By Shawn Kennedy, MA, RN, interim editor-in-chief
I was catching up on my reading over the weekend and came across a press release issued December 9 by the ANA (American Nurses Association). It noted that “
Laudable for sure, but I keep wondering: does this matter to anyone but us? In the past eight years, has this designation helped nurses get to the policy table? Has it made key decision-makers realize that in addition to being trustworthy, nurses are also smart, skilled professionals who can be the key to cost-effective, quality care?
It’s really amazing (in an appalling sort of way): the groups among those with the lowest trust ratings—politicians and lawyers—dominate when it comes to making key decisions about health care (and about everything, actually). And we wonder why things are the way they are?
One of the reasons nurses are trusted may be the very fact that they are outside of the “power” system. It’s easier to be ethical when one is not tempted by power.
Hear hear.
No kidding, great observation Shawn.