Report on the Nursing Profession (Author's name) (Institutional Affiliation)

Running head: NURSING PROFESSION REPORT 1
Report on the Nursing Profession
(Author’s name)
(Institutional Affiliation)

NURSING PROFESSION REPORT 2
Introduction
The nursing profession is regarded as one of the most noble and rewarding professions in
the world (Mark, Salyer, & Wan, 2003). This is primarily due to the level of selflessness that
nurses are expected to demonstrate as they care for patients (Mark, Salyer, & Wan, 2003). In the
U.S the, history of modern nursing can be traced back to the early 1700’s with the establishment
of the almshouse in Philadelphia (The History of Nursing. 2016). The nursing profession in the
country has developed drastically since then with significant advancements being made after the
Second World War. Most of the advancements within the nursing profession have been made
possible due to the establishment of professional organizations. This report provides a discussion
on one of the biggest professional nursing organizations in the U.S, the American Nurses
Association (ANA).
Professional Organization
The ANA was established in the year 1896 as the Nurses Associated Alumnae (Purdy,
2015). The organization was later renamed to the American Nurses Association in the year 1911
after establishing its headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland (Purdy, 2015). The ANA styles
itself as the voice of nurses and seeks to protect and advance the nursing profession. It defines
nursing as the optimization, promotion, and protection of patients and societal health, alleviation
of pain and suffering through ailment diagnosis and suitable treatment of patient (What is
Nursing?, 2016). The organization continues to define nursing as the prevention of any form of
injury and illness and practicing advocacy in caring for patients (What is Nursing?, 2016).
The ANA is the only full-service professional organization in the U.S that represents the
interest of 3.6 million registered nurses across its 54 constituent member associations (American
Nurses Association-Members and Affiliates, 2015). It strives to enhance and protect nurse’s

NURSING PROFESSION REPORT 3
welfare in their respective work places, give a favorable perception of nursing as a profession to
the public and champion on affairs that concern members of the public and nurses.
The foremost goals of the organization during its formation were to establish a code of
ethics for nurses, get licensure for nurses, promote the image of the nursing profession and attend
to the nurse’s financial needs. Due to its advocating for nurse’s licensure, only nurses who fulfill
qualifications defined by the Nurse Practice Act of their state are legible to utilize the title of a
Registered Nurse and join the organization (American Nurses' Association. Ad Hoc Advisory
Committee for Implementation of the Standards of Nursing Practice, & Congress for Nursing
Practice ( U.S) 1975).
Since its formation, the ANA has championed for sufficient professional education and
training of nurses. It started acting on its goals by undertaking significant projects that sought to
make changes to the 1960s standards for nurse-training. In the year1965, the ANA published its
first position paper which was called the "Educational Preparation for Nurse Practitioners and
Assistants to Nurses.” The position paper held that nursing education must be conducted in
University institutions and not hospitals (American Nurses' Association, & American Nurses
Association).
Unlike most of the other professional nursing organizations in the country, the ANA is
managed by the House of Delegates which consists of a board of directors and representatives
drawn from the 54 constituency associations (American Nurses Association-Members and
Affiliates, 2015). Other than the individual members, the organization has two organizational
members namely United American Nurses ( UAN) and the Center for American Nurses (CAN).
Some of its organizational affiliates include the (AAN) American Association of Nurses and
different groups that are dedicated to various nursing subfields like the Association of Nurses in