In a recent paper, the International Council of Nurses (ICN) headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland has summarized the various dimensions of increased decision making by nurses as follows: strategic planning, budgeting, efficient resource planning and utilization, and the planning, management and evaluation of programs and services.

The ICN has again stressed that the position of the nurses as the “point guards” of the whole health care system who are in close touch with what’s really happening out there uniquely qualifies them for coordination of health services and “strategic planning and the efficient utilization of resources.” Who can argue with that?

One hopes that through such expanded participation in the decision making process at all levels, the trend for “moral and ethical stress” among nurses that has been covered by the recent literature might be countered as well, at least to a certain extent.

The recent research by Mary C. Corley, PhD, RN., Associate Professor at Virginia Commonwealth University found that a large percent of nurses interviewed would not want family members treated in their own hospitals.

The same study also showed a larger percent (25%) of nurses had left a position in the past due to “moral distress” compared to 13% in 1995 — that is, the “distress” of disillusionment with the various “managed care systems.” Increased political participation in decision making should be expected to work in the other direction and increase job satisfaction among nurses at large. It would help not only the patients, their families and public at large but the nurses themselves too.