An Ounce of Prevention Is Worth A Pound Of Cure

If you have been following the National Nurse Campaign, you may know that it is not only still alive, but thriving.  However, if you haven’t been keeping up, here is a quick recap along with a You Tube video that provides a brief synopsis.

Two years ago the New York Times published an op-ed written by Teri Mills MS, RN, ANP, CNE, a nursing instructor at Portland (Oregon) Community College.  Mills expressed her vision for our country to establish a high-ranking federal official titled, “National Nurse.”  The article highlighted a proposal that would unite nurses from all educational backgrounds to address the nation’s rise in preventable conditions that are causing human suffering and contributing to the rise in healthcare costs.

The popularity of the story led to the formation of The National Nursing Network Organization (NNNO).
From the National Nurse website an Office of the National Nurse is needed to:

-    Establish symbolic national leadership by elevating and strengthening the Chief Nurse Officer of the USPHS to make this position visible to the nursing profession and the public.

-    Complement the work of the US Surgeon General.

-    Promote involvement in the Medical Reserve Corps to improve the health and safety of the community.

-     Incorporate proven evidence-based public health education when delivering prevention.

The idea made sense to nurses around the country.  One nurse that took notice is Congresswoman Lois Capps, U.S. Representative for California.  Capps transformed Mill’s idea into a bill proposal and introduced it into the 109th Congress where it amassed the bipartisan support of 42 House co-sponsors and then died in committee.

In the past year, the NNNO has fulfilled many interview requests and presented at several nursing conferences.  The inspiring presentations have led to more and more nurse involvement. Endorsements have poured in from all corners of the nation, including the New York State Assembly, who unanimously passed a resolution memorializing the United States Congress to enact legislation to establish the Office of the National Nurse.

Future legislation is planned and may be re-introduced into the 110th Congress.  The NNNO is recommending that the position of the Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) for the U.S. Public Health System (USPHS)  assume the role of the National Nurse.   This will likely expedite the passing of the bill, minimize cost, and avoid duplication of services.  However, the NNNO feels that it is crucial to also re-title the position to “National Nurse,” rather than keep the title, “Chief Nursing Officer.”  

Mills states, “We seek the title "National Nurse" because it will be unique and recognizable.  Presently there are thousands of nurses working under the title of Chief Nursing Officer (you only need to google this as evidence) and few really understand or know of the important roles that the Chief Nurse Officer of the USPHS performs.”

Volunteerism would be promoted through the Office of the National Nurse and nurses would be encouraged to serve in the  Medical Reserve Corps to deliver health promotion information/activities in their communities, and could provide a ready supply of nurses in cases of large-scale emergencies, such as the Southern California fires.  These efforts will focus on strengthening health related linkages and creating a culture of prevention. The goal is to improve health outcomes by teaching and promoting healthier living.  

Nurse volunteers could engage community partners to introduce, emphasize and reinforce prevention concepts and establish best practices to change behaviors. Some key focus areas would include exercise, better nutrition, tobacco cessation, and mental health. These efforts would also seek to reduce health disparities, which is consistent with the Surgeon General’s priorities and Healthy People 2020 goals. Furthermore, nurses could receive CEUs for their participation, and they could choose the number of hours they wish to participate-even as few as 2-4 hours/year.

Prevention is in the forefront of the national debate on health care reform. Through the ONN initiative, nurses are saying they want to take a lead role in these efforts. Nursing needs to be proactive on this issue, not reactive. As report after report continues to be published about the demise of our healthcare system, let’s remember that the nursing profession has the power, the expertise, the knowledge, and the caring to shift the tide towards prevention and improve our nation’s health.

To learn more about the Office of the National Nurse proposal, visit www.nationalnurse.org or email [e-mail].