ANA Membership Assembly convenes in The Year of the Power of Nurses
2026 Membership Assembly Day 1
In a historic year marking the 130th anniversary of the American Nurses Association (ANA), more than 400 nurse leaders brought The Power of NursesTM to Washington, DC on June 26-27 for the annual meeting of the Membership Assembly, the governing and official voting body of ANA.
In the final address of her second term, ANA President Jennifer Mensik Kennedy, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, welcomed representatives from across the country and reflected on real progress for the profession and opportunities that lie ahead.
Key milestones
Touching on key milestones, Dr. Mensik Kennedy emphasized steady efforts by ANA to alleviate the nurse staffing crisis. Earlier decisions by the assembly affirmed the right of every nurse to advocate for the staffing approaches that make the most sense in their own setting—staffing committees, mandated disclosure of staffing levels, legislated minimum ratios.
Concrete solutions and steady progress, in collaboration with key partners, led to the inclusion of staffing for the first time in the Joint Commission’s Hospital National Performance Goals in January of this year.
Dr. Mensik Kennedy also described the association’s continued, sincere commitment to equity, accountability, and change. This necessary, difficult, and at times painful work will never end, she stressed.
Following ANA’s Hill Day on June 26, Dr. Mensik Kennedy described the whirlwind year advocating for nursing as a professional degree for purposes of federal student loan limits, which remains an urgent issue that the nursing profession, along with partners in Congress, is actively working to address through legal and regulatory avenues.
“Nursing is a profession, and nurses are professionals — and we will say so in every statehouse, every hallway of Congress, and every courtroom until it is beyond dispute,” Dr. Mensik Kennedy stressed.
Civic participation
Returning to a personal passion, Dr. Mensik Kennedy reminded the assembly of the importance of civic engagement.
“We were chosen to lead and serve at this moment for a reason — and we know what is at stake: the future of our profession, the strength of our healthcare system, and the well-being of every person we serve,” she said. “We must participate fully in our democracy and ensure that public officials hear the voice of nurses.”
She also emphasized the need for sustained engagement by ANA members to keep the association strong and relevant for the next 130 years. “Wherever you serve today — as an observer, on a local committee, at the state level — there is a next step waiting for you. We welcome your participation,” said Dr. Mensik Kennedy.
CNO Remarks
In his report, Chief Nursing Officer Brad Goettl, DNP, DHA, RN, FNP-C, FAAN, reviewed the association’s actions from Dialogue Forum recommendations voted on by the 2025 Membership Assembly.
One of those recommendations, to consider the effective use of artificial intelligence (AI) in nursing has been a top priority given how rapidly AI is advancing. “It is changing healthcare, education, research, operations, and daily life. And because it is moving so quickly, nursing cannot afford to be on the sidelines,” he said. “That is why ANA’s follow-up work from last year’s dialogue forum has been so important.”
Dr. Goettl reported on the work of ANA’s AI in Nursing Practice Think Tank which convened in April. The Think Tank identified:
- major risks nurses are already seeing, or expect to see, as AI becomes more common in healthcare;
- foundational principles that must guide AI in nursing practice; and
- five priority actions for the profession.
The Think Tank’s full report is available online here.
Dr. Goettl also described the serious pressures facing rural health and the association’s work over the past year to advance rural health, another Dialogue Forum recommendation from the 2025 Membership Assembly.
Feedback from the 2025 Membership Assembly and during the public comment period earlier this year informed the Nursing Scope and Standards of Practice, 5th Edition, which will be published this fall.
Dr. Goettl also updated the assembly on new initiatives of the association. Earlier this year, ANA formally recognized Men’s Health Nursing as a specialty and officially adopted the Men’s Health Nursing Scope and Standards of Practice, which will be published this summer.
He emphasized that preventing workplace violence—including incivility, bullying, and lateral violence within our own profession—remains a top priority for ANA.
To elevate attention and accelerate action on this issue, in April ANA convened a national coalition of 10 non-nursing organizations, broadening collaboration across healthcare. “Together, we are taking a whole-of-healthcare approach to raise awareness, drive meaningful change, and build environments where every worker is protected and every patient is safe,” he said.
Input during the 2025 assembly helped shape the revised ANA position statement, Addressing Nurse Fatigue to Promote Health, Safety, and Well-Being for All, which has just been approved by the ANA Board of Directors.
Dr. Goettl emphasized that one of his highest priorities as CNO is to help bring the nursing profession closer together by “building stronger relationships across organizations, moving collaboration beyond conversation and into action, and creating the partnerships we need to address the complex challenges facing healthcare and the nursing workforce.”
Deliberations
Assembly representatives discussed proposed bylaws amendments and participated in three dialogue forums from the Professional Policy committee, covering significant issues for nurses and healthcare. They will be voted on in tomorrow’s session. Representatives will also elect association leaders.
Celebrating 130 years
As part of ANA’s year-long observance of the 130th anniversary of its founding, Membership Assembly attendees shared their stories for The Power of Nurses™ Storytelling campaign and walked through 50 years of the Hall of Fame.
Recognition
On the evening of June 25, ANA honored more than 20 recipients of the prestigious 2026 ANA National Awards and President’s Awards, which recognize outstanding nurses and nurse champions for their vital contributions to the nursing profession and within the healthcare landscape. The ceremony celebrated The Power of Nurses ™, their extraordinary achievements, and their meaningful contributions that have positively impacted the nursing profession.
During the opening of ANA Membership Assembly, the New Jersey State Nurses Association was recognized for its 125th anniversary.
Giving back
ANA Past President and American Nurses Foundation Board of Trustees member Ernest Grant, PhD, RN, encouraged attendees to give generously to the foundation to support programs that empower nurse-led research, innovation, and well-being initiatives. Text Nurses to 301-960-716 to give.
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