The Ghana Registered Nurses' Association (GRNA) is a Professional Association for all categories of Nurses in Ghana. The Association was founded in March 1960 as a result of a meager of two professional nursing Associations the Qualified Nurses Association headed by Mr. Mettle Nunoo and the State Registered Nurses Association led by Doctor Docial Kissieh with the mission to provide a central organization at would advance the interest of the nursing profession in Ghana and internationally. The purpose of the merger was to represent nurses and midwives in Ghana as a Unified body. As a result of the meager Doctor Docia Kissieh became the first president and Mr. Mettle Nunoo became the first general secretary. It is a Professional Association independent and non-partisan in nature. The GRNA is the exclusive mouthpiece for all nurses in matters
that affecting them.
The association became a union on 4th July, 2005 under section 84 of the Labour ACT 2003 (ACT651) with branches all over the country . The motto of GRNA is “UNITY IS STRENGTH”. MEMBERS
Membership of GRNA is open to all nurses/midwives in Ghana registered or enrolled by the Nurses and Midwives Council of Ghana. Membership is acquired and maintained through registration and payment of monthly and other dues instituted by the GRNA. There shall be life members of the Association, which shall be opened to retired, or disabled and maimed nurses who can never return to active service; upon payment of prescribed fee. ORGANIZATION STRUCTURE OF THE ASSOCIATION
The organization structure of the Association is positioned to facilitate communication and
implementation of policies.
Local Branches: They are the unit structure of the Association and exist in all health care
facilities in Ghana.
District Branches: Are established in all districts as the decentralized functional
areas of the GRNA.
Regional Branches: Super vise the decentralized areas and link them up to the
national secretariat.
National Executive Committee(NEC): The NEC nine in number elected quadrennially, headed by the president of the GRNA with executive power to implement policies and decisions taken by the by the National Council and National Delegates' Conference.
The National Council: The National Council constituted by the National Executive and Regional Chairpersons and Secretaries meet quarterly to formulate policies and other products of the GRNA. The National Delegates Conference: This is the highest body of the Association and this is held biennially to discuss issues that affect the Association. OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSOCIATION
As enshrined in the Association constitution, the functions of the GRNA are as follows:
i. Bring all practicing nurses/midwives in Ghana under a unified body
i i . Advance the interest of the nursing / midwifery profession
iii. Promote a better understanding and dignity of the profession
iv. Maintain the honour and independence of the profession with special reference to professional standard, conduct, discipline and etiquette.
v. Promote nursing/midwifery research
vi. Affiliate and promote good relations with the International Council of Nurses Commonwealth Nurses Federation, International confederation of Midwives and similar organization of Nurses in other countries.
vii. Promote and support law reforms on matters affecting the nursing/midwifery profession.
GRNA ACTIVITIES
1. Maintaining and improving Nursing/Midwifery Standard
2. Promoting the socio-economic welfare of Ghanaian Nurses/Midwifes
3. Promoting nursing/midwifery education and research.
4. Seeking partnership with government and other stakeholders to promote industrial Peace to enhance productivity.
5. Collaborate with other trade union organization nationally and internationally. COMMITTEES OF THE ASSOCIATION
The Association has standing committees and adhoc committees during conference and congresses.
Some of the committees are:
• Finance
• Education and Research
• Socio-economic welfare
• Building
• Editorial
Constitution Review
Resolution and communiqué
Evaluation
AFFILIATED GROUPS
Under the umbrella of Ghana Registered Nurses Association are the following groupings: • The Nurse Educators Group
• General Nurses Group
• Public Health Nurses Group
• Mental Health Nurses Group
• Community/Enrolled Nurses Group
• Pen-Operative and Critical Nursing Group
• Ophthalmic Nursing Group
• Psychiatric Nursing Group
• Government Registered Midwives Group THE GRNA AT THE INTERNATIONAL LEVEL
The GRNA is recognized as an important body in nursing worldwide. It is a member of good standing in the following international nursing organizations:
• International Council of Nurses (ICN) since 1961
• Commonwealth Nurses Federation (CNF)
• Public Services International
The GRNA advises and support professional Nurse Association of Sister African Countries. THE INTERNATIONAL CODES OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT
The code for Nurses is based on belief about the nature of individuals, nursing, health, and society. Recipients and providers of nursing services are viewed as individuals and groups who possess basic rights and responsibilities, and whose values and circumstances command respect at all times.
Nursing encompasses the promotion and restoration of health, the prevention of illness, and the
alleviation of suffering. The statements of the Code and their interpretation provide guide for conduct and relationships in carrying out nursing responsibilities consistent with the ethical obligations of the profession and quality in nursing/midwifery care.
The fundamental responsibility of the nurse if fourfold: - To promote health
- To prevent illness
- To restore health and
- To alleviate suffering The need for nursing is universal, Inherent in nursing is respect for life, dignity and rights of man. It is unrestricted by considerations of nationality, race, creed, colour, age, sex, politics or social status.
Nurses render health services to the individuals, the family and the community and co-ordinate their services with those of related groups.
The code has Four areas:
Nurses and People
Nurse and Practice
Nurses and Society
Nurses and the Profession
. NURSES AND PEOPLE
The nurse's primary responsibility to people who require nursing care. The nurse, in providing care, promotes an environment in which the values, customs and spiritual beliefs of the individuals are respected. The nurse holds in confidence personal information and uses judgment in sharing this information NURSE AND PRACTICE
The nurse carries personal responsibility for nursing practice and for maintaining competence by continual learning.
The nurse maintains the highest standard of nursing care possible within the reality of a specific situation. The nurse uses judgment in relation to individual competence when accepting and delegating responsibilities. The nurse when acting in a professional capacity should at all times maintains standards of personal conduct which reflect credit upon the profession. NURSES AND SOCIETY
The nurse shares with other citizens the responsibility for initiating and supporting action to meet the health and social needs of the public. NURSES AND CO-WORKERS
The nurse sustains a co-operative relationship with co-workers in nursing and other fields'
The nurse takes appropriate action to safeguard the individual when his/her care is endangered by a coworker or any to her person. NURSES AND THE PROFESSION
The nurse plays the major role in determining and implementing desirable standards of nursing
practice and nursing education.
The nurse is active in developing a core of professional knowledge. The nurse acting through
the professional organization participates in creating and maintaining equitable social and economic working conditions in nursing. Nurses reaffirm their belief in these ideals and values. Identify yourselves with the code for nurses. Endeavour to practice these ideals to the letter. Ensure that other nurses abide by the code too. This is the only way the nurse can re-establish the public's confidence, and get its support and cooperation in the struggle for a better nursing service both in quality of work and conditions of service. Get the public on your side.
APPEAL TO NURSES
The code for nurses is a guide for action based on values and needs of society; it will have meaning only if it becomes a living document applied to the realities of human behavior in a changing society. In order to achieve its purpose the code must be understood, internalized and utilized by nurses in all aspects of their work, it must be put before and be ontinuously available to students and practitioners in their mother tongue, throughout their study and working lives. For practical application in the local setting, the code should studies in conjunction with information relevant to the specific situation, which would guide the nurse in selecting priorities and scope for action in.
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