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Professional nursing organizations give members a chance to get to know others in the field, stay on top of changes or issues in the industry, and continue to grow as a professional. The organization can also foster values and build the reputation of the profession.
Since the 1890s, there have been professional nursing organizations bringing people together and supporting the profession.
Many nurses like the idea of having a group that represents them and presents the loud voice of many when it comes to arguing for political causes, regulatory changes, clinical procedures, and educational matters. A group can usually accomplish more than an individual.
Some of the reasons you may want to join a professional nursing organization include:
Having a large voice
Access to continuing education
Representation in political arenas
Making personal connections
Pursuing professional networking
Get updates on health care changes
Become a leader
Further your professional objectives
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The reasons someone would want to join a professional nursing organization can quickly be translated into the benefits of membership. But there are additional benefits you may not realize to join. Some of the benefits are:
Professional development
Bolsters credentials
Opens doors to future jobs
Professional networking and personal relationships
Regular professional journals
Continuing education opportunities
Conventions
Certifications
Discounts on certifications and CE hours
Standards references
Leadership development
Mentorship (both sides)
Political forums
Resume and career assistance
References for jobs
An organization can only give you what you’re willing to take from it. The more active you are, the more likely you are to benefit from belonging.
There aren’t many downsides to joining a professional nursing organization, but the biggest one might be the cost. Most of them have a fee associated with joining, and that might not be something you can afford.
Another downside to nursing organizations is that there are a lot of them, and picking the right one can be difficult. It’s important to do your research to make sure the organization you’re joining lines up with your beliefs and your career goals.
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There are more than 100 professional nursing organizations in the United States, making it very difficult to select one, or maybe a few, that you want to consider joining. These are some of the best-known and biggest nursing organizations.
National Student Nurses Association (NSNA)
This is an organization that’s designed to help future nurses navigate their educational courses and pass licensure. This is an organization where students can find mentors, and mentors can help student nurses.
While the primary goal is nursing education and students, they do advocate for affordable and accessible health care also.
American Nurses Association (ANA)
The American Nurses Association purports to represent the interests of the nation’s 4 million registered nurses.
It is one of the best-known organizations, and it has been around longer than most, with its history reaching back to 1896. Many nurses join this organization in addition to others.
National League for Nursing (NLN)
The National League for Nursing is the premier organization for faculty and leaders in nursing education. This is the oldest nursing organization in the United States, founded in 1893. The focus of this group is on leadership for education, practice, and research.
American Board of Nursing Specialties (ABNS)
This non-profit member organization claims to represent almost 930,000 certified registered nurses worldwide. The goal of this group is to improve patient outcomes and enhance consumer protection by promoting specialty nursing certification.
This is a large group and offers different tiers of memberships that can even include public members who represent health care consumers.
American Academy of Nursing (AAN)
The American Academy of Nursing boasts Academy Fellows, who are the most accomplished leaders in education, management, practice, and research. Fellows in this organization are highly educated and often at the peak of their careers.
As many as 90% hold doctoral degrees, and every one of them has a master’s degree. They are driven to enhance the field of health and nursing care.
The hardest part of joining a professional nursing organization is probably selecting which organization you want to join. This will take a little research, and it’s always good to look for referrals. Check with people you know and trust and do an online search.
When you have the information you need, it’s time to consider what’s important to you and your future career goals. You might want to join more than one organization, perhaps a large, general one and then a smaller, specialized one in your field of interest.
After that, you simply need to head over to their website and fill out the application. Remember, almost all of these organizations have a fee for joining, so you’ll need to have a way to pay for membership.
Once you join, take advantage of everything they offer that interests you. Of course, you want to make the most of your affiliation with the group.
Many nursing organizations only require that their members be nurses or working in the nursing field. Some don’t even require that.
But you’ll also find that some organizations require you to have certain certifications, and, as in the case of the AAN, you’ll need to have your master’s degree at least and be a proven expert in your field.
The best way to get an answer about any requirements for the organization you’re interested in is to check it out specifically.
Do I have to join a professional nursing organization to be a nurse?
No, you don’t have to join a professional nursing organization to become a nurse.
You might find that it’s beneficial and you want to join. You may also discover that belonging is a job requirement somewhere or that it boosts your resume, but membership is not required for you to be a nurse.
Which nursing organization should I join.
Which nursing program you should join depends on the matter of preference.
There are a lot of nursing organizations, more than 100, so selecting one to join should be based on your professional career interests and what you want to get out of the organization. You might even find that you want to belong to more than one.
How much does it cost to join a professional nursing organization?
Membership costs for nursing organizations vary by organization. The cost of membership for a professional nursing organization is different for each organization but you can expect to pay anywhere from a couple hundred to a few thousand a year.
Will joining a professional nursing organization help my career?
Yes, joining a professional nursing organization can help your career. There are many ways that a professional nursing organization membership can help your career. The following are a few ways they can help.
Builds your resume
Networking with other professionals
Continuing education opportunities
Job search assistance
Opportunity to become involved and seen as a leader.
Remember, joining a professional nursing organization won’t be a big benefit unless you take advantage of the opportunities they offer.
Are there drawbacks to joining a professional nursing organization?
Yes, there can be some drawbacks to joining a professional nursing organization. Most of the drawbacks depend on your individual situation and your personality. That’s why it’s important to research the organization before joining.
One of the biggest drawbacks is that there are membership dues. Some are as low as $15 a month, but some can cost several thousand a year, so it pays to know what the fees are.
The other drawback is that you might not take advantage of the benefits of the organization. This would mean that joining is not doing you any favors except giving you something to list on your resume.