Opinion | The Declaration of Independence For Nursing

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of nurse.org

In 1776, the Continental Congress adopted the U.S. Declaration of Independence. The main purposes of the Declaration of Independence was to list all of the grievances the colonists had with King George III. They also wanted to show the world why they needed to declare their independence. Finally, they wanted to declare to the world that the United States was now an independent country.

In writing the Declaration of Independence for Nursing, it was “necessary for one profession to dissolve the bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the great powers of the professions, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of nature and training entitle them…”.

This declaration presents the “self evident” truths to the American public why this is justified- socially and morally. It then lays out the rationales for why this is necessary.

But grievances are not, in and of themselves, enough. The Declaration goes on to TELL the public what we intend to do as a free and independent profession to improve our national health and healthcare with clear goals, as we assume a mantle of leadership in addressing the health and healthcare needs in EVERY community.

Nurses Transforming Healthcare

Nursestransforminghealthcare.org is dedicated to the principles outlined in this Declaration. Our hope is that other nurses and other professions will support this effort, recognize the importance of what Nursing can offer, and work with us to optimize the health of ALL Americans. Come join us, and become a signatory to this Declaration of Independence for Nursing by donating and even contributing to help us to achieve this vision.

Declaration of Independence for Nursing 

When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one profession to dissolve the bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the great powers of the professions, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of nature and training entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident: That the profession of Nursing has earned the trust and respect of their countrymen and women. That the profession has demonstrated since its inception that we are dedicated to the prevention of disease, the treatment of disease with other professionals, and the quality and humanity of healthcare for our patients, our communities, our states, and the nation. That whenever any institution becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of Nursing to publicly recommend to our fellow citizens the need to alter or to abolish it, and to institute a new system, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect the Safety and Health of our fellow citizens. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that systems long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience has shown, that people are more disposed to suffer, since evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object, evinces a design to reduce them to suffer, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such systems, and to provide new Guards for their future security. Such has been the patient sufferance of Nursing; and such is now the necessity which empowers them to recommend altering the former Systems of relationships. The history of Healthcare over the last 100 years is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations of Nursing, and too many of the American Public, all having in direct object the evolution of a dysfunctional and profit focused “system” . 

To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

Whereas Healthcare in the United States has evolved into a disease focused and profit centered endeavor at the expense of prevention and social health, and the exclusion of many geographical regions and populations.

Whereas This dysfunctional system has allowed serious healthcare risks to continue whether environmental, preventable, or practice related, and placed an undue financial burden on states, counties, cities, companies, corporations, individuals, and the Federal Government.

Whereas Hospital administrations have denigrated and constrained the profession of Nursing for over a century from controlling their professional practice environments by being the sole discretionary force in determining institutional nursing leadership, and thus relegated safe practice decisions to financial officers.

Whereas The profession of Medicine has spent an enormous amount of money and effort over the last 70 years to block the natural progression of training and thus practice capabilities of Nursing professionals to help meet the healthcare demands in our country.

Whereas National Nursing Associations have been unable to protect the profession from political, institutional, practice, or professional abuse, and membership numbers demonstrate a severe disconnect from the vast majority of nurses.

Whereas Nursing leadership organizations are allied with the American Hospital Association, long known to be opposed to safety and safe practice initiatives for nurses, and thus patient care.

Whereas The profession of Medicine has tolerated and participated in an abusive facility environment and “military” subjugation of the Profession of Nursing for a century.

Whereas The political establishment has responded to the increasing crisis of healthcare and the dysfunction of the system by only considering the interests of those who finance them, and long relegated Nursing to a non-entity when major healthcare decisions are made.

Whereas  Healthcare facilities have refused to take accountability for the health of the communities they serve, and determined the allocation of resources based only on profitability.

Whereas  Too many Americans lose their wealth, face bankruptcy, or lose their livelihoods and futures related to acute, chronic, and long term healthcare costs or healthcare conditions.

Whereas  Health outcomes in the United States are a global embarrassment in too many categories and for too many people.

Whereas There is a lack of equitable access appropriate to community needs, and a lack of equitable, targeted, and evidence based distribution of healthcare resources.

Whereas There is a lack of social accountability by current systems to the communities they do serve, and a blind eye to the communities they don’t.

Whereas Nursing leadership has failed to heed the call for critical reflexivity regarding the empowerment of Nursing as a political force.

Whereas  Nursing has lost its philosophical bearing in health care, and lost touch with its socially active roots in practice due to the systemic design.

Nor have we been wanting in our attentions and efforts with our partners in healthcare. We have warned them from time to time of their unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of our history and ethical imperatives. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common missions to disavow these usurpations. They have been deaf to the voice of justice and consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold all opponents to safe, quality patient care, either allies or foes. 

We further commit ourselves to the following goals for healthcare:

• Equitable, targeted access appropriate to the communities needs

• Quality evidence based care

• Equitable, targeted, and evidence based distribution of resources

• Interdisciplinary practitioner led administration so that the system is congruent with their values and maximizes their skills

• Equitable and positive outcomes

• Cost efficiency

• Social accountability and a mandate for direct public reporting.

 

We pledge ourselves to achieving this goal 

To offer to the American Public a new vision for healthcare, administered by Nursing, working inclusively with all our partners in practice, and firmly committed to offering cost constrained, equitable, and accessible healthcare to ALL Americans.

• We pledge ourselves to achieve independent practice at every level of service to better serve the American Public. 

• We pledge ourselves to remain true to our calling of service to our patients, communities, states, and nation.

• We pledge ourselves to confront those forces that work against public health, regardless of their political connections.

• We pledge ourselves to publicly report directly to our regions on a regular basis regarding the health status of our communities.

• We pledge ourselves to respect and value this social contract with the American Public.

• We pledge ourselves to remain true to who we are, and to avoid the trappings of hubris and greed.

And for the support of this declaration, and with a firm reliance on providence and a belief in Justice, we pledge ourselves as nurses. ©