Question

Discuss how professional nursing organizations support the field of nursing and how they advocate for nursing practice. Explain the value professional nursing organizations have in advocacy and activism related to patient care.

Answer 1

Professional nursing organizations are organizations devoted to the personal and professional development of its nurse members and to the general advancement of the nursing profession.Professional development is a vital phase of lifelong learning in which nurses engage to develop and maintain competence, enhance professional nursing practice, and support the achievement of career goals.

The major ways in which professional nursing organizations support nursing include:

• Continuing education: Nursing professional organizations will offer continuing education that is pertinent to the area of practice of its members.
• Annual conventions: Many nursing organizations hold annual nursing conferences which bring together nurses from across the country, and sometimes around the world, to share education and best practices.
• Networking: As members of a professional association, nurses will have plenty of networking opportunities besides connecting with other health care professionals at national, state, or local conventions. They can have access to online chats or forums at the associations' Web site.
• Certification: Many professional organizations offer certification. Becoming certified demonstrates the commitment to excellence in nursi ngpractice.
• Targeted products and resources: Some nursing organizations offer members discounts on auto, life, and professional liability insurance and feature special credit card offers. Many nursing organizations offer members an official journal that may contain peer-reviewed clinical articles and research relevant to the specialty.
• Career assistance and development: An association's career center can provide information on job openings and opportunities when searching for a new job.Nursing organizations can be beneficial to all nurses because they help complete the connection between clinical practice and the outside factors that influence nursing. Joining one of these organizations can benefit clinical skills and also improve professional network and future career prospects.

• Advocacy:- Advocacy is the cornerstone of nursing – nurses advocate for patients, causes, and the profession. Each of the specialty organizations advocates for nurses as their organizational goals pertain to its members, specialty, and practice settings. Many specialty organizations, and their members, educate the public, policy makers, healthcare administrators, and professionals on specific issues related to nursing.Members and experts from nursing organizations work with U.S. Congress and the various state legislatures to inform and persuade legislators concerning the needs of nursing and the general public regarding healthcare issues and quality care.Goals of political advocacy include greater nurse involvement in providing access to care, influencing the cost and quality of care, determining the scope and authority of practice, and increasing and improving the healthcare workforce.

Professional nursing organizations provide the opportunity for nursing as a profession to influence nursing practice,nursing education,health policy and healthcare standards.When nurses unite ,they have a much stronger outlook and can facilitate a change for the better.