also includes actively participating in any collective activity that might better the working conditions for nurses in the future, which, ironically enough would likely create a working environment in which you wouldn't be so tired after a "normal" shift " that you wouldn't pick up a phone."

As to having just more nurses join, well, that would indeed increase the clout of the organization (any organization) but that was not the point. I was addressing those that claim ANA (or, again, any represenative organization) didn't "represent them." It is not your money that conveys your personal hopes and ambitions for an organization that you hope to represent you. It is your active participation in the organization itself. You must convey your feelings to the other active members and convince them of the utility of your views for the good of the profession. Sitting at home and writing the occasional check won't influence anything. SO, if you want the organization to be more responsive to the needs of bedside nurses, more bedside nurses will need to participate in the process decision making for the organization as a whole.

gcupid · May 19, 2011

Since I coined the term on my post, I define "working nurse" as a bedside nurse as opposed to an administrator with an RN after their name.
As to feeling "...being vocal should be enough...." well, that is the problem. It's sort of like complaining about politicians but not voting. Being "vocal" is never enough and has proven time and time again to accomplish nothing of significance. You make an interesting observation in that after your shift you'd be too tired to pick up the phone, implying (at least to me..) that also includes actively participating in any collective activity that might better the working conditions for nurses in the future, which, ironically enough would likely create a working environment in which you wouldn't be so tired after a "normal" shift " that you wouldn't pick up a phone."
As to having just more nurses join, well, that would indeed increase the clout of the organization (any organization) but that was not the point. I was addressing those that claim ANA (or, again, any represenative organization) didn't "represent them." It is not your money that conveys your personal hopes and ambitions for an organization that you hope to represent you. It is your active participation in the organization itself. You must convey your feelings to the other active members and convince them of the utility of your views for the good of the profession. Sitting at home and writing the occasional check won't influence anything. SO, if you want the organization to be more responsive to the needs of bedside nurses, more bedside nurses will need to participate in the process decision making for the organization as a whole.

"It's sort of like complaining about politicians but not voting." I'm sorry, I equated paying dues to voting...

(and even with my mind-set of believing that paying due=vote, you are still right because not enough "working nurses" are joining and paying dues= voting);

I guess I'm trying to justify the reason for so many not being active, including myself...You were addressing those that claim ANA (or, any representative organization) didnt "represent them."

My attempt was to address a possible reason why SO MANY EDUCATED, TALENTED nurses refuse to bother. I have yet to join an organization and try to change the way they operate...I usually take a pamphlet, you know,...observe the atmosphere & workings . Couldn't imagine joining a church, paying tithes & etc. for the mere sake of pushing the pastor/priest to amending doctrine....

It starts with the leaders.....stay true to the mission statement...establish & maintain integrity....honor high moral character and look out not only for the advanced nurses but for the nurse you use to be and the possible nurse you may see, if you were ever to get sick....

My point is that more "working nurses" would join if they represented them.

but I think Im more on the follower side.....

Dont get me wrong

I understand exactly what you are saying...it's not going to change until we join....Let's see how it turns out, years from now..

BillEDRN · May 21, 2011

"It's sort of like complaining about politicians but not voting." I'm sorry, I equated paying dues to voting...
(and even with my mind-set of believing that paying due=vote, you are still right because not enough "working nurses" are joining and paying dues= voting);
I guess I'm trying to justify the reason for so many not being active, including myself...You were addressing those that claim ANA (or, any representative organization) didnt "represent them."
My attempt was to address a possible reason why SO MANY EDUCATED, TALENTED nurses refuse to bother. I have yet to join an organization and try to change the way they operate...I usually take a pamphlet, you know,...observe the atmosphere & workings . Couldn't imagine joining a church, paying tithes & etc. for the mere sake of pushing the pastor/priest to amending doctrine....
It starts with the leaders.....stay true to the mission statement...establish & maintain integrity....honor high moral character and look out not only for the advanced nurses but for the nurse you use to be and the possible nurse you may see, if you were ever to get sick....
My point is that more "working nurses" would join if they represented them.
but I think Im more on the follower side.....
Dont get me wrong
I understand exactly what you are saying...it's not going to change until we join....Let's see how it turns out, years from now..

I would have to disagree with your analogy, both of them. Paying dues, especially union dues in a "closed shop" where you have no choice, in like paying taxes. And again, that is the problem. People all too often (and nurses are a prime example) happy to pay their $20.00 (or whatever amount) a year and then sit back and not participate in the process of running the organization. I saw this time and time again in our nurse's union. As for comparing ANA or some similar organization to a church, well, I just think you are off base on that one. One does not join a church because they want some type of professional or collective representation. And, they usually join a church based on their current beliefs and need for spiritual guidence.

As for not being willing to change a representive organization, if it's doing a good job and you agree with the direction and administraion of your money, then fine. But folks join organizations like ANA because they want to be associated with the professional organization for a variety of reasons. And, again that's fine, if things are going the way you want. What I was referring to are nurses, members of ANA, complaining that the organization doesn't represent them and then, instead of doing something (either getting involved in changing it or getting out of the organization) about it, just sit around and whine.

The hope that more working nurses would join if they better represented them is a catch 22 situation: How can those who are not "working nurses" know what the "working nurses" want when there are no "working nurses" around to tell them? The "just sit back and see how things work out" attitude is why nurses are in this position to begin with.

gcupid · May 22, 2011

This is my last reply...I dont want to go off subject but I want to address this statement

"As for comparing ANA or some similar organization to a church, well, I just think you are off base on that one. One does not join a church because they want some type of professional or collective representation. And, they usually join a church based on their current beliefs and need for spiritual guidence."

How can one (BillEDRN) speak for one (Everyone)? While it may not be ideal (according to your opinion) for one to join a church based up on some type of professional or collective representation, that does not mean it has not occured.

The fact is some churches have and will continue to play a role in community involvement & development. Do you believe that neither any black atheist nor at least one agnostic not join and pay tithes at the Dexter Avenue Baptist church based solely on the premise for feeling more involved in the marches for justice in the civil rights movement? [collective representation argument...out of here, just crumbled up that piece of paper and tossed it in the trash.....on to the next one (professional representation)]

There are active members of a church and non-active members. There are some members who are professionals. And if it is fact that collective representation has occured for members in a church, professionals are a part of that group as well.

Some people just give money offerings (=pay dues) and show up only on major holidays. While others participate at almost every function. I dare not omit other variables; however, Im willing to bet some membership is obtained and maintained and INCREASED because viewers like what they see.

Therefore, if nurses..."working nurses" like what they see.....Maybe membership at ANA will be increased.

BillEDRN · May 24, 2011

This is my last reply...I dont want to go off subject but I want to address this statement
"As for comparing ANA or some similar organization to a church, well, I just think you are off base on that one. One does not join a church because they want some type of professional or collective representation. And, they usually join a church based on their current beliefs and need for spiritual guidence."
How can one (BillEDRN) speak for one (Everyone)? While it may not be ideal (according to your opinion) for one to join a church based up on some type of professional or collective representation, that does not mean it has not occured.
The fact is some churches have and will continue to play a role in community involvement & development. Do you believe that neither any black atheist nor at least one agnostic not join and pay tithes at the Dexter Avenue Baptist church based solely on the premise for feeling more involved in the marches for justice in the civil rights movement? [collective representation argument...out of here, just crumbled up that piece of paper and tossed it in the trash.....on to the next one (professional representation)]
There are active members of a church and non-active members. There are some members who are professionals. And if it is fact that collective representation has occured for members in a church, professionals are a part of that group as well.
Some people just give money offerings (=pay dues) and show up only on major holidays. While others participate at almost every function. I dare not omit other variables; however, Im willing to bet some membership is obtained and maintained and INCREASED because viewers like what they see.
Therefore, if nurses..."working nurses" like what they see.....Maybe membership at ANA will be increased.

Wow. I certainly didn't mean to offend you or any opinions you may have on the reasons folks join churches or religious organizations. That being said, I didn't mean to imply that it (joining a church for some political representation) doesn't ever happen. Certainly it has in the past and will likely do so in the future. If I was in any way unclear on my opinion on the matter let me clarify: Most folks join churces or participate in religious activities based on their spirtual needs not their political or collective, professional needs.

As for active member of any church versus the non-active ones, my opinion would be similar: if those non-active ones were unhappy about what "their" church was doing, they too would have a choice. Get involved to change things or leave that church and find one that better suits your needs. Sitting back and complaining without getting involved is non-productive and rarely results in any meaningful changes.

And finally, just to be perfectly clear: I was not attempting to speak for "everyone." I do not believe I made that claim explicitedly or implicitedly. I was, as most here do, merely conveying my opinion based on my experience. You, of course, are free to disagree. You are also free to sit back and see how things work out instead of becoming involved in changing things....