Blogs

 I just returned from NANN's annual meeting that was held Sept 14-17, 2011 in Orlando, Fla.  The conference offered outstanding clinical educational sessions, but the key take-away message for me was one of nurse empowerment.  Rebecca Patton, MSN RN CNOR, immediate past president of the American Nurses Association, and Virginia Beeson, MSN BSN NEA-BC, a retired captain in the Nurse Corps of the U.S. Navy were outstanding in raising awareness about changes in healthcare and how nurses need to be a part of it. We nurses need to take charge of our own profession, not stand by and let others control us.  There are myriad opportunites to get more involved in advocacy for nursing and our patients.  Staff nurses must speak up for their patients and take a leading role in promoting optimal, effective and efficient care.  We know that nurses know what to do.  They don't always feel comfortable saying it.  Beyond the bedside, there are lots of ways to influence other providers, manufacturers, policy makers, law makers, etc.   The Joint Commission wants patients to "speak up".  Lets help nursing and our patients by speaking up too.  Check out the Advocacy tab on the NANN website to learn more ways to get involved.

http://www.nann.org/advocacy/content/index.html