Examine the importance of professional associations in nursing. Choose a professional nursing organization that relates to your specialty area, or a specialty area in which you are interested. In a 750‐1,000 word paper, provide a detailed overview the organization and its advantages for members. Include the following:
- Describe the organization and its significance to nurses in the specialty area. Include its purpose, mission, and vision. Describe the overall benefits, or “perks,” of being a member.
- Explain why it is important for a nurse in this specialty field to network. Discuss how this organization creates networking opportunities for nurses.
- Discuss how the organization keeps its members informed of health care changes and changes to practice that affect the specialty area.
- Discuss opportunities for continuing education and professional development.
You are required to cite a minimum of three sources to complete this assignment. Sources must be appropriate for the assignment and relevant to nursing practice.
Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required.
This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. A link to the LopesWrite technical support articles is located in Class Resources if you need assistance.
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
Professional associations play a pivotal role in the nursing profession by providing a platform for nurses to connect, learn, and grow while advocating for the nursing profession’s best interests. The purpose of this paper is to examine the significance of professional associations in nursing by describing a specific nursing association’s importance to its members. This paper will focus on the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN), its purpose, mission, benefits, and its advantages for members in the specialty area of critical-care nursing. Additionally, this paper will discuss the importance of networking and how the organization creates networking opportunities. Furthermore, it will address how the organization keeps its members informed of health care changes that affect their specialty area and highlight continuing education and professional development opportunities.
1. Describe the organization and its significance to nurses in the specialty area. Include its purpose, mission, and vision. Describe the overall benefits, or “perks,” of being a member.
The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses is a professional nursing organization that is focused on improving the care of critically ill patients and their families. AACN’s purpose is to promote excellence in critical-care nursing through education, research, and advocacy. Its mission is to provide its members with the knowledge and resources necessary to provide optimal care to critically ill patients and their families. AACN’s vision is to create a world where critically ill patients and their families receive exceptional care from a specialized group of highly trained nurses.
There are several overall benefits of being an AACN member. First, members have access to AACN’s vast resources, such as its clinical practice guidelines, research grants, and educational offerings. Members also receive discounts on certification exams, conferences, and educational materials. Additionally, AACN members have access to a network of like-minded professionals who are passionate about critical-care nursing and the provision of quality patient care.
2. Explain why it is important for a nurse in this specialty field to network. Discuss how this organization creates networking opportunities for nurses.
Networking is essential for nurses in all specialty fields because it allows them to connect with others who share similar goals and passions. For nurses in the critical-care specialty area, networking can provide opportunities for collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and professional growth. AACN recognizes the importance of networking and provides several opportunities for its members to connect and learn from one another.
One way AACN creates networking opportunities is through its local and national conferences. These conferences attract critical-care nurses from all over the country and provide a platform for attendees to meet and discuss their experiences, challenges, and successes. The organization also sponsors various online communities and social media groups that allow members to connect and exchange information and insights.
3. Discuss how the organization keeps its members informed of health care changes and changes to practice that affect the specialty area.
AACN keeps its members informed of health care changes and changes to practice that affect the critical-care specialty area through various means. One of the most prominent ways is through its online and print publications. AACN’s Critical Care Newsline and AACN Bold Voices podcasts are regularly updated with the latest health care news and changes in practice. Additionally, AACN’s peer-reviewed journals, American Journal of Critical Care and Critical Care Nurse, publish articles that address current issues and best practices in critical-care nursing.
Moreover, AACN offers several webinars and online courses that provide continuing education and updated information related to critical-care nursing practice. AACN’s clinical practice resources, including its clinical practice guidelines, practice alerts, and standards, provide evidence-based guidance on the latest practices and recommendations for critical-care nursing.
4. Discuss opportunities for continuing education and professional development.
AACN provides numerous opportunities for continuing education and professional development. The organization offers several certification exams, including the nationally recognized Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN) certification exam. AACN also provides numerous educational courses and online offerings that focus on advanced practice in critical-care nursing, such as the AACN Advanced Practice Institute.
AACN’s leadership development programs, including the Clinical Scene Investigator (CSI) Academy and the Leadership for Patient Care Management Program, offer opportunities for nurses to develop and hone their leadership skills. Additionally, AACN provides research grants and scholarships to support its members’ continued professional development.
Conclusion:
Professional associations like AACN are integral to the nursing profession’s growth and development. AACN provides its members with numerous benefits, including access to resources and networking opportunities, educational and professional development resources, and information on health care changes and changes to critical-care nursing practice. By supporting its members’ continued growth and development, AACN helps to ensure that the highest standards of critical-care nursing practice are consistently upheld.
