American Nurses’ Association Bill of Rights for Registered Nurses

At Vanderbilt Hospitals and Clinics

“The ANA Bill of Rights for Registered Nurses is a powerful statement of the rights that every nurse must have to provide high quality patient care in a safe environment” (ANA President Mary Foley, 2001). We believe that nurses have the right to a safe work environment, to practice in a manner that assures the provision of safe care through adherence to professional standards and ethical practice, and to advocate freely for themselves and their patients.

ANA Bill of Rights for Registered Nurses / How the Rights live at Vanderbilt
Nurses have the right to practice in a manner that fulfills their obligations to society and to those who receive nursing care. / We are guided by a philosophy of nursing that “recognizes the inherent worth, dignity and uniqueness of every individual.” Nurses accept the “responsibility to provide high quality, cost effective nursing care for all patients and their families.” We promote “participation of patients and families in decisions regarding the patient’s healthcare.” We work to “promote patients’ optimal wellness.”
Our organization provides care to all, regardless of race, creed, gender and socioeconomic status and ability to pay. Vanderbilt nurses daily fulfill our obligation to society in the nursing care of patients and their families. Throughout our narrative we have demonstrated how our nurses fulfill their obligation to the community external to our walls.
Nurses have the right to practice in environments that allow them to act in accordance with professional standards and legally authorized scopes of practice. / Nursing practice is governed by the Rules and Regulations of the Tennessee Board of Nursing, our operational policies and our clinical practice guidelines. Our practice guidelines are based on evidence and professional practice standards. When there are changes in professional practice or in nursing statues, we modify our practices accordingly.
Nurses have the right to a work environment that supports and facilitates ethical practice, in accordance with the Code of Ethics for Nurses and its interpretive statements. / We have policies, procedures and programs to support and assure adherence to the Code of Ethics. Refer to the Vanderbilt Nursing ANA Code of Ethics for Nursing document.
Nurses have the right to freely and openly advocate for themselves and their patients, without fear of retribution. / Our shared governance program provides structure and processes for nurses to advocate for changes that will improve patient care and nursing practice. Nurses practice consistent with their personal and professional values and advocate for themselves and their patients. Nurses may seek reassignment from patient care situations that conflict with their personal beliefs. Nurses report unsafe practices or environments without fear of recrimination.
Nurses have the right to fair compensation for their work, consistent with their knowledge, experience and professional responsibilities. / We have a competitive salary and benefit package that positions us favorably in the nursing marketplace. We adhere to all state and federal regulations governing compensation practices. Regular review and market comparison of our salary and benefit package for nurses assures that we adequately compensate nurses for their expertise and experience.
Our professional practice program provides nurses with clear criteria for clinical advancement and ample opportunities to meet the criteria for practice as an RN 3 or 4. We offer a differentiated compensation model which recognizes and rewards the knowledge, experience and professional responsibilities of nurses at every level.
Nurses have the right to a work environment that is safe for themselves and their patients / We assure a safe environment for the provision of patient care. We have numerous policies and programs which promote and support a safe environment. Examples include:
·  Executive Safety Council
·  Hazard Surveillance Programs
·  Medical Device Recall Programs
·  First Report of Injury
·  Security Monitoring
·  Emergency Preparedness Plans
·  Environment of Care Rounds
·  Rounding for Outcomes
·  Medical Center Corporate Compliance
·  Occupational Health and Employee Assistance Programs
·  Vanderbilt Environmental Health and Safety (VEHS)
Nurses have the right to negotiate the conditions of their employment, either as individuals or collectively, in all practice settings. / Individual nurses negotiate aspects of the compensation package, position, start date, shift and hours during the application process. Individual compensation is based on experience and processes which support internal equity. Shared governance provides the structure which enables collective discussion of employment conditions.

8/2006