The role of a professional nursing organization is to “generate energy, create a flow of ideas, and maintain a healthy profession that advocates for the needs of its clients and nurses” (Merton, 2011, p. 50). The main goal of the nursing professionals is to care for the individuals who cannot take care of themselves in their respective societies. Nursing organizations help nurses to keep track of changes in their profession and also keep in touch with their peers. In some instances, nursing organizations can be used as platforms for professionals to garner the recognitions of their peers
There are various types of nursing organizations including the ones that operate based on professional specialty or geographical regions. An example of a nursing organization that provides its services across America is the American Nurses Organization (ANA). The ANA organization is based in Silver Springs, Maryland and its membership includes over three million registered nurses across the United States. The ANA is responsible for maintaining enviable standards in the nursing profession as well as advocating for the rights of professionals in the workplace (Masters, 2014). The International Council of Nurses (ICN) is a nursing organization that is based in Geneva, Switzerland and its main role is to represent the interests of more than one hundred and thirty organizations across the world.
There are several advantages of being a member of a nursing organization. First, members are able to benefit from the education that they receive through nursing organizations. Most nursing organizations assist their members to secure periodical or continuous education programs (Redman & Maraldo, 2005). Another benefit of belonging to a nursing organization is that members have the chance of networking with fellow professionals. Furthermore, some nursing organizations offer recognition to their members by offering them certification. Career assistance is another known benefit of membership in a nursing organization.
Currently, I do not belong to a nursing organization because my career is yet to achieve significant mileage. I am studying to earn considerable professional expertise that can enable me to become a fully-fledged registered nurse. It is my intention to enroll in a nursing organization as soon as I am done with my training.
The professional organization that interests me the most is the American Nurses Association (ANA). The ANA mostly interests me because it is an entry-level organization and it takes care of its members’ basic needs. Furthermore, the ANA is a well-networked organization that has affiliate networks in various departments of nursing. Consequently, the ANA is appropriate for those nurses who have not yet picked a specialty. The ANA does not deal with any complex issues concerning nursing. Therefore, an entry-level professional like me would not have any problems adjusting to the programs and schedules of the ANA. The mission statement of the ANA is; “nurses advancing our profession to improve health for all” (American Nurses Association, 2009). At the moment, this mission statement coincides with my simplistic career goals.
There are several ways of encouraging nurses to unite for collective power including ensuring that all nursing organizations are professionally structured and operated. Nursing organizations should also encourage voluntary membership to ensure that all their members are active participants in professional matters. Nurses should also be offered incentives for joining professional organizations. Furthermore, the benefits of nursing organizations should be outlined to potential members in a clear and coherent manner. Advocacy is also the best method of coercing nurses to join professional organizations.
References
American Nurses Association. (2009). Nursing administration: Scope and standards of practice. Washington, DC: Nursesbooks.
Masters, K. (2014). Role development in professional nursing practice. New York: Jones & Bartlett Publishers.
Merton, R. K. (2011). The functions of the professional association. American Journal of Nursing, 58(1), 50-54.
Redman, B. K. & Maraldo, P. J. (2005). The tricouncil for nursing: 15 years of fruitful cooperation. Nursing Outlook, 39(3), 128-131.