This spring, the American Nurses Foundation and its Corporate Advisory Board created a survey to identify key issues facing RNs today and where the healthcare product and services industry and nurses can work better together.

The Foundation formed the Corporate Advisory Board in 2015 to provide a forum for fostering dialogue and thought leadership with leading organizations that value nurses’ roles in providing excellent healthcare. Currently, the advisory board consists of 12 members representing a cross-section of the healthcare industry. The advisory board meets annually with leaders of the Foundation, the American Nurses Association, and the American Nurses Credentialing Center to find out what nurses need and to improve the board’s ability to respond.

“It’s in all of our best interests to identify and understand current and future trends in nursing and healthcare,” said Tim Porter-O’Grady, DM, EdD, APRN, FAAN, FACCWS, chair of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees. “As businesses build new product offerings and opportunities for nurses, engagement and collaboration with nurses is foundational to their success.”

A total of 1,225 nurses took the survey. Participants responded with over 700 open ended answers to questions around opportunities and challenges for nurses. Respondents also relayed their strong views on demanding more transparency and reporting on instances of violence and abuse against nurses, and indicated how employers respond on this could impact recruitment.

Several questions focused on helping businesses improve getting information to nurses, and confirmed that the industry needs to employ more nurses to explain the benefits of new products. Nurses also felt that product training and education were the most valuable ways vendors supported them.

Responders to a question about nurses’ perception of the product and services industry were also asked, “What ideas do you have on how the product and services industry can better partner with nurses?” The answers will help shape Corporate Advisory Board members’ engagement with nurses and the profession.

When nurses are empowered to contribute to and participate in the healthcare conversation, real change can take place and the health of the entire nation can benefit. Through partnerships like the Corporate Advisory Board, the Foundation is working to give nurses a seat at a variety of discussion tables.

For more information about the Corporate Advisory Board and summary results from all survey questions, please visit the Foundation’s website.