The American Nurses Association (ANA) is best described as

• A. An agency that licenses nurses in each state
• B. An accrediting body for nursing schools
• C. A private hospital consortium
• D. The national professional membership association of nurses that works for improvement of health standards and availability of healthcare services, and advances the welfare of nurses

Answer: (D)

The main idea being tested is the role of professional nursing organizations. The American Nurses Association is the national professional membership association for nurses that works to improve health standards and the availability of healthcare services, and to advance the welfare of nurses. This includes developing practice standards and ethics, supporting continuing education and professional growth, and engaging in advocacy to influence health policy and workplace conditions. Licensing nurses is done by state boards of nursing, not the ANA, and accrediting nursing programs is performed by separate accrediting bodies (not the ANA). It’s not a private hospital consortium. So the description that best fits is a national professional membership association that works to raise health standards, improve access to care, and support nurses’ welfare.