Illinois Healthcare Action Coalition

INA and the INF are active participants in the Illinois Healthcare Action Coalition.  Illinois was selected as a Regional Action Coalition for Nursing by the Future of Nursing:  Campaign for action, a collaboration created by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the AARP Foundation to implement solutions ot the challenges facing the nursing profession, and to build upon nurse-based approaches to improving quality and transforming the way Americans receive health care.  To turn growing momentum and nationwide interest in the health care workforce into action, the Regional Action Coalitions have been convened to advance key issues at the local, state and national levels.  Read More. 

For CFA Announcement- click here

Educational Advancement of Registered Nurses, Summit II, 4/1/11
Nursing leaders from every region of Illinois gathered on April 1st in Normal, Illinois to work out strategies to bring to life recommendations made by the Institute of Medicine Report on Nursing.  Susan Hassmiller, from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, was the key note speaker and provided recommendations on how nursing can reach its goal of creating 80 percent of nurses with bachelor's degrees by 2020.  After several presentations, attendees divided by region of the state to make recommendations to achieve this goal. 

Summary of All Regional Discussions- click here
Regional Map- click here
Region 1, Full Discussion- click here
Region 2, Full Discussion- click here
Region 3, Full Discussion- click here
Region 4, Full Discussion- click here
Region 5, Full Discussion- click here

Handouts for Summit II

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation/Institute of Medicine
The Future of Nursing:  Leading Change, Advancing Health

In 2008, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) and the Institute of Medicine (IOM) launched a two-year initiative to respond to the need to assess and transform the nursing profession.  The result was a committee that produced a report that would make recommendations for an actgion-oriented blueprint for the future of nursing. 

To View the Report- click here

Health Care Reform

With the passage of the Health Care Affordability Act, millions of people have greater protection against losing or being denied health insurance coverage, and better access to primary and preventive services. INA recognizes the debate of health care is not over, and remains committed to educating the nursing public about how the changing system impacts our lives and our profession.

A short video explaining health care reform.  "Health Care Reform Hits Main Street" presented by the Kaiser Family Foundation. 

ANA Suggests Quality Standards for ACOs
ANA's suggestions to Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) regarding the formation of Accountable Care Organizations (ACO's)

White House - Healthcare Reform in Action
Read the latest information from the White House on Health Care Reform.

ANA's Healthcare Reform Toolkit
Background and multiple resources for Health Care Reform.

Health Care Reform Legislation Timeline
This timeline contains selected Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) implementation dates of interest to RNs as caregivers, RNs as patients, and RNs as employees

ANA Highlights How Health Care Law Benefits Consumers [PDF]
Lists the benefits of the law to health care consumers

Key Health Care Reform Provisions Related to Nurses
This document highlights Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Public Law 111-148) provisions that will affect the nursing community.

Campaign for Better Healthcare
The Campaign for Better Health Care (CBHC) was founded in 1989 on the belief that accessible, affordable, quality health care is a basic human right. Since then, they have become the state’s largest health care coalition.  See their resources

Staffing & Staffing Legislation

Illinois' Staffing by Patient Acuity Law was passed on August 24, 2007. 

Safe Staffing Saves Lives 
ANA's National Campaign to Solve the Nurse Staffing Crisis

FACT SHEET on staffing by acuity legislation!
Four questions regarding the staffing by patient acuity law answered by INA.

Workplace Safety

Combating Disruptive Behaviors: Strategies to Promote a Healthy Work Environment  
Disruptive behavior among nurses threatens the safety and well being of both patients and staff.  Joint Commission charges health care organizations to address these behaviors.

Addressing Nurse-to-Nurse Bullying to Promote Nurse Retention
Bullying continues to contribute to the nursing shortage.  Read more.

ANA's Healthy Nurse resources
Nurses educate patients on how to care for themselves properly in their daily routine.  But are you following your own advice?

Advanced Practice

An Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) is a registered nurse who has acquired the expert knowledge, complex decision-making skills and clinical competency for expert practice.  In Illinois, a licensed APN must have completed an accredited program with a masters degree in nursing or a doctoral degree in nursing and must be board certified.

Research Validates Quality and Cost-Effectiveness of Care Provided by Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs)
Decades of research demonstrate that Advanced Practice Nurses provide safe, high quality, cost effective and comprehensive care. 

Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs) statistics
Statistics in Illinois and nationally.