Addressing Today’s Challenges, Anticipating the Future
2021—the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic— demanded registered nurses’ full determination and committed service. As the pandemic evolved through the high of widely available vaccines and low of new, more contagious variants, the ANA Enterprise— American Nurses Association, American Nurses Foundation, and American Nurses Credentialing Center—continued to adapt in full support of nurses nationwide.
During its 125th anniversary year, ANA in partnership with 23 major nursing associations considered not only the profession’s past but also its current practices and policies and took concrete steps toward a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive future.
The Foundation embarked on an ambitious, groundbreaking project to transform nursing practice, regulation, and education in the coming decade.
ANCC celebrated 30 years of promoting the highest standards of nursing, in all practice and professional settings, with the aim of improving patient care and clinical outcomes.
Throughout the year, the ANA Enterprise led the profession in addressing today’s challenges and in shaping the future of nursing and health care.
OUR LEADERS REFLECT ON 2021 AND CONSIDER THE FUTURE
EXCELLENCE IN NURSING
31,000+
New Certification Applicants
30
New Applicants for Nursing Continuing Professional Development Accreditation
31
New Practice Transition Accreditation Program Sites
34
Initial Magnet Recognition® Program Designations
17
New Pathway to Excellence® Program Designations
61,000+
Visitors to the New Advanced Practice Web Page
In a year of enormous challenges and striking opportunities the ANA Enterprise thanks all nurses for their service. We deeply appreciate ANA members who joined with us in achieving safe and sound practice and policy results, RNs and institutions who participated in the American Nurses Credentialing Center journey in advancing the nursing profession, and contributors who supported the vital funding initiatives of the American Nurse Foundation.
HOW WE RESPONDED TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
In 2021, ANA Enterprise continued as a national voice on COVID-19 issues, relentless advocate for nurses’ safety, positive work environments, and mental health and well-being, chronicler of nurses’ lived experiences during the pandemic, and trusted resource on nursing.
HOW WE REINVENTED NURSING
The Foundation launched the $19 million Reimagining Nursing Initiative to bring forward and pilot bold ideas to tackle big barriers hindering nursing and the healthcare system. This historic effort kicked off with 347 proposals from 48 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico for reimagining nursing education, technology-enabled nursing practice, and direct reimbursement nursing models. Funding for and development of selected projects in 2022 could fundamentally change the future of nursing practice, regulation, and education.
HOW WE MOTIVATED CHANGE IN THE NURSING PROFESSION
Committed to see the nursing profession exemplify diversity, equity, and inclusivity, and motivate all nurses to confront systemic racism, ANA along with three co-lead organizations and 20 member organizations representing the country’s leading nursing groups launched the National Commission to Address Racism in Nursing. This landmark body took decisive steps to define, understand the context of and appreciate the effects of racism on nurses today and in the past. These foundational elements set the stage for the Commission’s work in 2022, including release of a milestone report and strategies to effect meaningful change.
HOW WE ADVANCED NURSING EXCELLENCE
ANCC marked 30 years of progress in advancing the nursing profession, empowering nurses worldwide to leverage their competencies for the benefit of their patients. ANCC’s Framework for Healthcare Excellence built on four pillars— fostering interprofessional collaboration, empowering engagement, sustaining a culture of excellence, and advancing professional care—set the stage for individual nurses and organizations to achieve their highest potential. The Framework, connecting all ANCC programs underscored the value of nurses in continuously improving healthcare quality, ultimately elevating health outcomes of patients throughout the United States and internationally.
