Many professions have a defined culture that enhances the ethos and values of the field among members. The professional culture is maintained and nurtured through the acts of the field’s organization or association. Professional organizations are created to advocate and educate members and other constituents to represent the important values of nursing to others publicly. Professional associations in nursing can influence healthcare policies, protect and represent the nurses’ interests, provide opportunities for continuing education, and advocate for the best possible care. Multiple organizations cater to the interests of nurses in specific professions. An example of such an organization is the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM). An understanding of how nursing associations impact nurses is critical. Therefore, it is crucial to examine the importance of ACNM to nurses specializing in labor and delivery.
ACNM is one of the oldest females’ healthcare organizations in the United States dating back to 1955. ACNM caters to the needs of United States’ certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) and certified midwives (CMs). It offers research, creates standards for clinical practice, and promotes programs for continuing education. Additionally, it creates liaisons with federal and state agencies and Congress members. ACNM’s mission is to ensure midwives serve by inclusion, leadership research and development, education, and advocacy in order to advance midwifery practice, support midwives, achieve equitable and optimal health outcomes for communities and people. The philosophy underlying the midwifery profession stipulates that CMs and CNMs believe that every person has a right to satisfying and safe healthcare that respects cultural variations and human dignity (American College of Nurse-Midwives, n.d., c). The vision of ACNM is to promote and facilitate midwifery for all communities.
There are numerous benefits associated with being an ACNM member. ACNM members are given access to current information on regulatory and midwifery reforms, opportunities for continuing education, professional resources, and patient safety and quality. Furthermore, the membership provides other benefits, such as special rates for programs in continuing education, leadership and volunteer opportunities, access to the network of more than six thousand members. ACNM membership facilitates welcome and support for members to ask questions, learn, engage, and grow. Members can choose the best volunteer structure to promote a meaningful contribution to their causes. In addition, ACNM membership provides over $25,000 in support to student members each year. The scholarship is funded by the ACNM Foundation, where experienced members are eligible for the highest fellowship (American College of Nurse-Midwives, n.d., a). ACNM members enjoy discounts on products and meetings, which enables them to save money.
Networking provides opportunities for CMs and CNMs to work together in order to improve care for babies and their mothers. Networking is essential as it strengthens midwifery collaboration, voice, visibility, education, and research across the profession (Goolsby & Knestrick, 2017). Networks enable CMs and CNMs to be aware of and share research and development efforts in midwifery. Furthermore, networking is crucial for developing a fulfilling, productive, and optimized career. ACNM gives CMs and CNMs access to compatible professionals, potential mentors, and peers (American College of Nurse-Midwives, n.d., a). The organization provides opportunities for networking through its events, volunteer opportunities, and affiliate meetings, which promote connections with others.
ACNM keeps its members updated on the latest midwifery policies, news, and research through educational resources such as e-newsletters, magazines, and journals. The ACNM Brief, which is the weekly e-newsletter, provides the current research related to midwifery each Tuesday. Quickening, the member-only online news site, enables CMs and CNMs to stay updated as members can share their perspectives easily regarding new policies, which informs others of any changes (American College of Nurse-Midwives, n.d., a). Healthcare changes can be understood in depth using the Journal of Midwifery and Women’s Health since it provides peer-reviewed articles on significant issues in midwifery.
ACNM is committed to professional development since it offers the chance to pursue continuing education (CE). CE is the learning experience that goes beyond the basics of education in midwifery. ACNM has a division of advanced midwifery for organizing and accrediting educational programs aimed at developing nurse-midwives. Continuing education provides educational experiences which are designed to increase the skills of a midwife. CE education activities must promote professional skills by increasing excellence and competence. Additionally, CE programs introduce emerging theories, research, principles, and concepts in midwifery and healthcare in general. ACNM promotes professional development through the calls for nursing proposals and abstracts, which increase advocacy skills. Also, the organization provides publishing and volunteer opportunities, which can improve academic and practical knowledge in new areas (American College of Nurse-Midwives, n.d., b). Through continued education, ACNM advances the midwifery practice, helping achieve optimal health outcomes for people.
In conclusion, examining the detailed overview of ACNM improves understanding of how the organization helps CMs and CMNs. The organization dates back to 1955, and it aims to achieve and facilitate midwifery for all communities. ACNM’s mission is to advance the midwifery practice, achieve equitable and optimal health outcomes, and support midwives through research, leadership development, education, inclusion, and advocacy. ACNM members enjoy excellent benefits such as access to the ACNM journal, opportunities for leadership and volunteering, and discounts on specific products offered by ACNM. It is critical for CMs and CMNs to network to facilitate collaboration and promote sharing of information. ACNM members are updated about the current changes in midwifery through e-newsletters. In retrospect, nurses should join professional associations in their specific professions.
References
American College of Nurse-Midwives. (n.d.) (a). Benefits and resources of ACNM membership. Web.
American College of Nurse-Midwives. (n.d.) (b). Continuing education. Web.
American College of Nurse-Midwives. (n.d.) (c). Vision, mission and core values. Web.
Goolsby, M. J., & Knestrick, J. M. (2017). Effective professional networking.Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 29(8), 441-445. Web.