Greetings AMSN members and supporters! As we move into July, I want to share key highlights from June’s national nursing advocacy and governance events and introduce the Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses’ (AMSN) Safe Staffing Recommendations, a milestone in our ongoing commitment to patient safety and nurse well-being.
ANA Hill Day: Advocacy in Action
On June 26, more than 500 nurses from across the United States convened in Washington, D.C., for ANA’s annual Hill Day. This gathering underscored the power of collective advocacy, as nurses met with lawmakers to champion legislative priorities vital to our profession and the patients we serve.
Priority issues the teams advocated included:
- Protecting Funding for Medicaid which supports access to care for vulnerable populations, supports rural hospitals, and funds nurse positions.
- Preventing Workforce Violence Programs Act.
- ICAN Act (Improving Care and Access to Nurses) (S. 575 / H.R 1317), removing regulations in Medicare and Medicaid that limit APRNs from practicing at their full scope.
- Reauthorizing Title 8 Nursing Workforce Development Programs (H.R 3593 / S. 1874) to secure funding for nursing workforce development programs, ensuring a pipeline of highly trained nurses.
Each nurse-advocate carried a stethoscope to leave with lawmakers — a tangible reminder of the trust and responsibility nurses hold in providing quality healthcare. The energy and unity displayed on Hill Day reminded lawmakers: Nurses are not only caregivers but also influential policy advocates.
ANA Membership Assembly
Following Hill Day, the ANA Membership Assembly convened June 27–28 in Washington, D.C. As ANA’s highest governing body, the Assembly brought together elected nurse leaders from state associations, organizational affiliates, and the ANA Board of Directors.
AMSN is an organizational affiliate of the ANA with about 50 other nursing organizations. Review a list of all the ANA Organizational Affiliates.
Key activities of the Assembly included the following:
- The Assembly celebrated the rollout of the updated Code of Ethics for Nurses publication.
- Policy and practice discussions included the approval of proposals on advancing rural health as a priority and on continuing conversation around the ethical use of artificial intelligence in nursing.
- The Assembly considered bylaw amendments, including a proposal to expand ANA membership to licensed practical/vocational nurses (LPNs/LVNs). This proposal was referred to a committee for further study. This does not impact organizational affiliate membership rules, including AMSN’s current and longstanding approval of LPNs for AMSN membership.
The meeting also included a moving conversation with author Suleika Jaouad, who spoke to the vital role nurses play in the patient experience. Discussions on all these topics reflected the need for nurses to lead in areas of innovation and access to care.
As AMSN President, I was excited to spend time with several AMSN volunteers who were in attendance, including Texas Nurses Association Chief Executive Officer Serena Bumpus and new Fellow in the Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses Nelson Tuazon who sits on the ANA Nominations and Elections Committee. It was also so fun to share space with two of my former students as they are leading the way: NCNA President-Elect Bonnie Meadows and American Association of Neuroscience Nurses President-Elect Missy Moreda.
Safe, Effective Medical-Surgical Nurse Staffing
The themes of advocacy, ethical leadership, and innovation that defined ANA’s June events resonate deeply with AMSN’s mission. As medical-surgical nurses, we are acutely aware that safe staffing is the foundation of quality care, nurse satisfaction, and patient safety. The conversations in Washington reinforced what we experience daily: When nurses have a strong voice and are empowered to lead, patient outcomes improve and the profession thrives.
Safe staffing has long been a legislative and advocacy priority for the Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses (AMSN). In 2022, the organization was invited to participate in the National Nurse Staffing Task Force. Among the priorities identified by this collaborative effort was the development of staffing standards led by nursing specialty organizations. AMSN undertook this initiative to ensure medical-surgical nurses have access to a relevant, specialty-specific framework for safe staffing. Informed by national advocacy efforts and the latest staffing-related evidence, AMSN has proudly released updated safe staffing recommendations. Review the Recommendations for Safe, Effective Medical-Surgical Nurse Staffing.
Med-Surg Moments Ep. 155 - The New AMSN Safe Staffing Guidelines With Monica van der Zee and Kristi Campoe
During a recent episode of the Med-Surg Moments podcast, the co-hosts welcomed special guests Monica van der Zee and Kristi Campoe to break down what the AMSN Safe Staffing Guidelines mean for bedside nurses, nurse leaders, and healthcare systems alike. Listen now to learn how AMSN’s evidence-based framework could serve as a roadmap toward safer staffing, improved patient care, and a more sustainable nursing workforce.
These recommendations support nurses’ well-being by addressing workload and promoting collaborative staffing models that engage nurses in decision-making while recognizing the complexity of medical-surgical care. AMSN is encouraging organizational accountability, ensuring that staffing decisions are transparent, data-driven, and responsive to frontline feedback.
Our recommendations are not just a set of numbers; they are a call to action for hospitals, health systems, and policymakers to invest in the conditions that allow nurses to deliver the highest standard of care. They also align with the priorities championed during ANA’s Hill Day and Membership Assembly: Protecting the workforce, advancing practice, and ensuring that every patient receives safe, equitable care.
As AMSN members, we have a unique opportunity and responsibility to lead the way in advocating for safe staffing practices in our own institutions and to advocate for these standards at the local, state, and national levels.
I invite you to review AMSN’s Safe Staffing Recommendations, share them with your colleagues and leaders, and use them as a foundation for dialogue and improvement in your workplace. Let’s ensure that every medical-surgical nurse has the support they need to provide safe, compassionate care.
I am so proud to have the opportunity through AMSN to be surrounded by nurses who continue to excel in shaping the future of healthcare.
As always, reach out to President@AMSN.org with any comments or questions!
Wishing you a July full of sunshine and SPF!
Kristi