Fed era t ion makes progress toward unity

"It would be a disaster, if after bringing nursing together, each organization acted independently, competing rather than com- plementing."

This was the prophecy of Jerome P Lysaught, director of the National Commis- sion for the Study of Nursing and Nursing Education, in remarks to the Federation of Specialty Nursing Organizations and ANA (American Nurses' Association).

The Federation held its fifth meeting in Washington, June 28-29, hosted by the American Public Health Association (APHA).

Lysaught specifically mentioned the im- portance of cooperation among nursing organizations on nurse practice acts and certification for advanced level of practice. "Somehow," he stated, "we must make certification into a national system."

It was apparent at the meeting that unity in nursing would not come easily, but that some gains were being made through the Federation.

Discussion focused on current topics facing nursing-certification for excellence in nursing, standards for nursing practice, continuing education, federal legislation.

But at the same time, there was openly expressed frustration at the failure of the Federation to produce concrete accomplish- ments. As one nurse put it: "We have spent

money to come from California, yet we ure accomplishing nothing for health care." Others disagreed. If the purpose of the Federation is, as ANA's executive director Eileen M Jacobi says, "unity for the pro- fession at a critical point in history," progress was evident.

As each of the specialty organizations reported on their activities during the six months since the last meeting, there was a perceptible shift toward cooperation. For example, the minutes of the January meet- ing state:

Neither ANA nor the specialty organiza- tions are willing to alter their certification goals in favor of another's certification program. At this time, AORN is the only specialty organization planning to work out their certification through joint ef- forts with ANA. At this meeting, the Nurses Association of

the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists reported that it was moving toward collaboration with ANA on certifica- tion, the Orthopedic Nurses Association i s working with ANA on standards for nursing practice. The American Association of Criti- cal Care Nurses commented that it was less resistant to collaborate with ANA.

These reports supported the contention of some members that much of the benefit of the Federation happens during the six months between the meetings. AORN Executive Director Jerry Peers observed that the meetings have been influential in mok-

ing ANA more responsive to the specialty organizations.

Several of the organizations reported that they are working on establishing standards of nursing practice. Again, the question was whether specialty organiza- tions would each set standards of care, or whether they would collaborate with ANA to publish standards applying to their specialty but based on ANA standards of nursing practice. AORN is currently working with ANA to establish standards of practice

398 AORN Journal, September 1974, Vol 20, N o 3

At meeting of nursing leaders, AORN President Patricia K Rogers (right) addresses group. AORN Executive Director Jerry

Peers (center) takes notes, while ANA Executive Director Eileen M Jacob; listens.

which will be published under the names of both organizations.

In an effort to make the meetings more productive, the purpose, definition, and composition of the Federation was reiterated and guidelines adopted for the meetings.

The purpose, as stated at the meeting of the group in Son Clemente in January 1973, is:

"We representatives of the several nursing specialty organizations and ANA will convene periodically.

"We will be mutually supportive in dis- cussing issues which face nursing and nurses and in influencing constructive changes in health care." Rules adopted by the Federation include

that the agenda will be mailed one month prior to the meeting, minutes will be sent out within six weeks after the meeting, items for the agenda will be submitted no later than six weeks prior to the Federation meeting.

Applications for membership to the Federation must be received at least one month in advance of the meeting and these

applications will be considered first on the agenda.

Two new groups were admitted to mem- bership at this meeting: the Flight Nurse Section of the Aerospace Medical Associ- ation and the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Associates and Practitioners. This brings membership to 15 specialty organizations in addition to the ANA.

Members of the Federation heard a re- port on federal legislation from Norman Swearingen, APHA legislative consultant. He predicted that National Health Insurance would not be enacted this year, in large part because politicians did not sense any citizen demand for the legislation.

Dorothy Talbot, presiding officer for the meeting, raised concern about nursing not being considered a basic health service under the Health Maintenance Organization legislation.

An APHA staff member explained that the regulations for HMOs had been put to- gether quickly and the issues were not clearcut. He suggested meeting with repre- sentatives from the Health, Education, and

AORN Journal, September 1974, Vol 20, N o 3 399

Welfare Department ''not to refute, but to offer assistance in developing a more realistic approach."

Dr Jacobi emphasized the importance of input when regulations on legislation are being written. When asked whether regu- lations could be altered, she commented, "You die fighting."

On continuing education, AORN President Pat Rogers asked whether a resolution passed at the ANA House of Delegates which referred to continuing education "approved by state nurses' associations," would restrict AORN's approval of con- tinuing education programs. She was re- assured that in the ANA manual on accreditation provision i s made for national organizations such as AORN to approve their own continuing education programs and award CE units. (For further discussion, see this month's President's message.)

Pearl Dunkley, deputy director of ANA, who joined the meeting on Saturday, re- ported that ANA had just signed a 15-month contract with the US Department of Health, Education, and Welfare to devise a system to include nurses in Professional Standards Review Organizations (PSRO).

Ms Dunkley pointed out that the PSRO law mandated that nursing be involved, but added that "it i s your responsibility to see that you are involved."

After the meeting, she told Miss Peers that a representative for AORN would be one of the specialty organizations invited to serve on a technical advisory committee, the major decision-making organization for the study, which will implement standards of practice and patient outcomes. Julie Kneedler, assistant director of education, has been named to the committee. Barbara Gruendemann, Board member, is the alternate.

The next meeting, hosted by the Ortho- pedic Nurses' Association, will be in Atlanta, Go January 24-25.

ESS

New rneflrod isolafes breast cancer cells Etienne Y Lasfargues, an associate member of the Institute for Medical Research, Camden, NJ, and head of the tissue culture section, has developed a method to isolate human breast cancer cells from tumors and keep them alive in a laboratory as long as one year.

After being stimulated to multiply in bottles, the cells will be used as an aid for early diagnosis in breast cancer and for research leading to the prevention and control of the disease. Dr Lasfargues reported his findings to approximately 800 scientists attending the 25th annuai meeting of the Tissue Culture Association in Miami.

Scientists need large populations of human breast cancer cells in their laboratories since such cells are the only materials on which direct human experimentation is ethical.

In 1958, Dr Lasfargues first demonstrated that pure human breast cancer cells can be cultured in laboratories but suitable tumors occurred so rarely that his method could not be applied efficiently. Instead, scientists have had to rely on the limited supply of descendents. This new, simpler, and faster procedure will enable most laboratories to obtain cell cultures from all types of breast tumors.

Once the cancer cells are plentiful, Dr Lasfargues anticipates they will be distributed to diagnostic centers to detect by simple means the presence of circulating antibodies in the blood of prospective breast cancer patients. Early detection greatly improves chances of the patient's survival.

Other scientists at the institute already have developed a vaccine that protects mice against breast cancer cells and are working on a similar vaccine for breast cancer in women.

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