Nursing organization

American Psychiatric Nurses Association Introduction to APNA and its functions The selection of American Psychiatric Nurses Association, APNA as the nursing organization of focus for this paper involved browsing Yahoo Directory under Nursing Organizations which yielded various results of which the organization chosen for this discussion seemed intriguing based on the challenging behavior of its patients of focus – psychiatric patients. This nursing organization has been organized with the purpose of advancing the education and science in psychiatric-mental health nursing. The Board of Directors comprising of the president, president elect, immediate past president, secretary, treasurer, four board members and an ex-officio run its affairs, ensuring that the association attains its objectives in the long run. Its functions include promotion of health, recovery and wellness by identifying mental health issues, preventing related problems and providing appropriate care and treatment to people with psychiatric disorders (APNA, 2013).
Membership and its benefits
The membership of APNA draws from all educational levels and a varied range of settings including military, forensic, private practice, outpatient and education among others. Currently, the total membership exceeds 8, 000 members (APNA, 2013). These members benefit from professional growth and continuing education with access to its scholarships, networking and information access through its Member Bridge program and discounts on certification exams, long term insurance, conference registration fees and educational materials. The membership cost would depend on which of the five categories a member joins. Regular membership would be available to registered nurses, those paying dues and pursue endeavors furthering the association’s purposes. Such members might vote, seek directorship and serve in committees. A joining fee of $135. 00 would apply with a monthly fee of $12. 50. Mental health professionals not registered as nurses would join as affiliate members at a fee of $135. 00. Affiliate membership attracts all membership benefits save for voting or holding office. International membership would be for those residing outside the US at a cost of $135. 00 with the entitlement to all membership benefits. For retired registered nurses interested in participating in psychiatric-mental health activities, retired membership at a cost of $75. 00 would be their reserve just as the student membership would be reserved for proven nursing students at a cost of $25. 00. Student registered nurses could vote though they would not hold office.
Accomplishments and relationship with membership and society
Among the accomplishments of APNA includes its publications, notably its journal – the Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association, JAPNA – on clinical research on psychiatric nursing published twice a month by SAGE Publications. The organization has been accredited by the American Nurses Credentialing Commission on Accreditation to provide continuing nursing education through both online and live programs (American Psychiatric Association, 2006). Its annual conference has been regarded as “ the largest gathering of PMH nurses in the US” (APNA, 2013). With regard to its members, APNA awards its members who exhibit excellence in their practice, leadership, education, community engagement and research among many more annually as a way of encouraging excellence. Through its foundation, the nursing organization mobilizes for donations through its website for its corporate social responsibility to communities and research. It further offers scholarship to nursing students through various programs such as the APNA Janssen Students Scholarship Program meant to provide scholarship to nursing students in the US.
Conclusion
Therefore, APNA provides a myriad of opportunities to psychiatric-mental health nurses to develop their profession and also general lives. The nursing organization further strives to positively influence the surrounding community through research and other beneficial programs. Thus, what would make a psychiatric nurse not join the organization?
References
American Psychiatric Association (2006). American Psychiatric Association practice guidelines for the treatment of psychiatric diseases. Wilson Boulevard: Author.
American Psychiatric Nurses Association (2013). About APNA. Retrieved 21 January 2013 from www. Apna. org