Professional Associations Membership Essay

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 7 Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not require


Read Chapter 5 in Dynamics in Nursing: Art and Science of Professional Practice.

URL:
https://www.gcumedia.com/digital-resources/grand-canyon-university/2018/dynamics-in-nursing_art-and-science-of-professional-practice_1e.php

Explore the Advocacy page of the American Nurses Association (ANA) website.

URL:
https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/advocacy/

Nursing associations are committed to the personal and professional development of members and the advancement of the nursing profession. Professional Associations Membership Essay. Membership in a professional nursing association is vital because the field of nursing is ever-changing. The paper provides a detailed overview of the Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association and its advantages for members.

A description of the organization and its significance to nurses in the specialty area

The Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association (PCNA) is a nursing association devoted to the prevention of cardiovascular diseases through assessing the risk for developing cardiovascular disease, facilitating individuals to change their lifestyles, and guiding people to attain treatment goals.  According to PCNA (2020a), PCNA is the leading association devoted to the prevention and management of cardiovascular diseases. Members of PCNA are nurse practitioners and nurses that assess risk, enhancing lifestyle changes, and guide people to attain treatment goals at universities, hospitals, and clinics across the United States.

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The mission of PCNA is to promote nurses as leaders in the prevention and management of cardiovascular disease across the lifespan. PCNA (2020a) asserts the present state of health has put demands on advanced practice nurses and nurses to play leadership roles in the identification and implementation of strategies to reduce cardiovascular risk.  Professional Associations Membership Essay. PCNA is devoted to supporting nurses to enable them to successfully rise to the challenge. The organization educates and supports nurses via patient education, development of professionals, advocacy, and leadership.

There are numerous benefits of being a member of a nursing association. According to Cline et al. (2019), membership in a professional nursing organization can enhance knowledge development and professional perspective, and personal growth.  Membership in a professional organization gives several benefits, including networking, certification and continuing education opportunities, the standard of practice, and publication opportunities. PCNA membership  benefits include access to PCNA’s membership directory, a subscription to the journal of cardiovascular nursing,  free patient education and clinical resources, membership/free pricing for online continuing education, access to PCNA scholarships, awards, fellowships and grants,  and discounted registration fees to the PCNA annual symposium

Why it is important for a nurse in cardiology to network

It is important for cardiovascular nurses to network because they require resources, skills, and knowledge that will enable them to act as leaders in cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular disease is a serious global health issue and cardiovascular nurses are at the front line in minimizing the global burden and improving outcomes in communities and individuals.  Harris (2017) indicates that membership in a professional organization is the best scheme for nurses to obtain information on healthcare legislation on time, to quickly network with other nurses, and influence public policy.  PCNA provides networking local networking events.

PCNA also has chapters across the country which is operated by local volunteers.  According to PCNA (2020b), chapters usually host one event in the fall and one in the spring. PCNA members, as well as non-members, attend chapter meetings and events. The chapters support cardiovascular professionals in their professional practice and growth by providing opportunities for networking and education.  APCNA aspires to reach and engage cardiovascular professionals and provide forums for sharing learning and grow in the knowledge of the prevention of cardiovascular disease. Professional Associations Membership Essay. By joining starting a chapter in your area, or joining a leadership team, a cardiovascular nurse will have the opportunity to work and network with other cardiovascular nurses in his/her area and build a support system

How PCNA keeps its members informed of health care changes and changes to practice that affects cardiovascular nursing

The healthcare field is ever-changing and nurses must be updated in their practice.   Staying informed is challenging because nurses work under tight schedules and they deal with heavy workloads.  Membership in a professional organization can assist nurses to stay up to date on health care changes and changes to practice that affects their specialty area. According to Faust (2019), almost every specialty has a professional organization that can help nurses to remain informed of the latest changes in practice. Professional organizations usually organize conferences in which influences share the latest advancements in health. PCNA keeps members informed through annual cardiovascular symposiums.  These symposiums feature lectures and keynote addresses present by world celebrated authorities in the reduction of cardiovascular risk and disease management.

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Opportunities for continuing education and professional development

Nursing professional development is a crucial stage of lifelong/ continuing education in which nurses engage in the development and maintenance of competence, enhancement of professional nursing practice, and supporting the attainment of career goals. PCNA believes that nurses are lifelong learners and they provide better patient care. That is why the organization is devoted to providing members with continuing education resources that nurses need to deliver evidence-based care in the swiftly-changing field of cardiovascular nursing. Professional Associations Membership Essay.

A nurse’s membership in PCNA is an investment into his or her professional development and advancement n cardiovascular disease management and prevention.  PCNA (2020c) asserts that the organization is devoted to offering opportunities for professional development and education, advocating for cardiovascular nursing, and propagating information on  delivery of cardiovascular care. PCNA offers free patient and clinical resources, including patient education booklets and tear sheets. PCNA also providers members with a bi-monthly subscription and  online access to the journal of cardiovascular nursing. APCNA has national, regional, and local education programs, webinars, and online education programs.

Conclusion

PCNA is a leading professional organization for PCNA is the leading association devoted to the prevention and management of cardiovascular diseases. Members of PCNA are nurse practitioners and nurses that assess risk, facilitate lifestyle changes, and guide people to attain treatment goals at universities, hospitals, and clinics across the United States. Joining PCNA has numerous benefits including continuing education and professional development opportunities, networking opportunities, PCNA scholarships, awards, fellowships and grants, and subscriptions to the journal of cardiovascular nursing.

References

PCNA. (2020a). About. https://pcna.net/about/

PCNA. (2020b). Chapter Listing. https://pcna.net/chapters/

PCNA. (2020c). Become a PCNA Member Today. https://pcna.net/member-center/join-pcna/

Cline, D., Curtin, K., & Johnston, P.A. (2019). Professional Organization Membership: The Benefits of Increasing Nursing Participation. Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing, 23(5), 543-546. doi: 10.1188/19.CJON.543-546.

Faust, T. (2019). How to Stay Current in Your Practice or Specialty. https://dailynurse.com/how-to-stay-current-in-your-practice-or-specialty/

Harirs, M. (2017). Benefits of Membership in Professional Organizations. Home Healthcare Now, 35(2), 129-130. Professional Associations Membership Essay.