Professional organizations

RN4NICU, LPN, LVN · Mar 6, 2005

I have a couple of questions why do people join professional organizations and not participate in them. I just had a meeting with an organization where they have over 200 local members but yet at the meetings they only have a handfull show up. Does anyone know why that is???
Why did you join a professional organization?
Why won't you joint a professional organization?

Some of them are probably at work.

I am a member of 2 nursing organizations, both related to my specialty. I joined to help myself stay current in my specialty. The organizations offer journals, conferences, and continuing education opportunities which aid me in doing so. Unfortunately, it is only on rare occasions that I am able to attend local chapter meetings. One of the organizations I belong to does not have local chapter meetings, so with that one it is rather moot.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Mar 6, 2005

It looks good on the resume. Or managers or schools encourage them to join when they really have no interest in joining, but join to please someone else.

I currently am not a member of any organization for just that reason. I know I'm not going to participate so why join.

Good luck with your group.

SmilingBluEyes · Mar 6, 2005

I am a member of 2 professional organizations to stay current in my practice. I receive several journals and bulletins regarding changes/updates in practice. I also receive prompt notification of conferences/seminars they sponsor which may be beneficial to me to attend. These organizations help me remain informed and up-to-date, which is critical in nursing, no matter your specialty.

llg, PhD, RN · Mar 6, 2005

I, too, belong to organizations that help keep me up-to-date through their journals, conferences, etc. That is the main reason I join.

I also appreciate the fact that my membership and my dues help to strengthen the organization. Through my dues, I am pariticipating and contributing to the work that the group does -- even if I am not donating my time. They appreciate my money and use it to accomplish a lot of things that I am happy to support (research grants, scholarships, political lobbying, publications, standards development, etc.)

Giving your money (e.g. paying dues) is another legitimate form of participation. Going to a meeting is not the only way to participate.

llg (ddd is my home account)

Fiona59 · Mar 6, 2005

I belong to two CLPNBC issues my license and is a condition to practice in this province and the other is LPNABC who you have to join in order to obtain Liability Insurance, (which CLPNBC says I have to have to obtain a license in this province).

Not impressed with either. Haven't had a newsletter yet and neither knows what the other does. They don't talk to the media or promote LPNs and their full use.

To attend a meeting involves a four hour journey, that why I don't attend.

But on the other hand, you can write the membership fees off on your taxes...