Registered nurses join professional nursing associations such as the American Assembly of Men in Nursing (AAMN), the National Black Nurses Association (NBNA), and the Emergency Nurses Association for various reasons. For example, some join to enjoy the peer recognition that results from being active members of established nursing associations. Others want to learn what is happening in the profession and remain informed. I would like to join the American Assembly of Men in Nursing and the National Black Nurses Association. They are a fit for me due to several reasons.
The AAMN and NBNA were founded to protect the rights of African-American Male nurses. NBNA was established in 1971 to address inequalities in health care for African Americans and the inability of black nurses to speak out on their health care issues. It still supports new graduating nurses to overcome the challenges (NBNA Mission, n.d.). Therefore, the association offers me the opportunity to be heard despite the ethnicity factor. On the other hand, AAMN was founded in 1974 to encourage young men in the United States to train as nurses and join other health care professionals in humanizing health care to Americans (McCain, n. d.). The organizations can help me develop psychologically and understand my duty as a male nurse in the United States.
Additionally, the organizations are a fit for me because they have developed programs and activities that draw several African American Male nurses to them. NBNA hosts annual institute conferences and publishes journals such as the Journal of the National Black Nurses Association. The journals contain peer-refereed health research-based articles, which I would be able to access with ease if I become a member of the association (NBNA Mission. n. d.).
AANM also has a highly useful mentoring program. The organization started accepting mentoring training applications from its members in January 2013. It will provide both electronic materials and special mentoring booklets. The objective of the training is to equip men with the current nursing skills and advise them on how to use technology effectively to achieve nursing objectives. Joining the organization will allow me to participate in the mentor program as either a mentor or mentee (McCain, n. d.).
Moreover, both the National Black Nurses Association and the American Assembly of Men in Nursing offer opportunities for personal skills development. They offer leadership opportunities through committees and task forces. During the national and local conferences, they request their members to manage conference programs. In the process, the members build networks and gain recognition as committed nursing professionals. In addition, the organizations are a fit for me since they draw many professionals from different parts of the world. NBNA represents close to150, 000 professionals and learners from different regions such as Africa, the United States, and the Eastern Caribbean.
The association conducts educational programs for nurses in all the regions. It also provides yearly scholarships for students, who must be its members. The AAMN also has many members and provides exceptional services. It offers annual awards and several scholarships. Its membership is open. Notably, the association allows women to apply for membership to enhance discussion during meetings and pieces of training (McCain, n. d.).
Conclusively, the mission of the National Black Nurses Association is to eliminate ethnic discrimination in the nursing profession. On the other hand, the mission of the American Assembly of Men in Nursing is to help men to understand their nursing roles through mentorship. The organizations endeavor to create conducive working conditions for African American nurses. Since I am an African American Male nurse, the associations are a fit for me.
References
McCain, B. (n.d.). About American Assembly for Men in Nursing – AAMN. American Assembly for Men in Nursing – AAMN. Web.
NBNA Mission. (n.d.). Welcome to NBNA. Web.