How can you get involved in Nursing professional organizations?

1 Identify your interests and goals

Before you start searching for a nursing professional organization, you should have a clear idea of what you want to gain from your membership. Do you want to learn new skills, advance your career, or specialize in a certain area of nursing? Do you want to connect with other nurses who share your passion, values, or challenges? Do you want to influence health policy, practice standards, or public health issues? Knowing your interests and goals will help you narrow down your options and choose an organization that aligns with your vision and needs.

2 Research different organizations

There are many nursing professional organizations to choose from, depending on your specialty, location, education level, or role. Some examples are the American Nurses Association (ANA), the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN), the Emergency Nurses Association (ENA), the National League for Nursing (NLN), and the American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL). You can use online directories, databases, or search engines to find organizations that match your criteria. You can also ask your colleagues, mentors, or instructors for recommendations or referrals.

3 Compare the benefits and costs

Once you have a list of potential organizations, you should compare the benefits and costs of each one. Nursing professional organizations may offer access to educational resources, discounts on professional development opportunities, networking and mentoring opportunities, recognition and awards for achievements, advocacy and representation for your profession, and volunteer and leadership opportunities. However, you should also consider the membership fees, travel and accommodation expenses, and the time and commitment required for participating in activities or projects. Weighing the benefits and costs of each organization will help you decide which one offers the most value and relevance for you.

4 Apply for membership

After you have chosen the organization that suits you best, you can apply for membership online or by mail. You will need to provide some personal and professional information, such as your name, contact details, education, license, certification, or employment. You will also need to pay the membership fee, which may be annual, biennial, or monthly. Some organizations may have additional requirements or criteria for membership, such as references, endorsements, or essays. You should follow the instructions and guidelines carefully and submit your application before the deadline.

5 Engage with the organization

As a member of a nursing professional organization, you should take advantage of the opportunities it provides. You can do this by reading and subscribing to the organization's publications and communications, attending and contributing to events and meetings, joining and participating in committees or special interest groups, offering mentorship and feedback to other members, applying for awards and scholarships, and volunteering or leading initiatives and campaigns. All these activities will help you enrich your professional and personal growth, expand your network and influence, and support your profession and patients.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?