What are the Benefits of Nursing Organizations While You're in Nursing School?
Students enrolled in nursing school know the importance of focusing on their studies, staying organized, and being well prepared so they can complete the coursework successfully. But as most quickly learn, they will be introduced to other facets of a nurse's education that will benefit them, yet that are not directly connected to their studies. Among the opportunities they will encounter in nursing school is that of joining a student nursing organization.
Student Nursing Organizations
Participating in a student nursing organization will not affect your grade, nor is it tied to the licensure process. Nevertheless, there are solid benefits to joining. Even if you don't have a paid membership, you can look at many of the organizations' websites to get a sense of the resources they make available to student nurses.
They are chock-full of information that will help you as a student nurse navigate your way through school, and beyond. Additional benefits will probably be made available to those who join by paying dues. You will likely get discounts for trade journals and newsletters, for instance, which are a great way of staying abreast of developments in the nursing field.
Another benefit of joining a student nursing organization is gaining access to information about scholarships and other types of financial aid.
Building Relationships
You may have gathered, if you're already enrolled in nursing school, that building relationships in nursing school helps to immerse you in the nursing culture, so that you are better prepared for the real-life challenges you will face. Your collaboration with fellow nursing students and instructors helps to reinforce your commitment to your studies, so that you're more likely to get through those tough patches. Obviously, it's not always going to be smooth sailing, but having strong supportive relationships at your school can help you make it through.
Joining a student nursing organization will help deepen those relations, as you and your fellow students collaborate on activities that benefit members. You as a member will be expected to work on projects, from perhaps holding a sale to earn money for your college's chapter, to participating in health fairs or other community activities. This teamwork will strengthen your bonds with other club members, and deepen your understanding of a nurse's role in the community.
Conferences
One of the highlights of your student nursing career may be attending a conference or convention. As a student nursing organization member, you can expect to benefit from discounted rates for conferences and continuing education.
Conferences provide student nurses from around the country the opportunity to meet, listen to speakers, encounter new technology and methods for patient care, and to network. At conferences, you'll learn about professional level organizations that might benefit you, as well as trade journals and websites that can help you keep abreast of developments in your field.
What's more, conferences are fun. You'll get to hang out with other student nurses from all over the nation, expanding your horizons so that you're more aware of healthcare challenges in other regions.
Pathway to Employment
While participating in a student nursing organization doesn't necessarily guarantee you'll get a great job after you graduate, many students nurses find that their activities in a student organization help them demonstrate to potential employers a level of professional accomplishment beyond just completing coursework. For instance, members of the National Student Nurses Association regularly participate in committees that can have an impact on national and global health, such as the NSNA Population and Global Health Committee and the Health Policy and Advocacy Committee.
The former committee disseminates information to the membership regarding worldwide developments in reducing health disparities, protecting populations against global health threats, and being prepared for disasters, while the latter helps members understand the importance of keeping abreast of legislation impacting healthcare.
Student Nursing Organizations
In addition to the NSNA, many college nursing departments will have their own student nursing associations; states often have an umbrella student nursing association as well. There are a great deal of opportunities for you to be a part of nursing organizations.
Many professional nursing organizations provide student memberships for nominal dues. The Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses and the Emergency Nurses Association are two such organizations.
Students may also join the American Nurses Association and the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. Membership in a student nursing organization is a great way to broaden your horizons in the nursing world, enhancing your professionalism while fostering your success as a student.
Are you interested in becoming a nurse? If you want to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, consider ECPI University. For more information about this exciting program, connect with a helpful admissions advisor today.
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