Whether you want to network, develop your skills further, or find new job opportunities, looking into different professional nursing organizations may be a good idea. These are typically organizations that allow licensed nurses to join for a membership fee, offering several resources in return.
If you’re working as a dermatology nurse or looking at jobs in the dermatology field, there’s a good chance that you’ve already heard of the Dermatology Nurses’ Association. It’s an incredible organization that can help advance your career, and in this post, we’ll go over everything you need to know about it.
What Is the Dermatology Nurses’ Association?
The Dermatology Nurses’ Association (DNA) is a professional organization for nurses in the dermatology specialty. It’s designed to offer value to dermatology nurses in different ways. It’s well respected and known for credible and up-to-date information and practices.
The Dermatology Nurse’s Association has created high-quality educational resources, including international conferences, its own journal, and prioritizing the support of dermatology research. They hold workshops for specialized tools or treatments, like phototherapy, to help nurses gain new skills even after leaving school.
The DNA also facilitates volunteer efforts, and they offer awards and scholarships for students. There are also nursing certifications available through the organization.
You can join the DNA as a member, and there are different membership types, which we’ll discuss in a minute.
What Is Included in a Dermatology Nurses’ Association Membership?
Paid memberships are available through the Dermatology Nurses’ Association. Membership benefits include the following:
- Educational programs for continued nursing education credentials, including symposia and workshops
- Online continued education opportunities, including review courses for exams
- Newsletters, which can include news about the DNA, educational opportunities, and developments and research in dermatology nursing
- Access to the bi-monthly DNA journal
- Discounts on certification exam applications
- Becoming eligible for awards, grants, and scholarships after two years of membership
- Access to SkinSAFE
- Hotel discounts through HotelStorm
Types of DNA Membership
Different types of memberships are available and include the following:
- Nurse members: These include licensed practical nurses or vocational nurses (LPNs or LVNs) and registered nurses (RNs). Membership is $85 annually.
- Nurse practitioner members: This membership is for those licensed to work as nurse practitioners (NPs). It includes the NP society and costs $135 annually.
- Associated members: This type of membership is for those in related healthcare fields but interested in dermatology care for patients (like physician assistants or medical assistants). They have all benefits except voting or office-holding abilities. This membership costs $75 annually.
- Student members: This membership is for those studying to be registered nurses. Membership is free for the first year with proof of student status, and it’s $25 annually after that.
- Corporate members: This membership includes organizations or individuals who support the DNA and want to serve in an advisory capacity to the DNA’s Board of Directors, though they do not get voting privileges or participation in DNA activities. Annual membership is $3,000.
- Lifetime members: These members retain all the benefits nurse members have without an annual fee. It is awarded to each past president of the DNA, even once they’re out of office.
Certifications Offered by the DNA
In addition to ongoing educational opportunities, the Dermatology Nurses’ Association also has certifications available. These certifications require you to sit for an exam demonstrating proficiency in up-to-date dermatology nursing practices. They can give you an incredible edge when you want to find a new job or negotiate a higher salary.
Two types of certifications are available, and both involve multiple-choice written questions.
Dermatology Nurse Certified (DNC)
The Dermatology Nurse Certified (DNC) certification will assess your skills as a dermatology nurse, including your ability to do the following:
- Assess and monitor patient health throughout their treatment process for dermatologic conditions
- Administer (or help administer) and monitor interventions, including medical, surgical, and phototherapeutic treatments
- Select strategies to meet the health promotion, cultural, and educational needs of patients and their families
- Coordinate safe and high-quality dermatology care
The DNC certification is valid for three years. To be eligible, you must fulfill the following criteria:
- Have a minimum of two years working in dermatology as an RN
- Have an unrestricted and current RN license in Canada or the United States
- Have a minimum of 2,000 hours of work experience as a dermatology nurse within the past two years, including in research, staff, teaching, or administrative capacities
Dermatology Certified Nurse Practitioner (DCNP)
The Dermatology Certified Nurse Practitioner (DCNP) certification is exclusively for nurse practitioners who want to validate their specialized knowledge. Many NPs find it valuable to receive specialty certification, as they do not go through extensive specialty residencies like doctors of medicine (MDs) or doctors of osteopathy (DOs). This certification can give them an edge when it comes to finding a job or gaining a patient’s trust.
To be eligible, you must meet the following criteria:
- Have current and unrestricted NP state licensure
- Have national certification as an NP
- Hold a Master’s degree in nursing
- Have a minimum of 3,000 hours of general dermatology practice within the past three years
Final Thoughts
If you want to work in dermatology nursing in any capacity, consider joining the Dermatology Nurses’ Association. The association is highly respected in the industry, and membership is exceptionally affordable, considering the perks it offers. There are plenty of invaluable opportunities here that can advance your career, which is always worth investing in.
