The groups provide RNs with a community of like-minded professionals, offer access to research, and allow specialty nurses to further their education. Many professional nursing organizations publish newsletters and offer other educational materials to members. The Importance of Joining a Professional Nursing Organization Page 15. Joining an organization can lead to personal growth, enhanced professional prospective and knowledge development, and support for creating change. For example, the American Nurses Association has been in existence since 1896, and now represents the interests of America's 3.6 million registered nurses. Role of professional organizations in advocating for the nursing profession Professional organizations and associations in nursing are critical for generating the energy, flow of ideas, and proactive work needed to maintain a healthy profession that advocates for the needs of its clients and nurses, and . A secondary but no less important purpose of any organization is to provide a venue for members to communicate and network with each other, through conventions, meetings, and trade publications. Here are some of the best reasons to consider joining one or more national nursing organizations: Resume boost. If you're a practicing nursing professional, there are dozens of organizations for nursing-related fields. Many nurses find their membership is one of the most valuable resources they use in their professional—and even oftentimes personal—lives. The NLN is the premier organization serving nurse educators. LEARNING OUTCOMES After reading this chapter you will be able to: ˜ Describe the purposes of professional nursing organizations. ˜ Analyze the importance of matching the mission of the organization with the members' expectations. . Professional nursing associations provide an opportunity for professional nurses to develop a bigger picture of nursing and health care overall. Others could be societies that purely function to standardize, unify, monitor quality, promote research, further education, along with updating the skills of practicing professionals. Professional networking may sound intimidating, but it plays an important role in modern job searching and career development. In a 750-1,000 word paper, provide a detailed overview the organization and its advantages for members. Resources are an issue here, and a professional association can only lobby to the extent of its membership dollars. And something as simple as exercising the right to vote can impact healthcare policy. Members can also find discounts to a host of vendors. Choose a professional nursing organization that relates to your specialty area, or a specialty area in which you are interested. Examine the importance of professional associations in nursing. At the beginning of your career, knowing someone employed at a specific hospital or company can help you get the proverbial "foot in the door" to receive an interview. Therefore, it is because the organizations offer up-to-date resources, helping the nurses be knowledgeable about the new ways of practice. Joining an association provides members with a competitive advantage because they become active, informed members within their industry. a. Finally, the organization provides a united voice for its membership in advocacy campaigns for the membership itself and for a variety of important causes. In a 750-1,000 word paper, provide a detailed overview the organization and its advantages for members. Becoming a member of one (or several) is arguably the most efficient way to find career networking opportunities, stay up to date on best practices, and continue your professional development on an informal basis. In this regard, Manton and Chamberlain (2004) have noted that through professional organizations nurses can stay current with what is happening in the profession. What Are the Benefits of a Professional Nursing Organization Membership?. There are countless benefits to joining organizations and very few disadvantages. Here are 10 reasons why joining an industry-related association is well worth the time and effort: 1. At the state and federal level, nurses can get involved in policy and politics by joining a professional nursing organization. The impact of the organization on the community, the political stand point and supportive issues it has on nursing . As a member, you usually receive a discount on continuing ed courses, too. The best way for people to get their opinions heard is to participate in the discussion by being a member. Professional nursing organization benefits. Joining a professional organization is critical in keeping abreast of the latest knowledge and practices locally, regionally, and globally. Professional nursing organizations provide many opportunities. A) "All nurses should be members of the American Nurses Association." B) "Membership in a professional organization helps nurses organize around critical health issues." C) "Dues for professional organizations are expensive, so it is important to set aside money to pay these dues." A major role of a few organizations is to control the awarding of professional qualification certificates, and even issuing the license of practice. Joining a professional nursing organization is also essential for APRNs and RNs since it helps them to be excellent in their practice. National Nurses in Business Association President Michelle Podlesni, RN, is planning the organization's annual conference, scheduled for this fall in Las Vegas. Many association members who lead busy professional lives depend on their association to brief them on important industry trends, new legislative rulings, and advances in technology. Public relations. According to the American Nurses Association (ANA) " …professional development is a vital phase of lifelong learning in which nurses engage to develop and maintain competence, enhance professional nursing practice, and support achievement of career goals " (2010). Networking can help you stay informed of changing health care regulations, new recommendations for patients, best practices and other important news that can impact practice, research, education and more. Busy, hard-working nurses may not readily acknowledge that membership in a workplace committee is a strategy for nursing career growth and professional development. Yet not every RN is automatically a member. hot pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. The goal of advocacy efforts by professional associations is to educate association members, all professional nurses, and the public about the importance of broad-base membership, creative ideas, esprit de corps, and energetic participation in helping the profession improve and move to higher levels. Nursing organizations are created for nurses and run by nurses to advocate for nursing values and quality practices. While it is prudent to list and then evaluate the benefits of joining a professional nursing organization, it is even more important to actually take advantage of the benefits they offer. In the quest for continued professional development there exist barriers placed by family life, state and federal policy and organizations alike (Cheng-I, Meei-Ling, Shu-Jen, Wei-Herng, Fu-Jin, 2004). Networking can empower you to join with NPs nationwide to discuss strategies to advocate for patients, the NP role and the health of our country. Nurses have great potential to contribute to the development of health policy through political action. National League for Nursing. The way in which you conduct yourself is also a key component of your success. You often find resources just by browsing the websites of national organizations. Have an interest in politics and getting . Realizing the benefits of joining together in a professional organization nurses working in . One of the most rewarding benefits of membership in a professional nursing organization is the ability to meet other nurses and broaden an individual's professional circle. Mentorship offers the ability to learn the industry from someone who has been working in it for years. From offering discounts on auto, health and disabilities insurance to scrubs and other nursing apparel to certification exam fees and continuing education courses, it pays to be a member of a nursing organization. Professional organizations abound; it's likely that professional groups for your field exist at the local, state and national level. Joining a relevant industry association as a student member is the first step in your professional development. For others, they may want to network or enjoy the peer recognition that comes from being an active member of a major organization. Join the American Nurses Association (ANA) and Your State Nurses Association, for the professional support and growth that you won't find anywhere else. While it is prudent to list and then evaluate the benefits of joining a professional nursing organization, it is even more important to actually take advantage of the benefits they offer. Page 2 • Pelican News January, February, March 2019 . Wilkinson (2014) reminds us that nursing faces a challenging future and it is imperative to be involved to affect positive change. By listing your professional memberships, professional development courses, and any significant contributions to your industry association on your resume, you're showing potential employers your career commitment. However, committee work can lead to many positive outcomes for nurses seeking a novel way to dig deeper into their career trajectory and involvement in healthcare leadership. It is important for organizations to become partners in the professional development of nurses instead of contributing to the problem. The nurses, therefore, improve their practice, and they stay up . PMID: 28649739 DOI: 10.1002/2327-6924.12483 Abstract With a paucity of literature on professional organization membership by nurse practitioners (NPs), the authors base the discussion of the personal benefits associated with membership on literature focusing on clinicians other than . 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