Professional orgs.: what are the benefits

Nurses Activism

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What professional organization do you belong to and how does it benefit you? By this, I mean how does it really benefit other than looking good on a resume? I am befuddled by the lack of conservative professional organizations for nurses. While I respect political diversity, I am finding a great lack of representation for conservativism among nursing organizations. In fact I cannot find one that doesn't take my money for the liberal agenda in my state or on a national level. Would love to hear if others are finding a similar situation (where you are) and what you are doing about it.

I am a nursing student and am interested in being a part of any conservative organizations that you find. Please let me know if you do find any! Can you also let me know what ones are the worst at supporting liberal agendas? I want to make sure I do not join any of them. Thanks!

I'm looking for the same thing! I'm in California and I'm not putting up good dues money to an entity who supports things I just can't!

Specializes in Critical care, tele, Medical-Surgical.

I am a member of the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN).

They are excellent for education and patient care standards. Critical care nurses can be certified as meeting minimum standards. This is an advantage in finding employment too.

Pretty much apolitical.

http://www.aacn.org/

I could not agree more! I am having a hard time finding an organization that supports beliefs similar to mine. :icon_roll

Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

There are hundreds of professional healthcare associations. Pam Pohly's website has a great list: Professional Associations

Major Nursing organizations affiliated with ANA and influence it's policies, see: Organizational Affiliates

My take: by not joining ANY group, nurses are leaving their voice up to other individuals to speak for the profession.

I've been an ANA member since 1982, very active at the district level for 20+yrs. Have attended many ANA national conventions along with PSNA yearly conventions. What I have gained?

A. Political astuteness: learned to work within the politics of workplace, state and national levels.

How to effectively contact local, state and federal legislators influencing legislation within my state and nationally.

Pounded the halls of state capital and Washington legislators office with increased ease.

Prevented PA Board of Medicine introducing healthcare worker assistant under BOM direction.

B. Advocacy and sharing of clinical and professional information.

C. Introduction to and experience with nursing unions and disaffiliation from professional association -many lessons learned, some painful.

D. Networking opportunities: obtained my first home health position from district member who's just opened an new agency.

E. Leadership and running a professional meeting: Learned Roberts Rules or Order for parliamentary procedure --can follow C-Span government hearings with ease

F. Travel: visited many parts of PA and across US due to conventions and clinical meetings.

G. Learning via Professional publications articles

H. Free and reduced CEU costs.

I. discount

J. Discounts: auto rental, car insurance

Online Journal of Issues in Nursing Vol 17 2012 No1 Jan 2012 has interesting group of articles regarding Nursing Advocacy.

Overview and Summary: Nurse Advocates: Past, Present, and Future

Kathleen D. Sanford, DBA, RN, CENP, FACHE (January 31, 2012)

Role of Professional Organizations in Advocating for the Nursing Profession

includes Time Line of Developments for the Nursing Profession

Jennifer H. Matthews, PhD, RN, A-CNS, CNE, FAAN (January 31, 2012)

Specializes in geriatrics, IV, Nurse management.

I belong to RPNAO, RPNAO IB Sig, and CAIN at the moment. I keep my eyes open and search new ones weekly just to keep on top of new ones that are interesting. Belonging to the RPNAO allows me to support RPNs/LPNs and participate in research. It also gives me more , and various discounts on other insurances/courses/workshops/etc if I chose. Belonging to the IB Sig supports independent businesses for nurses. I'm also curious on self employed nurses, so for me belonging to this association is more research and networking. Lastly CAIN is a group for International nursing, and again, I love networking:)

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