National Nurse update.

The National Nurse Campaign is thriving, here is a quick recap.

Two years ago the New York Times published an op-ed written by Teri Mills, a nurse educator and nurse practitioner from Oregon. Mills expressed her vision for our country to establish a high-ranking federal official titled, "National Nurse." From the National Nurse website, an Office of the National Nurse is needed:

* To establish symbolic national leadership for a new philosophy and cultural shift to prevention in US Healthcare.

* To raise visibility, enhance prestige and support recruitment to nursing and other healthcare professions.

* To provide guidance for state and local leadership that can mobilize nurse volunteers and other healthcare providers at the local level to enhance prevention and improve health outcomes.

One nurse Congresswoman Lois Capps, U.S. Representative for California took notice of this idea. She transformed Mill's idea into a bill and introduced it into the 109th Congress where it amassed the bipartisan support of 42 House co-sponsors; though not enough for passage

Now the update:

What started as a team of nurses advocating for a National Nurse has now become a National Nurse Network Organization (NNNO). In the past year, the NNNO has fulfilled many interview requests and presented at several nursing conferences and more nurse involvement.

Another bill is anticipated to be re-introduced into the 110th Congress; with the concept that the current Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) for the U.S. Public Health System USPHS) assumes the role of the National Nurse. This position restructured to include proposed duties of the Office of the National Nurse. The NNNO feels that it is crucial to also re-title the position to "National Nurse," rather than keep the title, "Chief Nursing Officer." Mills believes that the title "National Nurse" will be unique and recognizable and presently few really understand or know of the important roles that the Chief Nurse Officer of the USPHS performs.

Goal is to form a National Nurse Team/Medical Reserve Corps, from retired, skilled nurses who would have an opportunity to continue contributing to the needs of the community. Their active practice hours could help them maintain their licenses current and assure continued education opportunities. The possibilities are endless, but it will involve work and take time. A couple of states will be chosen to pilot these teams and provide opportunities to collect evidence that nurses can promote and improve the public health.

Grant money can be obtained to fund these activities without additional federal dollars. Local jurisdictions would have autonomy to determine focus and activities in their respective jurisdictions.

The National Nurse continues to gain momentum. As elections draw closer, it will become imperative for nurses to be heard. It is imperative that collective voice of nurses be heard politically so that our profession can take the lead on preventing health problems.

To learn more about the National Nurse, go to www.NationalNurse.org or email Teri Mills at Teri@ NationalNurse.info.

The author of this article is Lillian Gonzalez, BSN, RN, Nevada resident and agency nurse serving several hospitals and clinics in the Southwest. Her email address is: NurseLily@AnAmericanRN.com.