The NLN was the first nursing organization to come up with a curriculum for nursing and today has evolved to include accreditation authority for nursing training and education through the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC). Accreditation involves adhering to standards of quality education and provides students with criteria in choosing schools that prepare them well. The education promoted is also supported by research.
The NLN also provides opportunities for the continuing education of professional nurses, an important aspect of professional development in order to effectively work in a health care system that is constantly met with challenges. Education is in the form of conferences and seminars, online learning, the publication of a newsletter as well as research and correspondence among members (NLN, 2009). 2. It upholds the principle of bridging nursing theory and practice. Its formation as the union between the National League for Nursing Education and the National Organization for Public Health Nursing signifies this commitment from the start.
Nursing theory and the framework of teaching nursing knowledge expands and as models can be tailored to adapt to particular situations through actual practice in both the academe and the clinical settings. 3. Its core values reflect the need for proper attitudes and ethics in nursing. Its values which include caring, integrity, diversity and excellence guide nursing education and professional practice into one that is humane, patient-centered, relevant, critical and ethically sound.
It takes on an active role in assessing the health care system and proposing alternatives. As an organization involved in public policy advocacy, it analyzes pertinent legislation in order to assess its benefits to patients, nurses or in improving the health care system. Action is in terms of either active support or calls for patient-centered reform in order that everyone should have access to quality and a wide-ranging array of health care services that adapt to changing or emerging needs (NLN).
List of References Bavier, A. R. (2009). “Holding Students Accountable When Integrity is Challenged”. Nursing Education Perspectives 30(1). Retrieved 29 May 2009 from Academic Search Premier Database. National League of Nursing (2008). Nursing Education and Research. Retrieved 28 May 2009 from http://www. nln. org/research/index. htm. National League of Nursing (2008). Public Policy Agenda 2009-2010. Retrieved 28 May 2009 from http://www. nln. org/governmentaffairs/pdf/public_policy. pdf.