EVOLUTION OF THE PROFESSIONAL NURSING ORGANIZATION: DEVELOPMENT OF POWER.
Contributors: University of Texas at Austin.
Published: 1986
Number of pages: 372
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.; Sociology, Industrial and Labor Relations.
Description: The issue of power of the nursing profession has been an ongoing concern to nurses. Early nursing leaders believed that the most effective way to obtain power was through the formation of organizations for nurses. They also believed that collectively nurses could address such issues as self-regulation of nursing education and nursing practice. The attainment of this regulation would give both the profession and the association power. Thus in 1896, the American Nurses' Association (ANA) was organized as the association to represent professional nursing in the United States. Today, it represents the largest group of registered nurses.

The purposes of conducting this study of the American Nurses' Association were to: (1) Trace the evolution of the professional nursing organization (ANA) relative to the development of power; (2) Illustrate structural changes and their effect upon the organization's development of power; (3) Demonstrate the use of power to the influence acceptance of controversial issues; (4) Identify changes that have occurred within the organization to promote its power.

An analysis of ANA historical material from its inception in 1896 until 1980 was performed. Data were analyzed within time periods considered by the author to be critical, in light of socio-economic and political factors impinging upon the profession.

The historical data led to the conclusion that nursing leaders, working through ANA, were able to unite groups of nurses to work toward common goals despite controversial issues. Through structural changes, ANA was able to build upon its developing power base, thus strengthening the association. The data also showed that ANA was a multi-faceted organization which was impacted from internal as well as external concerns. Even so, ANA was not only able to build a stong national association but contributed to the strengthening of the state associations.

Additionally, there was evidence that despite ANA's position on controversial issues such as the entry level for professional nursing and its economic and general welfare programs, ANA was able to gain support and implement those programs. Even when nurses had left the organization to join other nursing groups, ANA was able to work collaboratively with those groups toward mutual goals. (Abstract shortened with permission of author.).
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 48-01, Section: B, page: 0088.

Thesis (PH.D.)--THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN, 1986.

School code: 0227.