ANA Position Statement - Approved 3/12/09
The American Nurses Association (ANA) upholds that registered nurses –
based on their professional and ethical responsibilities – have the
professional right to accept, reject or object in writing to any patient
assignment that puts patients or themselves at serious risk for harm.
Registered nurses have the professional obligation to raise concerns
regarding any patient assignment that puts patients or themselves at
risk for harm. The professional obligations of the registered nurse to
safeguard patients are grounded in the Nursing’s Social Policy Statement
(ANA, 2003), Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements
(ANA, 2001b), Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice (ANA, 2004), and
state laws, and rules and regulations governing nursing practice.
Background Info (Members Only)