Call to the nursing profession: Nursing's agenda for the future

Abstract

Last September, 2001, I had the privilege of participating in an impressive summit meeting that brought together all nursing stakeholders to create a comprehensive, overarching plan entitled “Call to the Nursing Profession” that tackles the problems of inadequate staffing and nursing shortages. More than 100 nursing organizations were invited to participate in this historic event. A steering committee comprising 19 nursing associations organized the summit and will retain the responsibility for monitoring and facilitating implementation of the plan. I am very proud to say that ENA is a member of this steering committee and will commit organizational resources to assist in the plan’s implementation. The focus areas for the summit and plan development include the following: work environment; economic value; education; legislation/regulation/policy; delivery systems/nursing practice models; diversity; recruitment/retention; professional/nursing culture; public relations/communication; and leadership/planning. The resulting strategic plan will identify driving forces that will move nursing’s agenda forward to educate the public about the roles of nurses in health care delivery systems and to garner support and funding. During the past 3 years, many organizations have begun to address the various aspects of the problems related to inadequate nursing staffing and shortages. Their projects serve as the foundation for the Call to the Nursing Profession: “The ultimate outcome of this inter-organizational collaboration is to develop a profession-wide strategic and tactical plan that is implemented and championed by nursing leaders; build toward a preferred future for the nursing profession; fill in the policy gaps for immediate action; and serve as a guiding document for nurses, as well as external stakeholder communities.” As we well know, even before the prospect of a war against terrorism, the health of the United States was in jeopardy as the capacity of the nursing profession to care for an expanding, longer-living population, let alone casualties of a conflict, continues to shrink. Issues of current staffing shortages, a predicted nursing shortage, and unacceptable work environments are significant barriers to nursing’s ability to meet the health care needs of the United States. These trends have had and will continue to have a huge impact on nursing’s ability to deliver safe, quality care. The profession's leadership recognizes that the current system of nursing practice, education, and credentialing is inadequate to meet the future health care needs of consumers and that “nursing service leaders and educators must collaborate with delivery system stakeholders to design, refine and implement a nursing care system that facilitates the work of nursing and promotes nursing advancement.” The nursing workforce has, finally, become a priority for health care leaders, policy makers, and, most importantly, the nursing profession. It is time to shape the future of nursing to ensure the very future of nursing. The “Call to the Nursing Profession” should do just that, and ENA will be a strong part of that effort. The Journal of Emergency Nursing gratefully acknowledges the time, effort, expertise, and advice donated by the following reviewers of this issue’s content:•Mary H. Alexander•June Andrea•Evie Bain•Nancy Bonalumi•Garrett Chan•Patricia Clutter•Kathy Dolan•Darcy Egging•Dennis Emerson•Terry Foster•Valerie GA Grossman•Maggi Gunnels•Kacey Hansen•Patricia Kunz Howard•Maryfran McGonagle Hughes•Janet Hicks Keen•Mary Kennedy•Diane Lapsley•Linda Manley•Christine May•Kay McClain•Mathilda Merker•Patricia Mian•Lorene Newberry•Andrea Novak•Colleen O'Brien•Debby Pentecost•Linda Scheetz•Robert Schwab•Sheila Sanning Shea•T Smith