Professional Nursing Organizations

Registered nurses play a critical role in patient care. Nurses often spend the greatest amount of time with patients in a variety of environments, including doctor’s offices, hospitals, long-term care facilities, schools and more.

In time, nurses can pursue roles that enable them more independence when working with patients. Through an on-campus or online master’s in nursing program and additional licensure, a licensed RN can become an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), including a nurse practitioner (NP). Some APRNs pursue a doctoral degree for additional education, training and career opportunities.

APRNs have earned an MSN degree or Doctor of Nursing (DNP), and possibly further specialized as a: 

Typically, an APRN obtains a license from a state board that differs from an RN license. In many states, APRNs work directly with patients, practice independently without a doctor’s supervision and prescribe medication. APRNs are considered to have expert knowledge and clinical competencies that allow them to handle more complex cases independently. Many communities have come to depend on APRNs, particularly in areas underserved by physicians and hospitals. 

There are organizations for APRNs, some of which focus on specialty and others that do not. These organizations can help APRNs decide on a specialty, delve further into their chosen specialty, stay up to date on best practices and build medical practices.

A nurse practitioner (NP) is the most common type of APRN. Many NPs choose to specialize further. They may receive national certification in: 

For gerontology or pediatrics, a nurse practitioner may choose to focus on acute or primary care. 

When there are physician shortages, NPs can fill the gap in primary care, particularly in under-served communities. By earning a degree in a nurse practitioner program and pursuing appropriate clinical hours and state licensure, NPs may provide primary and emergency care. They may also be able to diagnose and treat many conditions, as well as write prescriptions. 

NPs may choose a certification along with a specialty field. Joining a professional organization may help NPs develop their careers in various specialties and areas of medicine. Organizations provide much-needed practical and emotional support, learning opportunities and networking.

APRNs often benefit from joining a state-specific organization. Below is a non-exhaustive list of NP and APRN organizations by state. In some places, an APRN council is part of the larger nursing association. Many states have regional-specific organizations as well.

Information on this page was last retrieved in May 2021.