ANA, State, and Specialty Associations

[Melissa0181]

Hi all,

I'm a new grad RN that just started my first nursing position. I've heard about the importance of signing up with nursing organizations at the state and federal level throughout nursing school in order to support nursing legislative issues. I get that I'm a brand spanking new, wet behind the ears nurse and should probably learn my job functions before prancing to Washington DC. So what I am wondering is how many of you are members of the ANA, are you also a member of your state nursing association, and what about specialty associations? How long after nursing school did you sign up for these associations? From your experience do you feel that these associations serve a meaningful purpose?

[subee, MSN, CRNA]

What does this mean?

[OCNRN63, RN]

i am not a member of the ana, nor am i a member of my sna. i am a member of the cna/nnoc. i am a member of the ons and hpna, as well as m-o-u-s-e.

[OCNRN63, RN]

just wanted to add that not agreeing with every platform issue is an excellent reason to join and get involved. the best way to make your voice heard within your profession and thereby make certain that someone is speaking for the minority opinion is to speak up yourself! :)

​what if you oppose everything they're about? that would be a waste of money and time.

[Asystole RN]

I landed my last job based on the fact that I was a member of INS. The director thought that since I was the only one she interviewed who invested in the profession that I was more likely to stay within the job instead of trying to hop to another department. I am a member of

American Nurses Association

Arizona Nurses Association

Infusion Nurses Society

Arizona Vascular Access Network

Association for Vascular Access

American Association of Critical-Care Nurses

[sbostonRN]

I joined ANA and my state association about 6 months ago. To be honest, I did it for networking purposes because I was looking for a new job at the time and thought it would look good on my resume. I got the new grad discount but it was still over $200. I can't say I've used it for much yet though. Not sure if I'll renew or not.

I always thought I'd like to go to a nursing conference or something but at this point I'm just trying to get my feet on the ground at my new job.

[sbostonRN]

Just want to add that as a new grad I decided not to join a specialty organization because I haven't yet found my specialty and didn't want to invest in something that could change so easily.

[Asystole RN]

Just want to add that as a new grad I decided not to join a specialty organization because I haven't yet found my specialty and didn't want to invest in something that could change so easily.

So many of the nursing practice associations have excellent information regarding general nursing practice. Take INS for example, I would assume you are going to work in patient care at some point. Most patient care involves the use of IV therapy of one type or another... The AACN provides information on all kinds of general nursing practices, etc.

[hgrimmett]

True that they can be expensive to join.. and many of said organizations give nursing students a hefty discount. Join while you're still in school.