Governmental Objectives, Political Influences & Potential Impact of H.R. 1119

"Nurses play a vital role in the well-being of our country and their contributions should be recognized accordingly … It is important that we create a National Nurse for Public Health to better organize our efforts to combat the many pressing health issues we face today."

Former Rep. Anthony Weiner

The National Nurse has the potential to emerge as a representative of nursing as a whole with the capability to enhance health literacy, promote health awareness and ultimately slow the growth of preventable diseases. The governmental objectives in proposing this bill are reflected in this role because of the overall potential to reduce healthcare costs all while establishing a healthier America. The position of the Chief Nurse Officer is already established as a spokesperson within the government; however, at this time the National Nurse Act of 2011 (H.R. 1119) is focusing on increasing the visibility and influence by endorsing a full-time dedication to health promotion and disease prevention (The National Nursing Network Organization Team, 2011).

The National Nursing Network Organization (NNNO) focuses on promoting and establishing support for a National Nurse for Public Health. NNNO is a non-partisan organization that is receptive to support from any organization that values health promotion and disease prevention. This being said, support has come from some partisan supporters (The National Nursing Network Organization Team, 2011). Political influences, such as the representatives who have put their name on this bill as well as officials in the office of the Surgeon General have stated that they see the need for the transition of the Chief Nurse Officer to the National Nurse. The majority of representatives identify as Democrats. The legislative trends of this party focus on establishing stability and quality of healthcare for all Americans despite preexisting conditions. A push to establish a spokesperson for healthy lifestyles and preventative measures will aid in lowering costs and instituting a system that aims for fundamental health rather than treatment of the sick.

The impact that H.R. 1119 could have on nursing is tremendous in it’s ability to provide for a greater understanding an appreciation for nurses as a whole. By establishing the position of the National Nurse as an equal to the Surgeon General, the public recognition of the nursing role as an advocate for health promotion of patients and community would be improved (Mills & Schneider, 2007). . The National Nurse would serve as an icon within the community of nurses as well, influencing them to volunteerism and instating a common goal of health promotion, thus creating a strong nursing identity. If the National Nurse and a cohesive nursing front work towards a unified voice for health promotion their image in the media, public and private sector would be understood and appreciated for its importance in healthcare as a whole (Mills & Schneider, 2007). H.R. 1119 also improves the potential for better healthcare for clients; by the model of nurses interacting with healthy clients rather than sick patients the spending on healthcare would decrease as a result of less need for treatment of preventable disease (The National Nursing Network Organization Team, 2011). Ultimately, the National Nurse Act has the potential to establish a spokesperson for healthcare who will make people more health literate and aware of disease prevention and proportionately decrease the financial demand on the healthcare system.

For More Information:

The National Nursing Network Organization Team. (2011, September 22). Frequently asked questions -hr 1119, the national nurse act of 2011 . Retrieved from http://nationalnurse.org/faq.pdf

The National Nursing Network Organization Team. (2011, September 26). Preventable conditions lead to decline in us life expectancy [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://www.nationalnurse.blogspot.com/

Mills, T., & Schneider, A. (2007). The office of the national nurse : leadership for a new era of prevention. Policy, Politics & Nursing Practice, 8(64), 64-70. DOI: 10.1177/1527154407299589