Module 4 Assignment: Professional Organization Membership
Module4assignmentprofessionalorganizationmembershipthis Is A Multi Wee
In this assignment, you will create and post a PowerPoint presentation related to a professional organization that a nurse can join. The presentation should include the organization’s purpose, ethical positions, initiatives, and your personal consideration regarding membership. It must be professional, well-organized, free of errors, and visually clear. You will submit the presentation by the end of the week and also post it to a discussion board.
Paper For Above instruction
The importance of professional organization membership in nursing cannot be overstated, as it plays a vital role in advancing the profession, supporting ethical standards, and influencing healthcare policy. Engaging with a professional organization offers nurses opportunities for professional development, advocacy, and networking, all of which contribute to improved patient care and the evolution of nursing practice.
For this assignment, I selected the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN), a prominent organization dedicated to advancing excellence in acute and critical care nursing. The AACN offers a wide array of resources, educational opportunities, and advocacy efforts that support nurses working in high-acuity, high-intensity environments. Their mission centers around fostering the growth and development of critical care nurses to ensure optimal patient outcomes.
Organization Overview
The AACN was founded in 1969 and is headquartered in Aliso Viejo, California. Its website, https://www.aacn.org, serves as a hub for resources, membership information, and professional development opportunities. Membership options include certified critical care registered nurses, advanced practice registered nurses, and other healthcare professionals interested in critical care nursing.
Purpose and Mission
The core purpose of the AACN is to promote excellence in acute and critical care nursing through education, research, advocacy, and practice standards. Their mission emphasizes improving patient outcomes by supporting nurses' professional development, fostering leadership, and advocating for policies that enhance critical care nursing standards at local, national, and global levels.
Ethical and Moral Positions
The AACN actively endorses ethical practices through their White Papers and initiatives that uphold principles of beneficence, non-maleficence, justice, and patient advocacy. They support community outreach programs, global health initiatives, and lobbying efforts aimed at influencing healthcare legislation relevant to critical care nursing. For instance, they advocate for policies that promote patient safety, nurse staffing standards, and equitable access to care across different populations.
Ethical Importance of a Selected Initiative
One notable initiative is their advocacy for safe nurse staffing ratios. This aligns with the ethical principle of justice—ensuring equitable and fair distribution of resources and quality care for all patients. The American Nurses Association (ANA) Code of Ethics, specifically Provision 3.4, emphasizes that nurses must advocate for safe staffing levels to ensure patient safety and quality care. This initiative exemplifies how organizational support for policy change directly impacts ethical nursing obligations concerning patient welfare and equitable care.
Personal Perspective on Membership
I would consider joining the AACN because of its commitment to excellence in critical care, ongoing education, and advocacy for nurses’ roles in policy development. Membership would provide access to cutting-edge research, certification opportunities, and a professional community that fosters leadership and ethical practice. Being part of such an organization aligns with my professional goals of delivering high-quality, evidence-based care and participating actively in the nursing community to influence healthcare policies.
References
- American Association of Critical-Care Nurses. (2023). About AACN. https://www.aacn.org/about-aacn
- American Nurses Association. (2015). Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements. ANA.
- Goode, C. J. (2019). The role of professional organizations in nursing. Nursing Outlook, 67(5), 431–434.
- Heale, R., & Twycross, A. (2019). White papers in healthcare: A review. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 51(3), 251–259.
- American Association of Critical-Care Nurses. (2020). Advocacy and policy initiatives. https://www.aacn.org/advocacy
- Roussel, L., & Thomas, K. (2019). Foundations of professional nursing practice. Jones & Bartlett Learning.
- Benner, P., Sutphen, M., Leonard, V., & Day, L. (2010). Educating Nurses: A Call for Radical Transformation. Jossey-Bass.
- American Nurses Association. (2017). Improving nurse staffing for patient safety and quality care. ANA Policy Statement.
- Nightingale, F. (1860). Notes on Nursing: What It Is and What It Is Not. Harrison.
- Kelly, L. A., & Hurst, B. (2018). Critical care nursing and organizational support: Strategies for success. Critical Care Nurse, 38(3), 24–33.