Should I join the ANA?

It makes no difference

The ANA isn't a union. It's just a professional organization.

I strongly believe in supporting ANA because they work hard for us and they need money to do so. You also might benefit from their magazine, or discounts on insurance. Employers don't care.

The ANA isn't a union. It's just a professional organization.

Exactly. I joined and I would suggest joining it, or an organization in your specialty. I also belong to AACN. Some nurse managers look favorably on members of professional organizations. It shows that you get a journal ( and maybe even read it). and have in interest in your profession.

The ANA isn't a union. It's just a professional organization.

Actually it's both. The ANA is made up of many constituent unions, including the one that represents me. There is a layer that separates the ANA at the national level from front line collective bargaining representation of nurses, but they are still subgroups of the ANA. The union dues I pay are for membership in both the local union as well as the ANA.

Actually I do not recommend joining the ANA. They actively fight against staffing ratio laws in favor of vague staffing by acuity.

Here's a quote from their website

"ANA supports legislation that holds hospitals accountable for the development and implementation of nurse staffing plans tailored to each hospital unit and characteristics of the patient population. "

When you leave the hospitals in charge of staffing it is pretty obvious what you are going to get! I am in one of the states that has ANA inspired staffing, and it is bad. Management has been changing their acuity sheet multiple times to find one that works to keep their staffing the same as it is. I'd much rather have 1:5 max med surg staffing like California (with the California Nurses Association) has instead of 1:6 days and 1:7-8 nights med surg which I have, with the acuity sheet being another piece of paperwork that does nothing in the end. Staffing by acuity simply won't work if the hospital is in charge of it.

I feel so strongly that the ANA has the wrong approach that I'm giving my hard earned money to CNA. They have gotten things done, have fought and made real progress, and I hope everyone will consider looking at CNA at least as equally long as ANA. While ANA used to be good, I simply can't agree with their tactics anymore. They do not represent me.

Here is the CNA/NNOC/NNU website About Us Index Page