American Nurse Association

Several professional associations are focusing on different specialties in nursing and other fields. Professional nursing organizations encourage the application of evidence-based practice to the members. A nurse can also increase their view beyond the domain of professional studies as they are provided with opportunities to associate thoughts with different other nurses (American Nurses Association 2009). The professional organization discussed in this essay is the “National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP).” NAPNAP is a professional organization for pediatric nurses and is acknowledged and approved by the American Nurses Association ANA.

Organization (NAPNAP) and Its Significance to Nurses

From setting the bar for credentialing internationally to advocating in the Congress halls, the NAPNAP organization exists to provide every pediatric nurse the best opportunity for success in their career (Brokaw 2016). NAPNAP is a professional nursing organization that started in 1973 with merely 15 nurse practitioners but has grown over the years to reach approximately 8,000 membership today. NAPNAP is acknowledged as a global leader, indispensable resource, and trusted authority organization that provide comprehensive resources needed for advanced pediatric practice nursing, and that is the organization’s vision.  The mission for NAPNAP is “to empower pediatric-focused advanced practice registered nurses and key partners to optimize child and family health” (NAPNAP 2020).

The pioneering goal and purpose for establishing NAPNAP was the concern about nursing competency and nursing practice standards for improving health care quality for improving the quality of infants, children, and adolescents. The NAPNAP is interested in improving the overall health care system and setting nursing practice standards for pediatric nurse practitioners across the United States. The primary goal is to improve the pediatric nurse specialty, creating a conducive health care atmosphere where every practicing nurse has the opportunity to thrive and develop their career through training, research, and professional practice (NAPNAP 2020).  

How the NAPNAP Organization Creates Networking Opportunities for Nurses

NAPNAP is a professional organization that offers valuable networking opportunities through events such as conferences, organizational subcommittees, and message boards. Members also get the chance to find their professional mentors and learn from other experts (American Nurses Association 2009).  This broadens the networks, especially for the new graduates looking for jobs. The body also partners with different health care organizations who often list any pediatric job opening exclusively with the NAPNAP before posting the same to the general public. NAPNAP also organizes annual multi-day meetings/conferences where practicing pediatric nurses and even students find an opportunity to come upon gathering jam-pressed, with opportunities to connect and coordinate with various partners, seeking expert improvement while at the same procuring contact hours. Such meetings provide instructive and discussion avenues for practitioners to advance their vocations as pediatric nurse professionals. NAPNAP individuals are also encouraged to communicate and work with other nurses and physicians in different specialties to enhance their insight into managing different issues between the patients, families, and attendants.

How NAPNAP Keeps Members Informed Of Health Care Changes and Changes to Practice

NAPNAP members are informed of health care changes and changes in the pediatric nursing practice through the organization’s publications, such as periodical magazines published on organization websites. Busy professionals get briefed on the industry trends, advances in technologies, and new legislative policies through the organization’s information on their websites, organizational journals, and periodicals, and even through popup emails for the subscribers and newsletters. For instance, the organization has the NAPNAP Daily news available for members only and provide comprehensive daily health care bulletins. The “Journal of Pediatric Health Care” is a series of research publications on emerging health care issues and pediatric care practice available for both members and the general public (NAPNAP 2020). The organization also has the daily emails and social media platforms that the organization uses to communicate with the members.

Opportunities for Continuing Education and Professional Development

Nurse practitioners must attain high education and training levels through an education system that champions continuous academic progression. Lifelong education and training are associated with maintaining the nurse competency, provide up-to-standard and quality patient care, and promoting future career opportunities. Research links education and training career satisfaction for nurse professionals (Price & Reichert 2017). NAPNAP provides RNs continuing education through multiple platforms. The organization provides members’ access to online courses on different topics everywhere and at any time through the PedsCE^SM and online learning program powered by NAPNAP. Other agencies that provide NAPNAP continuing education programs include the “American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists AAPs” through its PediaLink online learning program. The NAPNAP also has the “Journal of Pediatric Health Care,” an official journal that provides up-to-date research findings and clinical information concerning acute, specialty, and primary health care for children and families (NAPNAP 2020). All these platforms offer an opportunity for continuous learning.

The affiliation to professional bodies provide nurses, both students and practicing nurses, with continuing education, role-related competencies, certification opportunities, and educational conferences and aligning with a professional nurse organization that supports the young population of practice or specialty position the practicing nurse to be in the forefront for professional practice changes.

References

American Nurses Association (2009). Nursing Administration: Scope and standards of practice. Nursesbooks. Org.

NAPNAP (2020). Continuing Education Opportunities. https://www.napnap.org/continuing-education-opportunities.

Price, S., & Reichert, C. (2017). The importance of continuing professional development to career satisfaction and patient care: meeting the needs of novice to mid-to late-career nurses throughout their career span. Administrative Sciences, 7(2), 17.

The nursing profession’s potential impact on policy and politics. American Nurse Today.