Operating Principles

The Coalition for Nurses in Advanced Practice is comprised of those organizations representing the four types of advanced practice nursing in Texas. The types of advanced practice nursing are recognized by the Board of Nurse Examiners for the State of Texas and include nurse anesthetists, nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, and clinical nurse specialists.

PRELIMINARY OPERATING PRINCIPLES

1. The focus of our collaborative work will be on the intersection of our advanced nursing practice and public affairs.

2. As a general rule, decisions will flow from our primary organizations to this body. We expect this coalition to then serve the function of negotiation, coordination, and communication among the primary member organizations toward the goal of our mutual benefit.

3. The coalition may designate appropriate times a 'streamlined system for decision making, for instance, as required during a legislative session or similar circumstance. It is the duty of the Coalition to work toward consensus on pertinent issues so that its representatives may be well informed as to the views of the primary organization.

4. The unique nature of this coalition necessitates that we all educate each other about the nature of our practices, our organizational history, and our public affairs issues.

5. Not only our professional best interest, but also the best interest of the public will be our concern and our goal.

6. Our relationship with other organizations representing nursing is to be one of cooperation and work toward mutual benefit. Toward that end we will actively work to communicate effectively with these organizations.

7. Coalition work will be conducted on a basis of "pragmatic democracy," that is, we recognize that the nature of this group requires that we work toward consensus on major decisions. We also recognize the value of the dissenting opinion as that which may alert us to our "blind spot," and therefore we welcome a process of mutual education.

8. We realize that not all issues will affect all practice groups equally all the time. The basic unity of our shared interest is of a greater magnitude than specific points of negotiation.

9. We welcome the participation of groups who represent areas of importance to advanced nursing practice, such as education and others. We have much to share that will be helpful to us all. It is understood that decisions that affect allocation or organization resources or public position will be made on the basis of a consensus of those groups that are directly representing advanced nursing practice.