Here are some of the ways the ANA Enterprise is working on behalf of RNs to address COVID-19, recognize nurses, offer educational events, and provide advocacy updates. 

Covid-19 advocacy and resources 

The American Nurses Association’s (ANA’s) Capitol Beat blog, which delivers updates about ANA’s legislative and regulatory advocacy, is reporting on the Biden Administration’s swift action to address the COVID-19 public health and economic crises. ANA will continue to work with policy makers to address the needs of nurses and patients. ANA’s legislative agenda calls for specific steps to address nurses’ mental health, provide hazard pay, institute a moratorium on nurses having to use paid time off when they contract COVID-19, and invest in public health infrastructure and workforce. Read more at anacapitolbeat.org. 

ANA has partnered with various groups to promote understanding about COVID-19 vaccines. The Ad Council and the COVID Collaborative have released a video series designed to address healthcare professionals’ questions about COVID-19 vaccination. The video series was developed in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, and top health and medical institutions, including ANA. 

The videos include experts from a diverse coalition sharing information on COVID-19 vaccine development and safety, including ANA President Ernest Grant, PhD, RN, FAAN; National Black Nurses Association President Martha Dawson, DNP, RN, FACHE; and ANA Board Member Jennifer Gil, MSN, RN.

The videos are available at the COVID-19 Vaccine Education Effort: Content for Healthcare Providers (youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdSSKSOSBh4mcQbLK0NnLo8iP5TNqUCOf) and the toolkit at adcouncil.app.box.com/s/0h09rpgb0lu9tzzxn713s1gslrpxj286. 

In addition, ANA and the American Society of Health System Pharmacists have partnered to offer fact-based vaccine FAQs. Learn more at ANA’s COVID-19 Resource Center and ANA’s COVID-19 vaccine FAQ page at nursingworld.org/coronavirus. 

Recognizing nurses 

Each year, the ANA Enterprise recognizes Certified Nurses Day™ on March 19, celebrated on the birthday of Margretta “Gretta” Madden Styles, EdD, RN, FAAN, a renowned pioneer and expert in nurse credentialing. It’s the perfect opportunity to invite all nurses to advance their career by choosing certification. The American Nurses Credentialing Center provides free downloadable tools and celebration ideas at certifiednursesday.org.

Plan ahead to celebrate Nurses Month 2021 in May, an opportunity to recognize nurses all month long with the theme “You Make a Difference.” For the second year, Nurses Month is an expanded observance that builds upon National Nurses Week, traditionally May 6-12, into a month-long observation. Each week will have a different focus: 

Week 1: Self-care

Week 2: Recognition

Week 3: Professional development 

Week 4: Community engagement.

Join us for the free Nurses Month webinar, “Redefining nursing—Reaffirming our practice: Introducing the Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice, 4th Edition,” on May 19 (anayearofthenurse.org/nurses-month-webinar/). Visit anayearofthenurse.org to download the Nurses Month toolkit, which includes logos to use on social media, promotional materials, and recognitions and activities.