Tri-Council for Nursing Releases Statement: When Nurses Vote, Health Care Policy Changes for the Better

WASHINGTON, D.C., August 12, 2024 – Without nurses, quality care would be out of reach for many U.S. residents. As the largest, most trusted health care professionⁱ, nurses’ influence on public health and policy cannot be overstated. With so much at stake for the future of health care, it is essential for nurses to make their voices heard, because when nurses speak, health care changes for the better. 

Nurses benefit society in many ways and positively impact patients and health care systems. This experience, in addition to the public’s trust in the profession, makes nurses’ voices invaluable when improving health care and meeting patients’ needs. In this election year, we encourage nurses to vote in local, state, and federal elections to ensure quality patient care and nursing perspectives are prioritized. 

The Tri-Council for Nursing, an alliance of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, the American Nurses Association, the American Organization for Nursing Leadership, the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, and the National League for Nursing representing nurses in practice, education, and regulation, urges you to exercise your right to vote in the 2024 election. 

The Tri-Council calls upon all nurses to carefully weigh the positions, proposals, statements, and voting records of candidates who aspire to elected office on November 5. To ensure you have the best information available and are ready to cast your ballot, follow these three simple steps:  

• Register. Double check your registration status by going to Vote.gov. Some states allow same day or online registration, but it is important to check now to ensure you are prepared for Election Day.
• Do Your Research. While 2024 is a presidential election year, there are many open seats at the state and local levels as well. It is important to research not only who will be on the ballot, but any proposals that may be up for consideration.
• VOTE. Voting can look very different depending on the state and territory. Check out voting options in your state or territory, find your polling site, and determine the best way for you to cast your ballot in this year’s election.

To learn more about local and state voting rules, polling places, mail-in options, or absentee ballots, visit Vote.gov.

Nurses continue to answer the call to protect our nation’s health and safety, from rural towns to urban centers. With nearly 5 million nurses nationwide, there is power in our voice. This year, make your voice heard in the 2024 election and beyond. 

VOTE!

ⁱ Ethics Ratings of Nearly All Professions Down in U.S. (gallup.com)

The statement is available online at TriCouncilForNursing.org.

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The Tri-Council for Nursing is an alliance between the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, the American Nurses Association, the American Organization for Nursing Leadership, the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, and the National League for Nursing. While each organization has its own constituent membership and unique mission, they are united by common values and convene regularly for the purpose of dialogue and consensus building, to provide stewardship within the profession of nursing.

These organizations represent nurses in practice, nurse executives and nursing educators. The Tri-Council’s diverse interests encompass the nursing work environment, health care legislation, and policy, quality of health care, nursing education, practice, research and leadership across all segments of the health delivery system.

About the American Association of Colleges of Nursing

AACN is the national voice for academic nursing representing more than 875 schools of nursing nationwide. AACN establishes quality standards for nursing education, influences the nursing profession to improve health care, and promotes public support of baccalaureate and graduate nursing education, research, and practice. For more information about AACN, visit aacnnursing.org and connect with us on LinkedIn and  X.

About the American Nurses Association

The American Nurses Association (ANA) is the premier organization representing the interests of the nation's 5 million registered nurses. ANA advances the nursing profession by fostering high standards of nursing practice, promoting a safe and ethical work environment, bolstering the health and wellness of nurses, and advocating on health care issues that affect nurses and the public. ANA is at the forefront of improving the quality of health care for all. For more information, visit www.nursingworld.org.

About the American Organization for Nursing Leadership

As the national professional organization of more than 12,000 nurse leaders, the American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL) is the voice of nursing leadership. Our membership encompasses nurse leaders working in hospitals, health systems, academia and other care settings across the care continuum. Since 1967, the organization has led the field of nursing leadership through professional development, advocacy and research that advances nursing leadership practice and patient care. AONL is an affiliate of the American Hospital Association. For more information, visit AONL.org.

About National Council of State Boards of Nursing

Empowering and supporting nursing regulators across the world in their mandate to protect the public, NCSBN is an independent, not-for-profit organization. As a global leader in regulatory excellence, NCSBN champions regulatory solutions to borderless health care delivery, agile regulatory systems and nurses practicing to the full scope of their education, experience and expertise. A world leader in test development and administration, NCSBN’s NCLEX Exams are internationally recognized as the preeminent nursing examinations. NCSBN’s membership is comprised of the nursing regulatory bodies (NRBs) in the 50 states, the District of Columbia and four U.S. territories. There are seven exam user members and 23 associate members that are either NRBs or empowered regulatory authorities from other countries or territories. For more information, visit ncsbn.org.

About the National League for Nursing

Dedicated to excellence in nursing, the National League for Nursing is the premier organization for nurse faculty and leaders in nursing education. The NLN offers professional development, networking opportunities, testing services, nursing research grants, and public policy initiatives to its nearly 45,000 individual and 1,000 institutional members, comprising nursing education programs across the spectrum of higher education and health care organizations. Learn more at NLN.org.