Debate, Research Paper Example

The American Nursing Association is a professional body that has been promoting the qualification and educational development of nurses in the USA for over 100 years. The Association has a code of ethics and code of conduct which its members adhere to. The code of ethics is available online for easy access. (American Nurses Association, 2012). One of the hallmarks of a professional body is the credentialing system of its members. The ANA is one of the world’s largest nursing credential bodies. The argument is that the ANA is certainly a respected professional body representing the nursing profession but that can become obscured by setting up of separate affiliated units to deal with collective bargaining. Nevertheless, the ANA has attempted to get the balance right and I am supportive of this as a professional body.

A Collective Bargaining Unit, essentially a trade Union, works on behalf of its membership for improved pay and conditions within that trade or profession. It is not appropriate for the ANA as a professional body to act in that capacity. Instead it may lobby or act as a forum of information showing the viewpoint of polled membership. Federal rulings have called into question the role of State Nursing Associations as collective bargaining units. (Dolan, A.K. 1980).

Recent research indicates that leaders in the nursing profession view collective bargaining as a secondary concern and prefer to elevate their status through recognition within the professional bodies. Despite this in 1999 the ANA established a separate arm, distinct from the Association, that was devoted to dealing with collective bargaining. This was done in order to serve its members but avoid any conflict of interests with ANA. It was in 1962 that Federal Law enabled health care institutions to participate in collective bargaining. (Rider Ellis, J. 2004)

References

American Nurses Association. (2012, 6 14). Code of Ethics. Retrieved from American Nurses Association: http://www.nursingworld.org/codeofethics

Dolan, A. (1980). The legality of nursing associations serving as collective bargaining agents: the Arundel case. J Health Polit Policy Law. 1980 Spring;5(1):, 25-54.

Janice Rider Ellis, C. L. (2004). Nursing in Today’s World: Trends, Issues & Management, 8th Ed. Washington DC: Library of Congress.

Love, A. (2012, 6 14). Career and Credentialing. Retrieved from American Nurses Association: http://www.nursingworld.org/MainMenuCategories/CertificationandAccreditation