6 minute read
Advocacy At Its Highest
By Laura Kincheloe, Ed.D., MSN, RN, NE-BC
HUNDREDS OF NURSES gathered in Washington, D.C. on June 27 for the American Nurses Association Hill Day, ready to advocate for several critical national nursing issues. Among the advocates were twenty Texas nurses who visited numerous legislative offices in Washington, D.C. While we didn’t have coverage from every district in Texas, we made sure to complete drop-offs on behalf of Texas nurses from even the most rural areas of the state. Afterwards, we attended the ANA Membership Assembly from June 28 to the 29. The assembly was full of lively discussions and ample networking opportunities, and the Texas representatives ensured that the voices of Texas nurses were heard loud and clear.
American Nurses Association Hill Day
At ANA Hill Day, the nurses focused on four primary legislative priorities:
The Nurse Faculty Shortage Reduction Act is closely tied to the efforts Texas nurses undertook during the 88th Texas legislative session to advocate for the incentivization and retention of nurse educators and the increase of nursing student enrollment. This federal initiative aims to extend funding and support faculty salaries, enhancing efforts made at the state level. The goal is to create a pilot program for nursing schools to apply for grant funding totaling over $28 million.
The ICAN Act is a bipartisan bill designed to increase access to care by removing certain barriers for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) by updating outdated details in the original legislation. Although it is not considered a “scope bill,” it allows APRNs to practice to the full extent of their education and licenses. the updated language would enable APRNs to order nutritional consultations, diabetic foot care orthotics, and provide better access to hospice care, among other services.
Protecting Timely Access to Quality Nursing Care in Long-Term Care Facilities addresses the need for a minimum safe staffing standard in long-term care facilities. This rule set forth by CMS, requires long term care facilities to have a minimum number of hours per resident day and a RN onsite 24/7.
Finally, nurses advocated for the Restricting Mandatory Overtime for Nurses (H.R. 7546/S. 3862) initiative. While Texas is one of eighteen states that already prohibit mandatory overtime, this national initiative would extend protections to nurses across all states. The proposed legislation includes whistleblower protections for nurses advocating for safety. Nurses would still have the option to work voluntary overtime but would be protected from mandatory overtime requirements.
Key Takeaways At Membership Assembly
The 2024 Membership Assembly (MA) is the highest governing body of the American Nurses Association (ANA) and is responsible for identifying future policy positions for ANA and making decisions that impact the organization and its members. TNA’s membership assembly representatives are elected by our members during the annual election process. This year, MA representatives engaged in dialogue forums focused on nursing workforce well-being, improving care for veterans, and reviewing revisions to the 2025 ANA Code of Ethics. All dialogue forums allowed nurses from across the United States the ability to provide feedback and recommendations on these important issues.
Following open discussion and dialogue, new business was presented. The new business items consisted of the following:
MEMBERSHIP DUES: Discussion surrounded a requirement that the ANA Board of Directors increase transparency on how membership dues are spent and better consideration of investment partnerships. Both items were voted on and approved by the MA.
POLITICAL ENDORSEMENTS: The last item of new business incited extensive dialogue around whether the ANA Board of Directors should consider endorsing a U.S. presidential candidate, which was voted down by the MA. Texas representatives were vocal in sharing the impact this decision would have on the profession.
The dues escalator policy is on cycle to be reviewed every five years where the MA representatives vote to raise ANA membership dues or not. There was a lot of discussion about this decision and ultimately it was decided the dues escalator would take place effective January 2025.
DUES ESCALATOR: One of the more impactful decisions the MA representatives made was whether the Dues Escalator would be approved. The dues escalator policy is on cycle to be reviewed every five years where the MA representatives vote to raise ANA membership dues or not. There was a lot of discussion about this decision and ultimately it was decided the dues escalator would take place effective January 2025. More communication and details about the dues increase will be forthcoming.
This year’s Membership Assembly representatives included:
Monaliza Gaw
Gayle Dasher
Christopher Vestal
Regina Thompson
Courtney Thompson
Vanessa Trevino
Amy McCarthy
Joyce Batcheller
Join us for TNA's Nurse Day at the Capitol in Austin on March 3-4, 2025 to advocate for critical issues affecting their profession.
TNA’s Nurse Day At The Capitol
Advocacy is essential at all levels. Beyond patient advocacy, we have an ethical obligation to advocate for legislative changes at the local, state, and national level. Following the conclusion of Hill Day and MA, the next step in advocacy is to prepare for Nurse Day at the Capitol in Austin, Texas, on March 3 and 4, 2025. This event brings together nurses from across Texas to advocate for critical issues affecting their profession. It offers an invaluable opportunity for hundreds of nurses to learn about legislative matters impacting their practice and to understand how to effectively advocate to Texas legislators. We look forward to seeing you in March!
