Professional Advocacy through Association Membership

Professional advocacy is about supporting the interests ofone’s profession. Professional associations advocate for their members byuniting as a single voice and taking action to advance or remove barriers tothe profession. Nurse practitioners (NPs) unite in member-created associationsand organizations at many different levels: local, state, national, andinternational. They unite as specialty groups to further the goals or interestsof their profession. Each of these organizations has a purpose or mission,membership benefits, and role in professional advocacy. While individually theNP may be able to contact a legislator on an issue of concern, a professionalorganization has the collective power of being able to be heard in numbers.These organizations are poised to take the course of action needed to influencethe stakeholders. Just as these groups take action to make change, individualNPs must take action to promote their own professional interests and causes.One of the best ways a professional can support their profession is by joiningan association or organization.

Directions

In a 3–5 page paper address the following:

1. Join aNP association at the local, state, national or international level. (joinas a student)
2. Discussthe mission and vision of this organization.
3. Describethe requirements for membership.
4. Explainat least five benefits to belonging to this organization.
5. Demonstrateunderstanding of the advocacy efforts of this organization by answeringthe following:

• Whatare the current key issues of concern (name at least three)?
• Whatactions are being taken by this organization to address these concerns?
• Whatcurrent legislative efforts are being done by this organization in one ofthe following areas:
  • expandingthe NP scope of practice
  • NPregulation of practice
  • Healthcarepolicy
  • Paymentissues
  • Prescriptiveprivileges
• Reflecton how your membership to this organization can promote the NP profession.