By Anne Llewellyn, RN-BC, MS, BHSA, CCM, CRRN
Editor-in-Chief of Case in Point Magazine and the Case Management Resource Guide

Over the past few years I have brought you updates from time to time on a grassroots movement to develop the Office of the National Nurse. The movement has been spearheaded by Teri Mills, an ARNP from Oregon who wrote a letter to the New York Times in May 2005 following National Nurse Week.

Her vision was to have a nurse sit alongside the U.S. Surgeon General to bring prevention and educational services to the local level to empower consumers to be active participants in their own health and health care.  The movement would highlight the important role that each nurse plays in the health care system despite being grossly underutilized in most communities.

To make her idea a reality, Teri gathered a core team of nurses who shared her vision, and she has worked tirelessly over the past five years to educate nurses, other health care professionals and legislative representatives across the country to understand the potential nurses can bring to improving the health of the country if they are recognized for their expertise and their ability to connect with consumers of health care. Her work came to fruition on February 4 when Congressman Earl Blumenauer (OR-3) introduced HR 4601,The National Nurse Act of 2010 into the second session of the 111th Congress. 

The Office of the National Nurse will have three major initiatives:

• To elevate the Chief Nurse Officer (CNO) of the U.S. Public Health Service to full-time status within the Office of the Surgeon General to become the National Nurse to enhance prevention efforts in all communities.
• To complement the work of the U.S. Surgeon General.
• To promote involvement of nurses as volunteers to improve the health and safety of the community.

I hope that each nurse and leading professional organizations will take the time to read the bill and share it with your colleagues. The key to the success of the bill is to share your support with your local Congressman and Senators and ask them to support it. Provided here is a link to connect with your elected Representative as well as your Senators in Congress.

This landmark bill allows nurses from all sectors of the health care system to demonstrate their expertise and come together for a common cause. Click here to learn more about the National Nurse.

I hope YOU will join the movement!

Have a great week!