Are you a nurse looking for career advancement opportunities?
Professional nursing organizations play a pivotal role in advancing your career. They can also help you network and acquire skills and credentials that will serve to help you build your career. If you want to find out more about these professional organizations and what they do in healthcare, then you’re in the right place.
7 Benefits of joining nursing organizations
Why should you further your nursing education and join a nursing organization?
Despite their diverse specialties and different areas of focus, each of these organizations has some common characteristics that prove to be useful for nurses:
- Advocacy: These organizations advocate for nurses at different levels and influence health policy.
- Commitment to professionalism: All of these organizations maintain high standards of professionalism, integrity, and compassion. In addition, they emphasize ethical practices and the importance of emotional intelligence in nursing.
- Inclusivity: Most of these organizations are committed to demonstrating altruism and showing inclusivity.
- Innovation: These organizations also seek to innovate and adopt new technologies through evidence-based practices.
- Professional development: All these organizations are committed to promoting ongoing education and offering all kinds of resources so that nurses can be up-to-date with their skills.
- Networking: These organizations provide networking opportunities and create collaborative and supportive environments for nurses.
- Credentialing and certification: These organizations support credentialing processes, offering recognized certifications for the professional growth of nurses.
As you can see, membership in one or more of these organizations can be a great advantage for a nursing professional.
15 Nursing organizations for career advancement
Here is a list of professional organizations that offer professional development resources for nurses.
1. American Nurses Association (ANA)
The American Nurses Association is one of the most renowned nursing associations in the United States. It is dedicated to advancing the nursing profession and promoting high standards in nursing practice.
The ANA offers advocacy and education for nurses, as well as professional development resources. It is also committed to supporting ethical work environments. By joining, nurses have numerous benefits, including the following:
- Discounts and free continuing education courses
- Networking opportunities
- Access to publications
- Career and job resources
- Liability insurance and wellness programs
Certifications
The ANA also provides a wide range of certifications through its subsidiary organization, the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), including (but not limited to) the following:
- Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP-BC)
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP-BC)
- Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC)
- Ambulatory Care Nursing Certification (AMB-BC)
- Pain Management Nursing Certification (PMGT-BC)
- Cardiac Vascular Nursing Certification (CV-BC)
2. National League for Nursing (NLN)
The NLN is the premier organization for leaders in nursing education and nursing educators.
This organization promotes excellence in nursing education and gives its members access to teaching resources, research grants, and discounts on educational materials, among other benefits.
Certifications
This organization promotes the following nurse certifications:
- Certified Nurse Educator (CNE)
- Certified Academic Clinical Nurse Educator (CNEcl)
- Certified Academic Novice Nurse Educator (CNEn)
- Certified Academic Practical/Vocational Nurse Educator (CNEpv—pilot testing in 2025)
3. American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN)
The AACN is a nursing organization of nurses who care for critically ill patients. It provides resources, education, advocacy, and research to improve the practice of critical care nursing. Some benefits for members of this association include the following:
- Discounts on continuing education and sometimes free courses
- Leadership opportunities
- Access to evidence-based resources for nurses working with critically ill patients
Certifications
This association also offers several important certifications, including Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN) and Progressive Care Certified Nurse (PCCN).
4. American Association of Neuroscience Nurses (AANN)
The AANN supports nurses caring for patients with neurological problems. It provides advocacy, resources, and education to these nurses. Some of the benefits of being part of this association are:
- Access to education, publications, and advances on the subject of neuroscience
- Discounts on conferences and materials
- Networking with other nurses involved in neuroscience
Certifications
Some of the certifications offered by AANN include the Certified Neuroscience Registered Nurse (CNRN) and Stroke Certified Registered Nurse (SCRN). These certifications are a great advantage for registered nurses, as they demonstrate their expert knowledge of neuroscience and stroke care.
5. Emergency Nurses Association (ENA)
The Emergency Nurses Association is dedicated to supporting emergency nurses and improving and advancing the practice of emergency nursing. This association explores and advocates for emergency nurses and provides them with research and professional resources.
Certifications
The ENA does not offer certifications. However, it provides multiple online courses for continuing education, including a course specifically designed to prepare nurses for the Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN), which is offered through the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing.
6. National Association for Practical Nurse Education and Services (NAPNES)
The NAPNES is an association representing licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and licensed vocational nurses (LVNs). This association provides member LPNs and LVNs access to courses, workshops, educational materials published in the Journal of Practical Nursing, and certifications.
Certifications
This organization offers certifications that are highly sought after by LPNs and LVNs, such as IV Therapy Certification, Long-Term Care Certification, and Pharmacology Certification.
7. Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses (AMSN)
The AMSN is the largest specialty organization for medical-surgical nurses. It supports nurses with this specialty and primarily offers education and resources. It also offers networking opportunities and peer support.
Certifications
This organization offers the Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse (CMSRN) and the Certified Acute-Care Virtual Registered Nurse (CAVRN).
8. Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN)
The AWHONN is focused on improving and advancing the health of women and newborns, with an emphasis on supporting nurses in specialties such as:
- Neonatal nurses
- Obstetrical nurses
- Nurses working in women's health specialties
This association provides clinical and educational resources to nurses, as well as discounts on materials and conferences. It also provides advocacy for newborns and women's health.
Certifications
This organization does not offer any certifications. However, it does offer online courses, webinars, and interactive activities for continuing education.
The Inpatient Obstetric Nursing (RNC-OB) is only available through the National Certification Corporation.
9. National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP)
The NAPNAP seeks to improve the health of children through advocating for pediatric nurse practitioners.
This association provides education and resources to improve the pediatric care provided by pediatric nurse practitioners.
Certifications
This organization does not offer any certifications. Although it does have a learning platform, pedsCE, which is dedicated to online courses that provide contact hours.
10. American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL)
This association, formerly known as AONE, focuses on supporting nursing leaders as well as nursing executives. By being part of this association, you can access leadership resources and research for nurse executives.
Certifications
This association also offers certifications such as CNML (Certified Nurse Manager and Leader) and CENP (Certified in Executive Nursing Practice).
11. Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association (GAPNA)
The GAPNA enhances advanced practice for nurses caring for older adults. It provides, for example, access to resources and education focused on geriatrics. In addition, it offers advocacy and discounts on conferences and certifications.
Certifications
The GAPNA does not offer gerontological certification. However, its members receive a discount for the Gerontological Specialist - Certified (GS-C) administered by the Gerontology Nursing Certification Commission.
12. American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA)
APNA is an association dedicated to psychiatric-mental health nursing. It offers resources, education, and research for nurses in this field.
Some of the benefits of joining this association for nurses working in mental health are the following:
- Better access to mental health education and resources
- Professional development for nurses
- Leadership opportunities
- Networking with other mental health professionals
Certifications
This association does not administer certifications. However, it offers an online learning portal (APNA eLearning) with access to professional development content and courses, some of which offer free contact hours.
13. Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing (Sigma)
This association promotes different aspects of nursing, such as leadership, scholarship, and service. It is an association focused especially on high-achieving nurses.
By being part of this association, you gain access to the following benefits:
- Access to scholarships and grants
- Global networking
- Recognition for professional and/or academic excellence
- Access to research opportunities
Certifications
This association does not offer certifications. However, it does offer extensive professional development opportunities such as webinars, events, tools, research grants, and more.
14. Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN)
This association is dedicated to operating room (OR) nurses. AORN supports nurses who work before, during, and after a surgical procedure.
It provides education, resources, and support to perioperative nurses. By joining, you can access the best practices and guidelines in OR and continue your education through discounts on conferences and certifications for everything related to surgical procedures.
Certifications
This organization does not administer certification. However, it does offer a prep course for the highly regarded Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR) examination.
15. Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association (HPNA)
The HPNA supports the building of expertise in hospice and palliative care for nurses, nursing assistants, and social workers.
It supports advocacy and research initiatives and provides educational resources for its members through conferences, events, publications, courses, and discounts on the certifications administered through its credentialing partner, the Hospice and Palliative Credentialing Center (HPCC).
Certifications
Certifications are available for advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), RNs, LPNs/LVNs, nursing assistants, and social workers, including the following:
- Advanced Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse (ACHPN)
- Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse (CHPN)
- Certified Hospice and Palliative Licensed Nurse (CHPLN)
- Certified Hospice and Palliative Nursing Assistant (CHPNA)
How can I join a nursing organization?
As you can see, these nursing organizations offer many benefits to members. Eligibility requirements may vary, but will include active nurse licensure (although some allow student memberships).
Most have an online application form, which can be found on the website. Member fees may be monthly or yearly, depending on the organization.
Transform Your Nursing Career with Professional Organizations
Joining an association that aligns with your specialty can have a big impact on your nursing career. Access to networking events, educational resources, certifications, and credentials will help you grow professionally, thus opening doors to better jobs.
Start looking for better opportunities for your future and learn about other advantages that Nursa offers you as a nursing professional.
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