The Professional Nursing Association's role in patient safety

The purpose of this article is to describe the documents and activities of nursing's multipurpose, professional nursing association, the American Nurses Association, that promote patient safety. The roles of the professional nursing association in promoting the safety of the recipient of nursing care are numerous. These roles include developing and disseminating foundation documents, lobbying for legislation and regulations that protect and serve users of nursing services, and advocating for patients and issues which affect a nurse's ability to deliver safe care. Although the professional associations' usual purpose is to work for the welfare of the public, at times this can conflict with the association's need to advocate for its members. The professional association must balance the needs and interests of the association, the profession, and the public so as to promote the safety of patients receiving care.