State Nursing Associations Announce Formation Of A New National Nurses Union

Main Category: Nursing / Midwifery
Article Date: 17 Apr 2009 - 4:00 PDT

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Leaders from six state nurses associations announced today the formation of a new, innovative national union for registered nurses, the National Federation of Nurses (NFN). The NFN is unique at the national level in terms of its structure and organization and will provide an unparalleled platform for registered nurses to have a voice in the national labor agenda.

Representing nearly 70,000 registered nurses nationwide, the NFN currently includes six state nurses' associations: Montana, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, and Washington. A 21-member constitutional committee, with representatives from each of the member states, has developed governing documents for a new, ground breaking constitutional structure.

That 21 person committee democratically elected the first National Executive Board of the NFN, including President Barbara Crane, RN, (New York State Nurses Association); Vice President Julie Shuff, RN, (Oregon Nurses Association); Treasurer Rose Marie Martin, RN, (Ohio Nurses Association); and Secretary Kim Armstrong, RN, (Washington State Nurses Association).

Four directors were also elected, including Jeanne Avey, RN, (Washington State Nurses Association); Vicky Byrd, RN, and Tina Hedin, RN, (Montana Nurses Association); and Bruce Humphreys, RN, (Oregon Nurses Association).

"The new union," according to NFN President Barbara Crane, RN, "is founded on core democratic principals including self-governance, respect for individual member state's sovereignty, and highly coordinated collaboration. The NFN will focus on an effective national labor agenda that supports and advances the economic and general welfare, workplace conditions, and practice of registered nurses through collective bargaining and shared decision-making".

"The NFN is truly different," said NFN Secretary Kim Armstrong, RN. "It is an innovative way of ensuring America's nurses have a strong, clear voice in the decisions that impact their lives, their working conditions, and the care of their patients."

According to NFN Director, Bruce Humphreys, RN, "There are a number of ways in which the NFN differs from other, more traditional national union models. For example, the NFN has an iron clad commitment to respecting the sovereignty of the individual member states."

The NFN will have an Executive Board with equal representation from member states. According to NFN Director Tina Hedin, RN, "This Executive Board is designed to ensure that all member states are truly and meaningfully represented. The NFN gives every member state a powerful voice in the decisions and actions of the national union, resulting in greater transparency and accountability."

Another unique aspect of the NFN, according to NFN Vice-President Julie Shuff, RN, is the openness of the NFN structure, allowing for the inclusion of all organized nurses anywhere in the country to participate. "We are stronger together, and we are even stronger still when we allow nurses to speak for themselves, work together and elect leaders who understand the unique challenges faced by nurses across the country," she said.

"More than ever, registered nurses need a strong, national voice on issues such as healthcare reform and national staffing standards," said Crane. "The goal of the NFN is to make a profound and tangible difference in the lives of nurses and their patients through activities that improve both working conditions and quality of care."

"The organization is founded on a series of 'core covenants' that are meant to act as the guiding force of the union. The NFN is based upon the principles of democracy, inclusiveness, social justice and equality," said NFN Treasurer, Rose Marie Martin, RN. "This ensures transparency and open communication between the NFN and our member states, and will require accountability so that all nurses can be confident in our ability to represent their interests at the national level. It truly is the dawn of a new day."

A celebration announcement is planned for the evening of April 15, 2009 during the Oregon Nurses Association annual convention in Portland. The event will feature speeches by Congressman Kurt Schrader of Oregon's Fifth Congressional District, Barbara Crane, the newly elected NFN President from New York State, and Julie Shuff, ONA's Economic and General Welfare Cabinet Chair and NFN Vice-President. In attendance will be a wide range of union, health care, health care reform, nursing and social service organizations. More than 500 people are expected to attend the event.

The NFN has launched a new website which contains copies of organizing documents, press releases, FAQs and contact information at http://www.nfn.org.

Source
National Federation of Nurses