Addressing today’s challenges, anticipating the future
2021—the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic— demanded registered nurses’ full determination and committed service. As the pandemic evolved through the high of widely available vaccines and low of new, more contagious variants, the ANA Enterprise— American Nurses Association, American Nurses Foundation, and American Nurses Credentialing Center—continued to adapt in full support of nurses nationwide.
During its 125th anniversary year, the American Nurses Association in partnership with 23 major nursing associations considered not only the profession’s past but also its current practices and policies and took concrete steps toward a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive future.
The American Nurses Foundation embarked on an ambitious, groundbreaking project to transform nursing practice, regulation, and education in the coming decade.
The American Nurses Credentialing Center celebrated 30 years of promoting the highest standards of nursing, in all practice and professional settings, with the aim of improving patient care and clinical outcomes.
Throughout the year, the ANA Enterprise led the profession in addressing today’s challenges and in shaping the future of nursing and health care.
OUR LEADERS REFLECT ON 2021 AND CONSIDER THE FUTURE
WE CONTRIBUTED TO NURSES
AND THE NURSING PROFESSION…
AMERICAN NURSES FOUNDATION
MADE 45 GRANTS
TOTALING $2,706,000
YOU TOOK ACTION…
MORE THAN
113,000 NURSES AND ADVOCATES
SENT OVER
60,000 LETTERS TO CONGRESS
through our grassroots
community RNAction.org
1780 MEDIA MENTIONS
TOGETHER, WE EXPLORED…
MORE THAN
2,000 PARTICIPANTS
joined 4 ANA INNOVATION LOUNGES for thoughtful, interactive discussions about bold, inspiring ideas
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31,000+
New Certification Applicants
30
New Applicants for Nursing Continuing Professional Development Accreditation
31
New Programs Accredited by the Practice Transition Accreditation Program®
34
Initial Magnet Recognition Program® Designations
17
New Pathway to Excellence Program® Designations
61,000+
Visitors to New Advanced Practice Web Page
In a year of enormous challenges and opportunities, the ANA Enterprise thanks all nurses for their dedication to patients and the profession. We deeply appreciate ANA members, nurses and organizations, and contributors who joined with us to create a healthy world through the power of nursing.
HOW WE RESPONDED TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
In 2021, ANA Enterprise continued as a national voice on COVID-19 issues, relentless advocate for nurses’ safety, positive work environments, and mental health and well-being, chronicler of nurses’ lived experiences during the pandemic, and trusted resource on nursing.
HOW WE BEGAN TO REIMAGINE NURSING
The American Nurses Foundation launched the $19 million Reimagining Nursing Initiative to bring forward and pilot bold ideas to tackle big barriers hindering nursing and the healthcare system. This historic effort kicked off with 347 proposals from 48 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico for reimagining nursing education, technology-enabled nursing practice, and direct reimbursement nursing models. Funding for and development of selected projects in 2022 could fundamentally change the future of nursing practice, regulation, and education.
HOW WE MOTIVATED CHANGE IN THE NURSING PROFESSION
Committed to see the nursing profession exemplify diversity, equity, and inclusivity, and motivate all nurses to confront systemic racism, the American Nurses Association along with three co-lead organizations and 20 member organizations representing the country’s leading nursing groups launched the National Commission to Address Racism in Nursing. This landmark body took decisive steps to define, understand the context of and appreciate the effects of racism on nurses today and in the past. These foundational elements set the stage for the Commission’s work in 2022, including release of a milestone report and strategies to effect meaningful change.
HOW WE ADVANCED NURSING EXCELLENCE
The American Nurses Credentialing Center marked 30 years of progress in advancing the nursing profession, empowering nurses worldwide to leverage their competencies for the benefit of their patients. ANCC’s Framework for Healthcare Excellence built on four pillars— fostering interprofessional collaboration, empowering engagement, sustaining a culture of excellence, and advancing professional care—set the stage for individual nurses and organizations to achieve their highest potential. The Framework, connecting all ANCC programs underscored the value of nurses in continuously improving healthcare quality, ultimately elevating health outcomes of patients throughout the United States and internationally.
