PROFESSIONAL

ASSOCIATIONS

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INTRODUCTION
A professional association (also called a professional body, professional organization, or
professional society) is usually a nonprofit organization seeking to further a particular
profession, the interests of individuals engaged in that profession and the public interest. The
professional association provides a means through which united efforts can be made to
elevate standards of nursing education and practice. It also offers a means of voicing
opinions, developing abilities and keeping informed of new trends. The professional
association provides a mean through which one’s own professional development can be
channeled with authority because of its representative character.

DEFINITION
A group of people in a learned occupation who are entrusted with maintaining control or
oversight of the legitimate practice of the occupation

 Also, a body acting "to safeguard the public interest

 Organizations which represent the interest of the professional practitioners, and so act
to maintain their own privileged and powerful position as a controlling body.

GOALS AND FUNCTIONS OF PROFESSIONAL ORGANISATION

 To bring nursing organizations together in a world-wide body.
 To advance the socio-economic status of the nurses and the profession of nursing
worldwide.
 To influence global and domestic health policy.
 To focus for a better carrier for nurses.
 To advance excellence in nursing education.
 To meet the needs of a diverse population in a health care environment.
 To set standards for excellence and innovation of nursing education.
 To focus on specific areas.
 To help in presenting the educational program and publish journals.

BENEFITS OF PROFESSIONAL NURSING ORGANIZATIONS

1. Opportunities
 Professional nursing associations provide an opportunity for professional
nurses to develop a bigger picture of nursing and health care overall.
 They also provide opportunity for visibility, support, access to industry leaders
and partners.
 It also provides a number of networking opportunities. Members can attend
conventions, seminars and award dinners.
 Membership with professional association also gives nurses an opportunity to
be in control of their professional destiny

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 2. It can lead to an increase in awareness of nursing issues and support for collective
actions among nurses.
3. It also provides nurses in exchange of ideas and collaborates on issues and projects
they face in challenging the provision of quality health care.
4. It provides nurses with a competitive edge because they become active, informed
members of their profession.
5. It results in educational, personal and professional development opportunities
provided by the associations’ professional journal, scholarship and seminars.

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
AT CENTRE LEVEL

 Trained Nurses Association of India (TNAI)

 International Council for Nurses (ICN)
 The Commonwealth Nurses and Midwives Federation
 The Indian Nursing Council (INC)
 The Red Cross Society
 United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund

AT STATE LEVEL

 The Student Nurses Association of India (SNAI)

 The Nurses League of Christian Medical Association
 The Christian Medical Association of India (CMAI)

AT CENTRE LEVEL
TRAINED NURSES ASSOCIATION OF INDIA (TNAI)

The TNAI is a national professional association of nurses. The present name & organization
was established in 1922; but its history of development goes back to 1905.

The TNAI had its beginning as the association of nursing superintendents, which was
founded at Lucknow in 1905.

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Other Nurses gradually become member of the association of nursing superintendent until a
decision was made to establish a trained Nurses association in 1908. The association was
inaugurated in 1909. TNAI elected its own officer in 1910. In 1922 the two organizations
were brought together as the TNAI.

The TNAI makes it possible for all nurses to participate at some level. Beginning with the
local unit, which is usually made-up of personnel, in a specific institution, the level of
organization moves to the district and national level.

Active members have an opportunity to participate on the state level also through service on
the executive committee of the state branch. The "Interest" group is one way in which the
individual nurse can participate. This is done on a state level with groups for such areas as
nursing education, nursing administration, public health and psychiatric nursing.

The governing body of the TNAI is the council which is assist by standing committees for
economic welfare, Nursing research and finance. A full time salaried secretary was first
appointed in 1935. A salaried assistant secretary, who also serves as the adviser to the student
nurses association, was appointed in 1983.

Objectives:

Nine European Nurses who were holding administrative post in India at that time organized
for the following purposes-

1. Upholding the dignity and honor of nursing profession.

2. Promoting a sense of esprit de corps among all Nurses.
3. Enabling members to take counsel together on matter relating to their profession.

Aims:

 To standardize, upgrade, develop nursing education and to elevate nursing education.

 To improve the living and working conditions of the nurses and develop the
educational conditions available for nursing.
 To provide registration for qualified nurses and to provide reciprocity of registration
within different states in the country and within different countries.

Organisation of TNAI:

It consists of:

1. President
2. Vice President (3)
3. Honorary Treasurer
4. Secretary General
5. Assistant Secretaries
6. Branch/joint Secretaries

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Activities of TNAl:

1. TNAI was active in helping to setup basic nursing curriculum when it was first
organized.
2. More recently, it has promoted the development of course in higher education for
nurses. This includes all of the colleges of nursing active today.
3. The TNAI gives Scholarship for nurses who wish to go on for advance study either
here or abroad.
4. It has also stimulated action to organize the state nurses and midwife’s registration
councils.
5. Help to remove discrimination against male nurses.
6. Initiated much needed study and improvement for economy condition for nurses.
7. The TNAI opposes strikes unless all other means of negotiating have failed to bring
about satisfactory working conditions.

Membership:

 Full members : Fully qualified Registered nurses.

 Associate members: Health Visitors, midwives and ANMs.
 Affiliate members: Student nurses and members of affiliated organizations.
 Membership in the TNAI is obtained by application and submission of a copy of
state registration certificate.
 Membership may be transferred from the student nurses association by having a
certificate sent from the institution in which we have studied within 6 month after
completing the course.
 Membership fees are required. A reduced fee is offered to those who transfer
membership directly from the SNA. A part of these fees is used to pay affiliation
fees to the international council of nurses.
 It is possible to apply for a life membership.
 The official organ of the TNAI is The Nursing Journal of India which is published
monthly. The cost of this is included in the annual subscription for membership in
the association. It helps you to be informed of current events in nursing and offers
opportunities to publish articles and voice opinions

Benefits of TNAI membership:

Our membership in the TNAI means our personal support in the aims and objectives of the
organization. We are encouraged to become a member of TNAI. A professional nurse will
also benefit from membership in TNAI. It gives us a feeling of belonging and security
because of the number of nurses who are united through the organization.

 Professional activity gives us ample opportunity to develop leadership ability and

professional poise, keep abreast of changes and share and solve the professional
problem.

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  The journal helps us to be informed current events in nursing and offers opportunity
to publish articles and voice our opinion.
 The TNAI can help us to apply for a career position, if desires.
 It is also of help economically by providing scholarship for advance study.
 Low cost publications for members and students
 Continuing education programmes for updating knowledge
 Annual grant is given to state branches to hold activities for holding national level
conferences
 Provides railway concession for TNAI members.
 There are guest room facilities at the headquarters and also in some states.

Publications:

1. Handbook of TNAI
 Published in 1913.
2. Nursing Journal of India
 Published monthly.
 It is the official organ of the TNAL.
 A copy of this journal shall be sent free to all the full members and associate
members.
3. The Indian Nursing year Book
 This has been published 5 times since 1982.
 This contains important reports, discussion of trends and statistics which are
available for the nursing profession in India.
 The TNAI Had initially planned to make this an annual publication.

INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL FOR NURSES (ICN)

 It was formed in 1899.

 It is an international association for all nurses in the world.
 The ICN is federation of National Nurses Association (NNA) representing nurses in more
than 128 countries.
 Operated by nurses, for nurses.
 Great emphasis has been given on non-discrimination.
 It is the world’s first and widest reach international organization for health professionals.

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 ICN meets every 4 years; these Quadrennial meetings are called "Congresses". When
they are in session, the organization is called as the International Congress of Nurses.

Mission:

To represent nursing worldwide, advancing the profession and influencing health policy.

Objectives:

 Promote the development of strong national nurses’ associations.

 Assist national nurses’ association to improve the standards of nursing and the
competence of nurses.
 Assist national nurses’ associations to improve the status of nurses within their
countries.
 Serve as the authoritative voice for nurses and nursing internationally.

Functions:

1. To provide policy direction to fulfil the objectives of ICN

2. To establish categories of membership and determine their rights and obligations as
well as dues.
3. To act upon recommendations of the Board of Directors relating to admission and
readmission of member associations into ICN.
4. To receive and consider information from the Board regarding ICN activities since the
last CNR (Council of National Representatives).
5. To receive nominees for the Board and to elect the Board.
6. To act upon proposed amendments to the ICN Constitution.
7. To act upon recommendations of the Board of Directors for the amount of NNA dues.
8. To act through mail or any written communication on ICN business that requires
immediate attention.

Organisation of ICN:

 The governing body of the ICN is the Council of National Representatives (CNR).
 The CNR is made up of the ICN honorary officers & the president of the national
member of association
 The council meat at least every other year & once every four years at the time of the
I.C.N. congress.
 Current administration is executive by the honorary officers.
 Work at headquarter is carried on by a staff of clerical & expert nursing advisor
personnel.

Activities:

 Makes policy statements on health and social issues.

 Offers a great variety of seminars
 Maintaining and improving the status of Nursing around the world

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  The ICN regulates Code of ethics, standards, competencies and continuing education.
 It is involved in occupational health & safety and career development.

Membership:

 All nurses can become members of the ICN but not as individuals.
 The individual nurse becomes a member if his/her national nurses association is a
member of ICN.
 Nurses in India become members of ICN when they become members of the TNAI.

Publication:

International Nursing Review

 It is the official journal of the International Council of Nurses (ICN).

 It is a quarterly, peer-reviewed journal
 It focuses predominantly on nursing and health policy issues of relevance to nurses
and has an increasing impact factor.
 The newsletter which is published ten time year, gives news of the I.C.N. & the
national member association.

THE COMMONWEALTH NURSES AND MIDWIVES FEDERATION

 The Commonwealth Nurses and Midwives Federation (CNMF), founded in 1973, is a

federation of national nursing and midwifery associations in Commonwealth countries.
 It operates in six regions of the world which are East, Africa, Atlantic, Australia,
Pacific, South Asia and Europe.
 The TNAI is also affiliated with the Commonwealth Nurses Federation.
 It is made up of nurses associations from commonwealth countries.
 The CNMF has regular and constructive contact with major Commonwealth bodies in
London including the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Commonwealth Foundation.
 The CNMF is an accredited Commonwealth body, which allows involvement in
annual Health Ministers' meetings, the biennial Commonwealth Peoples Forum held
prior to the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting and other Commonwealth
meetings such as the civil society consultations.

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Purpose:

The purpose of the CNF is to contribute to the improved health of citizens of the
Commonwealth by fostering access to nursing education, influencing health policy,
developing nursing networks and strengthening nursing leadership

Aims:

 Promote sharing, better communications and closer relationships between its member
associations.
 Provides expert professional advice.
 Scholarships for advanced study.
 Financial assistance for professional meetings and seminars.

Objectives:

 Influence health policy throughout the Commonwealth,

 Develop nursing networks,
 Enhance nursing education,
 Improve nursing standards and competence, and
 Strengthen nursing leadership.

Organisation of CNMF:

 The CNMF is managed by an elected Board, which consists of

 A President
 A Vice-President
 A member from each of its six regions.
 The Federation has two appointed officers
 An Executive Secretary
 A Treasurer.
 Board Meetings and General Meetings are held every two years.

Activities:

 The Federation’s work programme includes regional and in-country workshops

 Training aimed at raising the profile and standards of nursing and midwifery in
Commonwealth countries
 Participating in and influencing health policy development at a Commonwealth level
 Research and other initiatives on key areas of concern to nurses and midwives such as
workforce planning, migration and HIV and AIDS.

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 THE INDIAN NURSING COUNCIL (INC)

 The Indian Nursing Council is a national regulatory body for nurses and nurse
education in India.
 It is an autonomous body under the Government of India, Ministry of Health & Family
Welfare, constituted by the Central Government under section 3(1) of the Indian
Nursing Council Act, 1947 of Indian parliament.
 According to the original act the function of the council is to provide "uniformity in
nursing education". The council is responsible for regulations and maintenance of
uniform standards of training for nurses, midwives, auxiliary nurse midwives and
health visitors.

Purpose:

The purpose of INC establishment is to formulate a national policy for training & practice
of nursing depending mainly on the culture & philosophy of the country (India).

Organisational set up:

President

Vice-President

Secretary

Joint Secretary

Deputy- Secretary

Assistant - Secretary

Office Staff

Functions:

1. Recognizes nurses as a separate branch in health service

2. Regulates nursing training & sets uniform standard of training for nurses throughout
the country.
3. Construct syllabus for all nursing programs

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 4. Regulate nursing practice.
5. Permits title, badges, uniforms for registered nurses.
6. Inspection of school & colleges of nursing Power to make regulations.
7. Withdrawal of recognition of nursing institutions Maintenance of Indian nurse
registers

Inspections:

 The Executive Committee may appoint number of inspectors.

 Inspectors appointed under this section shall report to the Executive Committee.
 The Executive Committee shall forward a copy of such report to the authority or
institution concerned, and also forward copies, to the Central Government, the State
Government and State Council of the State in which the authority or institution is
situated.

Types of inspections:

o First inspection: The first inspection is conducted on the receipt of proposal.

o Re – inspections: Re-inspections are conducted for those institutions, which are found
unsuitable by INC.

o Periodic inspection: INC conducts the periodical inspections once the institution is
found suitable by INC.

Withdrawal of recognition:

 When, upon report by the Executive Committee, it appears to the Council-

a. Any institution falls short of standard by the council.
b. Any institution fall short of standard by a State Council may send information
to the INC & an intimation send for the period within which the institution or
authority have to submit its explanation to the state Government.
 On the receipt of the explanation or, where no explanation is submitted within the
period fixed, the State Government shall make its recommendations to the Council.
 The Council, after such further inquiry, may be able to withdraw the recognition.

Power to make regulations:

1. The Council may make regulations not inconsistent with the Indian Nursing Council
Act, such regulations may provide for-
a. Property of the council.
b. Elections
c. The meetings
d. Prescribing the functions of the Executive Committee.
e. Prescribing the powers and duties of the President and the Vice-President;

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 f. Prescribing the tenure of office and the powers and duties of the Secretary and
other officers.
g. Prescribing the standard curricula
h. Prescribing the conditions for admission to courses of training.
i. Prescribing the standards of examination.
j. Any other matter.

Educational role & responsibility of INC:

 It initiates, prescribes, guide & supervise the different levels of nursing education.
 It laid down the qualification for the admission, registration & employment.
 It recognizes & approves various institutions for conducting different nursing
educational programs.
 INC sets educational activities in different occasions like Nurses Day, Breast feeding
week, AIDS Day etc.
 It regulates the course duration.
 INC prescribes the syllabus for all levels of nursing education.

Guidelines for the establishment of new Nursing Schools / Colleges:

 Any organization under the central, state government, local body or a private trust
should obtain the no objection certificate from the state government.
 The INC on the receipt of the proposal from the institution to start nursing
programme, will undertake the first inspection to assess the suitability.
 After the approval from INC, the institution shall obtain the approval from state
nursing council and examination board. The INC conducts the inspection every year
till the first batch completes the programme.

Programmes under INC:

Sl no Programme Duration of Programme

1 ANM 1 and a half year
2 GNM 1Three and a half years
3 P.B. BSc (N) 2 years
4 BSc (N) 4 years
5 MSc (N) 2 years
6 M.Phil 1 year
7 Doctorate in Nursing 3 to 5 years

Resolutions:

 Maximum period for the students to complete revised ANM/GNM Programme is 3

and 6 years respectively.
 Maximum age for teaching faculty is 70 years.

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  Admission to married candidates for all the nursing Programme is allowed.
 Relaxation of norms to establish M.Sc. (N) Programme.
 Relaxation of student patient ratio for clinical practice (Relaxation of student patient
ratio for clinical practice is 1:3)
 Relaxation of teaching faculty qualification to start a B.Sc. (N) Programme: At least 2
MSc qualified teaching faculty to be available to start BSc nursing programme
 To maintain the quality of post-graduate, INC resolved not to have a M.Sc. (N)
Programme through distance education.
 Institutions should have their own building within two years of establishment.
 Maximum no. of 60 seats can be sanctioned to the institutions having less than 500
bedded hospital and 100 to those having 500 bedded hospital.

SNC (STATE NURSING COUNCIL):

 The State Nurses and Midwives Council were established in 1948 under the
provisions of Nurses and Midwives Act with the purpose of “Better training of nurses,
midwives & health visitors”.
 It works as an autonomous body under the Government of respective states,
Department of Health and Family Welfare.
 Registration in state nursing council is very necessary for every nurse. It is necessary
to be registered in order to function officially as a professional nurse.
 Registration councils are functioning in all the states of India and they are affiliated to
I.N.C.
 A register of names of professional nurses is maintained by each state nurses
Registration Council. These names are also put into the Indian Nurses Register
maintained by the Indian Nursing Council.
 Nurses, midwives, auxiliary nurse midwives and health visitors are registered.
 All degree holding nurses also have to get the registration in state council.

Structure:

 Each state determines the specific administrative responsibility and oversight of the
council of nursing.
 The governor of the state
 The state health Directorate
 Nursing Directorate
 Another state official or organization

The silent features

 Provision of an autonomous body, comprising majority of nurses, endowed with

decision making powers.
 Compulsory registration for all nurses, midwives practicing within the state.

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  Provision of nurses, midwives, & public health nurses to elect their own
representatives to the respective state.
 Powers to regulate nursing education prescribe curriculum & enunciate examination
policies.
 Provision to have a nurse registrar to carry out the functions of the SNC.
 Provision for recognition of educational institutions of nursing & withdrawal of such
recognition, if necessary.

Functions of the State Nurses Registration Council:

 Recognize officially and inspect schools of nursing in their states.

 Conduct examinations.
 Prescribe rules of conduct, take disciplinary actions, etc.
 Maintain registers of Graduate nurses, nurses holding degrees in nursing, midwives
revised auxiliary nurse midwives or multi-purpose workers and health visitors.

Composition of SNRC:

 The State Nursing Councils are administratively headed by the Registrar who usually
is a nurse.
 There is deputy registrar who also is a nurse.
 There are staffs consisting of Accountant and other staff as clerks and peons to help
him in his day-to-day work and functions.
 The President and Vice-President are elected by members from amongst themselves.
 The elections procedures for all the categories are laid down by statutory provisions in
By- Laws of the Councils. Some of the members on the council are still nominated by
the Government whereas majorities are elected by following the electoral procedures.

Functions of the Registrar of the State Nursing Council:

 To draw a programme for examinations of various types of educational programmes

at all centres at the same time.
 To prepare a time schedule for written and practical examinations, to prepare roll
number sheets of students and send them to various examination centres.
 After examiners have drawn the question papers, to get them printed under strict
confidential atmosphere and keep up the secrecy regarding them.
 To prepare examination results, and communicate the results to the concerned
institutions.
 To prepare the diploma certificates and registration certificates of nurses who have
been qualified for both.
 To arrange for inspections to ascertain that the institutions are carrying out the
educational programmes as per syllabus, conditions and rules and regulations lay
down by State Council.

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 RED CROSS SOCIETY

 The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is a humanitarian institution

based in Geneva, Switzerland
 It follows the directions of the Geneva conventions in an effort to protect victims of
armed conflict.
 It was established in 1920 and has 400 branches in India and 6189 branches in world.
 The body meets only once in four years.
 It supports unity in the work of organizations and promotes government support of
Red Cross society

Activities:

 They delegate visit and inspect prisoner of war camps.

 They arrange for delivery of mail and food packages to the prisoners.
 They also offer emergency relief by providing food and medical supplies.
 A very valuable service is that of a central tracing agency which helps to locate
prisoners of war and missing persons long after a conflict is over.
 At times of armed conflict or natural disaster within country they help to give
comprehensive care to the affected.

INDIAN RED CROSS SOCIETY

Indian Red Cross Society Indian Red cross society was constituted under an Act of Indian
Legislative council in 1920

Organisation

 The National Headquarters of the Society is located at 1 Red Cross Road, New Delhi.
 Recognized by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on 28th
February 1929.
 It was affiliated with the International Federation of the Red Cross & Red Crescent
Societies

Structure

 National level-the management of affairs of the Society rests with the Managing Body

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  Managing Body comprise of
 Members elected by the Branch Committee
 Chairman, nominated by the President of the Society.
 The Managing Body elects a Vice Chairman from among them and appoints him with
the approval of the President of the Society a Treasurer and a Secretary General.
 The Secretary General is the Chief Executive.

Activities

 Relief work during floods, famine, earthquake, epidemic etc.

 Training health visitors, nurses, dais and public health education
 Cooperation with the St. John Ambulance Association in the training of men and
women in First Aid, Home Nursing etc.
 Running a Home at Bangalore for disabled Ex- servicemen
 Welfare services in military hospitals
 Medical after-care of ex-service personnel
 Maternity & Child Welfare
 Junior Red Cross
 Voluntary Blood Donation

UNITED NATIONS INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN'S EMERGENCY FUND

(UNICEF)

 UNICEF is a specialized agency of the United Nations.

 Established in 1946 to rehabilitate children in war ravaged countries.
 It’s headquarters is in New York
 Works in collaboration with Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), United
Nations Development Programme (UNDP), World Health Organization (WHO) and
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
 Provides assistance in varied fields of Maternal and Child Health (MCH) and
environmental sanitation.
 The Executive Board of UNICEF meets 3 times a year i.e. in January, June and
September.

Role of the Executive Board:

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  Implementation of the Policies
 Receive information and guidance from Executive Director
 Ensure all the activities and operational strategies of UNICEF are consistent
 Monitor the performance of UNICEF
 Approve programmes
 Decide on administrative and financial plans and budgets
 Recommend new initiatives to the Council
 Encourage and examine new programme initiatives
 Submit annual reports to the Council in its substantive session

Membership:

The Board has 36 members, elected for a three- year term with the following regional
allocation of seats:

 8 African States
 7 Asian States
 4 Eastern European States
 5 Latin American and Caribbean States
 12 Western European
 Other States (including Japan)

Funding:

Funding is derived voluntarily from governmental and non-governmental organisation.

Services provided by UNICEF:

 Child health
 Child nutrition
 Family health and child welfare
 Education (Formal and non-formal)

AT STATE LEVEL
STUDENT NURSES ASSOCIATION OF INDIA (SNAI)

 The Student Nurses’ Association of India (SNAI) is an affiliated association of the

student nurses under the umbrella of TNAI.

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 The main purpose behind the establishment of SNAI was to uphold the dignity and to
promote a team spirit among students with professional ethics.
 SNAI was established in 1929 during TNAI Annual Conference in Madras.
 The pioneer unit of SNA was established in General Hospital, Madras.
 The SNAI units are expanded gradually to many nursing institutions in India and started
functioning.
 Now there are 900 SNAI units and 150000 SNAI members in the country.

Objectives:

a) To help the students to uphold the dignity of the profession.

b) To promote team spirit among students for common goal.
c) To help the students to develop professional ethics.
d) To encourage students to gain positive attitude towards the nursing profession
e) To encourage the students to develop leadership quality and effective communication
skills for overall development.
f) To encourage students to participate and compete in various events at state, regional
and national conferences.

Purposes and functions:

 Help student Nurses learn how the professional organisation serves to uphold the
dignity and ideals of the nursing profession.
 Promote a close rapport with other student Nurses.
 Furnish student nurses advice in their courses of study leading up to professional
qualifications.
 Encourages leadership ability and help students to gain a wide knowledge of the
nursing profession in all of its different branches.
 Encourage both professional and recreational meetings, Games and Sports.
 Encourage student nurses develop a co-operative spirit with other student nurses
which will help them in future professional relationships.

SNA Management:

Affairs of SNA are managed at the Unit, State and at National level.

A. At the unit level

 The unit executive committee manages SNA affairs.
 It comprises of
 President (Principal of the institution - TNAI member)
 SNA Advisor (any elected faculty - TNAI member)
 Vice President
 Secretary Student nurses elected by
the students during their
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SNA General Body
meeting
  Treasurer
 The conveners of various committees

B. At the State level

 The State SNA Executive Committee comprises of
 The State TNAI President as ex-officio member
Elected by all unit Vice
 SNA Advisor president and Secretary
 Student Vice President of their state during
 Student Secretary state SNA conference/
Meeting

C. At the National level

 The SNA General Committee Comprises of
 TNAI National President
 Honorary Treasurer
 Secretary-General
 Dy. Secretary General-cum-SNA Advisor
 State SNA Advisors of all states
 Student SNA Vice Presidents of all states
 Student SNA Secretaries of all states.

Activities of SNA:

1. Organization of Conferences and Meetings:

 At the TNAI Conference student representatives i.e. Vice-President and the
Secretary of the State Branch from each State are invited to attend the SNA
General Committee meeting every year.

2. Maintenance of SNA Dairy:

 The SNA Diary was instituted in 1939.
 This is the biennial record book drawn up for the use of the unit secretaries.
 These are assessed by the State SNA Advisors annually and the 2 best diaries
from each State are then sent to the National SNA Advisor for Biennial
evaluation and awards.
 These diaries are assessed for professional, educational, extracurricular social,
cultural and recreational activities.

3. Exhibition of Posters:
 All categories of Student Nurses are eligible to participate in exhibitions, both
as groups and as an individual.

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  They can prepare charts, posters on the topics announced in the TNAI Bulletin
and NJI.
 The Posters are competed at the state level, and after thorough scrutinization,
only one best entry at the state level under each category and section is
entertained at the national level.

4. Public speaking and writing:

 Public speaking and writing is encouraged to increase self-confidence and to
help them develop communication skills.
 In order to achieve this, the competition on Scientific Paper Presentations
related to the theme of the Conference is being organized.
 The Scientific Papers presented by many students are scrutinized at State
level.
 Only one Scientific Paper on each Sub-theme of the conference was sent to the
national level for final evaluation.
 The best three Scientific Papers, one on each of the sub-themes are selected at
the national level.

5. Project:
 The students undertake community projects such as school health projects,
health surveys, nutrition surveys, medical camps, immunization programs,
health mela are also undertaken by the student nurses.
 In addition, fund raising activities are also recommended and encouraged.

6. Advocacy of Nursing Profession:

 To acquaint the General public with the nursing profession, general public is
invited to the celebrations and festive of professional and non-professional
nature, such as Nurses week, WHO day, lamp lighting, Graduation
ceremonies, Sports, Tournaments, TV shows and Radio talks which are
organized by nurses.

7. Fund Raising:
 Fund raising is an important and necessary activity of SNA done by getting
voluntary donations, sale of donation tickets and organizing variety
entertainment activities to raise the fund raising.

8. Socio-cultural & recreational activities:

 The association believes that the professional development remains
incomplete without this component.
 Dynamism and energy of present youth who enter the nursing profession is
channelized constructively into fine arts, dramas, and different varieties of
dances, music, paintings, and other competitive activities.

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  Sports and game are becoming extremely popular and competitions are held at
unit level, state level and at the national level.

9. Program for ANM Students:

 Since 2006 a separate session has been organized for ANM students during
SNA Biennial conference and this provides an opportunity to discuss the
problems and issues of ANM and to resolve them.

Membership:

 Fees are minimal and easily met by the nursing student.

 Nursing students who participate in the Student nurses association have a valuable
opportunity to begin to develop leadership skills, competitive skills and an interest for
the profession as a whole.

Course SNA membership fee

ANM Rs.350
GNM Rs.500
BSc Nursing Rs.650
 Rs.22oo to become TNAI member (<1 yr of course completion)
 Rs.3600 to become TNAI member (after 1 yr of course completion)

Benefits of SNA Membership:

1. Award of SNA Scholarship for ANM/GNM and BSc (N):

 The selected candidates are awarded Rs.24000/- per year for the entire training
period after receiving their progress report every year from respective
principal/ institute.

2. Participation in National conference:

 Concession in the registration fee, shall present scientific papers on the theme
and participate in all competitions to exhibit their talents.

3. Publication of articles:
 The student nurses are given an opportunity to publish articles/research papers
in the Nursing Journal of India.

4. Free copies of NJI & TNAI Bulletin:

 Institution and all Student Nurses Association (SNA) Units shall be entitled to
free supply of Nursing Journal of India and TNAI Bulletin without any
charges.

5. Concession in availing Guest room facilities:

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  Accommodation for SNA members are provided in the TNAI Headquarters
and in TNAI’s Greater Noida campus at reasonable rate of Rs.250/- per
student/day.

6. Welfare Grant:
 SNA welfare Grant/ Medical Assistance/ Critical Assistance to needy Student
Nurses.

7. Disaster Relief Fund:

 Provided for affected students.

8. Grievance redressal:
 Resolving the complaints and grievances of the nursing students

THE NURSES LEAGUE OF THE CLINICAL MEDICAL ASSOCIATION

 The Nurses league of the clinical medical association of India was founded in 1930.
 It became affiliated to the TNAI in 1936 and promotes membership in this
organisation.

Objectives:

 Promote cooperation and encouragement among Christian Nurses.

 Promote efficiency in nursing education and service.
 Secure the highest standards possible in Christian nursing education through the
Christian schools of nursing.
 Considering the special work and problems of Christian nurses wherever
employed.

Activities:

 Activities include national and area conferences and retreats for its members.
 Development of leadership abilities is encouraged by participation in these
meetings.
 Each meeting also allows for sharing of problems common to the Christian
nurse.
 Provides expert professional advice.

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  Provides scholarships for advanced study.
 Provides financial assistance for professional meetings and seminars

Membership:

 Membership fees are required and a life membership is available.

 Nursing students may become associate members of the league.
 Membership in the Nurses league may be a requirement for certain nursing positions
under control of Christian employing authorities.

THE CHRISTIAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION OF INDIA

 The CMAI began in 1905 as a fellowship of Christian missionary doctors to provide

spiritual sharing and support.
 It gradually developed into a larger organisation which included other Christian
health professionals and health institutions
 CMAI’s programs and activities are focused on the challenges and issues relevant to
the times.

Functions:

 To provide professional training through formal and informal education,

publication of textbooks and other materials and scholarships.
 To encourage community health work through training, advisory services and
technical support.
 To assist and support churches and health institutions with study and training.
 To disperse health related information, this will help with health education and
lean towards a more healthy and just society.

Membership:

 Membership is open to doctors, registered nurses and ANM/Health workers, all

health professionals.
 Students in health professional courses may also become members
 There are five membership sections

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1. Doctors: All Christian men and women doctors including dentists holding
qualifications approved by the Medical Council of India or the Dental Council
of India.
2. Nurses: All registered Christian nurses, auxiliary nurses, multipurpose health
workers and midwives.
3. Allied Health Professionals: All Christian Allied Health Professionals who
hold qualifications recognized by CMAI’s Central Education Board (CEB).
4. Administrators: All Christian professionals in managerial or supervisory roles
in hospitals or other health care services.
5. Chaplains: All Christian workers in the Healing Ministry, who have a
minimum of one-year basic theological training including pastoral
counselling, or hospital chaplaincy, or any theologian holding a part time or
full-time post of chaplain in a hospital.

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UNIONS

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INTRODUCTION
A union is an organization that brings together different people in the same profession. For
example, there are engineer unions and teachers' unions. There are also many unions in the
medical and health care professions. Nursing labor unions have become extremely visible in
the past decade mostly due to their goals of obtaining better wages and working conditions
for their members, and improved nurse-to-patient ratios. As responsibilities, independence,
and authority of nurses increase, unionism and collective bargaining mechanisms have
become important strategies for nurses to improve working conditions in some countries.

MEANING OF UNION
A union or labor organization is any organization in which employees participate for the
purpose of dealing with their employer about grievances, labour disagreements, wages, hours
of work, and conditions of employment.

Unions, through size of the membership, have greater power in their relationship with the
employer than does a single individual or even small group.

DEFINITION
A union is a formal and legal group that works through a collective bargaining agent to
present desires to management formally, through the legal context of the National Labor
Relations Board (NLRB).

OBJECTIVES OF UNIONS
1. Wages: employees and their union can be expected to ask for wages which are
comparable to those in similar jobs in the local market.

2. Promotions: unions will insist that length of service be a factor in promotions.

3. Layoffs: the union will insist that seniority play a part in regulating layoffs;
qualifications being equal, the junior service employees will be paid off first.

4. Discipline: employees will be disciplined for just cause: this is standard in all labor
agreements.

5. Grievances procedures: the union will insist that a grievance procedure be established
whereby management decisions will be reviewable by representatives of management
and the union; if there is still disagreements, the dispute will be referred to arbitration.

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 6. Fringe benefits: pensions, vacations and holidays, social insurance, and general
welfare programs will be part of the negotiations, with an attempt to make them
comparable to the trend in our society.

PURPOSES OF UNION
1. Unions are a group of workers who band together for the purpose of representing their
members' interests related to conditions of employment.
2. To contracts conditions such as unacceptable nurse-patient ratio.
3. To play role in determining standards of care.
4. To adjust pay scales, benefits, dependable procedures for scheduling vacations and all
other conditions important to nurses.
5. To create government-funded programs to fund and encourage nursing education.
6. To protect RNs from violence and harassment on the job.
7. To mandating safe RN-to-patient ratios at all healthcare facilities.
8. To protect the employee from unfair employer treatment, such as, being passed over
for a promotion without an explanation, failure to post job opportunities, biased
interview practices, unreasonable or unsafe staff scheduling, excessive overtime, and
unfair transfers, layoffs or terminations.
9. To provide a mechanism whereby nurse can address issues, such as staffing and
quality of care, thereby controlling and maintaining their own practice

FACTORS INFLUENCING NURSES TO UNIONIZE:

 In general, nurses who are not satisfied in their workplace unionize.
 It only occurs when nurses feel powerless that they initiate attempts to unionize.
 Persistent job stress and increased physical demands.
 Need for communicating concerns or complaints to management without fear of
losing job.
 Issues relating to job such as poor wages, unsafe staffing, health and safety issues,
mandatory overtime, poor quality of care, job security.

ROLE OF NURSES IN UNIONS:

 Nurses must know their legal rights and the rights of the manager.
 Nurses must act clearly within the law at all times.
 Nurses must report to NLRB, if a manager acts unlawfully.
 Nurses must have information of regular meetings.
 Nurses must set meetings times conveniently.

ROLE OF MANAGER DURING INITIAION OF UNIONIZATION

The manager must:

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  Be well versed with the law related to nurse’s rights.
 Act clearly within the law.
 Find out the reasons the nurses want collective action.
 Discuss and deal with the nurse’s problems and grievances.

NURSING UNIONS IN INDIA

 The primary collective bargaining unit is the union.
 Nurses’ unions or their collective bargaining power is the most vital and indirect
determinant of working conditions. Strong unions and its bargaining strength
determine the conditions and facilities of work.

Collective bargaining is the process of sharing power between a union (organized labor) and
the employer (management) for the purpose of resolving issues with selected aspects of
employment.

1. TNAI (Trained nurses association of India)

TNAI is a national professional association of nurses. The level of organization moves to

district, state, national level.

Objectives:

 To uphold in every way the dignity of the nursing profession.

 To promote a sense of spirit decorps (feelings of loyalty, enthusiasm, and devotion to
a group among people who are members of the group) among all nurses.
 Recommends state government to appoint a nurses as a nursing director.

Functions:

 Improvement of living and working condition of nurses.

 It helps to develop leadership ability.
 It helps to share and solve professional problems.
 It gives scholarships for nurses who wish to go on for advance study.
 Publishing nursing journal in India.

Future plans:

 Furthering service education programme.

 Furthering continued nursing education programme.
 Centre to care for senior citizens.
 Adoption of village and health centres.

2. United nurses association (UNA)

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  It is a professional association of registered nurses in the state of Kerala in India.
 It was founded on November 2011 by a small group of nurses in Kerala with
Jasminsha as the founding president.
 The UNA was mostly noted for bringing up the issue of exploitation of nurses as
underpaid laborers in the thriving private hospital industry in the state.
 UNA works as a trade union with the help of no political parties and not receiving any
benefits from them.

3. All India Government Nurses Federation (AIGNF)

 It is a centralized banner where all unions, associations (Nurses) of different
Governments – central, state, autonomous and others are at one platform

UNION PROS AND CONS

Reasons why nurses join unions

1. To increase the power of the individual

2. To communicate feelings/ideas to others in the organization and influence decision
making
3. To reduce discrimination and favouritism
4. A social need to be accepted
5. A requirement of employment
6. A belief it will improve patient outcomes and care.

Reasons not to join unions

1. A belief that unions promote a socialist state

2. A need to demonstrate individualism and social status
3. A belief that professionals should not unionize
4. An identification with management
5. A fear of reprisal from the employer
6. A fear of loss of income associated with strikes

BENEFITS OF UNION TO NURSES

Several authors claim that unions have positive effects for nurses and patients:

1. Improving safe standards and effective patient advocacy

2. Setting nurse-patient ratios, standards for needle safety, and limiting overtime
3. Higher wages for those nurses represented by unions

NURSES CONCERNS ABOUT UNIONIZATION

Unionization and raise a number of concerns for nurses:

1. Unprofessional

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  Many nurses struggle with the image of a union member.
 Many perceive unions as of a lower-class status than a professional, and don't like the
idea of perhaps having to walk a picket line.
 However, those nurses supporting unionization point out that:
 Other professionals belong to unions such as doctors and airline pilots
 It is less professional to accept low pay and poor benefits and working
conditions
 Control over practice is a sign of a profession

2. Unethical

 The concern here for nurses is that some actions of unions, such as work slow-downs
or strikes, may put the patients and their health care needs at risk.
 Again supporters of unions say that:
 poor working conditions, such as mandatory overtime for nurses and shortages
of staff also threaten patient safety
 it is better for everyone to take action and correct these conditions
 Laws around union strike action provide health care facilities time to take the
necessary measures to protect patients from risk. These measures might include
discharging patients to home earlier than usual or transferring patients to other
facilities.

3. Divisive

 Conflict may occur between nurses who have chosen to join a union and those who do
not, but who will reap the gains in the contract that union nurses have fought for
during bargaining.
 Unions may have different requirements for membership. Some require all employees
to be a member and pay union dues or fees (closed shop). In some countries, closed
shop is illegal.
 Other unions may leave membership open to those who are interested and then these
people would pay dues (open shop).

4. Job security

 In some jurisdictions or situations, nurses may be in danger of losing their jobs. For
example, increased wage demands by nurses may mean a hospital may need to cut the
number of nurse positions available overall in the agency.
 Or nurses may experience reprisal from angry administrators if they choose to
participate in union action.
 In many countries, laws protect nurses from unfair job loss or discrimination practices
by employers by way of well-defined grievance procedures.

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 CONCLUSION
Participation in professional organisations is of profit to you and to profession. The
profession provides a means through which united efforts can be made to elevate
standards of nursing education and practice. It also offers a means of voicing your
opinions, developing your abilities and keeping informed of new trends. Registration is
necessary for active nursing practice either here or abroad. This is done through your
State Nurses Registration Council. It provides you with legal protection and protects the
patient from poor nursing care.

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 JOURNAL ABSTRACT
Role of professional organizations in advocating for the nursing profession

Jennifer H. Matthews, PhD, RN, A-CNS, CNE, FAAN

Abstract

Professional 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. In this article the
author discusses the characteristics of a profession, reviews the history of professional
nursing organizations, and describes the advocacy activities of professional nursing
organizations. Throughout, she explains how the three foundational documents of the
nursing profession emphasize nursing advocacy by the professional organizations as
outlined in the American Nurses Association Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive
Statements. The author concludes by encouraging all nurses to engage in their
professional organizations and associations, noting how these organizations contribute to
the accountability and voice of the profession to society.

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BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. Ann.J.Zwemier, “Professional Adjustments and Ethics for Nurses in India”, 2 nd edition,
Lippincott
2. Bhatia and Bhatia, “Theory and Principles of Education”, 20th edition, Doaba house
publishers
3. Basavanthappa BT, “Nursing education”, 2nd edition, Jaypee publication
4. Basavanthappa BT, “Management of nursing service and education”, 1st edition, Jaypee
publication
5. Neeraja KP, “Textbook of nursing education”, 5th edition; Jaypee publication
6. Park.K, “Park’s Textbook of preventive and social medicine”, 19 th edition, Banarasidas
Bhanot Publishers
7. Sudha R, “Nursing education (principles and concept)”, 1st edition, Jaypee publication

Internet reference:

1. http://commonwealthnurses.org/About.html
2. https://www.indiannursingcouncil.org/
3. http://www.dmetodisha.gov.in
4. http://www.indianursing.co.in
5. http://www.indianursingcouncil.org
6. www.who.org
7. https://www.tnaionline.org/news/sna/
8. https://www.slideshare.net/NasiyaWani/role-of-professional-assosciations-and-unions-ppt

Journal reference:

Matthews, J., (January 31, 2012) "Role of Professional Organizations in Advocating for the
Nursing Profession" OJIN: The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing Vol. 17, No. 1,
Manuscript 3. DOI: 10.3912/OJIN.Vol17No01Man03

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