VNA Position Statements

More on Position Statements

Position statements are official declarations of an organization's stance on specific issues, providing clarity and guiding decision making. They are integral to advocacy as they communicate values, establish priorities, and foster trust and transparency.

Current Position Statements

Reproductive Health | View the Full Document Here
The Virginia Nurses Association advocates for widely available, accessible, and affordable reproductive and sexual healthcare for all. The Code of Ethics for Nurses recognizes the fundamental moral and legal right of patients under a nurse's care to exercise their own judgment. Nurses are entrusted with the responsibility to honor their patients' choices without coercion, even in matters related to sexual health and pregnancy. Further upholding such patient decisions does not imply agreement or endorsement by the nurse. 

Gender Affirming Care | View the Full Document Here
The Virginia Nurses Association strongly opposes any legislation or policy measures that impose limitations on transgender healthcare and criminalize gender-affirming care. Recent state-level initiatives have placed transgender and gender-diverse young individuals, along with their parents or guardians who opt for gender-affirming healthcare, at risk of legal repercussions in numerous states. This not only jeopardizes healthcare professionals, including nurses and advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) who offer gender-affirming treatments, but also erodes the trust and confidentiality essential in providing evidence-based care to patients and their families. These restrictive laws lack a foundation in credible scientific knowledge and contradict a nurse's duty to uphold, champion, and safeguard the rights, well-being, and safety of their patients. 

Firearm Safety | View the Full Document Here
The Virginia Nurses Association advocates for measures to increase firearm safety and reduce violence. Incidents ranging from suicides to mass shootings have created a public health crisis and necessitate the adoption of a collaborative strategy to tackle the root causes and risk elements associated with firearm violence. This approach is imperative to protect the well-being of the commonwealth and our communities.

ANA Position Statements

The American Nurses Association (ANA) develops positions relevant to nursing practice, health policy, and social concerns impacting the health of patients and families. Position statements guide the profession, amplify the views of nursing, and educate consumers and decision makers.

View ANA's Position Statements