A nursing career requires lifelong learning. Members of a national nursing association are part of a community of nurses both in a specialty field or in the profession generally. Professional associations ensure that nurses are part of the discussion, part of the advancement of the field and a voice in the progress of nursing.
Two of the largest nursing organizations, the American Nurses Association (ANA) and the International Council of Nurses (ICN), advocate for all nurses and for the profession of nursing in general. This means responding to the societal demands and medical changes that can occur over time.
Nursing organizations make sure nurses are aware of developments that affect them professionally. The ANA represents 3.1 million registered nurses in the United States and has many constituent member nursing associations and organizational affiliates. The ICN consists of 130 national nurses associations and represents more than 16 million nurses worldwide.
Continuing Education
Technology and medicine change at a rapid pace. Nurses in every specialty field are affected by the advancement of technology. Many professional organizations, like state licensing boards, require nurses to take continuing education courses for the purpose of having relevant skills and knowledge. Some nursing organizations offer panel discussions, training opportunities, webinars and more benefits concerning topics and issues related to nursing.
Keeping Up With Trends and Developments
National nursing associations are at the cutting edge concerning trends and developments in nursing. Members can stay informed through newsletters, publications and emails. Keeping up with news concerning legislative, clinical, medical, certification and licensing developments at the international, national and local level is just one positive aspect of membership.
Advocacy and Career Assistance
From the American Nurses Association’s complete advocacy of the entire field of nursing to specialty organizations advocating for their nurses, a goal of these organizations is to educate the public, policy makers, healthcare administrators and other professionals concerning issues that affect nurses.
Joining a nursing organization keeps nurses competitive in the workplace. Being a member means that opportunities to work on committees and hold an office within the organization are available. These endeavors can sharpen leadership and communication skills, as well as help nurses to develop their brand identity and convey to potential employers their commitment to the field of nursing.
Many organizations have job boards and listings as part of their website. This can help new nurses or nurses who are looking for advancement or change to find better or different opportunities in their own area and nationally. Conferences, meetings, and other networking and continuing education events are also facets of memberships.
In addition to the general nursing organizations like the ANA and the ICN, there are a multitude of professional nursing organizations that are specific to the different fields of nursing, the different environments in which nurses work and regional nursing organizations. Different associations bring different benefits to their members. Environmental or specialty-specific organizations keep their members apprised of technological, practical and medical advancements and trends.
Examples of other national nursing associations include:
- Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses
- American Psychiatric Nurses Association
- Oncology Nursing Society
- National League for Nursing
- Society of Trauma Nurses