The 110th Congress adjourns with a mixed record on healthcare.
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Legal / Ethics
Legislatively, 2008 was a good year for nursing. In many states, safe nurse staffing laws, mandatory overtime restrictions, and safe patient-handling legislation got the thumbs-up.
To help elect pro-nursing candidates, volunteer for campaign work and urge everyone you know to vote.
I’ve become increasingly concerned by the growing number of patients experiencing homelessness who’ve been coming to our clinic. How can I get involved to offer a nurse’s perspective…
To: Ethics Advisory Board From: Concerned nurse manager Subject: A nurse’s behavior frightens a patient LR is a new graduate RN with 1 year of experience on our…
Two nurses on my unit have submitted written notification stating that they would no longer participate in administering and monitoring blood transfusions for patients, even in emergency situations,…
Our editor-in-chief reviews important accomplishments in the past year and presents a nursing "wish list".
Nurses are with patients during some of the most important moments in their lives.
Learn what steps you can take to help patients avoid drug contamination and cope with drug shortages.
What happens when you’re short staffed and there isn’t anyone to help?
This has certainly been an interesting and exciting presidential election year. I hope many of you have been tuned in and by now have learned that ANA has…
Acting on a directive from the 2006 House of Delegates, ANA has endorsed the Kid Safe Chemicals Act. The bill would ensure for the first time that all…
Karen Daley, PhD, MPH, RN, FAAN, newly elected president of the American Nurses Association (ANA), attended a meeting at the White House in recognition of the 90-day anniversary…
In its role as the professional organization for all 3.1 – 3.6 million registered nurses in the United States, ANA is the author and custodian of three foundational…
ANA urges Congress to invest in domestic nursing education, not immigration As the nursing shortage continues to weigh on hospital administrators and patient care, the need to resort…
ANA has launched a campaign aimed at increasing federal funding for nursing recruitment and education by $50 million. If successful, this campaign would result in a total of…
What you don’t know about copyright can get you into legal jeopardy.
Don’t let fear of reprisal stop you from reporting serious misconduct.
Often, patients and families express their gratitude for a special nurse’s outstanding care with spoken thanks or heartfelt commendations written to a nursing supervisor. Some even offer a…
Often, patients and families express their gratitude for a special nurse’s outstanding care with spoken thanks or heartfelt commendations written to a nursing supervisor. Some even offer a…
Over the past three decades, we have become increasingly aware of the impact that our environment, and chemical exposures in particular, has on our nation’s health. We know…
A survey of 74 C-suite executives published in Health Affairs finds they are optimistic about the effects of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The survey found that 65%…
Current discussions on the unique health issues of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) populations have prompted the healthcare professions to reexamine their mission and values. The American…
The Stick—penalties for excess readmissions Is your hospital on the list? Starting this month, over 2,200 hospitals are forfeiting up to 1% of their base Medicare payments as…
“Coercion is commonly said to invalidate consent, and that is always true if the source of the coercion is the physician.
Three-year-old Christy* has been in the hospital’s pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) since birth, when she was diagnosed with McCune-Albright syndrome and multiple other conditions that left her…
Rear Admiral Carol A. Romano, PhD, RN, FAAN, is the Assistant Surgeon General and Chief Nurse Officer for the United States Public Health Service (USPHS). Since her appointment…
In 2009, patient safety, health care, safe staffing, and nursing advancement will top ANA’s list of legislative priorities.
On July 30, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the participants for a new initiative that provides funds to support clinical training of advanced practice…
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has broadened the concept of “medical staff” so that hospitals can include other practitioners such as APRNs and PAs “as…
I’m a new nurse employed in a hospital and would like to better understand a nurse’s responsibility around calling out sick. On the inpatient unit where I’ve worked…
I have a cousin who was diagnosed 5 months ago with end-stage liver cancer. The cancer has progressed at a rapid pace, and as a result, he is…
Legislation under consideration in the U.S. House and Senate would require group health insurers to cover mental health care at the same level as physical health care. As…
To: Ethics Advisory Board From: An alarmed nurse Subject: Nursing’s responses to pandemic-fueled inequities I’m troubled that the COVID-19 pandemic has not only exposed but also worsened health…
One hospital’s Magnet workgroup used a Code of Ethics program to transform nursing practice.
To uphold workplace ethics, leaders must send the message that unethical behavior is never acceptable, no matter who’s demonstarting it.
Fraud and abuse account for up to 10% of U.S. healthcare expenditures. What should you do if you suspect potential healthcare fraud or abuse?
In an open letter to Congress, Dr. Cipriano urges legislators to leverage nurses’ knowledge, skills, and abilities to help bring order to a chaotic healthcare system.
Complete, objective, and accurate documentation of the care you provide can help you avert or defend against lawsuits.
According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, fraud is “the intentional deception or misrepresentation made by a person with the knowledge that the deception could result…
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 provides many benefits.
In a new report, the Institute of Medicine concludes that at least 25% of harmful adverse drug events are preventable, and recommends specific preventive actions for nurses and…
To achieve higher quality of care and help transform our healthcare system, we need to don our customized tool belts, get to work, and be willing to abandon…
Make your voice heard on election day.
Bullying is an abusive behavior that threatens the safety of healthcare workers. Nurses should examine their own interactions to see if they are exhibiting this undesirable behavior.
Read about the new guide to choosing safer products and chemicals.
I’ve seen some backlash on social media after our organization issued a dress code policy that addressed hairstyle. I know policies that are restrictive for certain ethnicities aren’t…
To: Ethics Advisory Board From: Contingently confused Subject: Conventional, contingency, and crisis standards of care Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, I keep hearing about different levels of care. What…
Leah Curtin discusses the issue of quality care from an ethical perspective.
According to the Associated Press, a Brookdale Senior Residence facility* worker who identified herself as a nurse, refused to administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to Lorraine Bayless, an 87-year-old…
Shirley Keck, age 61, was admitted to Kansas medical center. Because of understaffing of nurses in the hospital, Shirley’s nurse did not assess her often enough and did…
In recent years, most of the world’s people have celebrated their diversity: different races and languages, religions and cultures, and social mores. These differences are what make life…
Staffing is an issue at this 150-bed proprietary acute-care hospital. More than 100 of the hospital’s nurses, led by Mary Sims*, RN, signed a letter of concern about…
What happens when there is no room in the ICU for an ED patient?
Decision-making during a healthcare crisis. (more…)
The pandemic, from its earliest days in March 2020, exposed not only a health and healthcare crisis but also deep inequities in our society. Unequal care and outcomes—visibly…
The pandemic, from its earliest days in March 2020, exposed not only a health and healthcare crisis but also deep inequities in our society. Unequal care and outcomes—visibly…
Leah Curtin writes about finding your passion.
I am a medical-surgical nurse and admitted a patient to my unit who was arrested and injured during the commission of an alleged crime. The hospital allowed a…
Recently, a nursing student wrote this as part of a course assignment: “Ethics can be hard to teach or learn because they may be different for everyone. Ethics…
I’m a nurse in a med–surg unit. A patient I recently cared for who has amyotrophic lateral sclerosis decided to voluntarily stop eating and drinking (VSED) because she…
As a study coordinator, I recruit participants to a randomized clinical trial that’s evaluating experimental drugs for renal cancer. One of the individuals who met the trial’s eligibility…
It’s my understanding that a nurse’s primary commitment is to our patients. Recently, while working as a travel nurse, I’ve been concerned about some patients’ treatment plans and…
As a perioperative nurse, I understand I should ensure the privacy and confidentiality of my patients and their information while providing care throughout pre-, intra-, and post-operative surgical…
A few weeks ago, I was floated to the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU), which was seriously short-handed due to surgeries from a multiple-car accident. Trained in the OB/GYN…
Our editor-in-chief turns a spotlight on faith and community partnerships.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration plans to implement changes in 2011 designed to improve review of medical devices. Read more at http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm240418.htm.
This year the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is marking the anniversary of the Kefauver-Harris amendment, passed 50 years ago. The legislation gave FDA weight to require…
Promoting the critical role nurses play in the health of patients and the nation, as well as guaranteeing a strong nursing workforce into the future, are core components…
Your chief nursing officer stops you in the hall. To your surprise, she asks, “Jen, why don’t you apply for that charge nurse position that’s opening up on…
Author Leah Curtin discusses the dangers of bottom-line thinking.
A study in Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry has found that cassia cinnamon, commonly used in products sold the U.S., contains higher concentrations of coumarin than in…
When someone mentions the words politics and nursing in the same sentence, do you roll your eyes? Do you think to yourself or ask aloud, “What does this…
Nurses know that patient advocacy is an expected and important role for their practice, but the practical implications of acting as an advocate are often left for the…
ANA plans to grow stronger by staying ahead of the curve.
Nurses must step up and become a primary force in reshaping the nation’s healthcare system.
The recently launched Initiative on the Future of Nursing seeks to address the challenges facing the nursing profession and to improve healthcare quality and delivery. It’s time for…
November 6, 2010 marks the 10th anniversary of the Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act. ANA’s new president reviews the progress made in reducing bloodborne pathogen exposures over the…
As she ends her term as ANA President, Rebecca Patton urges nurses to demonstrate their leadership and help make the provisions of the new healthcare reform act a…
Anya, a 36-year-old woman and her 41-year-old husband, Dev, came to the Woman’s Center to discuss issues about “advanced maternal age.” This would be their first child. Women…
Author Leah Curtin responds to readers’ comments on one of her recent articles.
The federal government bans genetic job discrimination; ANA backs the Kid Safe Chemicals Act.
Review these excerpts from anew book on genetics and ethics in health and nursing.
ANA supports the Medicare Patient Access and Quality Improvement Act, which would repeal the Medicare sustainable growth rate and reform Medicare Part B payment
ANA’s legislative agenda introduced in the 113th Congress
Election results: A “demographic time bomb”
Find out what has been accomplished during the 112th Congress and what healthcare professionals stand to lose if our country goes over the "fiscal cliff."
The RN Safe Staffing Act and what it means for you
To mark the 2-year anniversary of the Affordable Care Act, ANA took part in a celebration recognizing the law’s patient protections.
By taking part in ANA’s Lobby Day, nurses can join forces to educate elected officials on the critical issues facing nursing today. This article is available to American…
CMS has proposed major changes to the rule for Medical Conditions of Participation, which can significantly affect nursing practice. This article is available to American Nurses Association members…
The August legislation that raised the debt ceiling was the first round in the government spending debate. Safety-net programs may be on the Congressional chopping block in the…
ANA recently cohosted a Senate Nursing Caucus briefing to present final results from the 2008 National Sample Survey of Registered Nurses, and participated in a healthcare reform conference…
ANA CEO “stars” with actress Jessica Alba in the fight against toxic chemicals.
Congress has reintroduced the Home Health Care Planning Improvement Act, which would allow APRNs to order home health services under Medicare.
The Republicans now control the House of Representatives. No matter what policy objectives either party tries to enact, ANA will continue to ensure that the voice of nursing…
ANA’s Lobby Day gave nurses the chance to meet congressional representatives and lobby in support of issues important to nursing.
By meeting in-person with their congressional representatives, nurses can garner support for the Home Health Care Planning Improvement Act, which would allow advanced practice nurses to order home…
As one of three nurses in Congress, Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX-30) has been a champion for nursing, introducing and cosponsoring bills to advance the nursing profession. One…
ANA supports two Congressional bills that would improve patient safety and protect RNs from debilitating injuries caused by manual patient lifting/
As Congress nears the "fiscal cliff" and the so-called sequester with its across-the-board spending cuts, ANA will continue to advocate for funding of programs important to nurses.
Find out how the Affordable Care Act is reforming health care and how it could affect your practice.
A coalition of medical societies has joined together to put the brakes on healthcare overuse and excesses.
On Jan. 17, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released “Modifications to the HIPAA Privacy, Security, Enforcement, and Breach Notification Rules under the Health Information Technology…
Higher education bill created new opportunities for nurses and schools; House joins Senate in supporting advanced practice registered nurses in home health.
Leah Curtin discusses the dangers of bottom-line thinking.
I’m a clinical manager for a pediatric critical care unit. We’ve recently had a significant increase in end-of-life care. I’m proud of our nurses and the skillful, compassionate…
Web exclusive! See what Senators McCain and Obama say they’ll do to fix our broken healthcare system.
You may face serious consequences if you use social media and other new technologies inappropriately.
You can get directly involved in developing public health policy by submitting your comments on proposed government regulations to federal departments and agencies.
Quality-improvement initiatives give short shrift to nursing- specific indicators. The authors discuss obstacles to incorporating such indicators and explore current initiatives to include them.
What if I make an inadvertent, unethical practice error? Is the Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements a legal document that can be used to suspend…
Enduring and evolving: Code of Ethics for Nurses
Care coordination: Nurses lead the way.
ANA has joined the Partnership for Patients to improve patient safety.
This article details how patients are affected by APRNs’ current inability to order home health services.
ANA’s House of Delegates recently approved a resolution supporting health care for all. The author examines the social, economic, and political ramifications of undocumented immigrants’ lack of access…
Family nurse practitioner (FNP) and nurse-midwife Karen Holder, FNP-BC, CNM, MHS, sees patients at a large primary care clinic in Flagstaff, Arizona, as well as at small satellite…
Nurses in the Department, Veterans Administration, Federal Nurses Association (FedNA), and other groups are collaborating to make sue the healthcare needs of active-duty military personnel and veterans are…
National Preparedness Month is a good time to learn about national disaster-preparedness.
The Fall 2013 update to The Leapfrog Group Hospital Safety Score shows many hospitals are making headway in addressing errors, accidents, injuries, and infections that kill or hurt…
The jurors file into the courtroom, avoiding eye contact with the attorneys and spectators. I hold my breath. The plaintiff’s attorney straightens his tie; the defense attorney flexes…
Easy and inexpensive Thank you for Susan Fetzer’s excellent article, “Putting a stop to postop nausea and vomiting,” in the August issue. One treatment that wasn’t mentioned is…
Leaders must develop a structured process for team learning and communication.
Leah Curtin discusses the effects of ambiguity.
Mary D. Naylor, PhD, RN, FAAN, of the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, has been appointed to the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission. MedPAC was established by Congress…
Caring for a medically futile patient can be a wrenching emotional experience. Learn how to cope with the complex medical, ethical, and legal issues and help patients and…
In my time as a nurse, I’ve observed patients’ concerns being dismissed as nonconsequential or in their heads. I’ve found these patients to be sincere and quite clear…
A medication error can occur in any healthcare setting-with devastating consequences. The authors describe weaknesses in the key elements of medication use and propose ways to make drug…
A much-anticipated revision of the Code of Ethics for Nurses (Code) published in January explicitly connects the health and safety of nurses and their patients, underscoring that although…
First Lady Michelle Obama and Mary Wakefield, PhD, RN, Administrator for the Health Resources and Services Administration held a conference call on Sept. 28 with nurses from across…
I’m a school nurse at an elementary school where I’ve cared for a student with an ongoing illness who now has been enrolled in hospice. Part of the…
The New England Journal of Medicine features an interview about healthcare reform with Health and Human Services’ Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. Read more at http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp1014722.
The July 13 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine includes an insightful review of public polling on Medicare and how public opinion has contributed to the…
The World Health Organization has released new guidelines for malaria treatment to counter the misuse of anti-malarial drugs. Access the guidelines at http://www.who.int/malaria/en/.
Electronic health records give healthcare providers faster, more efficient access to patient information. Experts hope to make the data less vulnerable to security breaches.
Through resolutions, partnerships, and conferences, ANA’s advocacy for chemicals policy reform is gaining wider exposure.
Nurse practitioners should be eligible to serve as “medical homes” for primary care By Eileen Shannon Carlson, JD, RN Congress is working to develop a comprehensive bill to…
To: Ethics Advisory Board From: Volunteer RN Subject: Global health outreach With the recent earthquake in Haiti and the devastation that country has experienced, I feel compelled to…
Nurses can help retool our healthcare system by telling government leaders what they need to know.
I’m exhausted. My unit is always short staffed. I’m asked to work longer hours and come in on my day off. I need more control over my life…
Nurses need more than solid technical skills to provide ethical care. A recent AMA Ethical Force Program report casts a spotlight on effective patient communication as an essential…
The 2010 healthcare reform act (Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, or PPACA) gives nurses new opportunities to deliver care and play an integral role in leading change.…
An angry patient is like an artichoke. An artichoke is prickly and rough on the outside, but by taking time to learn how to peel its rough leaves,…
This five-step program empowers staff to change unit culture and improve patient safety.
Something as simple and low – tech as the checklist can help healthcare providers close the knowing – doing gap.
How do we get into morally questionable situations? I love this article. As a current student in the nursing program, I find it incredibly important to watch my…
ANA pledges to work with new leaders of the 110th Congress. ANA seeks Nurses for its political action leader (N-PAL) program.
John Rowe, a physician who is professor in the department of health policy and management at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, has written “Why Nurses…
Learn about new recommendations for reducing physician fatigue
ANA issues principles delineating RN’s rights and responsibilities toward improving environmental health.
Leah Curtin discusses how the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) has been misinterpreted to the detriment of patients.
Bullying and incivility are rampant on my nursing unit. My manager doesn’t address the situation, which contributes to an unhealthy work environment. Things escalated recently with one physician…
To: Ethics Advisory Board From: Concerned emergency department clinical manager Subject: Patient/family privacy and nurses’ well-being A patient was brought to our emergency department (ED) from home…
As nursing practice becomes more autonomous, nurses are becoming more vulnerable to lawsuits. Learn how to avoid being sued for malpractice and what to do if you are…
Interprofessional collaboration promoted a successful initiative to improve wound classification.
Nurses have an ethical duty to address the web of relationships, expectations, and egocentrism that influences them.
Are you an RN who has been out of the workforce? Your talents, experience and expertise are needed in all healthcare settings. While technology and treatments have changed,…
During the August Congressional recess, many elected officials will be available in their district offices. This is a great opportunity for nurses to meet with them and perhaps…
I’ve been asked to care for patients who are participating in a research study. What are the ethical guidelines for this type of practice?
In my work as an emergency department (ED) nurse, my colleagues and I routinely experience physical assaults from patients. At this point we question whether to even report…
“It really doesn’t matter whether you are Muslim or Christian or Jew. In every religion, in every country, in every region at every time, there are some basic…
A tour of the detainee facilities at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba leaves key questions unanswered.
A study published in the Journal of Public Health Policy found that Americans over the age of 65 experienced steep declines in the rate of mortality in the…
Using the patient “hand off” tool I-PASS reduced medical errors by 40% according to a study at Boston Children’s Hospital. I-PASS stands for: I = Illness severity, P…
According to a study in Health Affairs, immigrants in the U.S. disproportionately subsidize the Medicare Trust Fund, probably as a result of the high proportion of working-age taxpayers…
Expansion of Medicaid coverage may reduce mortality among adults, according to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Read more.
A study in The New England Journal of Medicine found that the hospital-based, pay-for-performance program Medicare Premier Hospital Quality Incentive Demonstration failed to reduce 30-day mortality. Read More.
A study in the American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy reports a survey of oncology pharmacists in the United States found that shortages of oncology drugs can cause treatment…
A Congresswoman who’s also a nurse describes her efforts to improve children’s access to healthcare coverage.
CDC recommends HIV screening for everyone New recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) call for routine human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) screening for all patients…
A monthly round-up of clinical and practice news and alerts.
Medicare to stop reimbursing hospitals for eight preventable conditions Medicare will stop paying hospitals for the extra costs of treating eight conditions stemming from preventable errors—falls, pressure ulcers,…
Patients lose when nurse staffing is insufficient Heavy workloads and insufficient staffing affect patient care, according to about 2,000 nurses surveyed worldwide by the International Council of Nurses…
ANA and state associations promote health system reform The importance of health system reform can seem like a distant memory when gas prices are going through the roof…
B is a 12 year old boy who suffers from cardiomyopathy following an acute viral illness. His condition is stable, but without a heart transplant, doctors believe he…
Learn how these exchanges will work.
The author explores ethical questions about caring for a baby with profound birth defects and offers a nursing answer.
Applying the ANA’s Code of Ethics to everyday nursing practice
An ethical will serves as a vehicle for distilling a lifetime of wisdom and relaying messages of hope and love.
Even if they’re not portrayed on the TV shows "CSI" or "Law & Order: SVU," forensic nurses are pivotal in real-life forensic cases. Catch up on the dynamic,…
What would you do? Let author Leah Curtin know after you read this case study.
Engaging patients is essential to ensure optimal reimbursement. Here are tips for engagement that leaders can apply in their organizations
In April, Farzad Mostashari, MD, ScM, became the fourth National Coordinator of Health Information Technology within the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) at…
To make health care better, I would… …mandate every patient have a primary RN who knows the patient’s past health history, socioeconomic status, health risks, medications, and potential…
Medicare’s prescription drug program recuperates from its rocky debut; ANA endorses the Medicare Quality Enhancement Act.
The American Nurses Association (ANA) is seeking an increase of $25 million in FY 2007 funding for the Nursing Workforce Development programs administered by the Health Resources and…
I’m a nurse educator and realize that artificial intelligence (AI) crossing over into the academic environment via ChatGPT and other chatbots affects how we frame the use of…
Few Americans know that a U.S. Navy nurse may lose his 18-year career because he decided he could no longer in good conscience continue force-feeding hunger striking detainees…
Leah Curtin discusses the challenge of a moral problem.
Being under scrutiny can rattle even the toughest RN. Our legal expert, LaTonia Denise Wright, BSN, RN, JD, explains how to protect your rights if you’re caught up…
Our expert, Mable H. Smith, PhD, JD, RN explains the subtleties of informed consent when your patient is a minor.
What’s in a name? Editor’s note: The information below was provided by United States Pharmacopeial Convention (USP). It may be freely reproduced and distributed, for non-commercial use only.…
Leah Curtin discusses the difficulty of making choices in health care and includes a challenging situation she experienced as a student.
I live in a state that restricts access to certain healthcare services, and in some cases requires me to report things that will compromise the health of my…
Leah Curtin discusses the effects of whistleblowing on nurses’ lives
Examine the ethical and legal issues of patient privacy.
How should patients learn about an error?
Seventy-two seconds into liftoff, a defective mechanical part set off a string of events that caused the Challenger space shuttle to tear apart as millions watched it vanish…
2008 state legislative wrap-up
Legislatively, 2008 was a good year for nursing. In many states, safe nurse staffing laws, mandatory overtime restrictions, and safe patient-handling legislation got the…
2008: The year of pro-nurse advocates
To help elect pro-nursing candidates, volunteer for campaign work and urge everyone you know to vote.
A call to better serve unsheltered patients
I’ve become increasingly concerned by the growing number of patients experiencing homelessness who’ve been coming to our clinic. How can I get involved to…
A nurse’s inappropriate language—an ethical issue
To: Ethics Advisory Board From: Concerned nurse manager Subject: A nurse’s behavior frightens a patient LR is a new graduate RN with 1 year…
A question of conscience
Two nurses on my unit have submitted written notification stating that they would no longer participate in administering and monitoring blood transfusions for patients,…
A Year of Gifts
Our editor-in-chief reviews important accomplishments in the past year and presents a nursing "wish list".
Advocacy: A modest proposal
Nurses are with patients during some of the most important moments in their lives.
Advocating for patients in an era of drug-delivery problems
Learn what steps you can take to help patients avoid drug contamination and cope with drug shortages.
ANA endorses Hillary Clinton for President
This has certainly been an interesting and exciting presidential election year. I hope many of you have been tuned in and by now have…
ANA endorses Kid Safe Chemicals Act
Acting on a directive from the 2006 House of Delegates, ANA has endorsed the Kid Safe Chemicals Act. The bill would ensure for the…
ANA President Attends White House Meeting
Karen Daley, PhD, MPH, RN, FAAN, newly elected president of the American Nurses Association (ANA), attended a meeting at the White House in recognition…
ANA Revises Two of Its Foundational Nursing Publications
In its role as the professional organization for all 3.1 – 3.6 million registered nurses in the United States, ANA is the author and…
ANA urges Congress to invest in domestic nursing education, not immigration
ANA urges Congress to invest in domestic nursing education, not immigration As the nursing shortage continues to weigh on hospital administrators and patient care,…
ANA urges Congress to invest in nursing workforce development. ANA endorses the Nursing School Capacity Act.
ANA has launched a campaign aimed at increasing federal funding for nursing recruitment and education by $50 million. If successful, this campaign would result…
Avoiding copyright violations in educational presentations
What you don’t know about copyright can get you into legal jeopardy.
Before blowing the whistle, learn to protect yourself
Don’t let fear of reprisal stop you from reporting serious misconduct.
Beyond a box of chocolates
Often, patients and families express their gratitude for a special nurse’s outstanding care with spoken thanks or heartfelt commendations written to a nursing supervisor.…
Beyond a box of chocolates
Often, patients and families express their gratitude for a special nurse’s outstanding care with spoken thanks or heartfelt commendations written to a nursing supervisor.…
Building the case for chemical policy reform
Over the past three decades, we have become increasingly aware of the impact that our environment, and chemical exposures in particular, has on our…
C-suite executives believe ACA will improve health care
A survey of 74 C-suite executives published in Health Affairs finds they are optimistic about the effects of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The…
Caring for older lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender adults
Current discussions on the unique health issues of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) populations have prompted the healthcare professions to reexamine their mission…
Carrots and sticks
The Stick—penalties for excess readmissions Is your hospital on the list? Starting this month, over 2,200 hospitals are forfeiting up to 1% of their…
Case study: Coerced consent
“Coercion is commonly said to invalidate consent, and that is always true if the source of the coercion is the physician.
Case Study: How much is enough?
Three-year-old Christy* has been in the hospital’s pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) since birth, when she was diagnosed with McCune-Albright syndrome and multiple other…
Chief nurse officer takes on full range of public health issues
Rear Admiral Carol A. Romano, PhD, RN, FAAN, is the Assistant Surgeon General and Chief Nurse Officer for the United States Public Health Service…
CMA lobbyists discuss hot topics in the states
In 2009, patient safety, health care, safe staffing, and nursing advancement will top ANA’s list of legislative priorities.
CMS awards funding for APRN training
On July 30, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the participants for a new initiative that provides funds to support clinical…
CMS broadens ‘medical staff’ concept to include APRNs
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has broadened the concept of “medical staff” so that hospitals can include other practitioners such as…
Concerns about calling out sick
I’m a new nurse employed in a hospital and would like to better understand a nurse’s responsibility around calling out sick. On the inpatient…
Conflict about pain relief at the end of life
I have a cousin who was diagnosed 5 months ago with end-stage liver cancer. The cancer has progressed at a rapid pace, and as…
Congress considers mental health parity legislation
Legislation under consideration in the U.S. House and Senate would require group health insurers to cover mental health care at the same level as…
Considering the COVID-19 syndemic
To: Ethics Advisory Board From: An alarmed nurse Subject: Nursing’s responses to pandemic-fueled inequities I’m troubled that the COVID-19 pandemic has not only exposed…
Creating a Magnet® culture using the ANA Code of Ethics
One hospital’s Magnet workgroup used a Code of Ethics program to transform nursing practice.
Creating ethical environments in nursing
To uphold workplace ethics, leaders must send the message that unethical behavior is never acceptable, no matter who’s demonstarting it.
Crime doesn’t pay
Fraud and abuse account for up to 10% of U.S. healthcare expenditures. What should you do if you suspect potential healthcare fraud or abuse?
Dear Members of Congress
In an open letter to Congress, Dr. Cipriano urges legislators to leverage nurses’ knowledge, skills, and abilities to help bring order to a chaotic…
Defending yourself through documentation
Complete, objective, and accurate documentation of the care you provide can help you avert or defend against lawsuits.
Documentation: You’ve got a lot to lose
According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, fraud is “the intentional deception or misrepresentation made by a person with the knowledge that…
Drug errors harm 1.5 million people each year, report finds
In a new report, the Institute of Medicine concludes that at least 25% of harmful adverse drug events are preventable, and recommends specific preventive…
Editorial
To achieve higher quality of care and help transform our healthcare system, we need to don our customized tool belts, get to work, and…
Environement, health, and safety
Bullying is an abusive behavior that threatens the safety of healthcare workers. Nurses should examine their own interactions to see if they are exhibiting…
Ethical challenges in enforcing dress codes
I’ve seen some backlash on social media after our organization issued a dress code policy that addressed hairstyle. I know policies that are restrictive…
Ethics and crisis standards of care
To: Ethics Advisory Board From: Contingently confused Subject: Conventional, contingency, and crisis standards of care Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, I keep hearing about different…
Ethics and the quality of care
Leah Curtin discusses the issue of quality care from an ethical perspective.
Ethics case study: ‘Just watch them die…’
According to the Associated Press, a Brookdale Senior Residence facility* worker who identified herself as a nurse, refused to administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to…
Ethics case study: Poor staffing results in brain-damaged patient
Shirley Keck, age 61, was admitted to Kansas medical center. Because of understaffing of nurses in the hospital, Shirley’s nurse did not assess her…
Ethics for nurses in everyday practice
In recent years, most of the world’s people have celebrated their diversity: different races and languages, religions and cultures, and social mores. These differences…
Ethics for nurses in everyday practice: How stupid can you get?
Staffing is an issue at this 150-bed proprietary acute-care hospital. More than 100 of the hospital’s nurses, led by Mary Sims*, RN, signed a…
Ethics for nurses in everyday practice: Insubordination in the ICU?
What happens when there is no room in the ICU for an ED patient?
Ethics in everyday care
The pandemic, from its earliest days in March 2020, exposed not only a health and healthcare crisis but also deep inequities in our society.…
Ethics in everyday care
The pandemic, from its earliest days in March 2020, exposed not only a health and healthcare crisis but also deep inequities in our society.…
Ethics of bedside arraignments
I am a medical-surgical nurse and admitted a patient to my unit who was arrested and injured during the commission of an alleged crime.…
Ethics, relatively speaking
Recently, a nursing student wrote this as part of a course assignment: “Ethics can be hard to teach or learn because they may be…
Everyday ethics: Balancing beliefs with care
I’m a nurse in a med–surg unit. A patient I recently cared for who has amyotrophic lateral sclerosis decided to voluntarily stop eating and…
Everyday ethics: Informed consent
As a study coordinator, I recruit participants to a randomized clinical trial that’s evaluating experimental drugs for renal cancer. One of the individuals who…
Everyday ethics: Prioritizing patients
It’s my understanding that a nurse’s primary commitment is to our patients. Recently, while working as a travel nurse, I’ve been concerned about some…
Everyday ethics: Privacy and trust
As a perioperative nurse, I understand I should ensure the privacy and confidentiality of my patients and their information while providing care throughout pre-,…
Everyday ethics: Responsibility and accountability
A few weeks ago, I was floated to the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU), which was seriously short-handed due to surgeries from a multiple-car accident.…
Faith, community, and health: Partnerships with good neighbors
Our editor-in-chief turns a spotlight on faith and community partnerships.
FDA looks to improve medical device review process
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration plans to implement changes in 2011 designed to improve review of medical devices. Read more at http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm240418.htm.
FDA marks 50 years of Kefauver-Harris amendment
This year the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is marking the anniversary of the Kefauver-Harris amendment, passed 50 years ago. The legislation gave…
Federal legislative agenda
Promoting the critical role nurses play in the health of patients and the nation, as well as guaranteeing a strong nursing workforce into the…
Finance: It’s not a dirty word
Your chief nursing officer stops you in the hall. To your surprise, she asks, “Jen, why don’t you apply for that charge nurse position…
For once, ethics and the ‘bottom line’ agree
Author Leah Curtin discusses the dangers of bottom-line thinking.
Form of cinnamon used in U.S. contains higher concentrations of coumarin
A study in Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry has found that cassia cinnamon, commonly used in products sold the U.S., contains higher concentrations…
From apathy to political activism
When someone mentions the words politics and nursing in the same sentence, do you roll your eyes? Do you think to yourself or ask…
From our readers…Practical approaches to patient advocacy barriers
Nurses know that patient advocacy is an expected and important role for their practice, but the practical implications of acting as an advocate are…
From Your ANA President
Nurses must step up and become a primary force in reshaping the nation’s healthcare system.
From Your ANA President
The recently launched Initiative on the Future of Nursing seeks to address the challenges facing the nursing profession and to improve healthcare quality and…
From Your ANA President
November 6, 2010 marks the 10th anniversary of the Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act. ANA’s new president reviews the progress made in reducing bloodborne…
From Your ANA President
As she ends her term as ANA President, Rebecca Patton urges nurses to demonstrate their leadership and help make the provisions of the new…
Genetic counseling, abortion, sex-selection, and autonomy
Anya, a 36-year-old woman and her 41-year-old husband, Dev, came to the Woman’s Center to discuss issues about “advanced maternal age.” This would be…
Genetic counseling, abortion, sex-selection, and autonomy—a response to readers’ comments
Author Leah Curtin responds to readers’ comments on one of her recent articles.
Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act signed into law
The federal government bans genetic job discrimination; ANA backs the Kid Safe Chemicals Act.
Genetics and ethics in health care and nursing
Review these excerpts from anew book on genetics and ethics in health and nursing.
Headlines from the Hill
ANA supports the Medicare Patient Access and Quality Improvement Act, which would repeal the Medicare sustainable growth rate and reform Medicare Part B payment
Headlines from the Hill
Find out what has been accomplished during the 112th Congress and what healthcare professionals stand to lose if our country goes over the "fiscal…
Headlines from the Hill
To mark the 2-year anniversary of the Affordable Care Act, ANA took part in a celebration recognizing the law’s patient protections.
Headlines from the Hill
By taking part in ANA’s Lobby Day, nurses can join forces to educate elected officials on the critical issues facing nursing today. This article…
Headlines from the Hill
CMS has proposed major changes to the rule for Medical Conditions of Participation, which can significantly affect nursing practice. This article is available to…
Headlines from the Hill
The August legislation that raised the debt ceiling was the first round in the government spending debate. Safety-net programs may be on the Congressional…
Headlines from the Hill
ANA recently cohosted a Senate Nursing Caucus briefing to present final results from the 2008 National Sample Survey of Registered Nurses, and participated in…
Headlines from the Hill
ANA CEO “stars” with actress Jessica Alba in the fight against toxic chemicals.
Headlines from the Hill
Congress has reintroduced the Home Health Care Planning Improvement Act, which would allow APRNs to order home health services under Medicare.
Headlines from the Hill
The Republicans now control the House of Representatives. No matter what policy objectives either party tries to enact, ANA will continue to ensure that…
Headlines from the Hill
ANA’s Lobby Day gave nurses the chance to meet congressional representatives and lobby in support of issues important to nursing.
Headlines from the Hill
By meeting in-person with their congressional representatives, nurses can garner support for the Home Health Care Planning Improvement Act, which would allow advanced practice…
Headlines from the Hill
As one of three nurses in Congress, Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX-30) has been a champion for nursing, introducing and cosponsoring bills to advance…
Headlines from the Hill
ANA supports two Congressional bills that would improve patient safety and protect RNs from debilitating injuries caused by manual patient lifting/
Headlines from the Hill Dollars and…sense?
As Congress nears the "fiscal cliff" and the so-called sequester with its across-the-board spending cuts, ANA will continue to advocate for funding of programs…
Healthcare reform: Resolve to increase your knowledge in 2014
Find out how the Affordable Care Act is reforming health care and how it could affect your practice.
Healthy and wise
A coalition of medical societies has joined together to put the brakes on healthcare overuse and excesses.
HHS releases modifications to HIPAA privacy, security, enforcement, and breach notification rule
On Jan. 17, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released “Modifications to the HIPAA Privacy, Security, Enforcement, and Breach Notification Rules under…
Higher education bill creates new opportunities for nurses and schools
Higher education bill created new opportunities for nurses and schools; House joins Senate in supporting advanced practice registered nurses in home health.
How do we get into morally questionable situations?
Leah Curtin discusses the dangers of bottom-line thinking.
How rituals support nursing teams
I’m a clinical manager for a pediatric critical care unit. We’ve recently had a significant increase in end-of-life care. I’m proud of our nurses…
How the candidates want to change health care
Web exclusive! See what Senators McCain and Obama say they’ll do to fix our broken healthcare system.
How to avoid the pitfalls of social media
You may face serious consequences if you use social media and other new technologies inappropriately.
How to comment on government regulations
You can get directly involved in developing public health policy by submitting your comments on proposed government regulations to federal departments and agencies.
Incorporating nursing quality indicators in public reporting and value-based purchasing initiatives
Quality-improvement initiatives give short shrift to nursing- specific indicators. The authors discuss obstacles to incorporating such indicators and explore current initiatives to include them.
Is the Code of Ethics for Nurses a legal document?
What if I make an inadvertent, unethical practice error? Is the Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements a legal document that can…
Issues up close
This article details how patients are affected by APRNs’ current inability to order home health services.
Issues up close
ANA’s House of Delegates recently approved a resolution supporting health care for all. The author examines the social, economic, and political ramifications of undocumented…
Issues up close
Family nurse practitioner (FNP) and nurse-midwife Karen Holder, FNP-BC, CNM, MHS, sees patients at a large primary care clinic in Flagstaff, Arizona, as well…
Issues up close
Nurses in the Department, Veterans Administration, Federal Nurses Association (FedNA), and other groups are collaborating to make sue the healthcare needs of active-duty military…
Issues up close – Preparing for the worst is the key to surviving disasters
National Preparedness Month is a good time to learn about national disaster-preparedness.
Leapfrog Group says hospital safety improvements too slow
The Fall 2013 update to The Leapfrog Group Hospital Safety Score shows many hospitals are making headway in addressing errors, accidents, injuries, and infections…
Legal nurse consultant: A career at the crossroads of health care and the law
The jurors file into the courtroom, avoiding eye contact with the attorneys and spectators. I hold my breath. The plaintiff’s attorney straightens his tie;…
Letters to the Editor – November 2008
Easy and inexpensive Thank you for Susan Fetzer’s excellent article, “Putting a stop to postop nausea and vomiting,” in the August issue. One treatment…
Managing our fears to improve patient safety
Leaders must develop a structured process for team learning and communication.
Mary Naylor named to Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
Mary D. Naylor, PhD, RN, FAAN, of the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, has been appointed to the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission. MedPAC…
Medical futility: A nurse’s viewpoint
Caring for a medically futile patient can be a wrenching emotional experience. Learn how to cope with the complex medical, ethical, and legal issues…
Medical gaslighting: Why don’t you hear me?
In my time as a nurse, I’ve observed patients’ concerns being dismissed as nonconsequential or in their heads. I’ve found these patients to be…
Medication errors: Best Practices
A medication error can occur in any healthcare setting-with devastating consequences. The authors describe weaknesses in the key elements of medication use and propose…
Meeting the Moment
A much-anticipated revision of the Code of Ethics for Nurses (Code) published in January explicitly connects the health and safety of nurses and their…
Michelle Obama, Mary Wakefield discuss Affordable Care Act
First Lady Michelle Obama and Mary Wakefield, PhD, RN, Administrator for the Health Resources and Services Administration held a conference call on Sept. 28…
Navigating competing ethical and civil-legal obligations
I’m a school nurse at an elementary school where I’ve cared for a student with an ongoing illness who now has been enrolled in…
NEJM interviews HHS Secretary on healthcare reform
The New England Journal of Medicine features an interview about healthcare reform with Health and Human Services’ Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. Read more at http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp1014722.
NEJM: Public views on Medicare and the budget deficit
The July 13 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine includes an insightful review of public polling on Medicare and how public opinion…
New guidelines for treatment of malaria
The World Health Organization has released new guidelines for malaria treatment to counter the misuse of anti-malarial drugs. Access the guidelines at http://www.who.int/malaria/en/.
No peeking allowed
Electronic health records give healthcare providers faster, more efficient access to patient information. Experts hope to make the data less vulnerable to security breaches.
Nurse Advocacy for chemicals policy reform gains exposure
Through resolutions, partnerships, and conferences, ANA’s advocacy for chemicals policy reform is gaining wider exposure.
Nurse practitioners should be eligible to serve as “medical homes” for primary care
Nurse practitioners should be eligible to serve as “medical homes” for primary care By Eileen Shannon Carlson, JD, RN Congress is working to develop…
Nurse responsibility in advancing global health
To: Ethics Advisory Board From: Volunteer RN Subject: Global health outreach With the recent earthquake in Haiti and the devastation that country has experienced,…
Nurse voices are needed now more than ever
Nurses can help retool our healthcare system by telling government leaders what they need to know.
Nursing ethics for a gig economy
I’m exhausted. My unit is always short staffed. I’m asked to work longer hours and come in on my day off. I need more…
Nursing’s ethical commitment to effective patient communication
Nurses need more than solid technical skills to provide ethical care. A recent AMA Ethical Force Program report casts a spotlight on effective patient…
Nursing’s role in healthcare reform
The 2010 healthcare reform act (Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, or PPACA) gives nurses new opportunities to deliver care and play an integral…
Of artichokes and angry patients
An angry patient is like an artichoke. An artichoke is prickly and rough on the outside, but by taking time to learn how to…
On the CUSP: How to implement a comprehensive unit-based safety program
This five-step program empowers staff to change unit culture and improve patient safety.
Our “knowing-doing” gap
Something as simple and low – tech as the checklist can help healthcare providers close the knowing – doing gap.
Our Readers Respond
How do we get into morally questionable situations? I love this article. As a current student in the nursing program, I find it incredibly…
Patton attends ceremonies to celebrate opening of 110th congress. ANA wants YOU! Apply to N-PAL today!
ANA pledges to work with new leaders of the 110th Congress. ANA seeks Nurses for its political action leader (N-PAL) program.
Physician supports APRNs in Atlantic article
John Rowe, a physician who is professor in the department of health policy and management at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health,…
Principles to live and work by: ANA Crafts document to guide RNs in environmental health practice
ANA issues principles delineating RN’s rights and responsibilities toward improving environmental health.
Problems with Privacy
Leah Curtin discusses how the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) has been misinterpreted to the detriment of patients.
Promoting civility in the workplace
Bullying and incivility are rampant on my nursing unit. My manager doesn’t address the situation, which contributes to an unhealthy work environment. Things escalated…
Protecting privacy while supporting nurses
To: Ethics Advisory Board From: Concerned emergency department clinical manager Subject: Patient/family privacy and nurses’ well-being A patient was brought to our emergency…
Protecting yourself from malpractice claims
As nursing practice becomes more autonomous, nurses are becoming more vulnerable to lawsuits. Learn how to avoid being sued for malpractice and what to…
Quality-improvement initiative: Classifying and documenting surgical wounds
Interprofessional collaboration promoted a successful initiative to improve wound classification.
Quantum ethics: Coming to grips with the dark side
Nurses have an ethical duty to address the web of relationships, expectations, and egocentrism that influences them.
Ready, set, go! How to return to the nursing workforce
Are you an RN who has been out of the workforce? Your talents, experience and expertise are needed in all healthcare settings. While technology…
Ready…Set…Go! My representatives are back home… What can I do?
During the August Congressional recess, many elected officials will be available in their district offices. This is a great opportunity for nurses to meet…
Research ethics: What nurses need to know
I’ve been asked to care for patients who are participating in a research study. What are the ethical guidelines for this type of practice?
Responding to workplace violence
In my work as an emergency department (ED) nurse, my colleagues and I routinely experience physical assaults from patients. At this point we question…
Science: A universal source of ethics?
“It really doesn’t matter whether you are Muslim or Christian or Jew. In every religion, in every country, in every region at every time,…
Searching for transparency at Guantanamo Bay
A tour of the detainee facilities at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba leaves key questions unanswered.
Social Security improvements results in longer life spans
A study published in the Journal of Public Health Policy found that Americans over the age of 65 experienced steep declines in the rate…
Standardized patient “hand off” reduces medical errors
Using the patient “hand off” tool I-PASS reduced medical errors by 40% according to a study at Boston Children’s Hospital. I-PASS stands for: I…
Study: Immigrants contribute more to Medicare than they take out
According to a study in Health Affairs, immigrants in the U.S. disproportionately subsidize the Medicare Trust Fund, probably as a result of the high…
Study: Medicaid expansion may reduce mortality
Expansion of Medicaid coverage may reduce mortality among adults, according to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Read more.
Study: Pay for performance doesn’t affect 30-day mortality
A study in The New England Journal of Medicine found that the hospital-based, pay-for-performance program Medicare Premier Hospital Quality Incentive Demonstration failed to reduce…
Study: Shortages of cancer drugs associated with medication errors and higher
A study in the American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy reports a survey of oncology pharmacists in the United States found that shortages of oncology…
Supporting our children’s access to quality health care and our nurses
A Congresswoman who’s also a nurse describes her efforts to improve children’s access to healthcare coverage.
Take Note – December 2006
CDC recommends HIV screening for everyone New recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) call for routine human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)…
Take Note – October 2007
Medicare to stop reimbursing hospitals for eight preventable conditions Medicare will stop paying hospitals for the extra costs of treating eight conditions stemming from…
Take Note – Sept/Oct 2009
Patients lose when nurse staffing is insufficient Heavy workloads and insufficient staffing affect patient care, according to about 2,000 nurses surveyed worldwide by the…
Taking it to the top
ANA and state associations promote health system reform The importance of health system reform can seem like a distant memory when gas prices are…
Tending to all their needs: Advance care planning for pediatric patients
B is a 12 year old boy who suffers from cardiomyopathy following an acute viral illness. His condition is stable, but without a heart…
The Babies Doe: Finding middle ground
The author explores ethical questions about caring for a baby with profound birth defects and offers a nursing answer.
The ethical will: A loving legacy
An ethical will serves as a vehicle for distilling a lifetime of wisdom and relaying messages of hope and love.
The evolving role of the forensic nurse
Even if they’re not portrayed on the TV shows "CSI" or "Law & Order: SVU," forensic nurses are pivotal in real-life forensic cases. Catch…
The most expensive one percent: A case study
What would you do? Let author Leah Curtin know after you read this case study.
The patient engagement imperative
Engaging patients is essential to ensure optimal reimbursement. Here are tips for engagement that leaders can apply in their organizations
The quality nexus: Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology
In April, Farzad Mostashari, MD, ScM, became the fourth National Coordinator of Health Information Technology within the Office of the National Coordinator for Health…
To make health care better, I would…
To make health care better, I would… …mandate every patient have a primary RN who knows the patient’s past health history, socioeconomic status, health…
Update on Medicare Part D prescription drug program
Medicare’s prescription drug program recuperates from its rocky debut; ANA endorses the Medicare Quality Enhancement Act.
Urge Congress to invest in nursing. Oppose the Healthcare Truth and Transparency Act.
The American Nurses Association (ANA) is seeking an increase of $25 million in FY 2007 funding for the Nursing Workforce Development programs administered by…
Using large language models in nursing education
I’m a nurse educator and realize that artificial intelligence (AI) crossing over into the academic environment via ChatGPT and other chatbots affects how we…
Viewpoint: Nurse’s refusal to force feed Gitmo prisoners triggers debate
Few Americans know that a U.S. Navy nurse may lose his 18-year career because he decided he could no longer in good conscience continue…
What to do when you’re being investigated
Being under scrutiny can rattle even the toughest RN. Our legal expert, LaTonia Denise Wright, BSN, RN, JD, explains how to protect your rights…
What you must know about minors and informed consent
Our expert, Mable H. Smith, PhD, JD, RN explains the subtleties of informed consent when your patient is a minor.
What’s in a name?
What’s in a name? Editor’s note: The information below was provided by United States Pharmacopeial Convention (USP). It may be freely reproduced and distributed,…
When good people make hard choices…*
Leah Curtin discusses the difficulty of making choices in health care and includes a challenging situation she experienced as a student.
When laws and nursing ethics collide
I live in a state that restricts access to certain healthcare services, and in some cases requires me to report things that will compromise…
When nurses speak up, they pay a price
Leah Curtin discusses the effects of whistleblowing on nurses’ lives
Why disruption can be a good thing
Seventy-two seconds into liftoff, a defective mechanical part set off a string of events that caused the Challenger space shuttle to tear apart as…
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