Joining specialty nursing associations?

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in Cardiac Nursing.

I was just wondering, if your able to afford it, even if your not working, is it worth it to join the nursing association in the specialty or specialties your interested in? I'm of course still looking for employment and I was wondering if this would be a good idea? What use would it be other than for networking purposes?

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Specializes in SNF, 2 year s hospital.

Ive often thought the same question! however the fees for joining some are just crazy! The only reason I wanted to join some were just for the scholarships offered. :twocents::twocents:

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Yes- I joined one and went to chapter meetings and was able to network and ended up getting my job through it. Not all of them are super expensive- I would pick the area you're interested in going in to and do that one.

You also get access to journals and discounts (or free, in the AACN's case) on continuing education from articles.

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Specializes in Cardiac Nursing.

I joined the Holistic Nurses Association but was unable to make it to any local meetings. They even had their annual convention really close to me, but I couldn't afford to go. I'm interested in pediatrics and critical care so I'm looking into Emergency Nurses Association, American Association of Critical Care Nurses, and the two associations that neonatal nurses can join AWOHNN and NANN. I am still debating ANA.

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Some also have requirements for how long you work before you can test for certs.... Or do you just want to go to meetings?

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Specializes in Cardiac Nursing.
Some also have requirements for how long you work before you can test for certs.... Or do you just want to go to meetings?

Right now just go to meetings and network, also find out from people who actually work in those specialties what it's like. I'm leaning towards Peds ED and NICU which would be the Emergency Nurses Association or National Association of Neonatal Nurses. I also need to somehow renew my membership to the American Holistic Nurses Association. I am also interested in the Association of Critical Care Nurses. I know I can't join all of them, but these are the ones I am interested in.

I found out from someone in the ENA that I could possibly take the ENPC or TNCC without having worked yet since it's such a long course. I'm just having difficulty finding out the costs.

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ENPC and TNCC are courses usually offered through hospitals. If you go to ENA's website, you can find a list of local providers, and they are the ones who handle pricing. I took ENPC at a local hospital and the cost was $350, $300 for ENA members. You don't have to have experience although a little experience was helpful. They are certifications that are good for 4 years. When you sign up for a class, whoever is running the class sends you the textbook that goes with the class and you read it before attending. The classes were 2 days and I got 16ish hours of CEUs for the ENPC.

I thought it was really helpful- there were skills stations and they really drilled in the step by step process of primary and secondary surveys with interventions.

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Specializes in Cardiac Nursing.

Thanks Hiddencat,

Boy these things aren't cheap are they? Granted the certification is good for 4 years, but sheesh. I need to contact my states ENA chair to find out if, where, and how much the class costs. I know the local hospital near me has the TNCC, but they only allow their staff to take it.

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Specializes in ER.

I belong to several nursing organizations - ENA, ANA, TNA - for several reasons. One, I think it's important to advance nursing as a profession and to be involved in shaping policy and reforming the image of nursing. Two, the journals are a great way to stay abreast of the latest evidence-based practice. Lastly, membership provides discounts on certification exams (and also a lot of commercial discounts, too!).

They are expensive, and I estimate I pay about 200/yr maintaining them, but I view it as a worthwhile investment in my career. You might look into the different levels of membership they provide and see if you could join as an associate and not a full member.

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Specializes in Cardiac Nursing.

I think the networking aspect of joining an association along with the journals would be the best part of joining one.

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I think the networking aspect of joining an association along with the journals would be the best part of joining one.

Exactly, and the continuing education opportunities offered online or in the Annual meetings or congress.

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