Professional & Regulatory Organizations

For career and leadership development, it is important for students to become active in student and professional organizations. This is a listing of local and national organizations that students may be interested in learning more about.

American Association of Critical-Care Nurses

• AACN, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit association, is more than the world’s largest specialty nursing organization – we are an exceptional community of acute and critical care nurses offering unwavering professional and personal support in pursuit of the best possible patient care.

American Association of Critical Care Nurses – Hawaii Chapter

• The Hawaiian Islands Chapter of AACN was founded July 1st, 1986. The HIC goal is to support the practice of acute and critical-care nursing through advocacy, education, service learning and fellowship.

American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP)

• The mission of AANP is to empower all nurse practitioners to advance quality health care through practice, education, advocacy, research and leadership. Learn about AANP’s mission and the key core values that guide us toward our goal.

American College of Nurse Midwives

• The American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) is the professional association that represents certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) and certified midwives (CMs) in the United States. With roots dating to 1929, ACNM sets the standard for excellence in midwifery education and practice in the United States and strengthens the capacity of midwives in developing countries. Our members are primary care providers for women throughout the lifespan, with a special emphasis on pregnancy, childbirth, and gynecologic and reproductive health. ACNM reviews research, administers and promotes continuing education programs, and works with organizations, state and federal agencies, and members of Congress to advance the well-being of women and infants through the practice of midwifery.

American Nurses Association

• The American Nurses Association (ANA) is the premier organization representing the interests of the nation’s 3.6 million registered nurses. ANA advances the nursing profession by fostering high standards of nursing practice, promoting a safe and ethical work environment, bolstering the health and wellness of nurses, and advocating on health care issues that affect nurses and the public. ANA is at the forefront of improving the quality of health care for all.

American Nurses Credentialing Center

• The mission of the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), a subsidiary of the American Nurses Association (ANA), is to promote excellence in nursing and health care globally through credentialing programs. ANCC’s internationally renowned credentialing programs certify and recognize individual nurses in specialty practice areas. It recognizes healthcare organizations that promote nursing excellence and quality patient outcomes, while providing safe, positive work environments. In addition, ANCC accredits healthcare organizations that provide and approve continuing nursing education. It also offers educational materials to support nurses and organizations as they work toward their credentials.

American Organization of Nurse Leaders – Hawaii (AONL)

• The American Organization of Nurse Leaders Hawaii (AONL) is an affiliate of The American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE), founded in 1967, is a national organization of nurses who design, facilitate, and manage care and has more than 8,700 members nationwide. AONE provides leadership, professional development, advocacy and research in its effort to advance the nursing profession and patient care, promotes nursing leadership excellence, and shapes health care public policy.

American Organization of Nurse Executives-National Chapter

• The national chapter of The American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE) provides leadership, professional development, advocacy and research to advance nursing practice and patient care, promote nursing leadership excellence and shape public policy for health care nationwide. AONE is a subsidiary of the American Hospital Association.

American Public Health Association

• APHA champions the health of all people and all communities. We are the only organization that influences federal policy, has a 140-plus year perspective and brings together members from all fields of public health.

American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses (ASPAN)

• Founded in 1980, the American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses (ASPAN) represents the interests of nurses who specialize in preanesthesia and postanesthesia care, ambulatory surgery, and pain management. With over 14,000 members and growing, ASPAN is the only professional organization dedicated exclusively to the practice of perianesthesia nursing. The Society serves its members by continually providing the latest in perianesthesia education, research, clinical practice expertise, standards and advocacy.

American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses – Hawaii (HIPAN)

• HIPAN is a component member of American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses (ASPAN) which seek to provide the perianesthesia nursing community with the educational and professional resources necessary to promote the highest standards of care for Hawaii.

Asian American Pacific Islander Nurses Association of Hawaii (AAPINA Hawaii)

• The goal of AAPINA Hawaii is to unify AAPI nurses in Hawaii, to facilitate and promote networking and collaborative partnerships between professional nurses, nursing students, and community partners with the sole purpose of identifying health care needs of AAPIs and optimize their resources to promote healthy living and better their lives.  Our strategy includes: a) networking with the local ethnic nursing organizations, Embassy Consul General and other organizations who will serve as community resources, and b) involvement in community health fairs to provide health screening and community health education.

Association for Nursing Professional Development (ANPD)

• The Association for Nursing Professional Development (ANPD) advances the specialty practice of nursing professional development for the enhancement of healthcare outcomes. Professional development as a specialty of nursing practice is defined by standards, based on research, and critical to quality patient and organizational outcomes.

Association of Community Health Nurse Educators

• The Association of Community Health Nursing Educators (ACHNE) provides a meeting ground for those committed to excellence in community and public health nursing education, research, and practice. ACHNE was established in 1978 and is run by elected volunteer leaders who guide the organization in providing networking through the quarterly newsletter and membership directory, and providing educational opportunities through publications and the annual Spring Institute.

Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN)

• AORN is a non-profit membership association based in Denver, Colorado that represents the interests of more than 160,000 perioperative nurses by providing nursing education, standards, and clinical practice resources – including the peer-reviewed, monthly publication AORN Journal – to enable optimal outcomes for patients undergoing operative and other invasive procedures. AORN’s 41,000 registered nurse members manage, teach, and practice perioperative nursing, are enrolled in nursing education, or are engaged in perioperative research. We define and advance best nursing practices for surgical patients by researching and distributing scientifically based recommendations.

Association of Reproductive Health Providers

• ARHP brings together health care professionals across disciplines and specialties for evidence-based training and network building. Our members define sexual and reproductive health in broad terms and recognize that the best care is delivered through a team of professionals partnering with an informed patient. ARHP delivers on our educational mission by translating good science into practice through producing accredited, peer-reviewed programs.

Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN)

• Our mission is to improve and promote the health of women and newborns and to strengthen the nursing profession through the delivery of superior advocacy, research, education and other professional and clinical resources to nurses and other health care professionals.

Emergency Nurses Association (ENA)

• The ENA Foundation is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization whose mission it is to provide educational scholarships and research grants in the discipline of emergency nursing. Since 1991, the ENA Foundation has provided over $2.7 million in educational scholarships and research grants to emergency healthcare professionals.

Filipino Nurses’ Organization of Hawaii (FNOH)

• The Mission of the Filipino Nurses’ Organization of Hawaii (FNOH) shall be to provide leadership and support to its members, including the regular, associate, affiliate, and lifetime members with special focus towards Filipino nurses in their various settings as they develop, implement, manage, and improve health care services that will contribute to the delivery of cost-effective, high quality health care in Hawaii.

Hawaii Association of Nurse Anesthetists

• The Hawaii Association of Nurse Anesthetists is a professional organization for Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) in the state of Hawaii. It is affiliated with the national organization the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA) and is dedicated to promoting the CRNA profession and advancing the art and science of anesthesia by: Developing and promoting educational and practice standards that support and enhance cost-effective, quality anesthesia care for the patients, payers and physicians we serve. Providing patient education and information about anesthesia and related healthcare services. Monitoring and maintaining active presence in state and national CRNA practice and healthcare legislative issues by working with lawmakers, regulatory agencies and those who shape healthcare policy. Promoting partnerships with the community and liaisons with other healthcare professions to integrate and promote practice and healthcare quality issues. Providing continuing education information for our members and other CRNAs.

Hawaii Association of Professional Nurses (HAPN)

• It is the purpose of HAPN to provide a forum through which licensed Registered Nurses (RN s) in the State of Hawaii may contribute knowledge and opinion to establish a consensus which will promote and expand the practice of Nursing. HAPN’s mission is to be the chosen voice of the nursing profession in establishing policy, regulation and legislation which affects the development and practice of professional nursing in Hawaii.  HAPN will be the choice of Hawaii’s nurses for educational opportunities.

Hawaii Young Healthcare Professional (HYHP)

• Hawaii Young Healthcare Professionals (HYHP) connects emerging professionals from all areas of health to build strong cross-sector relationships, develop personal and professional capacity, and positively impact our communities for a healthier, happier future.

National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists

• The National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists (NACNS), founded in 1995, exists to enhance and promote the unique, high value contribution of the clinical nurse specialist to the health and well-being of individuals, families, groups, and communities, and to promote and advance the practice of nursing. Members of NACNS benefit from national, regional, and local efforts of the Association to make the contributions of CNSs more visible.

National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners, Hawaii Chapter (NAPNAP)

• NAPNAP is a professional organization that advocates for children (infants through young adults), and provides leadership for Pediatric Nurse Practitioners who deliver Primary Care in a variety of settings. The Hawaii Chapter of NAPNAP is committed to providing local pediatric focused education programs for professionals who work with children and families. Providing community service to Hawaii’s keikis and their families is another goal of the Hawaii Chapter of NAPNAP.

National Black Nurses Association

• NBNA represents approximately 150,000 African American nurses from the USA, Canada, Eastern Caribbean and Africa, with 91 chartered chapters nationwide. NBNA mission is to provide a forum for collective action by African American nurses to represent and provide a forum for black nurses to advocate for and implement strategies to ensure access to the highest quality of healthcare for persons of color. NBNA is committed to excellence in education and conducts continuing education programs for nurses and allied health professionals throughout the year. The association provides annual scholarships for students.

National Council of State Boards of Nursing

• NCSBN is a not-for-profit organization whose members include the boards of nursing in the 50 states, the District of Columbia and four U.S. territories. There are 21 associate members. NCSBN is the vehicle through which boards of nursing act and counsel together to provide regulatory excellence for public health, safety and welfare.

Oncology Nursing Society, Hawaii Chapter (ONS)

• The Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) is a professional association of more than 35,000 members committed to promoting excellence in oncology nursing and the transformation of cancer care. Since 1975, ONS has provided a professional community for oncology nurses, developed evidence-based education programs and treatment information, and advocated for patient care, all in an effort to improve quality of life and outcomes for patients with cancer and their families. Together, ONS and the cancer community seek to reduce the risks, incidence, and burden of cancer by encouraging healthy lifestyles, promoting early detection, and improving the management of cancer symptoms and side effects throughout the disease trajectory.

Philippine Nurses Association of Hawaii (PNAH)

• PNAH will uphold the positive image and welfare of its constituent members; promote professional excellence and contribute to significant outcomes to healthcare and society. PNAH goals are to unify, develop, facilitate, participate and support Filipino-American nurses in the State of Hawaii and the Pacific.

Sigma, Gamma Psi At-Large Chapter

• Sigma (Sigma Theta Tau International) is the international honor society in nursing that promotes excellence in academic scholarship, research, and clinical nursing. The School of Nursing is a member of the Gamma Psi chapter (Hawaii). Students are encouraged to join.

State of Hawaii, Board of Nursing (via Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs)

• Professional and Vocational Licenses (PVL) is accessed through MyPVL, which is home for all PVL licensees to access information and services 24/7 from a single dashboard. To access MyPVL, “Sign Up” for a free eHawaii.gov Account to get started or “Log In” with your existing eHawaii.gov account.

The Quad Council of Public Health Nursing Organizations

• The Quad Council of Public Health Nursing Organizations (Quad Council) provides voice and visibility for public health nurses, sets a national policy agenda on issues related to public health nursing and advocates for excellence in public health nursing education, practice, leadership, and research.

Contact

If you represent a professional nursing organization and would like to be added to this list, please contact the School.