Are you seeking professional support within the professional nursing community? How about networking and continuing education opportunities in nursing?
Boost your career by joining a professional nursing association. You can access relevant news, job resources, and like-minded people who understand the rewards and challenges of your dynamic profession.
Nurses can choose from many organizations. It's largely a matter of personal preference and location. Learn about your options from the following list.
National Nursing Associations
National professional nursing organizations strengthen the profession, build networks, and provide resources to nurses from varied backgrounds. Organizations like those listed below represent the profession's voice. They advocate on behalf of their members, encourage quality patient care and best practices, and sponsor activities that help nurses stay informed and accountable.
- American Association for Men in Nursing
- American Association for the History of Nursing
- American Association of Colleges of Nursing
- American Nurses Association
- American Nurses Foundation
- American Organization for Nursing Leadership
- Army Nurse Corps Association
- Association for Nursing Professional Development
- Black Nurse Entrepreneurs
- Black Nurses Rock
- Campaign for Action
- Charity Association of Student Nurses
- Chinese American Nurses Association
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Doctors of Nursing Practice
- Evangelical Lutheran Parish Nurse Association
- Friends of the National Institute of Nursing Research
- HealthImpact
- Military Officers Association of America Uniformed Services Nurse Advocates Virtual Chapter
- National American Arab Nurses Association
- National Association for Practical Nurse Education and Service
- National Association of Hispanic Nurses
- National Black Nurses Association
- National Coalition of Ethnic Minority Nurse Associations
- National Forum of State Nursing Workforce Centers
- National Institute of Nursing Research
- National League for Nursing
- National Nurses in Business Association
- National Nurses United
- National Organization of Nurses with Disabilities
- National Student Nurses' Association, Inc.
- Nurses Christian Fellowship
- Nurses Educational Funds
- Nurses on Boards Coalition
- Nursing Organizations Alliance
- Professional Nurse Educators Group
Professional Nursing Associations by Speciality
Nursing specialties have expanded in response to a growing national demand for healthcare. These specialties allow nurses to focus on specific patient populations. Nursing organizations dedicated to these in-demand specializations help members stay informed, increase their earning potential, and achieve professional growth.
- Academy of Oncology Nurse & Patient Navigators
- American Academy of Ambulatory Care Nursing
- American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board
- American Assisted Living Nurses Association
- American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
- American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants
- American Association of Nurse Anesthetists
- American Association of Nurse Life Care Planners
- American Association of Nurse Practitioners
- American Association of Post-Acute Care Nursing
- American Board of Certification for Gastroenterology Nurses
- American Board of Perianesthesia Nursing Certification
- American Cannabis Nurses Association
- American Holistic Nurses Credentialing Corporation
- American Nephrology Nurses Association
- American Nursing Informatics Association
- American Psychiatric Nurses Association
- American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses
- American Society of Registered Nurses
- Association of Camp Nursing
- Association of Faculties of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners
- Association of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nurses
- Association of periOperative Registered Nurses
- Association of Public Health Nurses
- Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses
- Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses – Armed Forces Section
- Council of Public Health Nursing Organizations
- Dermatology Nurses' Association
- Developmental Disabilities Nurses Association
- National Academy of Dermatology Nurse Practitioners
- National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists
- National Association of Neonatal Nurses
- National Association of Nurse Massage Therapists
- National Association of Orthopaedic Nurses
- National Association of Orthopaedic Nurses Foundation
- National Association of School Nurses for the Deaf
- National Association of State School Nurse Consultants
- National Network of Career Nursing Assistants
- National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties
- Nurses for Sexual and Reproductive Health
- Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation
- Oncology Nursing Foundation
- Oncology Nursing Society
- Organization of Wound Care Nurses & Allied Healthcare Professionals
- Pediatric Nursing Certification Board
- Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association
- Society of Otorhinolaryngology and Head-Neck Nurses
- Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates
- Society of Pediatric Nurses
- Society of Urologic Nurses and Associates
- The Association of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition Nurses
- Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurses Society
Nursing Associations by State
While national and specialized nursing organizations offer members a variety of benefits, state nursing associations help nurses stay connected and informed about their geographic area.
State associations represent an array of specialties and interest groups. Membership in a state or regional organization helps nurses network, stay current on changes affecting their regional work environments, and access employment listings and continuing education information.