THE RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF NURSES

NURSE'S RIGHTS

i. nurses have the right to be recognized as health professionals with a defined scope of
practice that is unique to the profession.

We need to articulate our scope of practice in a manner that is accepted and understood by all.
Many of our health consumers still lack a real knowledge of the responsibilities of the
contemporary nurse. For too long we have sought refuge in nursing "jargon" that is explained to
each other, but neither valued nor understood by those outside the profession. That
understanding must occur before nursing can realize its future.

ii. Nurses have the right to be recognized as practitioners of quality, cost-effective

healthcare. They need to be compensated in a manner equal with their responsibilities and
with the quality of care they provide. Those responsibilities and that compensation must be
supported by public policy.

Nursing is still listed as a "cost center" in most healthcare organizational budgets.

The "costs" for nursing care form a large part of that provider's budget, and thus make
a seemingly attractive target for short-sighted "budget fixers." However, patients are admitted to
hospitals and other provider venues because they require care which is provided by nurses.
Given that, nurses and nursing care should be regarded as a revenue center, and its costs valued
as such.

iii. Nurses have a right to a seat at the table where healthcare policy is formulated so that
they can speak to the issues involved in establishing and maintaining healthcare delivery
systems.

For too long, nurses have been the recipients of policy developed and implemented by people
who may have no working knowledge of patients' needs or nursing issues. Nurses need to be
both visible and articulate in any arena where healthcare policy is formulated, whether that is in a
boardroom or a legislative arena. We need to develop a cadre of expert practitioners to
collaborate with all other stakeholders in development of policies at the local, state, and national
levels. We need nursing leaders who are able and willing to speak for nursing at the table where
decisions are made and organizational budgets are formulated.

iv. Nurses have the right to lead and direct their own practice.

The magnet health facilities have shown us the value of shared governance in nursing.
In places that maintain nurses' autonomy, care outcomes are improved, and staff retention is
manifested in a body of nurses whose tenure and skills provide excellence in pt. care.
Collaborative practice committees have demonstrated the value of nurses working with other
practitioners to research and develop practice patterns based on sound outcome-driven data.
v. Nurses have the right to personnel and material resources commensurate with the area
and scope of their responsibilities.

A major source of dissatisfaction for today's professional nurse is the lack of adequate and
appropriate staff, and the lack of equipment needed to provide quality care. Mandatory overtime,
regular use of agency personnel, continuous need to orient new or inexperienced staff,
dependence on outmoded equipment, and lack of requisite care supplies all add to the frustration
of nurses who are responsible for quality care of patients with increasing acuities. Wise leaders
recognize that appropriate staff and supplies obviate patient errors and improve outcomes.
Quality is cost-effective.

NURSES' RESPONSIBILITIES