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ADN: Professional Organizations

LibGuide for the ADN program

Professional Societies

There are many benefits of joining a professional association.  Professional associations consist of groups of people within the same profession who get together to network, to promote, and to enhance the standards of the profession.  Benefits to a member can include conferences, access to continuing education opportunities and certifications and updates on policies that impact the profession.  Often, these professional associations and societies encourage students to join. Below are some of the professional organizations that are available.

Cabarrus College Association of Nursing Students

CCANS is a local chapter of the National Organization of Student Nurses which strives to: - Aid in the development of student nurses as truly democratic citizens and future leaders of the nursing profession by broadening their horizons as individuals and as members of a group.

  • Promote professional and social unity among student nurses
  • Convey standards of professionalism, accountability, and ethical behavior within the nursing profession
  • Stimulate the understanding of and create an interest in graduate professional nursing organizations
  • Serve as a channel of communication between the student nurse organizations and the various units of the graduate professional nurses' organizations

Club Highlights:  CCANS holds regularly scheduled monthly meetings and sponsors college student functions as well as fundraisers and service projects for our local community. Past service projects have supported CVAN (battered women's shelter), the College Angel Tree Project, and the Church of God Children’s Home. Members are invited to attend the North Carolina Association of Nursing Students Annual Conference.

North Carolina Association of Nursing Students

Conceived as a student branch of the North Carolina Nurses Association, NCANS has been helping nursing students make the transition from students to licensed nurses since 1958,  NCANS works to connect members with information and professional opportunities.  During the annual winter conference, students meet with potential employers and participate in mini-NCLEX review sessions.  NCANS is the state affiliate of the National Student Nurses Association (NSNA).  North Carolina nursing students who belong to NSNA are automatically members of NCANS.

Mission:   Per NCANS website, the "purpose of NCANS is:

  • To assume responsibility for contributing to nursing education in order to provide for the highest quality health care
  • To provide programs representative of the fundamental and current professional interest and concerns
  • To aid in the development of the nursing student, their professional role, and their responsibility for the health care of people in all walks of life, and
  • To represent nursing to the health care consumer, healthcare institutions, and to the public-at-large."

Membership Benefits include:

  • Newsletter
  • NCLEX resources
  • Nursing Scholarships information
  • Resume Builders information

National Student Nurses' Association

The National Student Nurses' Association was established in 1952 with the assistance of the American Nurses Association and the National League for Nursing.  Membership is available to students in all nursing programs that lead to registered nurse licensure.  Headquartered in New York City, NSNA is governed by nursing student;  The Board of Directors and the Nominating and Election Committee are made up of nursing students who are elected to serve one year terms.

Mission:  Per NSNA's website, their Mission is: 

  • Bring together and mentor students preparing for initial licensure as registered nurses, as well as those enrolled in baccalaureate completion programs.
  • Convey the standards and ethics of the nursing profession.
  • Promote development of the skills that students will need as responsible and accountable members of the nursing profession.
  • Advocate for high quality, evidence-based, affordable and accessible health care.
  • Advocate for and contribute to advances in nursing education.
  • Develop nursing students who are prepared to lead the profession in the future.

Membership Benefits include:

  • NSNA's official magazine Imprint
  • Publication Discounts publishers on nursing and testing materials
  • Travel Discounts
  • Uniform Discounts

American Nurses Association (ANA)

The American Nurses Association (ANA) is an organization representing the interest of nurses.  "ANA advances the nursing profession by fostering high standards of nursing practice, promoting a safe and ethical work environment, bolstering the health and wellness of nurses, and advocating on health care issues that affect nurses and the public. ANA is at the forefront of improving the quality of health care for all." (ANA website)  ANA represent the interest of all nurses.

Mission:  Nurses advancing our profession to improve health for all. 

Member Benefits can include:

  • Free Webinars
  • CE (online independent study modules which include articles, audio, multimedia, slides and video)
  • ANA Career Center
  • American Nurse Today - monthly journal (10 print / 2 electronic)
  • Online Journal of Issues in Nursing (OJIN) - Peer-reviewed, posted online three times a year
  • Savings on ANA books through Nursebooks.org
  • Networking Opportunities

North Carolina Nurses Association

North Carolina Nurses Association (NCNA) is for all Registered Nurses in North Carolina.  Founded in 1902 by a group of nurses led by Mary Lewis Wyche, NCNA has been an advocate for nurses in North Carolina.  NCNA first object was pursuing the Nursing Practice Act which made North Carolina the first state in the nation to legalize the registration of nurses in 1903.  NCNA continues to advocate for quality patient care, nursing reform and recognition of the nursing profession.

Mission:  NCNA to serves the changing needs of its members, addresses nursing issues, and advocates for the health and well-being of all people.

NCNA is open to all registered nurses in North Carolina.  Benefits of membership include: 

  • Tar Heel Nurse - NCNA newsletter (both paper and electronic access).
  • Continuing education courses - These course are often offered at low or no cost to you.  Many issues of Tar Hell Nurse include an opportunity to earn 1 contact hour when you read and respond to the feature article.
  • Networking Opportunities
  • Nursing Careers - devoted to help you find employment.
  • Document Library - access to resource library, CAPN articles and directory, CNE credit, and much more.

As a student, it is never too early to connect with professional organizations.  Visit NCNA website for student information.

Licensure

Upon graduation from the ADN program and verification by Cabarrus College that education requirements are met, students are eligible to apply to take the National Council Licensure Examination - Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN).  This exam is developed and administered by National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) and is constantly and rigorously evaluated to keep pace with the rapidly evolving health care environment. Graduates passing the exam and meeting board requirements will receive the legal title of Registered Nurse (RN) from the North Carolina Board of Nursing (NCBON). Should graduates be unsuccessful on the exam, they may repeat the exam at subsequent intervals.