NRS 430 Topic 5 Professional Associations Membership

NRS 430 Topic 5 Professional Associations Membership

NRS 430 Topic 5 Professional Associations Membership

Professional organizations play an important role in the development of advanced practice nurses. Advanced practice nurses utilize them as platforms for advancing their knowledge and skills in practice and networking purposes. Often, advanced practice nurses belong to professional associations that align with their areas of specialization. Therefore, this paper explores a professional association that I may belong to in the future as a specialist in geriatrics nursing.

Organizational Description

I am interested in the Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association (GAPNA). GAPNA is a professional organization formed to represent advanced practice nurses, researchers, clinicians, and educators’ interests. It advocates the interests of healthcare providers involved in advancing and practice of caring for the elderly. GAPNA provides healthcare providers in elderly care and practice, opportunities for research, leadership, education, networking, advocacy, and advancement of evidence-based care. The mission of the association is to promote excellence in advanced practice nursing for the health and wellbeing of the elderly. Its vision is to continue being trusted leaders for the expert care for the elderly. The goals of the association include advocating quality care for the elderly, promoting professional development, offering continuing gerontological education, and educating the population about issues related to aging. GAPNA members enjoy several benefits from the association (gapna.org, n.d.-a). They include the ability to network with other professionals, continuing education, information about evidence-based practice, and enhanced involvement activities that advance the care of the elderly.

Importance of Networking

Geriatric nurse specialists should network for several reasons. First, networking informs geriatric nurse specialists about new practices and developments in the care of the elderly. They learn about evidence-based interventions that optimize care outcomes of elderly patients, which can be used in their settings. Networking also informs geriatric nurses about transformations in their practice and their expected roles. For example, geriatric nurses learn about advances in geriatrics, new researches, and practice recommendations for their career advancement. Consequently, networking acts as an opportunity for personal and professional development for geriatric nurses (Rizany et al., 2018). Lastly, networking provides opportunities for spreading and promoting continuous improvement in healthcare. By connecting with other specialists in geriatrics, advanced practice nurses develop better insights into clinical pathways that can be adopted to drive sustained and continuous improvement in the safety, quality, and efficiency of elderly care. GAPNA creates networking opportunities for its members through scientific conferences. It organizes scientific conferences where members share information about evidence-based practices and guidelines for use in elderly care(gapna.org, n.d.-a). Members use the conferences to advance their knowledge in various issues affecting elderly care such as advocacy, research, education, and evidence-based practice.

How it Keeps Members Informed

GAPNA ensures that its members remain informed about health care changes and changes to practice that affects geriatrics. One of the ways it achieves this objective is through scientific conferences. It uses scientific conferences to inform its members about practice changes they should incorporate into patient care. The organization also publishes evidence-based information about practice changes. For example, it publishes current guidelines for geriatrics on its website to enable access to its members. It also supports inter-professional collaboration initiatives that enhance the competencies of the providers in elderly care(Kaya &Boz, 2019). GAPNA also has online resources accessed through its library for use by its members in learning about new practice changes. There is also the development of toolkits for new practice recommendations. Toolkits guide its members in implementing new changes in geriatric care, hence, standardized care. The last way in which GAPNA keeps its members informed about health care changes and changes to practice that affects elderly care is through social media (gapna.org, n.d.-a). It uses social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter to inform its members about practice changes affecting their practice and patient care.

Opportunities for Continuing Education and Professional Development

Continuing education and professional development are important for geriatric nurses. GAPNA provides several opportunities for continuing education and professional development for its members. One of the ways is ensuring access to continuing education and professional development opportunities such as conferences to its members. GAPNA members have access to annual and pharmacology conferences that enhance their knowledge and skills in optimizing care outcomes in elderly care. Members also have access to an online library that enables them to obtain current, evidence-based information about geriatrics(gapna.org, n.d.-b). The organization also has a clinical advisor program where members get information about career paths they can explore to achieve their desired professional development goals.

Conclusion

Professional organizations play an important role in nursing practice. They provide opportunities for personal and professional development for nurses. GAPNA is an example of a professional association that I will belong in the future. It advances the education, practice, research, and advocacy of healthcare providers involved in elderly care. It also provides its members’ opportunities for continuing educational and professional development. Therefore, I believe that its membership will enable me to achieve my personal and professional goals as a geriatric nurse.

NRS 430 Topic 5 Professional Associations Membership References

gapna.org. (n.d.-a).About | Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association (GAPNA). Retrieved January 12, 2022, from https://www.gapna.org/about

gapna.org. (n.d.-b).Geriatric Nursing Journal | Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association (GAPNA). Retrieved January 12, 2022, from https://www.gapna.org/publications/geriatric-nursing-journal

Kaya, A., &Boz, İ. (2019).The development of the Professional Values Model in Nursing.Nursing Ethics, 26(3), 914–923. https://doi.org/10.1177/0969733017730685

Rizany, I., Hariyati, R. T. S., &Handayani, H. (2018).Factors that affect the development of nurses’ competencies: A systematic review.EnfermeríaClínica, 28, 154–157. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1130-8621(18)30057-3

Examine the importance of professional associations in nursing. Choose a professional nursing organization that relates to your specialty area, or a specialty area in which you are interested. In a 750?1,000 word paper, provide a detailed overview the organization and its advantages for members. Include the following:

Describe the organization and its significance to nurses in the specialty area. Include its purpose, mission, and vision. Describe the overall benefits, or “perks,” of being a member.
Explain why it is important for a nurse in this specialty field to network. Discuss how this organization creates networking opportunities for nurses.
Discuss how the organization keeps its members informed of health care changes and changes to practice that affect the specialty area.
Discuss opportunities for continuing education and professional development.

Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required.
This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. Refer to the LopesWrite Technical Support articles for assistance.

 

Click here to ORDER an A++ paper from our Verified MASTERS and DOCTORATE WRITERS: NRS 430 Topic 5 Professional Associations Membership

 

Professional nursing organizations and associations are a critical part in the creation and development of energy, seamless flow of ideas and proactive work aimed at maintaining a healthy profession with the duty to advocate for nurses’ need, clients and attainment of trust. Professional nursing associations help members to get the best resources and career progression opportunities to offer quality patient care (Chiu et al., 2020). Through these associations, nurses get the chance to influence policies that impact the nursing profession at both state and national levels as well as quality care for patients. The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of professional associations in nursing and the benefits that they offer to members with a focus on the American Nurses Association.

American Nurses Association (ANA): Mission, Vision & Benefits to Members

The American Nurses Association (ANA) is a professional organization that represents close to 4 million nurses in the country with different specialties. The association is an umbrella professional entity where there is direct membership, affiliate organizations and partner specialty nursing organizations. Founded in 1896, the ANA is a leader in advocacy efforts to improve the quality of care for all.  ANA serves its purpose through its mission of “nurses advancing the profession to enhance health for all people.” The main goals of the association include promotion of ethical as safe work environments, supporting improvement and bolstering high practice standards for nurses, and fostering wellness and welfare of nurses as well as advocacy efforts on healthcare issues that impact both the public and nurses.

Nurses joining ANA enjoy many perks and benefits that comprise of the opportunity for one to advance their career, being informed about the up-to-date aspects of the profession, saving money, and networking with others as well as connections to other professional nurses (Schmidt & McArthur, 2018). Through ANA, nurses make their voices heard. The association also offers opportunities for members to advance their careers through access to educational materials, attendance of free webinars and attaining certification at a discounted fee and learning more about the profession. The ANA also nurture leadership skills and helps nurses find their dream jobs through its career center (ANA, 2022). Nurses also get a chance to know the current trends in nursing practice using a host of resources that include the association’s monthly journals, and other scholarly journals and CINAHL database. The association also ensures that its membership saves money by enjoying discounts on various insurance packages, financial plans and student loans, and purchasing of books from its library.

Significance of Networking for Nurses

Networking is a critical part of professional nurses; both registered nurses (RNs) and advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) as it offers a host of benefits that include an opportunity to gain insight into the transformation in nursing and new trends backed by research studies in the profession. Developing professional networks provides registered nurses with the chance to advance their careers, meet colleagues and share diverse perspectives and experiences in patient care management with the aim of improving care provision. Professional networking offers nurses the chance to find professional advice, resources to help them make informed career decisions and choices (Corless et al., 2018). The implication is that networking is a critical component of effective nursing care for nurses and other healthcare professionals or providers. Networking allows nurses to meet new colleagues who may motivate and inspire them to develop innovative approaches to care provision.

The American Nurses Association is an important organization in the nursing profession and creates networking opportunities in different ways. These include having conferences where nurses connect with both experts and peers with the aim of translating new ideas and evidence into practice solutions. For instance, ANA conducts and yearly quality and innovation conference and its annual conference that gives members the chance to explore new trends and practices in care delivery. Further, through its website and webinars, the association allows nurses to interact and develop new approaches to care delivery for better patient outcomes (ANA, 2022). ANA advocates for policy change and offers an opportunity for nurses to interact with different experts and policymakers where they can network and gain more insight on the policy making and legislation processes.

Keeping Members Informed of Changes in Health Care and Nursing Practice

The professional organization values an informed and up-to-date membership. Therefore, the ANA ensures that its members are informed of the changes and issues that may impact care delivery through newsletter and bulletins. The organization also leverage the increased access and availability of online platforms through advanced technologies by using social media channels like YouTube, Facebook and Twitter to ensure that its members are well informed (Copeland, 2021). More fundamentally, the association works with other stakeholders at both state and national level on nursing and healthcare research to inform members of new practices and delivery models. The organization publishes research findings on different issues that impact nursing and values use of models like evidence-based practice (EBP) interventions for nurses to improve overall quality of care.

Opportunities for Continuing Education and Professional Development

The American Nurses Association advocates for career progression and professional development for its members, irrespective of their specialty. Therefore, the organization offers opportunities for one to continue with their advanced education and professional development through offering resources like nursing books, research findings in its journals, and collaborating with nursing schools to improve the nursing curriculum (Copeland, 2021). The ANA also publishes books on different nursing topics which underscores the various ethics and practices for effective nursing care (ANA, 2022). The organization also offer nurses scholarships to empower them to thrive in a more professional manner.

Conclusion

Professional nursing organizations are a core component of nursing and quality care delivery for patients and health populations. The American Nurses Association (ANA) is a professional nursing entity that offers increased opportunities for its members to develop professionally and offer quality care to patients. The organization provides many benefits to its members and provides opportunities for career and professional development as well as advocates for the nursing profession.

NRS 430 Topic 5 Professional Associations Membership References

American Nurses Association (ANA) (2022). About Us.

https://www.nursingworld.org/foundation/about-fnd/

Chiu, P., Duncan, S., & Whyte, N. (2020). Charting a research agenda for the advancement of

nursing organizations’ influence on health systems and policy. Canadian Journal of Nursing Research, 52(3), 185-193. DOI: 10.1177/0844562120928794.

Corless, I. B., Nardi, D., Milstead, J. A., Larson, E., Nokes, K. M., Orsega, S., … & Woith, W.

(2018). Expanding nursing’s role in responding to global pandemics. Nursing outlook, 66(4), 412-415. DOI: 10.1016/j.outlook.2018.06.003

Copeland, D. (2021). A critical analysis of the American Nurses Association Position Statement

on Workplace Violence: ethical implications. Advances in Nursing Science, 44(2), E49-E64. DOI: 10.1097/ANS.0000000000000345.

Schmidt, B. J., & McArthur, E. C. (2018, January). Professional nursing values: A concept

            analysis. Nursing forum, 53(1): 69-75. DOI: 10.1111/nuf.12211.

 

Nice post. For the position of a nurse, advocacy is as relevant as any other part of nursing care. Nurses are in the best place to function as patient advocate, as they interact with patients more than any other healthcare professional. Nurses gain a close and special knowledge of the desires and recovery goals of patients and families during the period they share with patients. As such, it is important to relay these wishes to other members of the interdisciplinary teams. Advocating for patient needs not only improves patient satisfaction but also patient outcomes. Fundamentally, nurses’ primary role in patient advocacy is to act as a cheerleader, confidante, friend, partner, and supporter for a particular patient (Kalaitzidis & Jewell, 2020).