PROFESSIONAL NURSING ORGANIZATIONS provide many benefits, including valuable career development information, tool kits, educational opportunities, and even work-related discounts. Below are just a few of the many outstanding nursing organizations devoted to advancing the profession. Explore the websites below to learn more about their purpose and function.
American Academy of Nursing
http://www.aannet.org/home
More than 2,700 members, known as Fellows, belong to the American Academy of Nursing. Fellows must be formally invited and inducted after a rigorous application process. Fellowship is conferred on individuals who have demonstrated outstanding professional achievement. They are then able to use the FAAN credential. As a group, the Fellows aim to advance health policy and practice based on strategies determined at the Academy's annual conference. More than 90% of Fellows hold doctoral degrees. Members work in all aspects of the nursing profession, including academia, state and federal government, nursing leadership, research, and consulting.
American Nurses Association (ANA)
http://www.nursingworld.org
The ANA aims to advance the nursing profession by improving practice standards and promoting safe work environments. ANA members have access to discounts, including savings on certifications and other educational resources. Downloadable fact sheets, tip cards, and tool kits designed to help nurses work with patients and colleagues are available online to all visitors, including nonmembers. Specialized information is available online for clinical nurses, advanced practice nurses, nurse managers, research nurses, students, and educators.
National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR)
http://www.ninr.nih.gov
This organization, one of 27 Institutes that comprise the National Institutes of Health, strives to improve health through clinical and basic research leading to improvements in nursing practice. NINR supports and conducts clinical and basic research and research training on health and illness issues. NINR training is available for nurses interested in becoming nurse scientists or participating in other career development courses. An events calendar lists training course dates and other special events.