After Graduation, Should You Join The Emergency Nurses Association?
Jan 8, 2015 | 9:00 am
Are you wondering whether or not to join the Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) upon graduation? Although being a member of ENA is not mandatory, but if you would like to get a competitive edge in your place of work and stay sharp with your skills and knowledge; then it makes sense to join a professional nursing association such as ENA.
According to the Emergency Nurses Association, members of the association will have the opportunity to improve on their leadership skills and have a voice in matters that affect the emergency nursing practice, as well as other areas. Members can also take advantage of many and achieve so much more by participating actively in their state ENA.
It is normal for you to hesitate when it comes to joining any association, especially if you are not sure that joining the association would add value to you. One should not join ENA simply out of a sense of loyalty or responsibility, but instead out of the need to be the very best emergency nurse you can be. Knowing what is in it for you may actually surprise you.
Here are a couple of advantages of joining a professional association like the Emergency Nurses Association:
•Have a Sense of Belonging and Be Empowered to Give Your Best
When you join ENA, you will feel more connected to your profession. The moment you receive resources such as the ones developed by the Institute for Quality, Safety & Injury Prevention, you will be empowered to integrate quality, injury prevention and safety into your everyday practice.
•Get Support
You can count on getting quick professional and personal support system of other nurses who share your concerns and interests. There are networking opportunities at national, state council and chapter events plus social media such as Google+, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and Listserve communities.
•Acquire More Education
ENA offers you opportunities for continuing education – the best part is that you can count on getting huge savings on continuing education and even on marketplace purchases as well. ENA offers preferred pricing on Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing Examinations. The ENA Foundation offers grants and scholarships to qualified registered members of the association.
•Mentoring
You can choose to be a mentee or mentor someone. For example, you can participate in an ENA mentoring program and be assigned to a fresh graduate. Anyone who has participated in a mentoring program would agree that it helps one contribute to one’s profession in a genuine way.
•Get Awesome Discounts
As a registered member of the Emergency Nurses Association, you can take advantage of the discounts from partners and reputable businesses that provide an array of product and services like:
-Wireless products and services
-Auto rentals
-Insurance
-Identity theft protection
-Travel
-Prescriptions and so much more.
In conclusion, joining a professional nursing association like ENA is definitely not a waste of one’s valuable time. This is an option that is going to take you places and help you excel.