NHNA Commissions

Our members engage in the work of the Association by volunteering to run for elective office on one of our commissions. Historically our commissions are the engine for the work that we do. NHNA Commissions are organized by our bylaws and cover these primary areas of focus:

The Commission on Government Affairs is probably our most visible work group, focusing on legislative and regulatory affairs related to healthcare and the practice of nursing. Each year the commission hosts the following key events:

• A Bill Review day that marks the opening to each session of the New Hampshire legislature, where healthcare bills are culled from the many hundreds of bills submitted for consideration by our elected officials. Typically there are about a dozen bills that could have a substantial impact on nurses and healthcare and this commission works to influence the public policy debate.
• Healthcare Policy Day is an educational event where nurses and students can learn about the legislative process and what is involved in affecting the nature of the debate in the legislature. Each Policy day includes a mock hearing where the attendees play the role of legislators debating a healthcare bill presented and lobbied before them.

The Commission on Continuing Education performs much of their work behind the scenes. However, it is the single group whose work is most likely to touch the professional lives of every nurse. This Commission serves as the ANCC Accredited Approver Unit for Continuing Nursing Education in New Hampshire. Most likely every nurse in New Hampshire has been to a continuing education program that has been reviewed for quality and accredited by this group.

The Commission on Professional Affairs focuses on the non-legislative healthcare policy that affects the daily lives of New Hampshire's nurses. This work might include Workplace Safety, Occupational Health, Workplace Advocacy, Health Insurance issues, the Nursing Shortage, or overtime hours. Most, if not all of NHNA's position statements are developed by this group before being presented to the Board of Directors for adoption.

The Commission on Organizational Affairs focuses on building the strength and effectiveness of the organization. Within the scope of this commission's work is the Herculean task of marshaling the resources that make it possible for the other commissions to do their work. This commission is responsible for membership and projects such as this website.