Dear Donna, I am a student nurse slated to graduate next year. Are there any nursing associations I can join now while still a student? I'd like to get a jump start on things. Student Who Wants to Join an Association Dear Student Who Wants to Join an Association, Your thought process is a good one. Now is the time to get involved in professional nursing associations and make it a lifelong habit. You should at least belong to the National Student Nurses Association. If your school doesn't have a chapter, consider starting one. But you can become active in your statewide chapter of NSNA too. Attend local and national meetings when you can, join a committee or consider running for office. Most nursing specialty associations have student memberships available for nominal dues. These include the Emergency Nurses Association and the Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses. If you are mildly interested in a specialty, joining a specialty association is a great way to increase your learning curve and start making valuable professional contacts. While the American Nurses Association does not have a student membership, you can become a student subscriber for free. It allows you to gain access to members-only information including journals, a newspaper and daily news briefs. All of this will also enhance your resume as well as your marketability. Read "Getting the most from professional associations" for more tips on being an active association member. Best wishes, Donna
