Nursing Associations Module

Resource Library 2: Strengthening an Association

International Associations
Click on this link to read a comprehensive, 30-page document containing a transcript of a presentation titled “Nursing Associations: Leadership and Organisation for the 21st Century,” given by Kirsten Stallknecht, former president of the International Council of Nurses, which is the first, and widest reaching, healthcare organization in the world, representing millions of nurses in more than 128 countries.

Stallknecht is a nurse leader, not only in her native Denmark but internationally. Beginning her nursing career at age 18, she became president of the Danish Nurses' Organization in 1968 at the age of 30. Through the International Council of Nurses, she initiated many programs to assist nursing associations that have been affected by war, financial difficulties and catastrophes, and those in developing countries.

Role of Professional Nursing Associations
The previous section “Building an Association” lists this file as a resource to assist in forming a nursing association, however, it also contains valuable information and insights regarding growing and strengthening an association as well.

Linda Cronenwett, PhD, RN, FAAN, is currently is professor and dean of the School of Nursing at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Dr. Cronenwett received her BSN from the University of Michigan, her MA in Maternal-Child Nursing from the University of Washington, and her PhD in Clinical Nursing Research from the University of Michigan.

This five-page document contains an outline of a speech given by Dr. Cronenwett discussing the role of professional nursing associations, and can be used to help you gain a broader understanding of nursing associations, their history and benefits.

Charters, Rules and Regulations
The following resources were also presented in the “Reference Library 1: Building an Association” section. Although your association already has established its rules and regulations, it may be helpful to review the information here to see the specifics of how associations in Estonia, Kyrgyzstan, Romania, Slovakia, and Ukraine chose to present their criteria.

• Estonian Nursing Association - Fundamental Principles (in Russian)
• Organizational Principles of the Kyrgyz Nursing Association (in Russian)
• Romanian Nursing Association - Codes and Declarations
• Fundamentals of Romanian Nursing Association
• Slovak Association of Nurses
• Creation of All-Ukrainian Professional Nursing Association
• Association of Nurses of Ukraine - Charter

Continue reading about AIHA's Nursing Associations program,

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