Professional organizations and their role in career development

Nursing Organizations

One of the important changes in nursing is a result of national nursing organizations influencing public policy development. Nurses, being 'in the trenches' of America's healthcare, are not only aware, but uniquely qualified to make appropriate recommendations in national policy. It is the nursing organization's role to analyze, lobby, and disseminate information to move healthcare policy forward; not only to satisfy its member nurses, but the advocating of healthcare principles as a whole. There are clearly numerous external forces driving healthcare policy -- not all of them appropriate for the improvement of patient care. However, the nursing organizations as a whole tend to use collaborative efforts to influence policy and change public views on certain aspects of modern healthcare. For instance, the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists uses a core agenda to drive health care policy with the clinical setting; the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses takes its structure from a local level all the way to government lobbying. These, and numerous other nursing associations, including the Oncological Nursing Society, have had numerous successes, particularly with influencing healthcare attitudes towards pain management. This model, adopted in many ways with nurses who deal with the disenfranchised, shows how grass roots efforts can extend into the top levels of the healthcare process (Mason, et.al. 2007, pp. 646-51). For the purposes of this essay, however, we will focus on three organizations that are vital parts of a nurse's career, both in terms of advancement and continuing educational opportunities: The Emergency Nurses Association, The American College of Nurse-Midwives, and the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists.

The Emergency Nurses Association- This organization is multidimensional, and set up for anyone involved in triage or emergency medical situations. They publish the Journal of Emergency Nursing, the ENA Connection, host an annual conference, publish a number of resources, and provides additional continuing nursing education. This continuing education is provided through the ENA Injury Prevention Institution, Trauma Nursing Core Course, Emergency Nursing Pediatric Courses, Course in Advance Trauma Nursing, and Standards of Emergency Nursing Practice. They have a Foundation that enhances emergency health care services through promotion and support of research education in areas of public need. Through the ENA one is able to become certified as a CEN (Certified Emergency Nurse), CFRN (Certified Flight Registered Nurse), both through the nationally recognized Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (About ENA, 2010).

The Vision Statement for the association states that the "ENA is indispensable to the global emergency nursing community" and will "advocate for patient safety and excellence during emergency nursing practice." Their Code of Ethics is very close to Jean Watson's model (advocacy, expertise, excellent care), but also includes an extra public health option (Ibid;

The American College of Nurse-Midwives -- Founded in 1929, the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) is one of the oldest professional organizations for nurses. It represents Certified Nurse-Midwives and Certified Midwives in the United States and provides research, continuing education, Best Practice standards, and creates advocacy groups and liaisons with state and federal agencies. Essentially, the ACNM is dedicated to promoting the health of women and infants through the continual development of high standards and practices revolving around pregnancy, birth, and post-natal care. They believe every individual has the right to safe, satisfying health care without regard to issues of diversity. The ACNM does publish the Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health, manages the ACNM Foundation, and provides professional networking through an online discussion group, regional and national meetings, and guidance for those who wish to pursue a career in midwifery (About the ACNM, 2010).

The National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists - The NACNS was founded in 1995, specifically to enhance and promote the unique and high-value contributions that clinical nurses make to the health and well-being of individuals, families, groups, and communities in their particular branch of healthcare. They also have a foundation, scholarship programs, a journal and discussion portal, various levels of conferences, scholarship programs, honors and awards, and the ability for advanced certification. A Clinical Nurse Specialist is a licensed RN who has graduate preparation (MA or PhD) in nursing specifically as a Clinical Nurse Specialist. This field of healthcare goes beyond the duties of an LPN or RN, or even charge nurse, and deals with either advanced levels of clinical specialization, or broader, community and national health concerns. The field requires a rather significant academic bent, and the association is designed to support and enhance that paradigm focus (CNS - Who We Are and What We Do, 2010)

Conclusions- Modern nursing is a rewarding, but challenging, career choice. The modern nurse's role is not limited only to assist the doctor in procedures, however. Instead, the contemporary nursing professional takes on a partnership role with both the doctor and patient as advocate caregiver, teacher, researcher, counselor, and case manager. The caregiver role includes those activities that assist the client physically, mentally, and emotionally, while still preserving the client's dignity. In order for a nurse to be an effective caregiver, the patient must be treated in a holistic manner. Patient advocacy is another role that the modern nurse assumes when providing quality care. Advocacy is the active support of an important cause, supporting others, or speaking on behalf of those who cannot speak for themselves (Kozier, Erb, & Blais, 1997).