Introduction
Unions are essential in protecting workers, their rights, and their bargaining power. It is especially important due to the conditions of the current market. While one employee can hardly make a difference, especially when it comes to corporations and major organizations, a union can generate changes that positively impact members. Nursing is one of the largest professions in the medical field.
At the same time, it is difficult to create a collective movement due to the fact that each hospital, clinic, and private practice office has nurses who otherwise would not interact. American Nurses Association (ANA, About ANA) aims to limit such barriers as one of the largest unions in the country. The current paper aims to exemplify how ANA fights for the rights of nurses, the vision of increased security and trust, and the connection with the recent strike against understaffing.
ANA Background
ANA operates in all US states and is one of the largest union organizations nationally. It was established in 1896 and is currently representing the rights of 4 million nurses operating in the US (ANA About ANA). As a non-profit entity, the American Nurses Association aims to reach set goals against material interest. There are several objectives reported by the union. Namely, the motivations include improving nursing standards, fostering a safe work setting for healthcare providers, advocating for nurses’ well-being, and improving public knowledge on health risks affecting both medical workers and the general public as a whole (ANA, ANAE Strategic Plan 2023 – 2025).
Needless to say, nurses work under difficult conditions. On the one hand, they are exposed to risks and experience work-related threats both physically and emotionally. On the other hand, the profession itself can be challenging from the perspective of limited responsibilities, opportunities, and reimbursement.
There are several ways in which ANA operates. Advocacy is employed alongside regulatory involvements, education, public campaigns, dialogues with the state, and legal coverage of nurses (ANA, ANAE Strategic Plan 2023 – 2025). These measures allow the organization to reach its objectives and promote its mission of establishing an environment in which nurses thrive, grow, and trust their employers and union.
Needless to say, the American Nurses Association is also involved in the direct establishment of changes both via primary and secondary support. For example, in January 2023, New York City Nurses went on strike to protest against understaffing (ANA, ANA Responds to New York Nurses’ Strikes). Although the occurrence was not organized or managed by the union, ANA supported the efforts by publishing a public letter. The entity has acknowledged the detrimental effect of a lack of professionals and the toll on operating healthcare providers who experience burnout and job dissatisfaction. The problems regarding environments in which medical workers operate have been stated by the organization on multiple occasions, and the NYC protests are evidence of the importance of the cause.
Conclusion
ANA is a union responsible for promoting, supporting, and establishing rights, beneficial changes, and opportunities for nursing professionals all across the country. The mission and vision of the organization are to establish a healthy, safe, and innovative setting for health workers. The goals are pursued via multiple channels, such as policies, advocacy, and legislation. Direct involvement in existing issues is also present, as exemplified by the NYC strike against working conditions. Despite not organizing the protection, the association supported it with an official letter and has validated the cause, one which has often been discussed among members of the union.
Works Cited
ANA. “About Ana: Ana Enterprise.” American Nurses Association. Web.
ANA. Nursing World, American Nurses Association. 2023. Web.
ANA Nursing World, American Nurses Association. 2020. Web.