To help you get the most out of our website and the services it allows you to access, we have created a series of FAQs relating to all of the work across the ANA Enterprise and its different organizations:
The American Nurses Association (ANA) is the premier organization representing the interests of the nation's 4 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
What is the American Nurses Association (ANA)?
The American Nurses Association (ANA) is the voice of nursing. We are the nation's only full-service professional organization that represents the interests of the nation's 4 million registered nurses.
When was ANA founded?
In 1896, the first convention of the Nurses Associated Alumnae of the United States and Canada was held. In 1911, this organization became the American Nurses Association. The Historical Review of Nursing and the ANA contains a detailed, date-by-date review of ANA's history.
Where is ANA located?
The ANA headquarters is located at 8515 Georgia Avenue, Suite 400, Silver Spring, MD 20910-3492
How does ANA work with constituent and state nurses associations?
ANA is composed of organizations and individuals who have member or affiliate status. Constituent and state nurses associations make up the ANA House of Delegates. Delegates are apportioned according to each state's membership count.
Is the American Academy of Nursing part of ANA?
Yes. The American Academy of Nursing (AAN) is an affiliate of ANA. AAN, established in 1973, is an organization of distinguished nursing leaders recognized for their outstanding contributions in nursing education, management, practice, and research. The Academy's members are known as Fellows of the American Academy of Nursing (FAAN).
Is the American Nurses Foundation (ANF) part of ANA?
Yes. The American Nurses Foundation (ANF) is a related entity of ANA. Founded in 1955 as the research, education, and charitable affiliate of ANA, ANF is the national philanthropic organization that promotes the continued growth and development of nurses and services to advance the work of the nursing profession.
Is the American Nurses Credentialing Center part of ANA?
Yes. The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), a subsidiary of ANA, provides individuals and organizations throughout the nursing profession with the resources they need to achieve practice excellence.
How does ANA work with the International Council of Nurses (ICN)? ICN is a federation of national nurses' associations that represents nurses in more than 120 countries. The American Nurses Association is a U.S. member of the ICN.
Is ANA membership only for Registered Nurses (RN)?
Yes. Per the ANA Bylaws, Article II, Section 3a.1 an individual member shall be a registered nurse.
I'm not an RN. Can I access Members Only content of the website?
Yes. If you are a student, you may become a Subscriber and you can access digital content throughout the website.
While student nurses cannot join as full ANA members, student nurses are eligible to join as student subscribers. Additionally, student nurses who are members of NSNA are eligible to join ANA student subscribers for free. Click here to learn more about becoming a student subscriber.
I am interested in becoming an ANA Member. May I become an ANA member if I am an LPN/LVN?
While we appreciate your interest in ANA and the vital contributions to the healthcare community that LPNs/LVNs make, membership in ANA is open only to Registered Nurses per the ANA bylaws.
ANA membership has considered expansion of membership to include LPNs/LVNs and currently allows state nursing associations to pursue LPN/LVN state-only membership at their discretion. We recommend you reach out to your state nurses association to determine if you can join at the state level. For more information on state membership, please click here.
While you are not eligible for ANA membership, we also encourage you to explore the ANA programs and services that are open to all nurses, such as Healthy Nurse, Healthy Nation. Also, being active in legislative and advocacy efforts can support the nursing community, go to RNAction and the ANA Capitol Beat for more information on how you can help make an impact.
Are there different types of ANA membership?
Yes. ANA offers three different kinds of membership:
What do I get for ANA membership dues? What are my ANA member benefits?
ANA membership gives you a wealth of career-enhancing and life-balancing resources. When you join, you’ll get benefits like:
Personal benefits such as access to fitness memberships, mental health and wellbeing resources, discounts on other products and services.
And much, much more
For a full list of ANA benefits, please click here.
To learn more about state benefits, please click here.
We hope to welcome you as a new member soon. Please visit our Welcome Page by clicking here.
My ANA membership is due for renewal, how do I renew my ANA membership online?
What do my dues support?
Your dues further the development of The Nursing Scope and Standards of Practice, Code of Ethics for Nurses, continuing education, periodicals including American Nurse Today, and the Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, career advancement and resources, webinars and other efforts on behalf of all nurses.
When I try to join FL, MS, NC, OR, or WA as a member, it routes me to their website. Why?
Several states handle their own membership process. Once you complete your application with one of these states, they will transfer your information into our database. Please note that this process can take up to one month.
When I try to join, it says I am already a member. What should I do?
You may already have an active membership on file. Please email memberinfo@ana.org or call 1-800-284-2378 and ask for the Customer Care team to check if you are already a member.
Can I be a member of more than one state?
Yes. That is called dual membership. You must declare a primary and secondary state. Please call 1-800-284-2378 to learn more.
My membership has lapsed/expired, how do I reinstate my membership?
To reinstate your membership please go on JoinANA.org and follow the prompts to join. To reinstate your membership, you will need to log into your account and complete the initial join process again.
Will I receive a membership card?
Membership cards are mailed out biweekly to new members. You can also print a copy from our website. Go to My ANA and log in. In the box at the top, there is a link to "Print Member ID Card."
Do I get a discount when I pay annually instead of monthly?
No, you do not receive a discount. However, monthly payers have an additional processing fee not required for annual payments.
I have not received the American Nurse publication; can they be resent to me?
Yes, please call Customer Care Center at 1-800-284-2378.
I am out of the country, I would like to get in touch with Customer Care, does ANA have a non-Toll free number I can call?
Members can call Kathy Randolph at +1 (301) 628-5268. She is available from 9am-12pm and 1pm-4:30pm Eastern Standard Time.
I'm having trouble accessing my member benefits (Free CNE, educational videos, discounts on products and publications, etc) I am an ANA Member, who can help me?
Members can access member benefits by visiting nursingworld.org and logging in using the same email and password attached to their membership. Please find common links for member benefits below.
If you need further assistance accessing your member benefits, please contact Customer Care at memberinfo@ana.org
How would I transfer my annual membership from another state to FL, MS, NC, OR, or WA?
Please contact the state (FL, MS, NC, OR, or WA) directly that you would like to transfer your membership to. They will process your request and get in touch with our membership department to make the transfer.
How would I cancel my membership?
Monthly Payers may submit cancellations in writing or online.
American Nurses Association
Attn: Membership Billing
8515 Georgia Avenue, Suite 400
Silver Spring, MD 20910-3492
Cancellation requests must be received 7 business days before your next scheduled payment.
What is a Premier OA Membership and what do Premier OA members get?
If you’re a member of AORN, then you have a free digital membership with ANA. As part of your membership, you receive:
How much does it cost to join ANA?
Membership dues vary by state and which membership level you choose. To confirm what your membership dues are, go to JoinANA.org and follow the prompts to join. Once you provide some basic information about yourself, you’ll be shown your membership options and corresponding dues rates. You’ll see this well before we ask for payment information.
I am an RN living outside the United States. Can I become an ANA member?
Per ANA Bylaws, membership is only available to registered nurses licensed in the United States and the territories of the Virgin Islands and Guam. If your nursing license is from another country, you are not eligible for ANA membership.
If you hold a U.S. RN license but live or practice outside the U.S., you join may ANA. However, you will not be able to join online if you want to use a non-U.S. address for your membership. In that case, you need to join by mail. You can print and mail in the PDF membership application available at the bottom of this page: https://www.nursingworld.org/membership/member-benefits/
Can I purchase ANA memberships in bulk or as a group?
Yes. To purchase ANA memberships in bulk or as a group, please email memberinfo@ana.org to receive step by step instructions on how to process bulk/group ANA memberships.
I'm an ANA Member. Why did I receive a mailing/email asking me to join?
We use a computerized process to identify members on our marketing lists and through our best efforts, remove them. In this case, that process may have failed to identify you as a member. This sometimes happens if the lists use different mailing or email addresses, such as a work vs. home address.
*If you continue to receive mailing/email asking you to join, please call Customer Care at 1-800-284-2378 and request to have them check the member database to assure you that your membership is active and in good standing. We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your continued membership.
How do I get removed from membership marketing mailings or emails?
Please contact Customer Care by email at memberinfo@ana.org or call Customer Care at 1-800-284-2378 to have your preference for membership marketing mailings or emails updated and to get immediate assistance.
We would love to stay in touch in ways that work best for you. Please continue to stay connected with us at @ANANursingWorld on X, @AmericanNursesAssociation on Facebook and on Nursingworld.org.
Does ANA offer scholarships for nursing education?
Do my dues support any political candidate or party?
No. Your dues support the work and mission of ANA. No part of your dues goes to any candidate or party. Members may support the non-partisan ANA Political Action Committee separately if they so choose.
What is the ANA-PAC?
The ANA-PAC is the ANA's Political Action Committee. Please visit the FAQ page on the ANA-PAC website to learn even more.
I cancelled my membership (monthly payments) but you are still charging me. I want a refund on the monthly charges since my cancellation date.
We certainly understand your concern. Please contact Customer Care by email at memberinfo@ana.org or call Customer Care at 1-800-284-2378 to have your membership details reviewed and to get immediate assistance. Please have documentation of the cancellation date as this will determine the refund process.
I paid my annual dues and now want to cancel my membership and receive a refund (either in full or for the unused portion).
Annual Membership dues are non-refundable.
Do I get a discount on NSO professional liability insurance by being a member of ANA?
Membership benefits include Professional Liability Insurance offered by NSO, if your state offers this benefit. There are possible opportunities for ANA members to obtain a discount on their NSO policy, such as:
*All discounts are subject to state filings and approvals. Please note, availability varies by State.
You can reach NSO Monday through Friday, 8am – 6pm EST by calling 1-833-791-0856. You may also visit NSO.com at any time for policy and risk management information.
Can I get a veterans/retiree/student/etc. discount on membership dues?
Discounted membership rates vary by state, please contact Customer Care by email at memberinfo@ana.org or call Customer Care at 1-800-284-2378.
Does ANA rent or sell information on its members?
ANA does not rent or sell member information to outside parties.
Nursing is the protection, promotion, and optimization of health and abilities, prevention of illness and injury, facilitation of healing, alleviation of suffering through the diagnosis and treatment of human response, and advocacy in the care of individuals, families, groups, communities, and populations.
Source: Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice, Third Edition, (2015)
There are six essential features of professional nursing:
Are there organizations for specialty nurses?
Yes. There are many specialty organizations for nurses and many belong to ANA as organizations. Information can be found on our Affiliated Organizations page.
Where can I get a copy of the nursing Standards of Practice?
You can purchase any ANA standards publication through the ANA online bookstore, nursesbooks.org.
When is National Nurses Week?
Each year from May 6 – 12, we celebrate National Nurses Week. The week includes National Nurses Day, May 6, and May 12th is Florence Nightingale's birthday--the founder of modern nursing.
Does ANA specialize in providing clinical information?
No. For clinical information, contact the specialty nurses organization that addresses your particular clinical concern. ANA advances the nursing profession by fostering high standards of nursing practice, promoting the economic and general welfare of nurses in the workplace, projecting a positive and realistic view of nursing, and by lobbying the Congress and regulatory agencies on health care issues affecting nurses and the public.
I'm considering becoming a nurse. What are some good resources to help me learn more?
Several websites provide useful information about the nursing profession:
How do I find statistical information about nurses?
HRSA's Bureau of Health Workforce's National Sample Survey of Registered Nurses has statistical information on
How do I find out where nursing schools are located in the U.S.?
The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) has useful information for determining the location and programming of nursing schools.
Is it true that there is a "payback system" for people who go to nursing school?
Yes. The Nurse Education Loan Repayment Program provides loan repayments up to 85% of the debt that nurses incur to pay for school. Students in the program must agree to work for two or three years in a facility deemed to have a critical shortage of nurses. Funding is contingent on congressional appropriations.
Where can I apply for a grant or scholarship?
ANA does not provide grants or scholarships. Educational funding options, including a scholarship search, are available at Discover Nursing. Research grants are available for RNs at the American Nurses Foundation.
Which organization accredits nursing organizations?
The American Nurses Credentialing Center is responsible for accrediting organizations. At their website, you can also find a list of all accredited providers.
How do I verify that a nurse is certified by ANCC?
You can order a verification from the ANCC website. You will need the certification number or social security number of the nurse for whom you are seeking verification. Fees may apply.
What types of certifications are available?
ANCC offers many specialty certifications. More than a quarter million nurses have been certified by ANCC since 1990. Visit the ANCC website for a complete list.
Does ANA offer continuing education (CE)?
Yes. ANA strongly believes that professional development is a life-long process. That's why we offer nurses the opportunity to actively participate in learning activities that help develop and maintain continuing competence, enhance professional practice, support career goals, and ensure the quality of health care to the public. In addition, many states require CE for license renewal.
Where can I find the continuing education opportunities that ANA offers?
ANA offers a wide variety of CE options. You can find CE courses in:
What is an Independent Study Module (ISM)?
An ISM is a short course on a focused topic. It's designed to be in less than two hours. After reading an article, you'll take a multiple-choice test based on the material. Once you submit your test, you'll receive feedback on why your choices are correct or not. You can retake the test as many times as necessary to achieve a passing grade of 75%.
How do I find out if my state requires continuing education credits?
The American Journal of Nursing and the Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing each conduct an annual survey to determine which states require CE credits. This information is generally published in the January or February issues each year. You can also contact your constituent/state nurses association for information on courses and events in your local area.
What is the Magnet Program?
The Magnet Recognition Program® was developed by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to recognize health care organizations that provide nursing excellence. The program also provides a vehicle for disseminating successful nursing practices and strategies. Magnet status is not a prize or an award; it is a credential of organizational recognition of nursing excellence. A growing body of research indicates that Magnet hospitals have:
How many Magnet designated healthcare organizations are there?
Almost 400 hospitals in the United States (AHA, Fast Facts on US Hospitals, 2011) have achieved ANCC Magnet Recognition® status. Locate a Magnet Hospital in your area.
Where can I get the Magnet manual?
You can find Magnet manuals and publications. To make sure you have the most up-to-date information, check for manual updates.
How much does the Magnet program cost?
Fees for the Magnet program are based on licensed bed size. You can view a current schedule of fees at the ANCC website.
How do I renew my license?
Typically, your State Board of Nursing will contact you before your license expiration date. Contact your State Board of Nursing for details, as each state has its own requirements. For more information about your State Board of Nursing, contact the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.
How can I learn if a nurse is licensed to practice in my state?
The National Council of State Boards of Nursing maintains nursys.org, the nation's only national database for nurse licensure verification. Several services are available to the public, such as:
How do I file a complaint about a nurse?
Contact your State Board of Nursing. Most boards will give you a form or the preferred format for making a complaint. You can find contact information for your State Board of Nursing through the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.
What are some common hazards for nurses in the workplace?
Nurses face different risks than people in other occupations. Some of the most common include:
ANA is committed to providing programs that address these workplace safety concerns.
How can nurses stay healthy while on the job?
ANA recognizes that while nurses care for patients and educate them on how to care for themselves properly, long hours, fatigue, and stress at work often makes it difficult for nurses to care properly for their own health. That is why ANA has compiled resources for nurses on maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Where can I get a copy of the Code of Ethics for Nurses?
You can view a PDF of the Code of Ethics for free. To read this version, you'll need to have Adobe Acrobat 7.0 or higher installed. If you prefer a printed copy, it's available for purchase from Nursesbooks.org. The cost associated with the entire Code of Ethics covers the cost to print, warehouse, and respond to requests for the document.
May I reprint the Code of Ethics for Nurses?
No. ANA holds the copyright on the Code of Ethics for Nurses and all other materials published through American Nurses Publishing. However, we welcome your request to reprint portions of our publications for academic or commercial purposes.
How does ANA decide on its position statements and policies?
Most position statements and policies are studied, discussed, and approved by the ANA Board of Directors or the elected nurse members of our House of Delegates. Each statement will mention where it was derived.
Where can I find ANA's position statements?
ANA maintains an index of position statements online.
I'm a student writing a paper. Can you send me information?
We're sorry. ANA does not have the staff to assist students with their research for class papers. You're welcome to use the resources on our website. Several other websites also provide useful information about the nursing profession:
What publications are included as benefits of ANA membership?
As an ANA member, you receive print and online publications as part of your membership and may sign up for several e-newsletters. These include:
How do I advertise in American Nurse Today?
There are many ways and dynamic options to advertise with ANA and reach our nurse communities, members, and readers. For complete information, visit our Advertising with ANA webpage.
Does ANA publish books?
Yes. The publishing arm of ANA is Nursesbooks.org. We publish a wide selection of nursing books, including the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice for a number of nursing specialty areas.
Where do I find information about publishing my book through ANA?
American Nurses Publishing is responsible for determining which books are published through ANA. If you're interested in having ANA consider your book for publication, please refer to our book proposal submission guidelines.
I wrote a book and would like to sell it through ANA. What should I do?
Please contact anp@ana.org.
ANA Publications Returns and Exchanges
Linemark Fulfillment
501 Prince Georges Blvd
Upper Marlboro, MD 20774
Can student nurses become members of ANA?
We're sorry. ANA bylaws specify that only RNs registered to practice in the U.S. are eligible for membership in ANA. Once you have received your RN degree and your license, please join us!
Is there a student nurse association that I can join?
Yes. The National Student Nurses Association has chapters at many nursing schools and is an excellent group.
Can student nurses access the Members Only areas of the ANA website?
Yes. Sign up as a Student Subscriber (free for NSNA members or those willing to receive NSNA information) at Student Nurse to access Members Only areas of NursingWorld.org.
I'm doing a presentation on ANA for my nursing school class. Do you have additional information I can use?
Of course! Check out ANA's video gallery for a variety of videos from ANA leaders and members. Feel free to show these in your class. If you wish to receive ANA membership brochures that you can use as handouts, contact check out the Student Nurse section on Nursing-world. Thanks for discussing ANA!
I'm doing a class paper on an aspect of nursing. Can ANA help me with my research?
We're sorry. ANA does not have the staff or resources to assist students with research papers.
Can ANA put me in touch with a nurse who will speak to my nursing class?
We're sorry. ANA does not have the staff to provide speakers to school classes. It's also our policy not to give out information on our members. Several state nurses associations maintain a list of nurses willing to speak to classes. Contact the state nurses association in your state to see if a speaker is available in your area.
The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) credentials both organizations and individuals who advance nursing. Whether you want to boost your career prospects or achieve international recognition for your health care organization, do not settle for less than the recognized authority in nursing credentialing.
Certification FAQS
A comprehensive list of the most commonly asked questions about the ANCC certification process – including examinations, renewals, and the online application process.
Joint Accreditation Program FAQs.
Joint Accreditation promotes Inter-Professional Continuing Education (IPCE) activities specifically designed to improve Inter-Professional Collaborative Practice (IPCP) in health care delivery. Frequently asked questions relating to Joint Accreditation, eligibility requirements, and how to attain Joint Accreditation, can be found here.
Nurse Practitioner and CNS Renewal FAQs
This shows the most commonly asked questions about ANCC’s new pharmacotherapeutic contact hour requirements for certification renewal by Nurse Practitioners and Clinical Nurse Specialists.
Magnet Recognition Program FAQs
Magnet ® is one of the most prestigious credentials a health care organization can earn – demonstrating an ongoing commitment to the invaluable potential of nurses to lead health care change. This section deals both with general queries around Magnet, and specific questions about the Magnet application process.
Pathway to Excellence Nurse Survey FAQs
For an organization to earn the Pathway ® credential, it must prove a strong commitment to providing nurses with the best possible working environment. A nurse survey is a key part of our assessment criteria, and you can learn everything about it here.
Practice Transition Accreditation Program (PTAP) FAQs
The PTAP program has set the industry benchmark for processing nurses into new practice settings. Frequently asked questions relating to how it works, and how to attain PTAP accreditation, can be found here.
Primary Accreditation Program FAQs
The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Primary Accreditation Program identifies organizations worldwide that demonstrate excellence in providing and/or approving Continuing Nursing Education (CNE). Frequently asked questions relating to Primary Accreditation, eligibility requirements, and how to attain Primary Accreditation, can be found here.
Primary Accreditation Nurse Activity Reporting (NARS) FAQs.
Frequently asked questions relating to annual CE summary reporting requirements in NARS, can be found here.
The American Nurses Foundation was founded in 1955 as the research, education, and charitable affiliate of ANA. Since then, it has fought tirelessly to advance the nursing profession through raising funds for advances in research, education, and clinical practice; to the benefit of the whole health care system.
What is the American Nurses Foundation?
The American Nurses Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the American Nurses Association (ANA) and its mission is to “Transform the nation’s health through the power of nursing.”
Is the American Nurses Foundation part of ANA Enterprise?
Yes. The American Nurses Foundation is a related entity of the ANA Enterprise. Founded in 1955 as the research, education, and charitable affiliate of ANA, the Foundation is the national philanthropic organization that promotes the continued growth and development of nurses and services to advance the work of the nursing profession.
Does American Nurses Foundation exist primarily to fund nursing research projects?
No. The Foundation supports research nationally through the Nursing Research Grants program, healthcare systems transformation through the Reimagining Nursing Initiative, and well-being support for nurses through the Well-Being Initiative and a number of other projects. However, the Foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals.
Does the Foundation limit its support to ANA projects?
No! The Foundation has several programs to bolster and support nurses and the dynamics of the sector nationwide. The Foundation partners with a variety of other nursing organizations, and nurses may participate regardless of membership status.
Does the Foundation offer scholarships?
No. The Foundation no longer offers scholarships to individual nurses for training or other purposes. We suggest that you suggest you Find Your State Nurses Association to see if your local association might have help to offer.
How can I receive notifications for grant opportunities?
Send an email to NursingResearchGrants@ana.org with the subject line "NRG notifications" and include your name, organization, and email address. You will be added to the email distribution list to receive updates when new grant opportunities are posted.
How can I receive notifications for grant opportunities?
For more information and updates, subscribe to our email list.
Where is the American Nurses Foundation located?
The Foundation is located at 8515 Georgia Avenue, Suite 400, Silver Spring, MD 20910-3492
Where do I send my donation?
The Foundation accepts monetary donations at the following address:
American Nurses FoundationPO Box 504342Saint Louis, MO 63150-4342
To donate online, click here.
