Professional Association Membership

Professional Association Membership

Grand Canyon University NUR 430V

Professional Association Membership

There are so many different nursing organizations due to this profession being such a broad field of learning. A professional organization that is interesting is the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN). The AACN has a specific mission and vision. The Association also explains benefits and opportunities that a nurse may take advantage of by being a member. There are many different networking opportunities that this organization includes, such as keeping nurses informed on current critical care fields.

Vision & Mission of AACN

Out of many different nurse specialty organizations, the AACN is one of the largest in the world. This organization is 100% non-profit and it also focuses on a support system for nurses so they can provide the best patient care possible. The AACN mission statement states, “patients and their families rely on nurses at the most vulnerable times of their lives. Acute and critical care nurses rely on AACN for expert knowledge and the influence to fulfill their promise to patients and their families. AACN drives excellence because nothing less is acceptable” (AACN, 2018). The organization’s vision states, “to create a health care system driven by patients and families were acute and critical care nurses make their contributions” (AACN, 2018).

The AACN includes a few values that make their vision and mission stand out. This includes accountability, leadership, innovation and collaboration. Accountability is one of the most important parts of nursing practice and making patient relationships. Next is leadership, it is important to make sure our nurses are continuing lifelong learning and critical thinking (AACN, 2018). With an ever-growing nursing field, innovation is a very important value. With advancements in the profession this value will continue from present into the future and grow tremendously. Lastly, another important AACN value is collaboration. Nurses collaborate with patients and other health care professionals in order to provide the best patient care.

Networking, Benefits, and Educational Opportunities

The AACN holds a conference called the National Teaching Institute and Critical Care Exposition. This is a great educational opportunity for nurses to learn about new EBP solutions to apply at patient bedside. In addition, the NTI will cover 37 continuing education hours that also helps nurses’ network. If nurses prefer smaller conferences, the AACN also offers the Midwest conference. This conference encourages nurses to continue education and to learn current conditions such as sepsis, CHF and stroke in a deeper perspective.

Nurses can also go on the AACN website and find free ongoing education activities that count as one credit. By having hundreds of educational activities for free on their website, members can reap the benefit of online learning. They AACN also holds webinars for continuing education credits as well. “These educational session offer knowledge and tools to enhance patient outcomes and are available live or on demand” (AACN, 2018). “In addition to helping grow your professional network and making lifelong friends, attending conferences can also give nurses a chance to break away from the stress of their everyday work” (American Nurse Association, 2015).

One of the most beneficial educational opportunities that AACN offers is a scholarship program. This scholarship is only offered to AACN members. With a low yearly fee of $78 there are many advantages of becoming an AACN member. There are many other opportunities such as grants, awards and scholarly journal articles that nurses can access.

Keeping up with Healthcare

On the AACN website nurses can find a tab, “Newsroom”, this provides the latest news in health care and it is all up to date and backed up by scholarly sources. There are over 200 news articles that are specifically aimed towards critical care and health care. It is important that nurses keep up to date with changes in the nursing profession and in evidence-based practice in order to apply care to their patients and keep collaboration positive. The AACN provides conferences and seminars that benefit all nurses. The AACN proves to be an amazing organization that can offer great benefits, networking and educational opportunities to critical care nurses. Many member nurses have also had job opportunities by being able to connect with the AACN. By becoming a member of the AACN nurses from all over the world can connect with each other in this specific field and collaborate from all different learning perspectives. This organization is a very welcoming environment and allows nurses to see things in the healthcare field that could be the next big stigma.

References

AACN. (2018). American Association of Critical Care Nurses. Retrieved from https://www.aacn.org/

American Nurse Association. (2015). Professional Networking for Nurses. Retrieved from https://www.nursingworld.org/resources/individual/networking/