The American Nurses Association (ANA) is related to the Florida Nurses Association (FNA) in that both have similar functions, but their jurisdiction matters. The jurisdictions of the two organizations differ in that the ANA represents all nurses at the national level while the FNA represents nurses at the state level. However, the ANA aims at promoting a collective bargaining power for nurses at the Federal level, while state organizations like the FNA promote the collective bargaining power for nurses at the state level. In addition, at the state level, the FNA is the organization recognized to speak on behalf of all nurses, regardless of their cadres and specialties, just as the ANA is recognized to speak on behalf of all nurses at the federal level (James, Fiona & Gilles, 2013; Joanne &Fairman, 2013). Such legal recognition enables the FNA to influence the policy process at the state level. Further, the FNA represents the interests of the ANA at the state level, as the ANA represents the interests of the FNA and other state organizations at the national level. For example, in 2012 when the ANA announced its support for president Obama’s re-election, the FNA published this announcement on its website.

A bill on health matters has the nurses as part of the stakeholders. Considering the fact that FNA represents the interests of the nurses and agitates for their rights, it would like to be incorporated as a part in the health bills (Karen & Rona, 2013). For example, in the bill CS/HB 301 Cancer Treatment, the FNA would be concerned about how the policy would affect the registered nurses of Florida in their various work stations. As a nursing association, the organization would also be concerned about how the bill will support patients and health outcomes. This way, the state organizations cannot be left out in the formulation of health bills.

References

James, B., Fiona, O., & Gilles, D. (2013). Nursing workforce policy and the economic crisis: A global overview. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 45(3), 298-307.

Joanne, S., &Fairman, J. (2014).Using the lens of history to understand nursing practice and policy.An interview with Julie Fairman, 32(3), 166-169.

Karen, M., & Rona, L. (2013).Using evidence to influence health policy.Research and theory for Nursing Practice, 27(3), 153-156.