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The benefits of joining a state or national LPN organization are many, especially for students and recent grads. The two national LPN groups ¾ National Federation of Licensed Practical Nurses (NFLPN) and National Association of Practical Nurse Education & Service (NAPNES) ¾ have numerous state affiliates that meet regularly throughout the year.
Attending those meetings can enrich your career. Here are just a few of the perks these groups offer.
Benefit #1: Promoting Practical Nursing
With the shortage continuing across the country, nurses face increasing challenges on the job. Be part of the solution. Joining a nursing organization means being part of a group intent on broadcasting just how important practical nursing is.
"Those of us who understand the unique privilege of being an LP/VN must promote nursing programs to others to keep the steady supply of competent bedside nurses available to employers and patients," wrote NAPNES president Richard Kerr, LPN, in an ADVANCE article.
Benefit #2: Advocacy
Imagine your state wants to eliminate the ability of LP/VNs to dispense drugs. Your voice is important, but 100 voices make a bigger impact.
One of the most important reasons for new nurses and seasoned veterans alike to join an organization is to influence lawmakers and help shape public policy for the benefit of all nurses, said NFLPN president Greg Howard, LPN, at an annual meeting of LPNs and PN students in Florida.
Professional organizations can mobilize people for or against something by raising the alarm with legislators or other nurses.
Benefit #3: Annual Conventions
These shindigs are a blast. Just ask anyone who's attended one. When practical nurses get together on the state or national level to discuss the hot issues affecting the profession, there can't help but be a little bit of fun, too.
These conventions give nurses a chance to blow off steam, earn CE credits and feel rejuvenated about their profession.
Benefit #4: Personal Support
Have a problem on the job? Your state or national organization can help. Learn from nurses with decades of experience under their belt. They'll tell you how they weathered past shortages or give advice on surviving a boss who's hard on you.
Benefit #5: Leadership Experience
Members of associations are not required to run any meetings, but if you want to gain some leadership experience, a local or state organization can be a great place to get your feet wet.
From treasurer to president, every organization needs people to help with the ongoing tasks of keeping things running. The current leaders were once new grads themselves. Like them, there's no limit to what you can do.
And the rewards don't stop here. Contact any these national or state organizations to learn more about the benefits that await you.
National LPN Organizations:
National Association for Practical Nurse Education and Service: www.napnes.org
National Federation of Licensed Practical Nurses: www.nflpn.org
State LPN Organizations:
- Alabama Federation of LPNs: 205-553-3858
- Colorado Federation of LPNs: 719-633-1968 or e-mail GladysIreneBruns@centura.org
- Iowa Federation of LPNs: 614-753-5953
- Kansas Federation of LPNs: 620-327-4606 or e-mail marvdot@southwind.net
- Kentucky State Association of LPNs: 859-344-0607 or e-mail sandyanddave43@aol.com
- Louisiana Federation of LPNs: 337-436-9651
- LPN Association of Florida: 239-261-7416 or e-mail jlmbbb1999@aol.com
- LPN Association of Illinois: 217-522-8026
- LPN Association of New Hampshire: 603-225-2045
- LPN Association of New Jersey: 908-686-8668
- LPN Association of Ohio: www.lpnao.org
- Maine LPN Association: 207-892-9212 or e-mail JMbrown@nlis.net
- Maryland Licensed Practical Nurses Association: www.mlpna.us or 888-609-2451 or e-mail wch_alt@yahoo.com
- Michigan Licensed Practical Nurse Association: www.mlpna.org
- Mississippi LPN Association Inc.: 228-831-2713
- New York Federation of Licensed Practical Nurses, Inc.: 919-779-0046 (call NFLPN for more info.)
- North Carolina LPN Association: 919-596-8202 or e-mail patriciabeverage@hotmail.com
- Ohio Federation of Licensed Practical Nurses: www.oflpn.org or 937-268-0058
- Oklahoma Assocation of LPNs: e-mail Jackanichols@SBCGlobal.net
- South Carolina Federation of LPNs Inc.: 803-534-0080
- Virginia Licensed Practical Nurse Association: http://personal.cfw.com/~gkirk/VLPNA.html or 804-329-9145
- Wisconsin Association of LPNs: 262-251-5670
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