The Greater Capital Area Chapter of the American Nurses Association California or GCACANAC as it is sometimes called (although this is not an acronym that rolls easily off the tongue) is a subdivision of the American Nurses Association that operates specifically in California. Members of the Greater Capital Area Chapter of the American Nurses Association California will receive all of the benefits as members of the parent association, but in addition they will be in a position to influence policy and change within the health care industry. Membership also serves as a means of boosting your reputation and improving your resume.
About
Information about the Greater Capital Area Chapter of the American Nurses Association California can be found by visiting http://www.anacalifornia.org. The best way to describe the purpose of this organization is by providing you with insight into its mission and vision:
Vision Statement
ANA\C: providing resources and leadership for nurses to shape the nursing profession and health care today and for the future.
Mission Statement
The mission of the American Nurses’ Association of California is to advance the quality of health care and the ethical practice of nursing in contemporary society through legislation, regulation, and policy advocacy.
The specific goals of an organization have the potential of speaking volumes about the organization itself. If we consider the aims of the Greater Capital Area Chapter of the American Nurses Association California we can see that they are focused on ensuring that all nurses within the state who are members of the association have a voice. It is often reported that legislative change in nursing and in health care in general happens without the consultation of the many nurses who work so hard to make the system function. Through membership with a professional organization such as this one, you will be benefiting yourself in immediate and noticeable ways through member benefits, but you will also be benefiting yourself and the entire profession in the long run through your active participation in shaping the nursing profession as well as the entire health care filed now and in the future. In an ideal world it is the nurses who have an impact in terms of determining nursing laws and regulations, and organizations such as the Greater Capital Area Chapter of the American Nurses Association California are actively trying to achieve this ideal.
The bottom line is advocacy. Advocacy is a term describing the intention of an organization to give its members a voice. It also refers to activities put in place to ensure that your best interests are met. Advocacy of this kind leads to the quality of healthcare being improved noticeably. It also results in a situation where the ethical side of nursing is maintained and given the consideration that it requires.
Members
Members are:
- Registered nurses
- In compliance with the bylaws as laid down by Greater Capital Area Chapter of the American Nurses Association California
- Not restricted by any other considerations
Members have the following rights and responsibilities:
Rights
Members are eligible to receive:
- An ANA\C membership card
- The American Nurse
- The Nursing Voice
Members will also be able to access the members-only section of the ANA website. This, according to their website, will gain you access to information regarding:
- “Core issues affecting the profession and ANA’s strategic process,
- Policy and practice highlights,
- Government affairs involvement both at the federal and state levels,
- How to access ANA publications,
- How to access the nursing resource directory,
- How to direct access to CINAH,
- How to get exclusive news feeds
- How to access online CE modules, and
- Discounts and privileges”.
ONLY members of the ANA can access these benefits.
As a member you will b allowed to vote and be a candidate for ANA\C and ANA elective or appointed positions in accordance with qualifications set forth in the ANA\C and ANA bylaws as well as participate in the election of ANA delegates.
Other benefits include being allowed:
- Attend ANA\C General Assembly and ANA House of Delegates, conventions, and other unrestricted activities.
- Affiliate with ANA councils in accordance with the ANA bylaws.
- Submit proposals for consideration by ANA\C General Assembly.
- Attend the Congress of International Council of Nurses.
- Be accorded other rights as provided for under common parliamentary or statutory law and congruent with ANA\C purpose.
Where there are rights there are also responsibilities:
As a member you have the responsibility to uphold the bylaws of the ANA\C and the bylaws of ANA, abide by the Code of Ethics for Nurses as adopted by the ANA Hours of Delegates, pay dues as required by the ANA\C, fulfill the requirement of an office or committee if elected or appointed, and comport oneself in an ethical and professional manner.
There are several different types of membership that you can hold with the ANA:
ANA & State Membership – The “gold standard” of membership – includes membership in ANA and your state nurses association. You receive full benefits from both, including ANCC certification discounts. More importantly, ANA and State members influence the decisions made at the national and state level that affect the practice of nursing and the health of our patients.
ANA Only Membership – In some states, RNs are permitted to join ANA directly. ANA only members receive full ANA member benefits but no benefits at the state level. ANA only members support and have a chance to influence the decisions made at the national level that affect the practice of nursing and the health of our patients.
E-Membership – A virtual ANA membership (the lowest cost option). Perfect for RNs who want to support their profession and access the Members Only content on Nursingworld.org. Does not include benefits in the state nurses association or discounts on ANCC certification.
Career Resources
On the ANA website there are a number of career opportunities available. As a job seeker you can:
- Post Your Resume
- Find a Job
- My Account
As a potential employer you can:
- Post Your Jobs
- Find a Candidate
- Services and Rates
There are also several resources that are available:
- Career Resources
- Hospitals Hiring Grads
You can find out more about these opportunities by visiting here.
There are also employment opportunities with the ANA itself. The jobs that are available at the moment are:
- Education Program Specialist
- Education Program Specialist
- Sr. Verifications Specialist
- Psychometrician
- Appraiser Manager, Magnet Recognition Program(RN)
- Sr. Policy Fellow, NP&P
- Test Development Manager
- Member Marketing Manager
- Director, Marketing
- Online Community Moderator
- Internet Applications Analyst
- Executive and Special Projects Assistant
- Sr. RN Accreditation Program Specialist
- Sr. Operations Specialist
- Exec. Asst. to CLO
- Quality Specialist
If you specifically want a job in California, you need to visit this link.
By belonging to the American Nurses Association you are guaranteed of having the best cover possible in terms of your career. You will also be certain that your voice will be heard and that your interests will be advocated for. There is even more benefit to seen at a local level. By joining a highly specific chapter of the American Nurses Association, such as the Greater Capital Area Chapter of the American Nurses Association California, you will be able to influence change at a meaningful level. You will be able to see direct effects that your membership has on your particular area and in your own life as well as in the lives of the colleagues with whom you work.
If you would like to find out more about the Greater Capital Area Chapter of the American Nurses Association California, please use the contact information provided below.
Elissa Brown, MSN, PMHCNS-BC (Term ends 03/2013)
Tricia Hunter, RN, Executive Administrator
Address: 1121 L Street, Suite 409
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (916) 447-0225
Fax: (916) 442-4394
E-mail: ANAC@anacalifornia.org
Website: www.anacalifornia.org
Office Hours: 9:00am – 5:00pm
Office hours listed are local times.
If you would like to find out more about the American Nurses Association in general, please use the following information:
Main ANA Address
Use the main ANA address and phone numbers for all of the following:
- American Nurses Association
- American Nurses Credentialing Center
- American Nurses Foundation
8515 Georgia Avenue
Suite 400
Silver Spring, MD 20910-3492
301-628-5000
301-628-5001 (fax)
1-800-274-4ANA (4262)
ANA Membership Billing
1-800-923-7709
American Nurses Credentialing Center
1-800-284-CERT (2378)
ANCC Contact Us
E-mail addresses:
Advertise: adsales@ana.org
American Nurses Foundation (ANF): anf@ana.org
ANA-PAC: ana-pac@ana.org
Books – nursesbooks.org: anp@ana.org
Copyrights/Permissions: copyright@ana.org
Ethics Issues: ethics@ana.org
Exhibit Sales and Information: exhibits@ana.org
Lobbying – Federal and State: gova@ana.org
Magnet Recognition Program: magnet@ana.org
Membership: memberinfo@ana.org
Including requests for additional information or current member change of address
Membership billing phone# 1-800-923-7709
Online CE Help: webmaster@ana.org
Technical Questions and Comments About website: webmaster@ana.org
The American Nurse (TAN), Editor: taneditor@ana.org
All Other Inquiries: info@ana.org
