American Nurses Association reaffirms commitment to U.S. staffing ratios
WASHINGTON, D.C., UNITED STATES — The American Nurses Association (ANA) Membership Assembly reaffirmed its commitment to hospital staffing ratios as a means of addressing the staffing crisis.
This decision is part of ongoing efforts to tackle the nursing staffing crisis exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
ANA President Jennifer Mensik Kennedy emphasized staffing ratios as a key strategic priority in her opening address.
Legislative support and strategic initiatives
The ANA supports federal legislation mandating nurse staffing ratios in hospitals. This initiative aims to ensure safe patient care and address chronic understaffing issues nationwide.
Mensik Kennedy highlighted the organization’s focus on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging, and Accessibility and its efforts to tackle workplace violence against healthcare workers.
Mental health and veterans’ healthcare resolutions
Delegates adopted resolutions to reduce mental health stigma and improve access to mental health support for nurses. These recommendations aim to remove barriers preventing nurses from receiving necessary care and encourage supportive organizational cultures.
Another resolution focused on veterans’ healthcare, advocating for enhanced nursing knowledge of veterans’ unique needs.
Code of ethics debate
A significant portion of the assembly focused on revising the Code of Ethics for Nurses. The ANA updates this code periodically to reflect changes in nursing and society, with the last revision in 2015. A draft for the revised code, aimed for a 2025 implementation, was shared with voting representatives before the assembly.
One area of concern was Interpretive Statement 2.4, which addresses safety in the nurse-patient relationship. It included a sentence suggesting that during strikes, nurses should ensure patient care processes are in place, placing responsibility on the union rather than the employer.
Susan King from the Oregon Nurses Association and Edna Cortez from the Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA) Labor Executive Council advocated for removing this sentence. Both organizations also submitted written comments and public statements.
As revisions continue, it seems these concerns have been acknowledged, and the language will likely be excluded from the final version.
Presidential endorsement controversy
The assembly debated whether the ANA should endorse a candidate for the 2024 U.S. presidential election. Historically, the ANA endorsed candidates from 1984 to 2016.
In 2019, the Membership Assembly revised its policy, allowing endorsements to be decided based on each election’s circumstances. Consequently, the ANA board opted not to endorse anyone in 2020.
A motion to endorse a candidate was introduced but defeated due to concerns about divisiveness. Despite this, the WSNA Board later endorsed Kamala Harris for her healthcare advocacy.
Benefits amid federal mandate challenges
The ANA Membership Assembly’s reaffirmation of staffing ratios comes at a crucial time as the U.S. grapples with challenges related to a federal nursing home staffing mandate. This mandate requires nursing homes to provide 3.48 hours of daily nursing care per patient and maintain a registered nurse on duty 24/7 by 2026.
With 63% of U.S. nurses experiencing work overload, these staffing improvements are vital. They aim not only to reduce burnout but also to enhance patient care quality by ensuring nurses are not overwhelmed.