Professional Standards

Nurses trust ANA because of our dedication to standards, guidelines, and principles. We work hard to elevate the nursing profession by defining the values and priorities for registered nurses across the nation. Through this work, ANA can provide direction to nurses across the nation, influence legislation, and implement a framework to objectively evaluate nursing excellence. Policy Statement The ANA Code for Nurses The American Nurses Association's (ANA) Code for Nurses with Interpretive Statements (Code for Nurses) explicates the goals, values and ethical precepts that direct the profession of nursing. The ANA believes the Code for Nurses is nonnegotiable and that each nurse has an obligation to uphold and adhere to the code of ethics. Read more About the Process Our members are nurses on the floor and in the field. So when a challenge or trend arises in our profession, ANA relies on our members as the first link in developing an official resource. Members are nominated to a working group that thoroughly researches the issue and writes a statement before going to ANA for final approval. This bottom-up approach to our statements helps ensure our standards are current and accurately represent nurses across the nation. Popular Resources Code of Ethics for Nurses This definitive guide demonstrates how to carry out your nursing responsibilities while providing quality care and meeting your ethical obligations. You can also take a CE course. ANA Position Statements When a hot topic arises in the industry, ANA will create an explanation, justification, or recommendation for a course of action otherwise known as a position statement.

ANA Principles for Nursing Practice From pay to staffing, delegation to documentation, and even cutting-edge topics such as social media ANA has principles aimed at giving you practical information for your professional practice. Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice, 2nd Edition As the premier resource on nursing practice, Scopes and Standards gives you a broad, non-clinical description of the art and science of nursing. A Scopes and Standards CE course is also available.

MORE ON NURSING STANDARDS Professional Role Competence ANA Position Statement - Approved 5/28/08

Recognition of a Nursing Specialty, Specialty Nursing Scope Statement, and Specialty Nursing Standards of Practice This book explains the criteria that must be met for ANA to recognize a nursing specialty, and to approve that nursing specialty's scope of practice statements and acknowledge the standard of practice for that specialty.

ANA Recognized Terminologies that Support Nursing Practice June 4, 2012

Buy ANA Nursing Standards

Nursing's Social Policy Statement Buy the Book

Magnet Recognition Program

2013 the American Nurses Association, Inc. All Rights Reserved American Nurses Association 8515 Georgia Ave Suite 400 Silver Spring, MD 20910 1-800-274-4ANA