American Nurses Association

"The American Nurses Association (ANA) is the only full-service professional organization representing the interests of the nation's 3.1 million registered nurses through its constituent and state nurses associations and its organizational affiliates. The ANA advances the nursing profession by fostering high standards of nursing practice, promoting the rights of nurses in the workplace, projecting a positive and realistic view of nursing, and by lobbying the Congress and regulatory agencies on health care issues affecting nurses and the public".

Mission Statement:
"Nurses advancing our profession to improve health for all."

". . .  very comprehensive and well organized, offering in-depth discussions on an array of topics. The main page features six areas of interest to users: Career and Credentialing, Practice, Ethics, Workplace Safety, Policy and Advocacy, and Member Benefits. Each of these categories is divided into subsections containing toolkits and links to further information.

For example, the Policy and Advocacy section includes ANA position statements on topics such as Bloodborne and Airborne Diseases, Drug and Alcohol Abuse, and Nursing Practice. The Workplace Safety section contains information on violence in the workplace, environmental issues, preparing for disasters, and more. There are also separate sections devoted to specific nursing areas/functions such as Staff Nurses, Advanced Practice Nurses, Nurse Managers, and Student Nurses. An FAQ section provides additional information on membership and the nursing profession. The site is easy to navigate and information is current. Access to ANA's journal articles is primarily limited to members only; nonmembers have access to selected older articles. Overall, an excellent resource for obtaining information on professional nursing issues and a must for nursing students, faculty, and practicing nurses. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Nursing students at all levels, researchers/faculty, and professionals / practitioners. -- B. A. D'Anna, Anne Arundel Community College. Reviewed in the August 2012 issue of ACRL's Choice.