Press Releases and Statements
Tri-Council for Nursing Issues New Consensus Policy Statement on the Educational Advancement of Registered Nurses
Contact:
Jo Ann Webb, AONE - (202) 626-2321
Washington, DC (May 28, 2010) — In light of the recent passage of health care reform legislation, the Tri-Council for Nursing has issued a timely consensus statement calling for all registered nurses to advance their education in the interest of enhancing quality and safety across health care settings. The Tri-Council organizations, including the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, American Nurses Association, American Organization of Nurse Executives, and National League for Nursing, are united in their view that a more highly educated nursing workforce is critical to meeting the nation’s nursing needs and delivering safe, effective patient care.
In the policy statement, the Tri-Council organizations state:
Current health care reform initiatives call for a nursing workforce that integrates evidence-based clinical knowledge and research with effective communication and leadership skills. These competencies require increased education at all levels. At this tipping point for the nursing profession, action is needed now to put in place strategies to build a stronger nursing workforce. Without a more educated nursing workforce, the nation's health will be further at risk.
Nurses with advanced education are needed in large numbers to serve as teachers, scientists, primary care providers, specialists, and leaders throughout the healthcare delivery system. The Tri-Council encourages all nurses, regardless of entry-point into the profession, to continue their education in programs that grant baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral degrees. A wide variety of education options exist to further the preparation of today’s nursing workforce, including degree-completion, online, accelerated, and part-time degree programs.
The Tri-Council was compelled to issue this statement following an assessment of how best to prepare nurses for contemporary practice. Participating organizations, which represent nurses in practice, research, and academic settings, deliberated on many issues, including the need to meet workforce demands and prepare nurses for new models of practice; the complexity of the healthcare environment and patient care needs, and the imperative to address the nurse faculty shortage, which is limiting enrollment capacity in schools of nursing.
The policy statement ends with a call to action which advocates for system changes in nursing practice and education; for nurses to understand the importance of academic progression and embrace lifelong learning; and for policymakers at the state and federal levels to fund programs and launch collaborative initiatives that facilitate nurses seeking to advance their education.
About the American Organization of Nurse Executives
The American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE) is the national professional organization for nurses who design, facilitate and manage care. With more than 7,000 members, AONE is the leading voice of nursing leadership in health care. Since 1967, the organization has provided leadership, professional development, advocacy and research to advance nursing practice and patient care, promote nursing leadership excellence and shape public policy for health care. AONE is a subsidiary of the American Hospital Association (AHA). For additional information, visit the AONE website at www.aone.org.
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