The National Association of Neonatal Nurses was founded with three main purposes in mind. Firstly it aims to address the educational needs of neonatal nurses. Secondly it aims to address the practice needs of neonatal nurses. Thirdly it aims to provide advocacy for all neonatal nurses. When the National Association of Neonatal Nurses was founded, neonatal nursing was a fairly new field that needed guidance. The National Association of Neonatal Nurses now strives to provide period-appropriate guidance to all nurses under its care.
According to their website, the National Association of Neonatal Nurses has the following mission, values and goals:
Mission
NANN is the professional voice that shapes neonatal nursing through excellence in practice, education, research and professional development
In other words, this is an association that aims to improve the sub-field of neonatal nursing in its entirety. The association also addresses this desire through the four most important aspects, namely practice, education, professional development and research. Neonatal nurses are strongly encouraged to join this association.
Values
- ethics and professionalism
- lifelong learning
- fiduciary responsibility
- collegiality
- trust and transparency
- excellence in practice
- advocacy for quality patient and family care
These values, although similar to those found in most nursing organisations, are of paramount importance when it comes to the practice of neonatal nursing as this is the area of nursing concerned with the beginnings of new life. Without excellence and a strong code of ethics, the sound practice of nurses in this field cannot be guaranteed. This is why the National Association of Neonatal Nurses is determined to create a situation where the best possible actions can be expected from all nurses in the field and where advancements in the field of neonatal nursing are cherished.
Goals
- education
- research and translation
- advocacy
- membership engagement
In addition to ensuring that its members receive the educational opportunities that they require to be the best nurses possible, the association also goes out of its way to ensure that the research performed by its members is properly heard and acknowledged in the larger context of the nursing world. Members of the National Association of Neonatal Nurses can also be guaranteed that their voices will be heard in legislative and other areas that relate directly to nursing. Through advocacy the National Association of Neonatal Nurses aims to ensure that fairness is maintained within the field of neonatal nursing in particular and the entire nursing field in general. Members are also encouraged to actively engage in their field, meaning that the decisions made within the field are left in the hands of those who understand the issues best.
Member Benefits: Reasons to Join the National Association of Neonatal Nurses
As with all associations, there are a number of benefits for individuals who would like to join the National Association of Neonatal Nurses. Benefits are felt at an individual level, as well as at a more general level. This refers to the organisation’s aim to positively affect the neonatal nursing in general by improving the opportunities and skills of each of its individual members.
There are three main reasons to join the National Association of Neonatal Nurses:
- You will have the opportunity to influence practice within the nursing profession.
- You will have many opportunities to collaborate with other professionals in your field.
- You will have many opportunities to learn new things related to nursing in general and neonatal nursing in particular.
Influence
As a member of the National Association of Neonatal Nurses you will have a voice in forums where standards are being set and practice is being defined. This effectively means that you will have a voice within the nursing profession. Members of the association also have access to resources that set the standards for practice, most notably, Neonatal Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice, as well as opportunities to form coalitions with other healthcare-related groups that have an impact on neonatal practice.
Collaborate
According to the National Association of Neonatal Nurses’ website, the following opportunities to collaborate are available:
- Access to MyNANN, a private online social network for NANN members only
- Local and regional chapters
- Leadership and volunteer opportunities
- Special Interest Groups (SIGs)
Learn
There are a number of educational opportunities available for established neonatal nurses as well as for students on their way to becoming neonatal nurses. Among these resources are NANN E-News (NANN’s bimonthly electronic newsletter) and E-Alerts, discounts of up to 25% on NANN publications and products, discounts on NANN’s annual educational conference and specialty meetings, NANN SmartBrief, a free weekly e-mail news service for the neonatal nursing profession, Advances in Neonatal Care, NANN’s official bimonthly journal, continuing nursing education opportunities including FREE CNE for members, the NANN Central newsletter (3 issues per year), and a user-friendly website with exclusive Members-Only content.
Group Membership
The group membership plan is designed so that a facility can make membership available to every one of its neonatal nurses. Discounts are often available for group membership. For more information, please go here.
In summary:
- Access to the NANNP members only discussion group in MyNANN, a private online social network
- Provides national representation in the L.A.C.E.(licensure, accreditation, certification, and education) work group, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, and the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties
- Free resources and affordable, NNP-centric products
- Position statements
- Hosts NNP-specific events at NANN’s annual educational conference
- Addresses workforce and professional practice issues at the national level
- Creates evidence based clinical practice guidelines
There are a number of different ways through which you can become a member of the National Association of Neonatal Nurses:
– Join NANN online here
– Call Member Services at 800 451 3795
– Email info@nann.org
– Complete a membership application here
There are several different categories of membership:
NANN Individual Membership
“U.S. or Canada membership is open to any registered nurse who wants to support neonatal nursing and NANN and lives in the United States or Canada”.
Fees = $115 annually
NANN International
“International membership is open to any registered nurse who wants to support neonatal nursing and NANN and lives outside the United States or Canada. (International members have the right to vote in NANN elections and may work on committees and hold office.)”
Fees = $135 annually
NANN Student
“Student membership is open to students who are interested in neonatal nursing and are currently enrolled in an entry-level nursing program that leads to eligibility for the NCLEX examination upon graduation. (Student members have the right to vote in NANN elections and may work on committees, but they may not chair a committee or hold office.)”
Fees = $50 annually
Student Membership
“National Student Nurses’ Association (NSNA) members can join NANN at a special discounted student rate (verification of NSNA membership status is required).”
Fees = $50 annually
Group Membership
“The group membership plan is designed so that your facility can make membership available to every one of your neonatal nurses. Group memberships are available for groups of three or more. The discount is 25% off of the third membership order”.
NANNPs Membership
“NANN members who are NNPs are eligible to join the National Association of Neonatal Nurse Practitioners (NANNP), a division of NANN, for an additional $35 annually. (To be eligible for NANNP student membership, individuals must be currently enrolled in a nationally accredited NNP program.)”
NANNP Individual Membership: NANN Membership ($115) + NANNP Membership ($40) = $155
NANNP International membership: NANN International Membership ($135) + NANNP International Membership ($35) = $170
NANNP Student membership: NANN Membership ($99) + NANNP Student Membership ($15) = $114
Corporate Membership
“NANN’s Corporate Membership Program is available to organizations that support NANN’s goals and mission statement: “NANN is the professional voice that shapes neonatal nursing through excellence in practice, education, research, and professional development.” This nonvoting membership is extended to a single corporation-designated representative. The program is designed to give special recognition to strong supporters of NANN”.
Annual Corporate memberships dues are $2,50
Contact Information
If you would like to make contact with the organisation please use the information provided below.
NANN National Office
4700 W. Lake Avenue
Glenview, IL 60025
800.451.3795
847.375.3660
866.927.5321 FAX (US or Canada)
847.375.6491 FAX (any other country)
info@nann.org
Contact links for specific members of the organisation can be found here.
Membership with the National Association of Neonatal Nurses can improve your career opportunities in a number of key ways:
– You will be provided with resources that you would otherwise not have had access to that will improve your skills and knowledge.
– Your membership with the National Association of Neonatal Nurses will tell potential employers that you are a skilled neonatal nurse.
– Your membership with this organisation will also tell potential employees that you are not a passive nurse, but rather someone who actively involves herself in the workings of the nursing profession.
