MNA Representative to the ANA Membership Assembly
The 2026 ANA Professional Policy Committee presented three dialogue forums addressing emerging priorities for the nursing profession: workplace civility, environmental sustainability, and cannabis nursing competencies.
Dialogue Forum #1 focused on establishing a national framework to prevent and address incivility and bullying across nursing education and practice. Members emphasized the need for confidential reporting systems, trauma-informed responses, clear definitions, preceptor education, partnerships with organizations such as the NLN, AACN, NCSBN, and NSNA, and stronger protections for nursing students. The committee recommended that ANA strengthen its position statement on incivility by including standardized reporting pathways, safeguards against retaliation, mental health resources, educational toolkits, and mechanisms to monitor incivility in academic settings.
Dialogue Forum #2 examined nurses’ role in advancing healthcare sustainability, highlighting opportunities for collaboration with sustainability organizations, greater nurse leadership in environmental initiatives, education on sustainable healthcare practices, and attention to emerging issues such as the environmental impact of artificial intelligence and data centers. Recommendations included surveying the nursing workforce to identify barriers and opportunities and developing practical, evidence-based guidance that equips nurses to lead sustainability efforts.
Dialogue Forum #3 addressed integrating cannabis nursing competencies into education, policy, and clinical practice to improve patient safety and compassionate care as cannabis use becomes more common. Discussion identified gaps in nurses’ knowledge regarding evidence-based cannabis care, including risks, drug interactions, effectiveness, genetic considerations, documentation, legal issues, patient autonomy, and the need to distinguish therapeutic cannabis from illicit substance use. Members noted that patients often seek guidance from nurses and that current standards do not consistently address cannabis-related care, while also sharing positive patient experiences with medical cannabis. The committee recommended that ANA continue advocating for policies that support safe, evidence-based cannabis nursing practice and collaborate with stakeholders to expand cannabis education across all nursing licensure levels and healthcare settings. Overall, the committee’s recommendations seek to strengthen nursing practice, education, leadership, and patient care by promoting safe learning environments, environmental stewardship, and competency in emerging areas of healthcare.
