Great Nursing Associations to Join
You probably became familiar with some professional nursing associations to join, like the National Student Nurses Association, while in nursing school. As a working nurse, you’ve probably heard of many more.
Do a quick web search, and you’ll find numerous local, national, and international organizations devoted entirely to nursing. Which ones are right for you? To help you decide, we’ve compiled a list of nursing associations with the broadest audience, followed by a list of all national, state, and international nurse organizations.
Why Should You Join a Nurse Association?
Why bother learning about nursing associations to join? Well, these groups serve all kinds of purposes. It makes sense that if you are a respiratory nurse, you would probably benefit from becoming a member of the American Association for Respiratory Care. You’ll find many specialty-specific groups like that. You’ll also find state and regional nurse groups.
If you’ve taken a leave of absence from nursing but are considering returning to the field, joining an association can not only inform you of the latest medical developments, but can also help you network and find employment.
The more significant, more generalized national associations for nurses benefit the field in many ways. Here are some of the things nursing associations and organizations can provide to help further the profession as a whole and also impact your career:
- Continuing education and professional development
- Scholarships
- Promoting and enacting policies that benefit nurses and patients
- Setting standards of excellence and accreditation
- Safeguarding the proper treatment of nurses
- Advancing public health policy
- Providing a liaison to government organizations like the CDC
- Producing educational material, including journals and websites
- Promoting and coordinating mentorship in nursing
General Nursing Associations to Join
Here are 10 of the top associations and organizations for nurses:
1. American Assembly for Men in Nursing
AAMN encourages men of all ages to become nurses and join together with all nurses in strengthening and humanizing healthcare. The organization supports men who are nurses to grow professionally.
2. American Association of Colleges of Nursing
As the collective voice for academic nursing, AACN serves as the catalyst for excellence and innovation in nursing education, research, and practice.
3. American Association of Nurse Practitioners
AANP spearheads the movement to empower NPs to advance quality healthcare through practice, education, advocacy, research, and leadership.
4. American Nurses Association
ANA strives to improve patient care through supporting both individuals and organizations to advance the nursing profession. From advocating in the halls of Congress, to setting the bar for credentialing worldwide, the greater ANA Enterprise exists to give every nurse the best chance of success.
5. American Nurses Credentialing Center
The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) credentials both organizations and individuals who advance nursing.
6. Association for Nursing Professional Development
ANPD supports the specialty practice of nursing professional development for the advancement of healthcare outcomes.
7. National Association of Health Care Assistants
The CNA Association stands together to demonstrate professional pride and advocate for policies and practices that advance certified nursing assistants in their careers as well as their personal lives.
8. National Association of Hispanic Nurses
Since 1975, NAHN has been the nation’s leading professional society for Latino nurses. With a growing membership and more than 40 local chapters, NAHN represents the voices of Latino nurses across the country.
9. National Association of Licensed Practical Nurses
NALPN has been the voice for LPNs/LVNs since 1949, offering continuing education, certifications, scholarships, guidance and professional advice, member support and networking.
10. National Black Nurses Association, Inc.
NBNA serves as the professional voice for over 200,000 African-American registered nurses, licensed vocational/practical nurses, nursing students, and retired nurses from the USA, Eastern Caribbean, and Africa.
Additional Broad Interest Nursing Associations to Join
- Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments
- American Academy of Nursing
- American Board of Nursing Specialties
- American College Health Association
- Association for Nursing Professional Development
- Center to Champion Nursing in America
- National Institute of Nursing Research
- National League for Nursing
- National Organization of Practical Nursing Education and Service
- National Student Nurses’ Association
- Nurse Practitioner Healthcare Foundation
- Nurses Peer Support Network
- Nursing Beyond Borders
- Nursing Ethics Network
- Organization for Associate Degree Nursing
- Society of Nurses in Advanced Practice
Full List of Nursing Associations
U.S. National Nursing Associations
Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses
Academy of Neonatal Nursing
Advanced Practice Nurses of the Ozarks
Advanced Practice Nurses of the Permian Basin
Advanced Practitioners for the River Region
Air & Surface Transport Nurses Association
Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments
Alzheimer’s Association
American Academy of Ambulatory Care Nursing
American Academy of Nursing
American Assembly for Men in Nursing
American Assisted Living Nurses Association
American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC)
American Association for the History of Nursing
American Association of Colleges of Nursing
American Association of Critical Care Nurses
American Association of Diabetes Educators
American Association of Heart Failure Nurses
American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants
American Association of Managed Care Nurses
American Association of Moderate Sedation Nurses
American Association of Neuroscience Nurses
American Association of Nigerian Nurses
American Association of Nurse Anesthetists
American Association of Nurse Assessment Coordinators
American Association of Nurse Attorneys
American Association of Nurse Life Care Planners
American Association of Nurse Practitioners
American Association of Occupational Health Nurses
American Association of Spinal Cord Injury Nurses
American Board for Occupational Health Nurses
American Board of Nursing Specialties
American College Health Association
American College of Cardiovascular Nurses
American College of Nurse-Midwives
American Diabetes Association
American Heart Association: Council on Cardiovascular Nursing
American Holistic Nurses Association
American Medical Association
American Medical Informatics Association/ Nursing Informatics Working Group
American Nephrology Nurses Association
American Nurses Association
American Nurses Credentialing Center
American Nursing Informatics Association
American Organization of Nurse Executives
American Psychiatric Nurses Association
American Society for Pain Management Nursing
American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition: Nurses Section
American Society of Ophthalmic Registered Nurses
American Society of Peri-Anesthesia Nurses
American Society of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgical Nurses, Inc.
American Thoracic Society: Nurses Section
Army Nurse Corps Association
Arthritis Foundation
Association for Nursing Professional Development
Association for Radiologic & Imaging Nursing
Association of Camp Nurses
Association of Child Neurology Nurses
Association of Community Health Nursing Educators
Association of Faculties of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners
Association of Nurse Practitioners in Business, Inc.
Association of Nurses in Aids Care
Association of Nurses in AIDS Care
Association of Pediatric Oncology Nurses
Association of periOperative Registered Nurses
Association of Rehabilitation Nurses
Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nursing
Baromedical Nurses Association
Carolinas Association of Neonatal Nurse Practitioners
Center for American Nurses
Center to Champion Nursing in America
Certification Board of Perioperative Nursing
Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Inc.
Dermatology Nurses’ Association
Developmental Disabilities Nurses Association
Eastern Nursing Research Society (ENRS)
Emergency Nurses Association
Endocrine Nurses Society
Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association
Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association
Infusion Nurses Society (see intravenous)
International Association of Clinical Research Nurses
Lupus Foundation of America
Midwest Nursing Research Society
Muscular Dystrophy Association
NAPNAP Foundation
National Academy of Dermatology Nurse Practitioners
National Association Directors of Nursing Administration/Long Term Care
National Association of Bariatric Nurses
National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists
National Association of Directors of Nursing Administration in Long Term Care
National Association of Disease Management & Wellness Professionals
National Association of Hispanic Nurses
National Association of Licensed Practical Nurses
National Association of Neonatal Nurses
National Association of Nurse Practitioner Faculties
National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health
National Association of Orthopaedic Nurses
National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners
National Association of Rural Health Clinics
National Association of School Nurses
National Association of State School Nurse Consultants
National Black Nurses Association, Inc.
National Coalition of Ethnic Minority Nurse Associations
National Council of State Boards of Nursing
National Gerontological Nurses Association
National Heart Lung and Blood Institute
National Hospice & Palliative Care Organization
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
National Institute of Nursing Research
National League for Nursing
National Multiple Sclerosis Society
National Nurses in Business Association
National Nursing Staff Development Organization
National Organization of Practical Nursing Education and Service
National Practitioner Associates for Continuing Education
National Private Duty Association
National Student Nurses Association
Navy Nurse Corps Association
NCNA Council of Nurse Practitioners – Coastal Region
NCNA Council of Nurse Practitioners Eastern Region
NCNA Council of Nurse Practitioners Wake Central Region
North American Nursing Diagnosis Association
Northeast Pediatric Cardiology Nurses Association
Northern Nurse Practitioner Association
Northwest Organization of Nurse Executives
NP Council of Miami-Dade
Nurse Practitioner Healthcare Foundation
Nurse Practitioner Society of the Dermatology Nurses’ Association
Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health
Nurse Practitioners: It’s About Time
Nurse Without Borders
Nurses Christian Fellowship
Nurses Organization of Veterans Affairs
Nurses Peer Support Network
Nursing Ethics Network
Nursing Network on Violence Against Women International
Oncology Nurses Society
Organization for Associate Degree Nursing
Philippine Nurses Association of America
Respiratory Nursing Society
Sigma Theta Tau, Delta Beta, Chapter-At-Large
Sigma Theta Tau, International Honor Society of Nursing
Society for Vascular Nursing
Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates, Inc.
Society of Nurses in Advanced Practice
Society of Otorhinolaryngology and Head/Neck Nurses
Society of Pediatric Nurses
Society of Trauma Nurses
Society of Urologic Nurses and Associates
Southern Gulf Coast Nurse Practitioner Council
The National Association of Pediatric Nurse Associates and Practitioners
The National Association of School Nurses for the Deaf
The National Forum of State Nursing Workforce Centers
Transcultural Nursing Society
Travel Nursing
Treasure Coast Nurse Practitioners
Uniformed Nurse Practitioner Association
Valley Advanced Practice Nurse Association
Visiting Nurse Associations of America (VNAA)
Volusia Flagler Advanced Practice Nursing Council
West Coast Council of Advanced Nursing Practice
Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society (WOCN)
State Nursing Associations
Alabama Nursing Associations
Central Alabama Nurse Practitioner Association
North Alabama Nurse Practitioner Association
Nurse Practitioner Alliance of Alabama
River Region Advanced Practitioners
West Alabama Nurse Practitioners
Alaska Nursing Associations
Alaska Nurse Practitioner Association
Alaska Nurses Association
Department of Health and Social Services, Section of Public Health Nursing
Department of Labor, Alaska Job Center Network, Health Care Employment Search
National Alaska Native American Indian Nurses Association
Arizona Nursing Associations
American Psychiatric Nurses Association (Arizona Chapter)
Arizona Association of Nurse Anesthetists
Arizona Cannabis Nurses Association
Arizona Emergency Nurses Association
Arizona Nurses Association
Arizona Organization of Nurse Executives
Arizona Public Health Association
Black Nurses Association of the Greater Phoenix Area
Philippine Nurses Association of Arizona
School Nurses of Organization of Arizona
The National Association of Hispanic Nurses (Phoenix Chapter)
Arkansas Nursing Associations
American Psychiatric Nurses Association (Arkansas Chapter)
Arkansas Nurse Practitioner Association
Arkansas Nurses Association
Arkansas School Nurses Association
Arkansas State Board of Nursing
California Nursing Associations
Bay Area Nurse Practitioner Association
California Coalition of Nurse Practitioners
Coachella Valley Chapter of Nurse Practitioners
Northern California Chapter of GAPNA
Nurse Practitioner Council of Palm Beach County
Orange County NAPNAP Chapter
Sacramento Valley Chapter of NAPNAP
San Diego Chapter of NAPNAP
San Francisco Bay Area Chapter of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners
Sarasota County Nurse Practitioners
Silicon Valley Chapter for Nurse Practitioners
Colorado Nursing Associations
Colorado Rocky Mountain Chapter of NAPNAP
Colorado Society of Advance Practice Nurses
Northern Colorado Nurse Practitioner’s Coalition
Southern Colorado Advanced Practice Nursing Association
Connecticut Nursing Associations
Connecticut Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Society
Connecticut Nurses Association
Delaware Nursing Associations
Advanced Practice Nurse Council of the Delaware Nurses Association
Delaware Coalition of Nurse Practitioners
District of Columbia Nursing Associations
Nurse Practitioner Association of the District of Columbia
Florida Nursing Associations
Central Florida Advanced Nurse Practitioner Council
Florida Association of Neonatal NPs
Florida Association of Nurse Practitioners
Florida Chapter of GAPNA
Florida Chapter of NAPNAP
Florida Coalition of Advanced Practice Nursing
Florida Gulf Coast Chapter of GAPNA
Florida Gulf Coast Chapter of NAPNAP
Florida Nurse Practitioner Network – FNPN
Florida Nurses Association
Florida Panhandle Nurse Practitioner Coalition
Manatee Area Council for Advanced Nursing Practice – MACANP
North Central Florida Advanced Practice Nurses
Nurse Practitioner Council of Collier County
Nurse Practitioner Council of Miami-Dade
PAs and NPs of the Florida Keys
South Florida Council of Advanced Practice Nurses, Inc.
Tallahassee Area Council of Advanced Practice Nurses
Tampa Bay Advanced Practice Nurses Council
Tampa Bay Simulation Network
Georgia Nursing Associations
Atlanta Chapter United Advanced Practice Registered Nurses
Central Georgia Advanced Practice Registered Nurses
Georgia Chapter of GAPNA
Georgia Nurses Association
Gwinnett Chapter United Advanced Practice Registered Nurses
South Georgia Association of Nurse Practitioners
United Advanced Practice Registered Nurses of Georgia
United Advanced Practice Registered Nurses of West Georgia
Wiregrass Nurse Practitioner Association
Hawaii Nursing Associations
Asian American/Pacific Islander Nurses Association
Hawaii Association of Professional Nurses
Hawaii Nurses Association
Student Nurses Association (SNA)
Idaho Nursing Associations
Idaho Nurses Association
Idaho Nurses Association
Nurse Practitioners of Idaho
Wake Central Nurse Practitioner Council
Illinois Nursing Associations
Chicago Chapter of NAPNAP
Illinois Chicago Chapter – National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners
Illinois Nurses Association
Illinois Society for Advanced Practice Nursing
Indiana Nursing Associations
Indiana Chapter of NAPNAP
Intermountain Advanced Practice Nurses Association
Iowa Nursing Associations
Iowa Association of Nurse Practitioners IANP
Iowa Society of Nurse Practitioners
Kansas Nursing Associations
Greater Kansas City Chapter of NAPNAP
Kansas State Nurses Association
Lake County PA & NP Organization
Kentucky Nursing Associations
Kentucky Coalition of Nurse Practitioners and Nurse Midwives
Kentucky Nurses Association
Louisiana Nursing Associations
Louisiana Association of Nurse Practitioners
Louisiana Center For Nursing
Louisiana Nursing Home Association
Louisiana State Nurses Association
Maine Nursing Associations
American Nurses Association – Maine
Maine NP Association
Maine SGNA
Maine Society of Peri Anesthesia Nurses
Maine State Nurses Association – National Nurses United
OMNE: Nursing Leaders of Maine
Maryland Nursing Associations
Maryland Academy of Advanced Practice Clinicians
Maryland Nurses Association
Nurse Practitioner Association of Maryland
The NP Association of Maryland
Massachusetts Nursing Associations
Massachusetts Coalition of Nurse Practitioners
Massachusetts Nurses Association
Michigan Nursing Associations
Great Lakes Chapter of GAPNA
Michigan Council of Nurse Practitioners
Michigan Nurses Association
Minnesota Nursing Associations
Association of Southeastern Minnesota Nurse Practitioners
Minnesota Affiliate of National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists
Minnesota Association of Occupational Health Nurses
Minnesota Chapter of the Developmental Disabilities Nursing Association
Minnesota Directors of Nursing Administration
Minnesota Licensed Practical Nurses Association
Minnesota Nurse Practitioners
Minnesota Nurses Association
Minnesota Organization of Leaders in Nursing
Minnesota Organization of Registered Nurses
School Nurse Organization of Minnesota
Mississippi Nursing Associations
Mississippi Nurses Association
Mississippi Association of Nurse Practitioners
Mississippi Nurses Association, NP Special Interest Group
Missouri Nursing Associations
Missouri Coalition of Nurses in Advanced Practice
Missouri Nurses Association
Montana Nursing Association
Montana Nurses Association
Nebraska Nursing Associations
Nebraska Nurse Practitioners
Nebraska Nurses Association
Nevada Nursing Associations
Nevada Advanced Practice Nurses Association
Nevada Nurses Association
New Hampshire Nursing Associations
New Hampshire NP Association
New Hampshire Nurses Association
New Jersey Nursing Associations
New Jersey State Nurses Association
New Mexico Nursing Associations
New Mexico Center for Nursing Excellence
New Mexico Emergency Nurses Association
New Mexico Native American Indian Nurses Association
New Mexico NP Counsel
New Mexico Nurses Association
New York Nursing Associations
New York State Nurses Association
NP Association of New York State
NPA Brooklyn Queens Chapter
NPA Manhattan Bronx Chapter
Nurse Practitioners of New York
The Nurse Practitioner Association Greater Rochester
The Nurse Practitioner Association New York State
North Carolina Nursing Associations
Metrolina Coalition of Nurse Practitioners
North Carolina Nurses Association
North Dakota Nursing Associations
North Dakota Nurse Practitioner Association
North Dakota Nurses Association
Ohio Nursing Associations
Ohio Association of Advanced Practice Nurses
Ohio Chapter of GAPNA
Ohio Nurses Association
Oklahoma Nursing Associations
Association of Oklahoma Nurse Practitioners
Oklahoma Nurses Association
Oregon Nursing Associations
Nurse Practitioners of Oregon
Oregon Holistic Nurses Association
Oregon Nurses Association
Polk County Advanced Practice Nurses Association
Pennsylvania Nursing Associations
BuxMont Nurse Practitioner Group
Nurse Practitioners of Central Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Coalition of Nurse Practitioners
Pennsylvania Nurses Association
Pennsylvania-Delaware Valley Chapter of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners
Redding Area PA & NP Alliance
Student Nurses Association of Pennsylvania
Rhode Island Nursing Associations
Association of Nurses in AIDS Care (Rhode Island Chapter)
Nurse Practitioner Alliance of Rhode Island
Rhode Island State Nurses Association
Student Nurses’ Association of Rhode Island
South Carolina Nursing Associations
South Carolina Nurses Coalition
South Carolina State House
South Dakota Nursing Associations
Nurse Practitioner Association of South Dakota
South Dakota Nurses Association
Tennessee Nursing Associations
Chattanooga Area Nurses in Advanced Practice
Greater Memphis Area Advanced Practice Nurses
Middle Tennessee Advanced Practice Nurses
Northeast Tennessee Nurse Practitioners Association
Tennessee Council of Advanced Practice Nurses
Tennessee Nurses Association
West Tennessee Nurse Practitioners Alliance
Texas Nursing Associations
Austin Advanced Practice Nurses
Brazos Valley Nurse Practitioner Association
East Texas Nurse Practitioner Association
Galveston Coalition of Advanced Practice Nurses – GCAPN
Houston Area Chapter of NAPNAP
Houston Area Nurse Practitioners – HANP
Metro West North Texas Nurse Practitioners
North Harris Montgomery Advanced Practice Nurse Society
North Texas Nurse Practitioners
Texas Clinical Nurse Specialists – TxCNS
Texas Gulf Coast Chapter of GAPNA
Texas Nurse Practitioners
Texas Nurses Association
Utah Nursing Associations
Utah Chapter of NAPNAP
Utah Nurse Practitioners, Inc
Utah Nurses Association
Vermont Nursing Associations
Vermont Nurse Practitioners Association
Victoria Area Nurse Practitioners
Virginia Nursing Associations
Virginia Council of NPs
Virginia Council of Nurse Practitioners
Washington Nursing Associations
ARNPs United of Washington State
Midwives of Washington
Mount Baker Nurse Practitioners Association
Puget Sound Chapter of the Oncology Nursing Society
Puget Sound NP Association
WA State NP Group
Washington State Nurses Association
West Virginia Nursing Associations
West Virginia Association of Nurse Anesthetists
West Virginia Nurses Association
Wisconsin Nursing Associations
Metro Milwaukee Nurse Practitioners
Wisconsin Nurses Association
Wyoming Nursing Associations
Wyoming Council for Advanced Practice Nursing
Wyoming Nurses Association
International Nursing Associations
Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools
ICN – International Council of Nurses
International Association for Human Caring
International Association of Forensic Nurses
International Association of Nurse Anesthetists
International Childbirth Education Association
International Council of Nurses Nurse Practitioner/Advanced Practice Nursing Network
International Network for Doctoral Education in Nursing
International Nurses Society on Addictions
International Organization of Multiple Sclerosis Nurses
International Society for Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurses
International Society of Nurses in Cancer Care
International Society of Nurses in Genetics
Take Your Career Further
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