What one law would most improve nursing?

myoglobin, ASN, BSN, MSN · May 30, 2019

They are the organization that represents our union so I should have known that. Somehow I saw them as a "union" rather than a pro nursing lobby, but I suppose they are both. Perhaps, they can persuade the ANA to "get on board" with this issue by taking some ads out in nursing journals or via other modalities.

**LibraSunCNM, BSN, MSN, CNM** · May 30, 2019

Just now, myoglobin said:
They are the organization that represents our union so I should have known that. Somehow I saw them as a "union" rather than a pro nursing lobby, but I suppose they are both. Perhaps, they can persuade the ANA to "get on board" with this issue by taking some ads out in nursing journals or via other modalities.

I think they are a union of unions, in a sense. An individual nurse can join as an "at-large" member but generally their members are members of the 3 big unions that make it up, if that makes sense. I don't know a ton about them but they seem to be fundamentally at odds with the ANA's stance on many issues. I honestly can't figure out what ANA's end goals are these days, they're certainly not standing up for the everyday bedside nurse, that's for sure. Seems like a microcosm of our current political climate where we're all just moving more and more towards either extreme end of the spectrum.

To answer your question, I do think staffing laws like CA's are the single most important step nurses can take to improve working conditions. To get those laws passed, you have to vote in politicians who are pro-labor and lobby, lobby, lobby them. It's hard as hell but it can be done.

Leader25, ASN, BSN, RN · May 31, 2019

On 5/28/2019 at 4:40 PM, Jedrnurse said:
Don't be surprised by the ANA undercutting staffing ratio laws. They are pseudo-corporate paper pushers, not nurses. Their "flexible staffing ratios" still amount to "make due with the staffing management gives you" a.k.a. suck it up, buttercup. Not all the toothless/powerless staffing committee meetings in the world will change that.

Not just ANA ,all of the big happy party crowd called Hospital administration.They are so busy going to meetings,conferences,socials,networking,meetings,little meetings,medium meetings,holiday socials,diversity socials,pictures on social media ,big goofy jacks,stuffing their fat faces all day long,while bedside nurses go with out lunch,water,bathroom breaks .

The LAW has to forbid hospitals from breaking nurses hearts.

myoglobin, ASN, BSN, MSN · May 31, 2019

In the same way that I expect Planned Parenthood to be pro choice or the NRA to be pro gun I expect the ANA to be biased heavily towards nursing. Thus, when they are not it causes me to question their relevance.

Asystole RN · May 31, 2019

1 hour ago, myoglobin said:
In the same way that I expect Planned Parenthood to be pro choice or the NRA to be pro gun I expect the ANA to be biased heavily towards nursing. Thus, when they are not it causes me to question their relevance.

What makes you think they are not? Just because they did not support a short sighted, ill-conceived, illogical bill that would have set back healthcare in Massachusetts for years?

Once you pass a bill like this it is incredibly difficult to alter it for the better. Unlike common belief, passing anything is not better than passing the right thing the first time.

People act as though ANA has not and does not continue to introduce and advocate for staffing bills throughout the country every single year.

myoglobin, ASN, BSN, MSN · May 31, 2019

If a staffing bill isn’t mandatory at least at the California levels with significant penalties then it is largely useless as it simply won’t be followed much of the time.

Jedrnurse, BSN, RN · May 31, 2019

1 hour ago, Asystole RN said:
What makes you think they are not? Just because they did not support a short sighted, ill-conceived, illogical bill that would have set back healthcare in Massachusetts for years?
Once you pass a bill like this it is incredibly difficult to alter it for the better. Unlike common belief, passing anything is not better than passing the right thing the first time.
People act as though ANA has not and does not continue to introduce and advocate for staffing bills throughout the country every single year.

How many of the bills they're advocated for have passed/been implemented?

Asystole RN · May 31, 2019

3 hours ago, Jedrnurse said:
How many of the bills they're advocated for have passed/been implemented?

14

Asystole RN · May 31, 2019

4 hours ago, myoglobin said:
If a staffing bill isn’t mandatory at least at the California levels with significant penalties then it is largely useless as it simply won’t be followed much of the time.

You can have a strict staffing bill like California's but it has to take into account factors like differences between units and facilities like critical access hospitals. There is a reason why critical access hospitals are reimbursed differently than other hospitals.

As many like to point out here, hospitals are driven by revenue. If you were to reimburse hospitals for nursing time instead of lumping it into the basic bed fee you would see hospitals hiring every nurse they could.

Positive reinforcement is a very effective way to influence behavior.

Jedrnurse, BSN, RN · May 31, 2019

1 hour ago, Asystole RN said:
14

At the risk of being called lazy (it's been a long Friday) can you point me towards info re: some of the most significant ones? I follow politics, but not national nursing policy per se. Thanks!

Leader25, ASN, BSN, RN · May 31, 2019

3 hours ago, Asystole RN said:
14

Dollar short,day late- cancelled membership after realizing they were useless ,no real day to day difference in my career,got more support from the union.