Editorial.

Nursing has a tremendous influence on society's health care needs and is accountable to provide quality care to those in our care. Nursing is obligated to ensure we have the resources to meet the complex needs and promote positive relationships within the health care team. Changes in economics and technology requires nurses to expand their professional development as teachers and mentors. Being a member of the American Nurses Association, the Nevada Nurses Association and four specialty organizations has increased the tools and expertise in my career goals and thereby made a difference throughout my nursing career. That means learning never stops; attends all the in-services, CEU programs, earn your BSN, Masters and/or NP. Set goals for your future.

We encourage you to be a part of your state nursing organization, the Nevada Nurses Association (NNA). Many nurses confuse NNA with the Nevada State Board of Nursing. The NVSBN is a state government board that provides nursing licensure and is mandated by regulation to protect the public from harm and inappropriate nursing care.

Nevada Nurses Association on the other hand is a totally volunteer organization and through collaborative effort represents the collective voice of nursing education, nursing research and nursing practice. NNA's main goal is to advocates for the RN, increase standards of practice, ensure career benefits and a positive nursing image. NNA is the voice of nursing and represents RNs in the legislative arena. NNA has developed over the years an enviable relationship with the state legislators. They often look to NNA for education and information on health care issues.

Nursing has shifted from the traditional role toward a professional role by developing research and various nursing science studies to understand what we do and why we do it and how to improve the way we do it. Promotion of health and prevention of poor health habits and care is currently guiding much of the nursing research. Newer models of health care delivery have therefore come forth. The concept of Magnet Status Hospitals, TeleHealth, and community clinics all have evolved along with technology beyond our widest dreams.

In Nevada NNA has been proactive on many issues and in the past few years have advocated and have seen passed: Needle-stick Protection, promoted double enrollment funding in schools of nursing, enhanced the criminal penalty for assault on a health care worker, just to name a few.

In 2005 the legislators received a mandate to study health care staffing and health care within the state (not just nurse staffing), items like patient safety, quality care issues, overtime work requirements, refusing an unsafe assignment. NNA has been active during the interim at committee hearing providing testimony and education

Be the voice for nurses. Be informed. Do your homework. Write letters to the editor, Communicate with your legislator. Be a part of the solution and accountable for your practice.

Betty Razor RN, BSN CWOCN 

Interim Editor