Which nursing organization should I join?

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I am a fairly new nurse (graduated in Sept last year, and passed boards in Oct), and I am currently in a nurse residency program working as a Clinical Nurse RN on a step-down/telemetry unit. I just had my name placed on the wait list to get transferred to the ICU as soon as I can, because my ultimate goal is to work with trauma patients.

I am looking to join a nursing organization, and was wondering which one would be best for someone in my position, with my goals. I was thinking about the ANA, but didn't know if any other organization would be better. Eventually, I'll probably join more than one, but wanted to pick a good one to start with for now.

Any input/suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!

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Thanks. I am looking at the ANA website right now, and I have another question. I live in KS, and work in MO, and I have a 2-yr contract, so I will be working at least another 1-1/2 yrs in MO. I am looking for a PRN position on the KS side. Should I just pay for the MO full membership? Not sure what to do...

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ana, and its local state affiliate or whatever the best state nursing association is in your area. some of them have disaffiliated from ana for a number of reasons and are terrific.

any sort of specialty that you think might interest you -- joining them will get you their journals and it's a great way to have the specialty brought to your door.

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Specializes in Transplant/Surgical ICU.

AACN, you can't go wrong

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An answer from an admittedly biased source:

1. There are professional societies that focus almost entirely on the needs of one particular branch of nursing, sponsor clinical certifications and have a heavy clinical focus: AACN and AORN are typical examples.

2. There is the ANA which once was the voice for all RNs but has declined to the point where it is mostly a voice for management and academic RNs. Whenever the interests of management collide with those of the bedside nurse - things like staffing ratios - the ANA will reliably stand with management.

3. As mentioned, some of the state nurses associations have left the ANA and those tend to also be involved in collective bargaining - in other words, they are both unions and professional associations - and they tend to represent better the interests of the staff nurse. And they mostly do accept individual members, for those who don't work in a unionized workplace.

4. The NNU - National Nurses United - is an umbrella group comprising several of those that left the ANA. It is also a union, but I'm pretty sure it accepts individual members.

All those in 3 and 4 above tend to be more political in their interest than clinical - standing up for the rights of nurses and the safety of patients, but not with a specific clinical focus.

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Specializes in Flight, ER, Transport, ICU/Critical Care.

AACN.

Join, get involved and take advantage of the benefits of membership. Excellent investment - IMHO.

Good Luck!

:angel:

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