The Office of the National Nurse

The health of our nation is deteriorating; our health care system is in crisis. Nursing is strategically positioned to be the driving force for change within the health care system. Nurses across the country and internationally are uniting behind the initiative to establish the Office of the National Nurse (ONN), a federal office of prevention led by a nurse within the current U.S. Public Health Service structure. Collectively, nurses have had great influence on formation of this initiative into policy for implementation, yet a few select national nursing organization decision makers oppose the policy initiative, attempting to silence the collective voice of nurses calling for change. Nurses are ready to address not only their concerns about workplace and workforce issues but are equally eager to develop a collaborative system of nursing leadership for the health of the country. Policy for this new era will require a willingness from within the profession to embrace change to improve the health of Americans.