The Association of Respiratory Nurse Specialists (ARNS)
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ARNS Annual Reports |
Introduction
The Association of Respiratory Nurse Specialists, (ARNS) evolved in 1997 as a nursing forum for respiratory nurse specialists and exists to promote a higher level of respiratory nursing practice through leadership, education and professional development and to influence the direction of respiratory nursing care.
As a major representative of respiratory nursing, ARNS seeks to proactively collaborate with other respiratory care organisations and relevant government and NHS initiatives in order to influence policy and developments for respiratory services as well as to promote the raising of standards and clinical effectiveness of respiratory care.
Via its bespoke courses, study days and conferences ARNS aims to support its members to deliver evidence based practice within the rapidly changing health-care environment. Via its web site and other means of communication, ARNS provides a supportive network for its members and encourages information sharing, best practice and research collaboration.
ARNS offers the opportunity of membership to nurses currently registered with the National Midwifery Council, (NMC) who have a post-basic qualification in at least one aspect of respiratory care and consider that they would gain benefit from membership. Associate membership is offered to allied health professionals as well as those working in a non-clinical environment.
Current Situation for Respiratory Nurse Specialists in the UK:
Healthcare providers recognise the expertise of Respiratory Nurse Specialists and their skills are now being used more widely in different healthcare settings as well as more extensively in providing care for patients with respiratory disease. The Department of Health continues to encourage and support independent and supplementary prescribing to enable Respiratory Nurse Specialists to be more influential in the management of respiratory disease.
By providing or closely overseeing much of the care for patients with respiratory disease, Respiratory Nurse Specialists are in a unique position to understand their needs and recognise potential critical gaps and solutions to service provision. With recent changes in healthcare provision, Respiratory Nurse Specialists are therefore increasingly becoming involved in key positions, (e.g. within Managed Clinical Networks) and in the development of local, regional and national strategies and guidelines to successfully manage respiratory patients in the community and in hospitals. The Department of Health (DOH) has also recognised the critical and strategic role played by respiratory nurse specialists in influencing respiratory care and changing practice and this is likely to be demonstrated in the awaited National Clinical Strategy for COPD. The advent of practice based commissioning, payment by results and the development of community matrons still continue to present further opportunities for respiratory nursing.
ARNS recognises the challenges faced by practitioners with the emphasis of chronic disease management centring in primary care. It is acknowledged that there is a need to develop and maintain high quality respiratory care in primary care and community based practice. As this evolves, ARNS will continue to provide appropriate support to colleagues to promote the highest level of evidence based care.
ARNS Goals:
To promote the role of the Respiratory Nurse Specialist and the raising of standards and clinical effectiveness of respiratory care by working in collaboration with partner organisations; and with the relevant government and NHS initiatives, including the NCS for COPD.
To promote excellence in respiratory nursing care by supporting and encouraging ARNS members to deliver evidence based practice within a rapidly changing health-care environment.
To provide a supportive network for ARNS members to encourage information sharing, best practice and research collaboration.
To encourage and support members to recognise, signpost and nurture the respiratory nurses of tomorrow.
To be seen as the respiratory nursing organisation of choice by members and all other organisations and political bodies in the UK within 5 years.