Both the World Health Organization and the American Nurse's Association have designated 2020 as the Year of the Nurse and Midwife on this 200th anniversary of Florence Nightingale's birth. Professional nursing organizations (PNOs) play a critical role in maximizing the influence of our nursing profession on health systems and policy, through support of patient safety, the socioeconomic welfare of nurses, and professional practice.1

While individual nurses may be constrained by politics within their individual institutions, PNOs provide a collective voice committed to the interests of their members.2 Nurses have cited continuing education as the primary reason for joining a PNO, followed by improvement of the profession.3 Professional organizations provide a variety of networking opportunities and educational resources. They advocate to advance nursing practice and to improve the health of populations, communities, and individuals.2 Membership dues are primarily earmarked to support paid association management staff to carry out day-to-day operations; therefore, many of the products produced by PNOs is achieved through member volunteers.

The value of PNOs has been underscored during the coronavirus epidemic. Many PNOs were quick to respond to various nursing, health, and public policy issues, including the safety and well-being of nurses, procurement of medical supplies, care of marginalized populations, and advocacy for emergency funding and support programs.1 The Wound, Ostomy & Continence Nurses Society (WOCN Society) responded with multiple timely resources.

As many of my colleagues and I contemplate retirement, we look forward to younger generations continuing our work and sustain our specialty practice community. Young professionals growing up during 9/11 and the great recession were raised in an era where hard work and best efforts do not guarantee success, so they are more cautious with their time and money.2 They are also the first generation to experience their entire life with the ability to access information instantly; they do not necessarily value the resources traditionally provided by PNOs.2 Add in the challenges of juggling a career and raising a family, and few nurses are jumping at the opportunity to volunteer their time. Nevertheless, I assert that the unique professional experience and perspective of members are essential in driving practice and informing policy development.4

My journey with the WOCN Society began with a simple request to represent the home health agency with a grassroots effort by our state home care association to develop an infection surveillance program for home care. A presentation of our work involving catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) at a WOCN Society National Conference resulted in an invitation to join the Continence Clinical Practice Sub-Committee. In succession, I then served on the National Conference Planning Committee, as a board member of the Center for Clinical Investigations, on the Nominating Committee, and most recently a JWOCN Section Editor. My active participation with our Kansas City WOCN Affiliate has included various officer positions, a collaborative research project,5 and our affiliate offering the Wound Treatment Associate Program to hundreds of local participants. These volunteer activities led to tremendous opportunities to attend meetings at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institutes of Health. In addition to the sense of professional accomplishment, I have developed lasting friendships with many colleagues across the country. Now, more than ever, we need bright, energetic young minds to continue the mission of the WOCN Society.

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