By: The Capella University Editorial Team with Marylee Bressie, DNP, RN, CCNS, CEN, Associate Professor, and Nicole Aclin, DNP, MNSc, RN, CNE, Academic Program Director, Capella School of Nursing and Health Sciences
Reading Time: 10 minutes
As healthcare grows more complex, the nursing profession needs a strong, unified voice to meet the new demands. Professional nursing organizations provide that unity and offer individual practitioners a pathway to growth while collectively advancing the entire field.
Through these associations, nurses can gain access to continuing education, certification support, leadership opportunities and policy influence that help shape the future of care.
Explore the vital role of these organizations, the tangible benefits of membership and some of the well-known associations you can consider joining.
Professional nursing organizations are specialized groups formed to support and advance the nursing profession. Governed by nurses, these associations operate at local, national and international levels to set professional standards, promote education and advocate for nurses and the patients they serve.
They provide structured opportunities for nurses to collaborate and stay informed through journals, conferences and specialized training. Through these networks and resources, nursing organizations help members strengthen their professional practice and stay connected to ongoing developments in healthcare.
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Professional organizations amplify the collective voice of the nursing workforce, influencing legislation, workplace policies and public perception. A unified professional presence is essential to address workforce demands and advocate for supportive practice environments.
They also elevate care standards by funding research, promoting evidence-based practice and preparing nurses to lead change.
Beyond individual growth, these organizations ensure that nursing continues to evolve as both a science and a compassionate practice dedicated to better outcomes for patients and communities.
While professional organizations shape the future of the nursing profession, they also provide meaningful benefits for the individual nurse.
Marylee Bressie, DNP, RN, CCNS, CEN, associate professor, and Nicole Aclin, DNP, MNSc, RN, CNE, academic program director, from the Capella School of Nursing and Health Sciences, walk us through the benefits that professional nursing associations can offer.
Professional organizations provide opportunities for continuing education, certifications, webinars and annual conferences, helping nurses stay current with the latest advancements, best practices and innovations in healthcare.
Depending on the organization, members may be able to access continuing education or professional development courses at no additional cost or discounted rates.
Being part of a professional organization allows nurses to connect with peers, mentors and leaders in the field to help advance their knowledge and skills.
Some association memberships provide access to online communities and forums where you can ask questions, share ideas and explore new processes and technologies. Also, many organizations have a LinkedIn group where members can engage with each other.
These channels are great for professional networking, but some organizations go further and offer mentorship programs.
In these programs, experienced nurses and nursing leaders can guide newer members through career advice, educational guidance and emotional support.
Becoming actively involved with your association can help you hone career-specific skills and build valuable leadership practices.
Many professional organizations are dedicated to leadership (for example, the American Organization for Nursing Leadership) or offer leadership education opportunities. Members can participate in leadership workshops, serve on committees or take on volunteer roles that develop management and advocacy skills.
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Professional organizations represent large numbers of nurses who, when presenting a cohesive message, can help influence policy development to improve healthcare and patient outcomes.
Members can participate in advocacy initiatives, attend legislative conferences or contribute to public awareness campaigns to help shape a healthcare system that reflects nursing values and patient needs.
It’s an excellent opportunity to meet people with similar interests in the field and share your expertise with policymakers. Seeing your impact in your own community can be very rewarding.
Being part of a community of like-minded professionals can provide a sense of belonging. This is especially important in a demanding field like nursing. Members can share experiences, seek advice and receive encouragement from peers.
“As a member of Sigma Theta Tau International, I’ve found it extremely rewarding to work with other members toward achieving a common goal,” Dr. Aclin says.
Members get access to exclusive resources such as scholarly journals, groundbreaking research, practice toolkits and best practice guidelines. This can help enhance the pursuit and sharing of knowledge and practice. Organizations are the source of professional standards and often are connected to certifying bodies.
“They have a responsibility that they take very seriously to promote best practices and educate nurses as to what’s new and changing in the field,” says Dr. Bressie.
Professional organizations may offer access to financial support options, including scholarships, grants and research funding. For students and working nurses, this support can make the difference between postponing and achieving their academic or career goals.
Members are encouraged to utilize the financial support to present at conferences, attend professional development events and pursue additional credentials or advanced degrees.
By making education more accessible, these organizations foster a culture of continuous learning and innovation in the nursing profession.
Capella University is also committed to enabling continuous learning across professions, offering scholarships and financing options that help professionals invest in their future.
By joining a professional nursing organization, you gain the tools, network and resources to help develop your individual practice while also becoming part of a shared mission to ensure quality and compassion in the profession. But to get the most out of a nursing association, you need to find the right one for you.
There are hundreds of nursing organizations for you to choose from, each serving different specialties, career stages and professional goals. The right fit depends on where you are in your nursing journey and what kind of community or resources you’re looking for.
To help you get started, here are several well-known associations, divided into four categories, that highlight the many ways nurses can connect, learn and lead within the profession.
General nursing organizations represent the broad interests of nurses across specialties, serving as the professional voice of the nursing community. They advocate for nurses’ rights, advance professional standards and shape healthcare policy on a national and international level.
1. American Nurses Association (ANA): The ANA is among the oldest professional nursing organizations. It was founded in 1896 and aims to develop and maintain high nursing practice standards, create safe and ethical work environments, enhance the wellness of nurses and advocate for healthcare reform.
It also offers education opportunities, certification discounts, research publications, networking tools and advocacy at state and national levels. Capella University is a proud educational alliance partner with the ANA.
2. Nurses on Boards Coalition (NOBC): The NOBC seeks to increase nurse representation on corporate, health and nonprofit boards of directors, with the aim of improving the health of communities. It unites nurses under a shared leadership goal, so that nursing expertise in governance roles can influence broader health policy and system-level decisions. Capella is a founding strategic partner of the NOBC.
3. National League for Nursing (NLN): The NLN promotes excellence in nursing education. It offers opportunities for continued learning, teaching resources, professional development workshops, research grants and more. It also features a journal, Nursing Education Perspectives, which provides best practices in nursing education.
4. American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL): The AONL supports nurse leaders in executive and management roles by offering leadership development, policy advocacy and education programs. It equips leaders in nursing to guide healthcare organizations effectively while ensuring quality patient care.
5. International Council of Nurses (ICN): The ICN aims to advance nursing as a profession, promote the well-being of nurses and advocate for global health policies and ethical standards. It represents over 140 national nursing associations worldwide and has been collaborating with the World Health Organization (WHO) since 1948 to strengthen healthcare systems internationally.
These associations give nurses up-to-date evidence, best practices, clinical resources and certifications in a specific area.
1. Emergency Nurses Association (ENA): The ENA advocates for safe practice and care for nurses in emergency care.
2. American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP): The AANP works to empower and educate nurse practitioners of all specialties.
3. Oncology Nursing Society (ONS): The ONS supports oncology nurses through education, grants and certification opportunities, while advancing patient advocacy and cancer care research.
4. Society of Pediatric Nurses (SPN): The SPN offers education, networking and professional resources to help pediatric nurses stay current in best practices and emerging trends.
If you’re an RN with a bachelor’s degree and haven’t yet decided which specialty to pursue, we have a detailed guide to help you make your decision.
Capella University is not affiliated with the Emergency Nurses Association, American Association of Nurse Practitioners, Oncology Nursing Society or Society of Pediatric Nurses.
Educational nursing associations support the academic and early professional development of nursing students. They also support and advocate for the educators and academic institutions.
1. National Student Nurses’ Association (NSNA): The NSNA prepares future nurses for licensure, leadership and professional success through conferences, scholarships and networking opportunities.
2. Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society (Sigma): Sigma is an invitation-only honor society for top-performing students and nurse leaders. It provides education and networking opportunities as well as recognition of nursing excellence.
Sigma provides grants, fellowships and leadership programs, promoting research and evidence-based practice globally. Capella University is home to the Omega Gamma chapter.
3. American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN): The AACN represents higher education institutions that offer baccalaureate and graduate nursing degrees. It develops educational standards, helps institutions implement them, supports research and advocates for academic excellence and leadership in nursing education.
4. Organization for Associate Degree Nursing (OADN): OADN is dedicated to associate degree nursing programs. It aims to expand access to high-quality nursing education that leads to a stronger healthcare workforce.
Capella University is not affiliated with the National Student Nurses’ Association or Organization for Associate Degree Nursing.
You can also join the State Nurses Association (SNA) for your state and other types of associations. You can view the complete list of nursing associations here.
While joining a professional nursing organization can be rewarding for students and active nurses, it’s important to research fees, resources and opportunities offered by each association, to find one that is right for you.
The ANA is a premier nursing organization for nursing students. As Dr. Bressie explains, “Nurses should consider joining the ANA. Its broad scope of practice, membership and professional tools and resources help nurses maintain current evidence-based practice.”
But becoming a member of more than one association is also beneficial. You can review the full list of nursing associations and research the websites of those you find interesting. Consider these factors when comparing:
For example, a nurse pursuing advanced education might join a student association, while a professional already working in leadership could turn to the American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL) for continued growth and networking.
Professional nursing organizations help you grow, connect and influence the future of healthcare. Education takes that growth further.
Capella is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and offers flexible online programs that let you keep working as you pursue your goals. The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master’s degree program in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice program and post-graduate APRN certificate program at Capella University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
With options like FlexPath, you can build on what you learn through professional associations and continue developing your skills on your own schedule. Guided by scholar-practitioner faculty, you’ll gain the knowledge and confidence to lead and make an even greater impact in your career.
Explore Capella’s online nursing programs and take the next step toward your professional goals today.
Take the next step. Explore Capella’s online nursing programs.
The American Nurses Association (ANA) is a well-known example of a professional nursing organization. It represents the interests of over five million registered nurses in the U.S. and promotes high standards of practice and education nationwide.
While most professional nursing organizations charge fees for full membership benefits, some associations offer free resources, trial memberships or charge discounted fees. For instance, the National Student Nurses’ Association (NSNA) offers free career resources.
Yes, the National Association for Practical Nurse Education and Service (NAPNES) and the National Federation of Licensed Practical Nurses (NFLPN) specifically support licensed practical and vocational nurses.
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