Chi Eta Phi?

nimbex, RN · Apr 14, 2003

I was a member of Phi Theta Kappa, I was vice president and went to regional meetings. this group supported networking, professionalism and personal integrity. Our local chapter did volunteer work with clean up days in the community, blood drives, adopted poor families at the holidays and so much more.

THis is not specific to your organization, but I believe the fundamentals are the same.

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Apr 14, 2003

know of no-one in my workplace and I am including ALL managment, admin. etc, that is a part of these

Maybe that's part of the problem with our profession: we've forgotten to give back and get involved in broader areas besides just work and family. I've gotten back tons more in life satisfaction from my community involvement that's kept me charged up about nursing.

liberalrn · Apr 14, 2003

So, essentially this a professional network with social aspects, right? To each his own! I guess I'm just too busy working to keep ahead of the bills and raising 3 kids to have time for this. I can change my area, get another job or move up that "career" ladder w/o this. I don't see the value of it. Query: Is exclusivity seen as a positive attribute w/ these groups? Another query: Is there a perceived superiority of nursing implied with membership? Not trying to flame--just curious. Keep talking! I am listening!

BranRN · Apr 14, 2003

Originally posted by lilmamita
Just curious, are all nursing organizations looked down upon on this board? Such as the NSNA, ANA,etc? Or is it because I happened to mention one with Greek letters that has some in a tizzy? I don't get it, but whatever. The tone of this thread is so negative for no reason, so i'll end it here. I remember now, why I "lurk" and hardly post. To each his own. Sorry for any disruption of this board that this topic may have caused.
By the way, Sigma Theta Tau is a nursing honor society.

I am so sorry you have gotten the reaction that you did. I think organizations like the one you mentioned are great. They promote networking along with great service projects, etc.

I just can't believe that the first response to this thread was spoken the way it was. I have seen several thread edited and closed because they used the 'four letter word' that was in post #2. I believe the first response to a thread is the most important and sets the tone for the following responses, and to think a moderator would start it off that way is just amazing. Just my opinion.

Brandi

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Apr 14, 2003

The value as I see it is you get out of life what you put into it.

I've been this way since a kid when I volunteered my Dad to help put down the new floring in Nun's convent at age 10. Lucky I did as the stove hook-up was leaking gas; Since dad worked in local Gas company he prevented a blow-up of convent he stated.

Who said anything about exclusivity??? I know a little about the Philadelphia Chapter---they seem to be the only ones I hear about working to promote nursing thru mentorship, coaching and community health events. Membership open to those interested...

Too busy to fit things in? I've been part of sandwich generation for 30 years fiting in needs of both sets grandparents, parents and their siblings, inlaws, children and husband thru numerous hospitaliztions, doctor visits, emergency ER visits etc. College while grandfather terminally ill, father in law died, mother-in law with cancer dx and chemo treatments but was still involved with student nursing club. Believe in that adage: want to get something DONE, give it to a busy women. Learned to say NO too when plate is full.

Yes, if wanting to advance in academic circles, professionaal membership and activities is a requirement. BUT if we didn't have these perons fighting for our profession, medicine and admistration would be having their way exclusively and we be under their Board.

Bedside nurses lack of involvment in professional organization and raising the alarm EARLY over workplace condiditons was one of the reasons cutbacks were allowed to flourish and Mandatory overtime entrenched in some institutions.

I learned early as a staff nurse from attending inservices, SEPA AACN meetings, PSNA meetings OUTSIDE my institution that what I thought was only happening in MY work setting was happening in a few work settings---AND it didn't HAVE to be that way. Networking at these meetings showed me new ways of handling problem docs, effective ways to speak up to administration and new procedures to help patients.

The nurse educators in my hospital were the ones really involved in professional orgnizations and were key in helping novice RN's turn into expects. When facilitties cut back on these pivital postions in late 80's thru mid 90's we lost far more the the money they cost. Now these postions are reapearring in my area---even for middle/night shifts.

This overweight woman's been accepted any where I've chosen to help.That's my take on professional groups.

Enright · Apr 14, 2003

I'm a member of Sigma Theta Tau which has done quite a bit to enhance my nursing career. I'm proud of the affiliation.

I'd never heard of Chi Eta Phi so I looked at their web site. Although it isn't mentioned, is this a nursing society exclusively for nurses of color? That would be helpful to know.

colleen10 · Apr 14, 2003

Hi Lilmamita,

I wanted to post a response even though I am not currently a member of a nursing org. because you received quite a lot of negative responses.

When I was in college the first time around I belonged to Professional Organization for women in Agricultrue which is what I have my BS in. I belonged to it throughout my college career and enjoyed the time I spent in it. We concentrated on academics, professional development and service. It gave me an opportunity to belong to an organization in which I could give back to the community, make friends and also hold a position and give me experience planning events/projects and in leadership.

My organization had high standards of academic success, you had to maintain a high GPA and they made sure of this by having study and tutoring sessions weekly. You also had to be honorable and truthful and have high ethical standards. Older students helped mentor younger students and each semester we would have professional speakers come in and discuss all kinds of topics from how to write a resume and land an internship/job to what it is like being a female in a male dominated field.

We gave back to the community through fund raisers, scholarships and hosting activities like events for Big Brother/Big Sister.

The good things about Professional Orgs. is that their dues are not nearly as high as Social Organizations and they don't take up nearly the amount of time that regular fraternity or sorority would.

Also, contrary to what other posters have said anyone could join our org. as long as they were female and had a major in Agriculture. Beautiful or not. The only reason someone would not gain entry into our org. was because they had a low GPA or they were not an honest person, ie. they lied or cheated.

Now that I am in nursing I would consider joining a prof. nursing org. if given the opportunity. The only thing that might deter me would be time commitment.

They are a great way to meet other students interested and pursuing careers in a field the same as yours and as Karen said, with a small orgs. like these you truly get out of it what you and other members put into it. True, 20 or 30 years from now you won't put it on your resume and it won't get you special consideration for a job but it will allow you to meet other students and partake in activities that interest you. At the least you might find some people that you can form study groups with or that can help you through difficult classes.

Good Luck, Col

liberalrn · Apr 14, 2003

Oh, please. "the value of life as I see it is you get out of life what you out into it."

Don't start with the you're only too busy because you can't prioritize etc. You have no idea of my time constraints etc., nor do I of yours. I'm just as much a sandwich generation person as you are. I give back to my community via my volunteering thru my church. Doesn't it count unless I'm wearing that imaginary nurses cap? So far, I have heard that membership in these thingies requires time, money, and someone else judging my ethics and "standards"-I am way too old to have someone else making those decisions for me! Don't really understand the weight remarks or the beauty--I would hope that none of these would be that superficial.

So essentially, I am supposed to pay to go to yet another monthly meeting where I will meet people who.....talk about how great nursing is? Do these people actually work in acute care settings? Are they still debating the entry level practice requirement? (that was "hot" when my mom was in a diploma school in the 50's and still was debated in the '80's when I graduated....) Are they planning a million nurse march on DC to bring "our" issues to Congress' attention? Is it just a mutual admiration society?

I really don't mean to be hostile--these just strike me as irrevelant

and to be told that if only I would make time for it, I would benefit greatly w/o concrete evidence of same, is absurd.

I have been a nurse for almost 20 years (BSN in 1984). My college of nursing did not emphasize--hell, didn't even MENTION prof. assoc. as a vital part of my "career". In these 20 years, I have NEVER received ANY info (w/ the exception of a Visa card app.) from the INA (Illinois Nurses Assoc.) or the ANA. If these groups want to become relevant, may I suggest an advertising campaign linked to a recruitment campaign with a message to nurses that this assoc. will be a strong voice in local, state and national issues?

Show me the relevance, show me the value to me and mine and the future of health care and I'm yours!

LuvaNurse04 · Apr 15, 2003

Even though I vowed to leave this alone, I wanted to say thanks for the positive replies. The first replies do set the tone and I felt that I needed to get away from the negativity. Anyway, from what I know, I think the majority are nurses are of color although it is not a "requirement". It is open to all nurses( male and female), regardless of ethnic background.

My problem with this thread was that I was merely asking a question. From the replies, you would have thought I was trying to convert people to my beliefs and interests. If this topic was not your cup of tea, why even bother responding? You don't desire, like, or have the time to join a organization? That's your business. Maybe you're content just punching the clock day-in and day-out. That's fine. We all go into nursing for different reasons. My personality is one that I like to play an active part in issues that are important to me. Maybe it affects you and your workplace as well. If we all took a passive role and let "someone else take care of it", where would it leave us? Do I need to that as part of an organization? Of course not, but I need a little structure in my busy life. To me, nursing is my chosen career, one that I feel strongly about. To join an organization that represents me, as a nurse, couldn't possibly be a bad choice. So if I want to join NBNA, ANA, NSNA, Chi Eta Phi, etc (the list goes on and on). Why judge me? I never came here to judge anyone. I don't know how it is in Small Town, USA, but I live in the city and we have always been advised on taking an active role in your career. No one told you that you had to pay for anything. I'm speaking in general, because it seems that a few posters share this feeling. My question at the start of this thread was not a recruitment measure. Never received anything from your state association of nurses? If it really mattered, you would have inquired about it by now instead of complaining about it. Maybe if you (in general) took an active role in these "thingies", YOU could head that recruitment campaign. You wouldn't know who these nurses were or where they worked if you never asked. Same goes for the programs that they implement and the issue sthat they address. Don't know anyone that's involved? It's probably because everyone you know thinks like you and are waiting for someone to run up and sell them on something. Maybe you get it, maybe not. I'm not here to sell anyone on anything. Did you see a topic that you didn't agree with and ran to post something negative and discouraging instead of just moving on to something else? It was never meant to be a debate. I hope that those that had negative comments realize that it really wasn't warranted or is this message board EXCLUSIVE only to those who share the same ideas or interests? :confused: How sad.

And with that, I'm out.

nynurse2b · Apr 15, 2003

Go head Lilmamita with your bad self!!!!! I totally agree with what you said!!! It seems somtimes that people are so busy trying to down things that the over all question totally gets over looked. Like you said these post are a way to share information and support one another (or so I thought ). I could not agree with your last post anymore!!!! Keep striving and you will be able to give back in more ways than you will ever know...I know you have worked so hard to get to where you are and I know that you will continue to represent for all of the nurses that wear their hearts on their sleves and are proud of it.......and with that I too am out :nurse:

nimbex, RN · Apr 15, 2003

Lilmamita, in my humble opinion, any organization that suits an individuals goals and gives an opportunity for growth, networking and personal contact is worth while. No organization can change the world, nor should it aspire itself to.... and if an organization is of a majority of "beautiful", smart, ethnic, or of similar interests so be it.... it's irrelevant. It's a group of like minded or similar people who gather for common interests.

and if any good, no matter who the good reaches, comes about.... than its a win-win!!!!

My Phi Theta Kappa group was a nationally recognised honor society.... that had goals to improve society, in any way we could... . we helped our community, in small steps, sometimes only a few families or streets at a time...... does this negate the value because we didn't change the world... I hope not and I don't think a million person march can make the same difference as simply feeding and clothing a family, maybe a neighbor hears about it and decides to sponsor another family and word spreads about families in need and now 5 or 6 families are sponsored. It has to start somewhere.... imagine the idea stopping at.... well we can't feed the whole city so why bother???????

So I whole heartedly agree with you. and hope that more people want to get involved and improve.... ANYTHING just do it.

liberalrn · Apr 15, 2003

Please don't confuse me with the original negative poster---I do not think that these organizations s*ck. I just do not see their relevance in day to day nursing life. I do not expect them to change the world--to work to improve conditions for all nurses, yes. Perhaps that is not their mission? I cannot tell from your posts the purpose of these assoc'ns.

My statement about not being approached by any nurse's assoc. is a valid one. If these organizations are there to further the profession, why is the most basic task--outreach to members-- not done? I was licensed in one state and am licensed and active in another. I have done acute care, home health and "desk" work--all vital nursing postions. If I wanted to build a strong org., one that could make a difference to my colleagues and impact on one of the biggest industries in the country, I would be liasoning with every nsg college out there and recruiting young, idealistic, eager new people. Ads in the nursing mags, occassional flyers in the mail, emails to all licensed personnel on what your state assoc'n does for you etc. What are the dues paying for?

I completely understand and agree that what works for one does work for someone else. I am not "against" these orgs.

Other professional orgs have MUCH higher profiles. When my husband passed the CPA exam, he got an invite to join the AICPA, dues, meetings, seminar schedules etc. Why don't nursing assoc'ns do that?

Building or repairing a home or providing meals for a family in need is laudable and admirable. My point was that there are many ways in which to do that, and I am frankly puzzled as to why it seems to count more when coming from a professional organization.

I seem to have tapped into a vein of I'm not sure what. I'll admit my last post was hostile; I didn't appreciate the time management or lack thereof feeling of a previous post. I still don't see what is clear to all of you--how does this help your practice, what are the missions of these orgs, why is basic recruitment apparently not done? I am interested and would like to learn more.