What does the American Nurses Association (ANA) represent?

The American Nurses Association (ANA) serves as the official voice for professional nursing in the United States, representing registered nurses (RNs) across various specialties and practice settings. Its mission is to advance and protect the interests of nurses and to ensure high standards of nursing practice. The ANA promotes the welfare of nurses and advocates for health care policies that benefit both nurses and patients.

In contrast to professional associations aimed at nursing students or specific educational bodies, the ANA focuses primarily on the registered nursing practice and sets forth the standards and ethical codes for the profession. It is also not a regulatory body, which would oversee nursing education and licensing on a state level, nor is it a labor union that primarily addresses nurses' employment conditions and bargaining rights in clinical settings. The ANA emphasizes professionalism, advocacy, and the promotion of nursing as a vital aspect of the healthcare system.