NR 451 WEEK 8 DISCUSSION, YOUR FUTURE

Every profession is characterized by professional culture that fosters ethos and values of the profession among its members. Through a series of actions, professional organizations nurtures and maintains a professional culture. In every industry, professional organizations are established to advocate on behalf of their members while representing the core values of the profession. This is the same case with the nursing profession. Professional nursing organizations does not only advocate on behalf of the members but also gives opportunities for nurses to connect with colleagues, attend conventions aimed at continuing education, learn about recent changes in healthcare, and gain specialized professional certifications (Matthews, 2012). In nursing, the first professional organization to be founded was the American Society of Superintendents of Training Schools for Nurses, established in 1893, and today, it is known as National League for Nursing. Other major nursing professional organizations in existence today include the American Nurse Association (ANA), the American Red Cross, the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association, State Nursing Associations, and the National Student Nurses Association (NSNA). The professional organization that I currently participate is the National Student Nurses Association (NSNA). It has been one of the most valuable resources for student nurses since its establishment in 1969 (Matthews, 2012). It provides students with career resources for employment, and also educational journals for students in all nursing degree programs