[nadia562002]

I recently accepted a a job on a cardiothoracic unit at a major university as a new grad. I was wondering if it might be a good idea to join one of those organizations such as the AACN. Which others might you folks recommend? Also, can you give me good reasons why I might want to join them?

[nurse-lou]

I joined AACN as soon as I decided that I wanted to be a Critical Care nurse. With membership, which is $78/yr you receive subscriptions to two magazines, Critical Care Nurse and The American Journal of Critical Care. Also AACN sends out a monthly newsletter as well. It helps with keeping updated on the current trends in the specialty. I highly recommend membership to this worthy organization for ALL Critical Care Nurses.

[ocankhe]

There are typically two or three reasons to jon any professional organzation. Frst s that it s easer to keep current in the advances n the profession. It does change rapidly. Second most organizations have a poltical/lobbying component that allows the membership input in the legslative decsions that effect the way you practise. On a local level by being an active member of local chapters you get to network with other RNs in your specialty. There are also some organizations the have a charitable component and/or educational grants that are useful.

[TeleNurse_02]

Thanks for the suggestion nurse-lou. I'll be starting in critical care in July and was wondering the same as nadia.

[healingtouchRN]

I was a member for several years in AACN, a fine group. I am now in Healing Touch International & plan on joining American Holsitic Nurses Assn. I am interested in Holistic health & these organizations support this. I also host a support group for other nurse healers & bioenergy workers in my town. I just can't afford to join them all. Our state nurses' assn. is quite expensive, so haven't been a member there since 1990. I am also on the Board of Directors for American Heart Assn. locally (voluntary). I really like being a part of an eclectic group of orgs. so I have the best of both worlds.