The American Academy of Ambulatory Care Nursing (AAACN) occasionally develops position statements and papers to advocate for an issue important to ambulatory care nursing.
A position statement:
- Describes one side of an arguable viewpoint.
- Provides the background and rationale to support a particular viewpoint.
- Makes the organization’s stand on the viewpoint clear to the audience.
A position paper may accompany a position statement to provide in-depth evidence supporting the viewpoint and stance of the organization.
Position Statement on the Role of the Registered Nurse in Ambulatory Care Nursing
Updated 2017
Health care is undergoing radical change and transformation. With a majority of health care moving to the outpatient setting, ambulatory care registered nurses (RNs) are critical to access to care, attainment of quality patient care outcomes, and maintaining costs.
Creating a future that maximizes the role of RNs in an evolving health care environment will require sustained forward movement in nursing practice, education, research, and leadership.
This updated position statement reflects the current state of ambulatory care and the crucial role of the RN as a care provider, care coordinator, and care partner. It also highlights potential role changes and adaptations for the future.
Use these Talking Points to help you advocate for the RN role.
Position Paper on the Role of the Registered Nurse in Ambulatory Care Nursing
Updated 2017
This position paper provides the evidence to support the above position statement on the Role of the RN in Ambulatory Care. It was published in the January-February 2017 issue of Nursing Economic$.
The paper outlines the:
- Evolution and future direction of health care in ambulatory care settings.
- Explosive development of technology.
- Changes in reimbursement models.
- Changing roles for ambulatory care nurses including care coordination.
- Challenges faced by the profession of nursing and the specialty of ambulatory care nursing.
Healthcare reform, the Affordable Care Act, the implementation of care coordination as a strategy to improve health and prevent re-hospitalization, and the transition from volume-based to value-based care have resulted in an increased focus on the ambulatory care setting as the site of health care provision now and in the future.
The position statement and paper are key documents to be referenced by nursing and health care professionals, consumers, regulatory agencies, and federal, state, and local governments.
Use these Talking Points to help you advocate for the RN role.
- Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses
- American Association of Nurse Anesthetists
- American Association of Occupational Health Nurses
- American Nephrology Nurses Association
- American Psychiatric Nurses Association
- American Society for PeriAnesthesia Nurses
- Association for Nursing Professional Development
- Association of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition Nurses
- Association of Rehabilitation Nurses
- Infusion Nurses Society
- National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners
- National Association of School Nurses
- Oncology Nursing Society
- Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates
AAACN/AONE Joint Statement
The Role of the Nurse Leader in Care Coordination and Transition Management across the Health Care Continuum
AAACN and the American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE) convened in early 2015 for a Day of Dialogue to discuss the role of the nurse leader in Care Coordination and Transition Management (CCTM) across the Care Continuum.
The group, comprised of nurse leaders in acute care and ambulatory care/outpatient settings, and nurse researchers, discussed what is needed to improve patient care coordination and transition management throughout the health care system (acute to outpatient settings and vice versa) and how nurses are well positioned to coordinate and deliver these services to patients.
Through a series of facilitated dialogue, the group developed a joint statement that outlines the strategies needed to enhance care coordination and transition management of patients across the health care continuum.
Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) Position Statement
The provision of care using telecommunications technology has been recognized as a cost-effective means of delivering quality patient care and thus has become a fundamental component of ambulatory care nursing.
Measures to clarify and standardize practice and support mutual recognition of nurse licensure across state lines will ensure the highest quality of patient care by eliminating barriers to care that result from confusion about regulations governing telehealth nursing.
This position statement provides a clear explanation of the benefits of being a Compact state and provides documentation in support of legislation or regulation adopting the NLC.