Nursing Organizations?

Faeriewand, ASN, RN · Feb 17, 2011

I joined the American Nurses Association which is great. There are plenty of free CEU's and I just feel connected to the world of nursing. Not a consideration for you, but at my last job interview they asked me what associations I was a part of or how do I stay current and I mentioned the ANA and all the opportunities for CEU's and they wrote it down in their notes and seemed pleased with my answer. :)

Also, thinking that I was interested in becoming an Emergency nurse, I joined the Emergency Nurses Association. You get magazines from these associations and you can explore their websites and take their classes/webinars. ENA has lots of good stuff but they seem pricey. (or maybe I'm just broke! LOL)

I am looking forward to reading the other replies you get. Thanks for asking! :)

madwife2002, BSN, RN · Feb 18, 2011

I joined ANNA again for similar reasons to the above except it specialises on Nephrology Nursing

GitanoRN, BSN, MSN, RN · Feb 18, 2011

Unquestionably, besides joining the ANA I also joined the American Assembly for Men in Nursing - AAMN. The purpose of the AAMN is to provide a framework for nurses as a group to meet, discuss, and influence factors which affect men as nurses. :redbeathe

P.S. Congrats!!! on your latest accomplishment, wishing you the best in all of your future endeavors :yeah:

lindarn · Feb 18, 2011

The best organization that nurses should belong to, is the, "National Nurses United", an offshoot of the "California Nurses Association".

The are the ONLY NURSES ASSOCIATION, who has accomplished ANYTHING for the nursing profession!!

Patient Ratios, pay, pensions, job security and protection. Go to their website, and see for yourself.

If you really want to belong to the ANA, go ahead. See for yourself.

Several State Nurses Associations, starting with the California Nurses Association, about ten years ago, withdrew their affiliation with the ANA, which was unprecedented. The took that step, due to the changes that were happening in hospitals all over the state, and indeed, all over the country, when hospitals went on an all out assault on the nursing profession, patient safety, nurses pay and benefits, etc.

I believe that the CNA told the ANA, "where were you when they doubled our nurse to patient ratios, cut our pay, took away everything we had won over the years? We cried, and screamed to you about how unsafe it was, and you turned a blind eye to what was going on. ANA, you were not with us!"

And with that, they with drew their association with the ANA. The end. They have blossomed since then, organizing all over the country, with great success!

JMHO and my NY $0.02.

Lindarn, RN, BSN, CCRN

Somewhere in the PACNW

RNJacky · Feb 18, 2011

Lindarn- thanks for the feedback. I will definitely be looking into National Nurses United. Sounds like something I would be interested in being part of! :)

tablefor9, RN · Feb 18, 2011

I'd recommend your specialty organization as your first stop...great CEU's, specialty specific skill building (great for new grad), and hey, money is, for most of us, an object. If one has to choose where to put the $$$, I'd have to vote for specialty specific over ANA any day.

Currently, I'm a member of ACNM & AWHONN and have never been sorry.

traumadan · Feb 18, 2011

.

first of all i want to wish you congratulations. the er is a great place to start your career. i would absolutely recommend becoming an ena member. it is well respected and gives education related to what you will be experiencing as an er nurse. it is a little pricy, but if you continue in the emergency department you can takes steps through the ena to be certified and get your cen.

TravelinCEN · Feb 18, 2011

Going to the ER? Membership in the Emergency Nurses Association is a must!

I am inspired by every meeting, love the fellowship, the conferences are great (Leadership conference going on this week in Portland, OR!). There are state meetings, and local chapter meeting, some of which offer CEU's. Honestly I can't imagine my practice without it. I also hold two certifications that I would have never gotten if I didn't have this resource (CEN,CPEN)

As previously mentioned above, remember that most nursing associations have a Political Action Committee, or have large lobbying power. So, my suggestion is that you take a look to see if your beliefs are in-line with the organizations.

I am also a member of AACN and Sigma Theta Tau.

And, of course, don't forget the best "all around" nursing "organization": ALLNURSES.COM..:)

GitanoRN, BSN, MSN, RN · Feb 18, 2011

RNJacky, as I stated previously Congrats!!! and as you can see everyone here has given you their opinion on which organization you should look engaged with however, it's all up to you, in my 35yrs. plus as a nurse I personally belong to most all mentioned above for one reason or another, just do some research first on any given organization then decide for yourself which one is to your liking... once again welcome aboard........ALOHA~:redbeathe

RNJacky · Feb 18, 2011

Thanks- it definitely looks like ENA is the first organization I will join. I will be sent to trauma school within 12-18 months through my hospital as well as go through my ENPC. And as I am required in IL to have completed 20 hrs of CEU's every renewal period, I would like most of them to come from my specialty :)

ObtundedRN, BSN, RN · Feb 18, 2011

I'm a member of both my state NA and the ANA, mostly to support any political battles they fight that are hopefully in my favor. However, I'm also a member of the AACN (American Assoc. of Critical Care Nurses), and I consider this to be my priority. I go to my monthly chapter meetings, and like to read the several publications I get each month. I can also look up digital editions of old publications, get discounts on reference materials, and get unlimited free CEUs. Your specialty assoc. is going to be the best to join first.