NRS 430 Discuss how professional nursing organizations support the field of nursing and how they advocate for nursing practice

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.

The ANA states that “Organizations and associations in nursing are critical for generating the energy, flow of ideas, and proactive work needed to maintain a healthy profession that advocates for the needs of its clients and nurses, and the trust of society. People have a tendency to congregate, talk among themselves, and advocate for their causes. This has certainly occurred in nursing as evidenced by the breadth and depth of the various nursing groups that seek to enhance the work of nurses generally and in their specialty areas (2020, p. 2). There are over a hundred national nursing associations and organizations. The List of Nursing Organizations website, maintains a web-based list of organizations to name a few there are: Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses, Academy of Neonatal Nursing, American College of Nurse Practitioners, Advanced Practice Nurses of the Ozarks, Association of Pediatric Oncology, etc. These organizations support the interest of nurses who practice in specific clinical environments. As an example,The Association of Pediatric Oncology Nurses (APHON) supports nurses and their practice in order to optimize outcomes for children, adolescents, and young adults with cancer and blood disorders and their families. Nursing Organizations may very well be the foundation of professional development. The ANA says “When you are a member in a nursing organization this unites you with your peers. When nurses unite they have a stronger voice in the political arena on local, state and national level (2015, p.1).

I appreciate your post and thoughtful points. Nurses should have a voice in politics because we are in the trenches and since we are firsthand witnesses have the best voice to not only policies that will affect nursing and healthcare but also to patient care. Haidrani (2017) interviewed a nurse practitioner who has been involved in policy making changes and she reports that it not only has increased the vision of nurses but has expanded her view as well. True initially when entering into this foreign world of politics it may seem difficult but there is no better way to learn than to get into the thick of it. Nurses have a duty to advocate for patients and nurses (and healthcare) alike.

Changes in health care occur daily being a member in a professional nursing organization “provides nurses with continuing education, certification opportunities, role-related competencies and educational conferences”(AMN,2015). To fulfill their mission, nursing organizations further the development of nursing standard of practice, expand the body of knowledge through research and evidence based practice and promote nurses’s general welfare in the workplace. As we can see there are many advantages when you are a member of a nursing organization, nurses should be active in the organizations so that this way we can advocate for our patients and improve the health of our communities.

References

American Nurses Association [ANA]. (2015). ANA President Pamela F. Cipriano, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, Responds to Comments on ABC’s “The View” [Press release]. Retrieved from http://www.nursingworld.org/FunctionalMenuCategories/MediaResources/PressReleases/ANA-President-Cipriano-Responds-to-Comments-on-ABCs-The-View.html

American Nursing Association. Role of Professional Organizations in Advocating for the Nursing Profession. Retrieved from http://ojin.nursingworld.org/MainMenuCategories/ANAMarketplace/ANAPeriodicals/OJIN/TableofContents/Vol-17-2012/No1-Jan-2012/Professional-Organizations-and-Advocating.html

AMN Healthcare, Inc. Nursing Organizations: The Role they Play in Professional Development. Retrieved from https://www.rn.com/nursing-organizations-the-role-they-play-in-professional-development/

Association of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nurses. Retrieved from https://aphon.org/about-us/association-pediatric-hematology-oncology-nurses

RESPOND

Monica, I concur with that professional nursing associations play a vital role of generating the energy, flow of ideas, and proactive work required to maintain a robust profession that champions for the needs of patients, nurses, and the larger society. Moreover, the organizations provide a platform that brings nurses together to advocate for their causes (Debbie Cline, Kimberly Curtin & CEN, 2019). That is, the membership to the nursing organizations unites nurses to have strong voice in the policy and political issues at local, state, and national levels. Essentially, every nurse should strive to join these organizations due to massive benefits that the organizations have in influencing nursing profession and improving of the patients outcomes. Benefits joining nursing organizations include promotion of continuous professional development is critical in ensuring that nurses maintain competency, support provision of evidence-based practices, foster professional nursing practice, and support realization of career goals (Echevarria, 2018). Moreover, health care system is ever-changing. As such, nursing organizations equip nurses with competencies and skills to face the changes.

ALSO READ: NRS 430 Discuss the importance of advocacy as it pertains to patient care

References

Debbie Cline, D. N. P., Kimberly Curtin, D. N. P., & CEN, C. (2019). Professional Organization Membership. Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing, 23(5), 543-546.

Echevarria, I. M. (2018). Make connections by joining a professional nursing organization. Nursing2019, 48(12), 35-38.

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Re: Topic 5 DQ 1

Professional nursing organizations support the field of nursing via professional development of lifelong learning and assistance and

enhancement of professional nursing practice (ANA 2010). Members of nursing organizations such as the ANA and the National League for nursing allow them to gain a broad focus of support in nursing and enhancing nurses knowledge in the field. On the other hand “the organizations like the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN), the Society of Pediatric Nurses, the National Association of Orthopedic Nurses among others are focused on disease processes (diabetes, renal, cardiac), healthcare settings (hospital, clinic, surgical), age (pediatric, geriatrics), or advanced practice (Clinical Nurse Specialists, Nurse Executives, Nurse Educators” (Matthews, 2012). These nursing organizations help with professional development as part of the organization’s benefits. Being part of the organizations simply unite them with other nurses and helps them join together on a higher level. The nurses can unite on causes and their voice is heard on a state and national level (Matthews, 2012). Nurses must continue their education and achieve this by being part of the nursing organizations. In conclusion, nurses that are part of the nursing organizations help them network with others in their specialty, their voice is stronger collectively and enables them to stay up to date on evidence-based practice and changes.

References

American Nurses Association [ANA]. (2010). Nursing Professional Development: Scope and Standards of Practice. Silver Spring, Maryland: Nurses Books.org

Matthews, J.H. (2012). Role of professional organizations in advocating for the nursing profession. Retrieved from www.medscape.com/viewarticle/766817_print

RESPOND

This is an exceptional work Ross. In concurrence, there are numerous benefits nurses can gain in joining the nursing organizations. As such, every nurse should purpose to join at least one nursing organization. Nursing advocacy is among the various benefits of nursing organizations. Advocacy is the key in nursing and nurses tend to advocate for their patients, profession, and causes. The nursing organizations help in articulating nursing integrity, values, social policy, and practice by soliciting and coordinating opinions from individual nurses, nursing specialties, and associations (Halstead, 2017). The advocacy efforts by the nursing organizations aims at educating its members and the public about the essence of creative ideas, vigorous participation, and team work spirit in helping nursing practice to move ho greater levels. The associations are also vital in meeting the changes experienced in the cultural, social, and economic sectors. The unity of nurses through nursing organizations enables nurses to speak in one voice, and ensure vibrant and powerful ideas that can be used to realize advocacy outcomes (Ainagul, 2020).

References

Ainagul, N. (2020). Development and Integration of Professional Nursing Associations in the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Halstead, J. A. (2017). Professional nursing organizations. Issues and trends in nursing: Practice, policy, and leadership, 107-118.

Re: Topic 5 DQ 1

Professional nursing organizations support the field of nursing by improving health care and setting the standards for the nursing practice (Helbig, 2018). There are many different professional organizations who are all geared towards advocating for nurses which trickles down to help advocate for patients the nurses serve. One of them is the American Nurses Association (ANA). The ANA advocates for nurses in all areas of the government, and especially advocates for bills that affect workplace issues like safe staffing ratios, mandatory overtime, patient transfers, and workplace violence (Helbig, 2018). Its very important the nurses know that they are not alone, there are many organizations that are collaborating and advocating for them which affects advocacy for the patient as well (Helbig, 2020). Professional nursing organizations hold a lot of value for patient care by bringing the biggest issues the nurses have to the forefront. Nurses biggest priority is patient safety and achieving the best possible outcome for their patient.

Professional organizations work to create solutions regarding any areas of concerns. The national patient safety goals have come about because of the areas of highest concern outlined in the IOM report and are updated every year, these goals have become part of everyday practice in nursing (Helbig, 2018). I have a tag on my name badge from work that is given to the nurses every year with the updated safety concerns. This year the 2020 Hospital safety goals are to: identify patients correctly, improve staff communication, use medications safely, use alarms safely, prevent infections, identify patient safety risks, prevent mistakes in surgery (Joint Commission,2020). All of these goals advocate for patients rights and work to meet their need of safe, competent care which also happens to be the nurses’ goal as well.

Reference:

Helbig, J. (2018). Professional engagement. In Grand Canyon University (Eds.), Dynamics in Nursing: Art
and Science of Professional Practice. https://lc.gcumedia.com/nrs430v/dynamics-in-nursing-artand-science-of-professional-practice/v1.1/#/chapter/5

Joint Commission, (2020). Hospital: 2020 National Patient Safety Goals. https://www.jointcommission.org/standards/national-patient-safety-goals/hospital-2020-national-patient-safety-goals/.

RESPOND

This is a great work Samantha. It is undoubted that professional nursing organizations provide significant support to the nursing practice by enhancing health care and clinical setting’s standards for the nursing practice. Moreover, the organizations are instrumental in enhancing patient care by highlighting and addressing challenges faced by nurses and providing continuous training to equip nurses with competencies for patient care. On the other hand, Halstead (2017) argues that the organizations also provide effective means that nurses can use influence areas of healthcare policy, represent and safeguard the interest of nurses and nursing practice, and advocate for sophisticated quality of care to the public among others. Membership to the nursing organization also helps individual nurses to stay updated on the issues that affect their specific areas of practice and nursing roles. Engagement in nursing organizations is also critical in fostering leadership development, provide networking opportunities, increase collaboration skills, and facilitate career development. The organizations also promote the welfare of nurses in the workplace, facilitate research to expand EBP and body of knowledge in nurses, and develop nursing standards of practice (Lowe & Jennings, 2017).

References

Halstead, J. A. (2017). Professional nursing organizations. Issues and trends in nursing: Practice, policy, and leadership, 107-118.

Lowe, G., & Jennings, T. (2017). Nurse Practitioner Professional Nursing Organisation Engagement. The Journal for Nurse Practitioners, 13(9), 642.

Professional associations are important in every organization and team of workers. In the healthcare institutions, professional organizations seek to further the interest of individuals that are engaged in both the professional and public interest. Also, professional associations are important in enhancing networking between the healthcare professionals through integrating the operational processes and promoting the roles that each individual are to play. A professional association or the professional body or professional society is important in maintaining the control or oversight of the legitimate nursing practices. Also, the body plays significant roles in safeguarding the public interest. The organizations should therefore maintain their own privileges and powerful positions in controlling the professional associations. In the healthcare practices, professional organizations can be applied in enhancing the interest of the workers or healthcare professionals. The professional nursing organization that relates to my specialty area is American Foot Care Nurses Association.

Description of the Organization

American Foot Care Nurses Association was formed to create the associations for the foot care specialist. The organization also works to facilitate or enhance the activities of the foot care specialists by engaging in the research and the new practices in ensuring effective patient outcomes (American Foot Care Nurses Association, 2019c). Through the organization, nurses and other healthcare providers are able to obtain effective education and training processes required to fill the gap and provide critical care in foot care. The organization was formed in an attempt to provide an elaborate forum for nurses as well as other providers of the routine foot care. American Foot Care Nurses Association promotes corporative learning, allows effective communication, and enhance understanding of the best practice procedures and protocols. The purpose of the American Foot Care Nurses Association is to create a community of foot care specialists to advance the practices of foot care through the networking and collaborative processes of the foot care specialists or providers (Kaya & Karaca, 2018). The vision of the organization is to deliver the best possible care to different clients. The mission is to provide professional, literature based routine foot care to enable clients to live healthy, and active lives. On the other hand, the objective of the organization is to promote exposure and expand the membership. The main benefit of being a member of American Foot Care Nurses Association is the advancement in knowledge through networking on the ways of maintaining foot care for different patients.

Importance of Networking for Nurses with Specialty in Foot Care

Professional networking is critical for nurses with specialty in foot care. This allows for the acquisition of new knowledge and experiences on the advanced practices. Networking is also important for career advancement or transition from one role to the other. Through career advancement, one is able to gain experience and the advanced level in specialization. Foot care nurses should also network to ensure the advancement in future prospects. Finally, through networking, nurse specialists may also get to understand how to provide support system and thereafter enhance the foot care delivery systems (Beuscher et al., 2019). American Foot Care Nurses Association provides networking opportunities for different nurses. It often engages in the expansion of avenues of care allowing nurses to network and acquire advancement in practices. Also, the organization provides the best platform for ensuring that all the nurses in the foot care specialty and connected in undertaking their clinical activities. American Foot Care Nurses Association is one of the ideal nursing organizations that provide appropriate care to all the members through the provision of the best platforms of association and interaction.

How the Organization Keeps Members Informed

about Healthcare Changes

There are always continuous changes in healthcare system due to continuous research processes on different on different healthcare practices. The organization often publishes different research processes to allow members understand the current trends in the foot care. Also, the organization often engages different professionals in the decision-making processes to ensure that they adhere to the operational stands. Through education and training provided by the American Foot Care Nurses Association, members often get informed on various issues and changes in the healthcare services for the foot care (American Foot Care Nurses Association, 2019d). Also, the education and training provides advancement in knowledge and understanding of various healthcare processes required to enhance safety standards. Finally, the organization provides forums that allows nurses to network and share information regarding the foot care practices. American Foot Care Nurses Association often provide the best practices to ensure that members have the skills and capabilities of in the foot care treatments.

Opportunities for Continuing Education and Professional Development

American Foot Care Nurses Association often provides opportunities for continuing education and professional development. The organization has education and training programs that enable nurses to be informed on various research processes and foot care practices that can enhance the quality treatment outcomes. The training provided by the organization often involves development of advanced skills and practices necessary in ensuring effective care. Also, with the availability of professionals in foot care, members are able to acquire new skills and enhance their proficiency in healthcare services. With the above services, the organization has been able to provide experienced and skillful members to enhance foot care in various healthcare institutions.

Conclusion

References

American Foot Care Nurses Association. (2019c). Resources for Foot Care Nurses. https://www.afcna.org/page-1274553

American Foot Care Nurses Association. (2019d). Become a Member. https://www.afcna.org/JoinUs

Beuscher, T. L., Moe, H. L., Stolder, M. E., Peloquin, L., & Nesbitt, B. (2019). Expanding a foot care education program for nurses: A quality improvement survey. Journal of Wound Ostomy & Continence Nursing, 46(5), 441-445. DOI: 10.1097/won.0000000000000579

Kaya, Z., & Karaca, A. (2018). Evaluation of nurses’ knowledge levels of diabetic foot care management. Nursing research and practice, 2018. https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/8549567