Critical Care Nurse Research Paper

Words: 1105
Pages: 5

Definition A critical care nurse is one who is responsible for assuring that critically ill patients and their families receive optimum care. For this reason I chose to research The American Association of Critical Care Nurses. As an aspiring critical care RN I felt that writing on this organization would provide the insight needed to become a member in the future. The homepage for the American Association of Critical Care Nurses can be found at www.aacn.org.
History & Purpose
AACN was founded in 1969 under the name American Association of Cardiovascular Nurses. Its purpose was to help educate nurses in newly developed cardiovascular intensive care units. The organization was established after the formation of critical care areas of the hospital
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It is the largest specialty nursing organization worldwide with 100,000 members worldwide. The majority of the members of AACN are between the ages of thirty and sixty years old and work in the Intensive Care Unit of hospitals and Progressive Care Units (AACN, 2016). Fifty-eight percent of AACN members hold a baccalaureate degree and are bedside, direct care, or staff nurses. Also, I have found that eighty-six percent of AACN members are female and seventy-five percent of members are …show more content…
There are several membership options offered by AACN including Active, Emeritus, Student, Retired/Disabled, International Digital, and Affiliate. The membership fees range from $52-$78 annually and bi-annual and tri-annual fee options are available for select membership options (AACN, 2016). There are several benefits offered to members of AACN. AACN offers free continuing education courses to its members, these courses can cost an individual up to $10 an hour. AACN also provides its members with the most up to date medical information available. Members of AACN are offered discounts on products and services, members also have access to CINAHL, scholarships, research grants, and awards. Lastly, members of AACN are offered several insurance benefits including professional liability, group term life, disability income, long-term care and others through a highly reputable insurance provider (AACN, 2016) Nurses, students, and others are offered membership in Louisiana through its five chapters which are located in Shreveport, Alexandria, Lafayette, Baton Rouge, and New Orleans. The five chapters work to provide the benefits offered by AACN to local