In 2019 a group of nurses, who were long-time members of the Ohio Nurses Association (ONA), came together informally out of a shared concern that ONA was no longer the voice for registered nurses in Ohio. Current ONA leadership was inexperienced, and increasingly focused its priorities on the interests and needs of acute care staff nurses in collective bargaining units, at the expense of the vast number of nurses looking for more inclusive representation from a professional nursing organization with a multi-purpose agenda and programming.
Many of these concerned nurses have held leadership positions in ONA, the American Nurses Association (ANA) and/or district associations and came from across Ohio. Some were nurse educators, some community health nurses, some advanced practice nurses, while others had shaped ONA’s collective bargaining program since its inception. They shared the belief that nurses are stronger when they come together and that their collective voices must be heard at policy tables when important decisions affecting healthcare providers and their patients are made. They believed that ALL nurses must be active shapers of the evolving healthcare system, but that ONA was representing unionized nurses to the marginalization of most ONA members.
During 2020, the group continued to try to influence ONA to take a broader approach to its advocacy efforts and to be more transparent and forthright, while intentionally seeking the opinions and expertise of all its members. Those efforts culminated at the 2021 ONA House of Delegates where these nurses proposed several motions that were adopted by the House. One of these motions directed the newly elected Board of Directors (now controlled entirely by collective bargaining interests) to engage in a formal mediation process conducted by an outside, experienced mediator to help resolve the differences and preserve ONA and its association with ANA). During its first meeting in January 2022, the new ONA Board of Directors voted in executive session that all motions adopted by the House were null and void because they violated unspecified organizational bylaws and provisions in Ohio law. Repeated efforts by members to obtain clarification regarding that decision were unsuccessful with the Board relying on the confidentiality of decisions made in executive session as the alleged reason for its lack of transparency.
Eventually, it became apparent that the goal of saving ONA as a professional organization for all registered nurses in Ohio was a failed mission. On March 18, 2022, a new organization, Ohio Registered Nurses (OHRN) was legally created through the filing of Articles of Incorporation with Ohio’s Secretary of State. OHRN’s avowed purpose, as identified in the Articles, was to support all nurses in their professional development, including honing of leadership skills, career coaching and mentoring; cutting edge continuing education; enhanced informed advocacy through inclusive collaboration; and user friendly, timely, transparent communication with all its members. OHRN elected leaders established bylaws and affordable dues and grew its membership to over 800 by year’s end.
In November 2022 OHRN learned of the disaffiliation by ANA of ONA as its Ohio Constituent/ State Nurses Association (C/SNA), opening the door for OHRN to apply. By April 2023 an application for consideration was submitted; in May 2023 OHRN members approved bylaws amendments that included a name change; and on June 1, 2023, OHRN became ANA-Ohio, with full rights and responsibilities as the Ohio C/SNA of ANA conferred by the ANA Board of Directors. On June 23, 2023, the two elected delegates with five other members of ANA-Ohio were officially welcomed into the ANA Membership Assembly in Washington, D.C.
ANA-Ohio is responsive, nimble, and is engaging new members, some were previous ONA members while others never belong to ONA. These members are joining the founding members and continuing to shape the organization as it grows and matures to reach its full potential. As of August 1, 2023, membership had reached 712 nurses from diverse backgrounds, roles, and practice settings. ANA-Ohio is committed to being a welcoming organization for nurse colleagues of all backgrounds and seeks the active participation of all Ohio nurses.
ANA-Ohio is not competing with any other Ohio organization. It is not affiliated with any union. Rather, its approach is fully collaborative and fully respectful of the need for equity, diversity, and inclusion in all that it does. It will rely on collaboration to address practice issues across all practice areas. The founders encourage all members to fully benefit from the ANA affiliation.
ANA-Ohio will bring issues and trends to its members so they can be innovative change agents. Its futuristic vision will enable members to thrive, not merely survive, the inevitable changes coming to every healthcare setting.
