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Professional Associations in Nursing: American Association of Neuroscience

Nurses (AANN)

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Professional nursing associations play an integral part in ensuring that the nursing

profession remains proper and respectable standards with regards to quality of care for

clients, working conditions and other needs of nurses, and the general improvement of the

nursing profession. Generally, several benefits accrue to nurses who join professional nursing

organizations. It is for this reason that registered nurses and licensed practical nurses sign up

for general organizations like American Nurses Association and more specific more specific

organizations like the American Association of Neuroscience Nurses (AANN).

The American Association of Neuroscience (AANN) is a professional organization

dedicated to ensuring very high quality care for neuroscience and related illnesses and issues

through the advancement of science and the practice of neuroscience nursing. AANN ensures

neuroscience nurses get quality education, information and certification for nurses. AANN

commits to the mission of maintaining proper neuroscience health through adequate

engagement, education and advocacy. Their vision is to always remain indispensable to

nurses and neuroscience healthcare. The organization, which existed since 1968 boasts of a

membership in excess of 5,200 nurses and other healthcare professionals all over America.

The organization consists of a diverse membership spanning several areas of neuroscience.

AANN presents a platform through which the diverse professionals can share invaluable

experiences and information in a bid to grow themselves and their peers in the neuroscience

field and related fields.

Some of the most important benefits neurosciences get from being members of

AANN include the fact the organization provides a platform for professional growth and

equips these nurses with fundamental tools to give patients quality care. AANN provides its

members with very critical resources for the advancement of neuroscience nursing care, as

well as giving members the extra advantage of enjoying an unlimited access to a vast network

of neuroscience professionals and expertise (Keyko et al., 2016). The American Association
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of Neuroscience Nurses offers nurses access to readily available programs, publications, and

seminars/workshops that they would not enjoy if they were non-members. The publications

available to AANN members are world class and readily available through The Journal of

Neuroscience Nursing. Members also have the unique opportunity to acquire the best

neuroscience nursing education, exclusive events and conferences. AANN members also

enjoy certain discounts and other exclusive content on neuroscience and other relevant,

related fields. Of all the publications, the AANN Neuroscience News, a weekly email

publication stands out. This publication updates members of the association on any news

briefs, trends and any emerging trends in the broad industry.

Networking plays a vital role in any industry and field. Nurses, just as any other

professionals, should network widely and create a rapport with as many professionals in the

field of medicine and several other industries. Neuroscience nurses who join professional

networks and network effectively usually understand their fields better. These nurses create a

formidable support system that helps them identify new positions in a timely manner, gain

vast knowledge and even learn more about their specialties and skills. Networking also assists

all kinds of nurses to learn to cope with the challenges that this career path presents. Nurses

need to take care of themselves so that they can discharge quality care to others as well. It

becomes difficult for a nurse to do this on their own. Therefore, networking plays an essential

role in ensuring that nurses know how to take care of themselves and of one another.

Networking in the neuroscience nursing sector facilitates the mentorship of younger

professionals, the sharing between peers and the improvement of the entire industry through

brainstorming and fruitful deliberations across the board. AANN in itself is one broad

network of professionals in the field of neuroscience nursing and other related fields.

Therefore, the organization maintains a structure through which neuroscience nurses and

other professionals in the field can work together to improve healthcare, communicate best
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practices and share ideas on how best to improve working relationships and leadership

(Taylor & Tokley, 2016). AANN further enables better networking efforts through

membership in the World Federation of Neuroscience Nursing (WFNN) for its members and

a free digital membership to the American Nurses Association (ANA) (Kraft et al., 2017).

There also exists the AANN NeuroNetwork that presents members with an exclusive

platform to discuss and network around the clock.

In addition to providing relevant course material and other educative information,

AANN has a certification arm that regulates the administration of the Certified Neuroscience

Registered Nurse (CNRN) and Stroke Certified Registered Nurse (SCRN) credentials. The

American Board of Neuroscience Nursing (ABNN) awards the certificates mentioned above

for neuroscience nurses who pass the various tests. There are several discounts AANN

members receive from the ABNN examination fees and other costs. This reiterates AANN’s

commitment towards the education and career advancement of all its members. The

professional development of the individual and the profession as a whole remain essential to

the organization. It is for that reason that AANN provides publications, course material and

other information pieces to educate nurses with varying learning requirements and needs in

the field of neuroscience.

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References

Kraft, M., Kästel, A., Eriksson, H., & Hedman, A. M. R. (2017). Global Nursing—a literature

review in the field of education and practice. Nursing open, 4(3), 122-133.

Taylor, R., & Tokley, S. (2016). 8 NETWORKING AND LEADERSHIP. The Essentials of

Nursing Leadership, 127.

Keyko, K., Cummings, G. G., Yonge, O., & Wong, C. A. (2016). Work engagement in

professional nursing practice: A systematic review. International Journal of Nursing

Studies, 61, 142-164.