• E-mail
• Print
• RSS

Weekly Q&A: How to communicate the ANA's Bill of Rights

HCPro's Weekly Update on the ANCC Magnet Recognition Program®*, May 17, 2005

This week, a reader wants to know how to incorporate the American Nurses Association's (ANA) Bill of Rights for Registered Nurses into union and nonunion facilities. Read the response below from our expert, Marian C. Turkel, RN, PhD, ANCC Magnet Recognition Program® (MRP) project consultant in Chicago, IL.

Q: How do union and nonunion organizations comply with the MRP's expectation for implementing the ANA's Bill of Rights into the organization?

A:The ANA published this document (available at www.nursingworld.org) in 2001 as a way to protect the dignity and autonomy of registered nurses in the practice setting. The foundation of this document is the ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses, Nursing's Social Policy Statement, and the ANA Standards for Clinical Practice (American Nurse, 2002). It is applicable for all registered nurses, across all settings regardless of whether or not the organization is unionized.

One approach to meet this standard is to discuss the document in nursing orientation. Another is to post it on the organization's nursing Web site so that all registered nurses have access to the document. Then, as part of the MRP process, document how the organization meets each of the seven rights. For example, one right states that nurses are entitled to a work environment that is safe for themselves and their patients. Organizations can highlight patient or nurse safety initiatives that are in place such as available ergonomic equipment for nursing staff, or policies/procedures/equipment that are in place to reduce injury from needle sticks.

• E-mail to a Colleague
• Print
• RSS
• Archive