1968 ANA House of Delegates approved SNAs acting as bargaining representatives for members to use concerted, lawful economic pressures to improve conditions. TNA began representing RNs in Texas VA hospitals. 1977 RNs at the Texas Institute for Rehabilitation and Research vote 2 to 1 for collective bargaining and TNA representation. 1979 Resolution passed by membership calls for TNA to decertify as collective bargaining representative. Whistle blower protection added to Nursing Practice Act.
Nurses gain peer review.
A peer assistance program now exists for RNs with chemical dependency or mental illness problems. 1989 Advanced Practice Nurses gain prescriptive authority. 1992 Medicaid reimbursement gained for APNs. 1993 Nurses gain right of due process in peer review. 1997 Amendment to Nursing Home Reform Bill requires that nursing directors must be RNs.