December 8, 2025

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Top Professional Nursing Organizations for Career Growth & Development

Posted on December 8, 2025December 4, 2025 by AMN Healthcare

Whether you’re a travel nurse exploring new assignments or a healthcare staff member looking to grow professionally, joining professional nursing organizations can be a game-changer. These associations provide more than just networking — they offer continuing education, leadership opportunities, mentorship, and a supportive community of peers who understand the unique challenges of working in healthcare.

In this guide, we’ll explore the top professional nursing organizations and how they can help you advance your career as a healthcare traveler.

Why Join Professional Nursing Organizations?

Professional nursing associations are designed to support your growth at every stage of your career. Here’s what they can offer:

Continuing Education & Certifications: Stay up-to-date with the latest best practices, policies, and clinical skills. Many associations offer CE courses, webinars, and specialty certifications.
Networking & Mentorship: Connect with fellow nurses and healthcare staff nationwide. Mentorship opportunities can provide guidance, advice, and career leads.
Career Development: Access job boards, leadership resources, and professional guidance to take your career to the next level.
Community & Support: Join a network of peers who understand the challenges of travel assignments, long hours, and adapting to new facilities.

For travel nurses, these benefits are especially valuable because professional organizations provide consistency, guidance, and community no matter where your assignments take you.

Top Professional Nursing Associations

Here’s a breakdown of organizations to consider:

American Nurses Association (ANA)

One of the largest and most established nursing associations in the U.S., the ANA supports nurses across all specialties. Membership benefits include continuing education, networking opportunities, conferences, advocacy, and access to state-level chapters.
Explore ANA membership here

National Student Nurses Association (NSNA)

Ideal for nursing students or those preparing for licensure, NSNA offers career planning resources, exam prep support, leadership development, and networking for early-career nurses.
Learn more about NSNA

National League for Nursing (NLN)

If you’re interested in nursing education or leadership, NLN is a go-to resource. It provides research grants, professional development programs, and support for nurses pursuing academic or educational pathways.
Discover NLN opportunities

American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN)

Perfect for nurses in critical care or those looking to specialize, AACN provides specialty-focused education, certification support, and a community of acute-care professionals.
Join AACN

Emergency Nurses Association (ENA)

For nurses working in emergency or trauma settings, ENA offers education, certification programs, and networking with peers in fast-paced environments.
Explore ENA membership

Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses (AMSN)

AMSN is dedicated to medical-surgical nursing and provides tailored resources for clinical tools, career guidance, and professional growth.
Learn more about AMSN

State & Local Nursing Associations

Don’t overlook state-specific or regional chapters of national associations. These organizations provide local networking, insight into state regulations, and additional professional development opportunities.

How to Choose the Right Organization

Selecting the best professional nursing organization depends on your career stage, specialty, and goals:

Students & Newly Licensed Nurses: Start with general organizations like NSNA or your state association.
Specialty Nurses: Join specialty-specific groups like AACN (critical care), ENA (emergency), or AMSN (med-surg).
Education & Leadership Pathways: Explore ANA, NLN, or honor societies for nurses aiming for academic or leadership roles.
Travel Nurses & Healthcare Travelers: Focus on organizations that offer online resources, networking opportunities, and CE courses that are accessible from anywhere.

Take Your Career to the Next Level

Joining a professional nursing organization is more than a résumé booster — it’s a way to invest in your future as a healthcare traveler. From continuing education to leadership opportunities, mentorship, and networking, these associations can help you stay connected, informed, and empowered, no matter where your next assignment takes you.

Ready to explore new travel assignments? Check out The Gypsy Nurse job board to find opportunities that match your skills and career goals, and take your professional growth to the next level.

By The Gypsy Nurse

May 1, 2022

14162 Views

Travel Nurses Need Mentors Too: Here’s How to Find One

Posted on May 1, 2022May 1, 2022 by The Gypsy Nurse

When you work as a travel nurse and only spend a few weeks or months at a time in one place, you probably think that having a nurse mentor is impossible. After all, how can you build a solid professional relationship with someone when you barely have time to get past the “getting to know you” stage before you have to move on?

Yet research shows that mentors are beneficial to nurses no matter what career stage you happen to be in and whether or not you plan to stay in the same place for very long. A nurse mentor can provide professional advice and insight and offer support and encouragement when you need it the most.

Some might argue that travel nurses need mentors even more than anyone else because travel nurses are often so focused on the minutiae of individual placements that they lose sight of their overall career trajectory. It isn’t easy to think strategically about where you want to be in a year, never mind five or ten years from now, when you are trying to get the lay of the land of a new facility and manage the immediate tasks that require your attention.

A mentor can help provide that perspective and guide a traveling nurse toward decisions that will benefit their career in the long term — and avoid mistakes that could lead to career setbacks. Many nurses point to the logistical issues inherent in finding a mentor when you move around all the time. While it might be a bit harder to find a mentor when you’re a travel nurse, it’s possible when you have a plan.

Step 1: Define What You’re Looking For

Not all nurse mentors are created equal, and a relationship that works for one nurse may not be ideal for another. Before you begin looking for a mentor, think about what you want to get from the relationship.

Are you looking for a sounding board and someone who can help you work through problems? Do you want someone who can help you develop your career path? Do you want to job shadow? Are you looking for someone to help you network? Defining your expectations before you reach out can help you identify the right mentors and ensure that you’ll get the greatest benefit from the arrangement.

Step 2: Evaluate Yourself

One of the greatest advantages of having a mentor is that they can help you build skills that you don’t already have and provide a different perspective on issues that you will face as a nurse. Take time to assess your own strengths, weaknesses, goals, and areas that you need or want to develop, so you can identify a potential mentor who can point you in the right direction.

Ideally, the person will already have the skills or position you want and can offer insights that will help you grow as a nurse. For example, if you’re studying to become a clinical nurse leader, someone in that role can help you understand the position better.

Step 3: Identify Potential Mentors

Once you know what you’re looking for in a mentor, it becomes easier to identify the potential candidates, especially when you look beyond your hospital placements. Some potential sources of mentors include:

Your placement agency. Some agencies offer formal mentorship programs for their nurses.
Your nursing school. Reconnect with your nurse educators and instructors.
There is no rule stating that mentors must be older or have more experience. Someone who is at a similar point in his or her career may have had different experiences or have different approaches that you can learn from. Even connecting with another travel nurse to share advice and insights into your chosen path can help your performance and keep you on track.
Senior leadership. When you first begin a new assignment, don’t be afraid to reach out to a senior member of the team to ask for help and guidance. Even if you don’t have a formal mentoring relationship, you can learn a lot from leaders in different facilities.
Outside of nursing. The field of nursing is rapidly becoming an interdisciplinary one, and you can learn a lot from mentors in communication, leadership, and other fields. Don’t hesitate to look outside of nursing for a mentor who can help you grow and develop.
Your Peers. Collaborating with your fellow Travel Nurses and building personal relationships can expand your group of nurse mentors.

A great mentor will help you move beyond where you are comfortable and help you on your path to career success. It’s up to you to reach out, foster the relationship, and follow through with their suggestions, but when you do, you’ll be more confident in your career, no matter where it takes you.

Where do you find your nurse mentors? Do you have a positive experience that you would like to share? Post in the Comments Below.

By The Gypsy Nurse

January 23, 2019

32789 Views

The Top 5 Podcasts Nurses Should be Listening to

Posted on January 23, 2019May 20, 2021 by The Gypsy Nurse

I don’t know if you’ve hopped on the podcast bandwagon yet, but I am definitely a fan. For me, my favorite time to listen to a podcast is when I am in the car for an extended amount of time, and as a travel nurse there may be a few times you find yourself in that situation. Whether you need a quick laugh from someone who understand the in’s and out’s of your profession, or you’re wanting to keep in the know with current technology and advancements in medicine, you can find this and just about anything in between. Here are my top 5 podcasts nurses should be listening to:

1.) Sawbones is as they describe a “Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine.” On Friday’s, they uncover “the odd, weird, wrong, dumb and just gross ways we’ve tried to fix people over the years” by researching the historical side of medicine. Definitely a fan favorite for anyone who needs a good laugh and can appreciate a fun attempt to show you how we got to our current approach to modern medicine.

2.) Amateur Traveler the first episode premiered July 2th of 2005. The reason I enjoy this podcast so much for a travel nurse is that it helps you dive into new locations and helps you decide where you may want to explore next. The Amateur Traveler media kit has quotes from folks who have been inspired by the “Amateur Traveler” to travel themselves.

3.) NRSNG’s website has a plethora of podcasts on their site but their flagship nursing podcast is what they describe as an “eclectic look at the profession.” On the NRSNG Show they talk about:

Confidence in nursing
Real life nursing stories
Life hacks for nurses
Anatomy and Physiology of diseases
Interviews with incredible nurses, authors, and successful people

4.) Nursing Continuing Education is great for the nurse who is not only busy, but wanting to be prepared when it comes to your CE credits. Nurse.com offers CE credit courses that you can listen to for free or pay a small fee for the certificate to get full credit. The series covers topics important to nurses such as antibiotic resistance, sleep disorders and necrotizing fasciitis. Most podcasts are worth at least one CE contact hour. The Nursing Continuing Education podcast is available on iTunes for download or visit Nurse.com for more information. You can also reach this site through thegypsynurse.com by going to the resources tab and then down to “continuing education.”

5.) The final recommendation I have is “The Nurse Keith Show.” This podcast is a wealth of knowledge for those who are looking for up-to-date career advice for 21st century nurses who are looking to excel when it comes to their nursing career management and development. The podcast itself is run by holistic career coach Keith Carlson as he “explores salient aspects of creating the most satisfying nursing career possible.” Definitely worth a listen!

There is something for just about anyone out there if you look! The Gypsy Nurse is all about helping fellow travel nurses like you find your passion and help you explore the world and inspire others along the way. Comment below on this post and let us know what your favorite podcasts are!

By The Gypsy Nurse

August 13, 2018

97317 Views

Trusted Resources

Posted on August 13, 2018May 20, 2021 by The Gypsy Nurse

This comprehensive travel nurse resource list was compiled from other Gypsy Nurses just like you.

We’ve prepared this so you have a place to find everything easily. Most importantly bookmark this page so you can refer back easily.

Travel Nurse Licensing Resources

The Gypsy Nurse® (TGN) offers multiple licensing resources to answer your licensing questions.

Information on eNLC (Compact License):

Fingerprinting:

Fingerprints – L1 Identity Locations/Contact Info

For more information on licensing check out our articles on licenses.

Travel Nurse Pay Resources

Travel nurse pay is one of the biggest questions when researching Travel Nursing. The Gypsy Nurse® (TGN) offers multiple resources to answer your travel nurse pay questions.

General:

Travel Nurse Tax Resources

For more information on Travel Nurse Taxes check out our great selection of tax articles.

Travel Nurse Housing

The Gypsy Nurse has several ways to help you in your housing search!!

Our Website:
We respect our community and their personal information; your information will not (and has not) ever been repackaged and sold to agencies. Click here to find your dream housing now: Travel Nurse Housing through our partnership with Furnished Finder

Facebook Housing Group:
Our Facebook Housing group is a real-time access to housing. Although not as easily searched, you can post your needs and are certain to get a response.

Hotels:
The Gypsy Nurse has partnered with Hotel Engine to provide Travel Nurses with great discounts on top hotels across the USA. Join FREE through The Gypsy Nurse!

Additional Resources for Housing

Tips from The Gypsy Nurse:

How Travel Nurses Can Make Temporary Housing Feel More Like “Home”
4 Tips For Reducing Housing Costs on Your Next Travel Nurse Contract
Travel Nurse Housing: 5 Tips for Finding Short Term Furnished Housing

The Gypsy Nurse Network via Facebook – A community full of travelers. A great resource to find community support, make friends, and organize travel nursing activities together. Come join in on the Caravan.
The Gypsy Nurse Fan Page: This is where all the latest articles from the website can be found. Become a Fan today!
Gypsy Nurse Jobs: Find your next position by connecting with recruiters and other travel medical professionals.

Hospital Research

The Gypsy Nurse Hospital Listing here
American Hospital Directory – The American Hospital Directory provides operational data, financial information, utilization statistics and other benchmarks for acute care hospitals.
Medicare.gov Quality Care Finder: The official U.S. government site for Medicare. Search for facilities.
Best Hospitals – US News Best Hospitals – US News US News and World Report Best Hospitals provides a list of the best hospitals in the US.

Test Prep and Help

Industry Information

CDC – Center for Disease Control and Prevention
FDA – US Food and Drug Association
HHS – US Department of Health & Human Services

Most importantly, please add any additional travel Nurse resource links in the comments. Through a collaborative effort, the community can support mutual successes.

By The Gypsy Nurse

February 20, 2018

61030 Views

How Nurses Can Build Their Confidence

Posted on February 20, 2018August 4, 2023 by The Gypsy Nurse

While most of the time, nursing is a highly rewarding profession, there are times when even experienced nurses feel like they are in way over their heads. It might be a particularly challenging patient, or another nurse who seems to have the answers to everything, or just a new situation that brings on feelings of inadequacy and doubt, but regardless of the cause, when your confidence is shaken, you might wonder if you’re even in the right profession at all.

Travel nurses often experience a “crisis of confidence,”, especially in the early days of any new assignment. Even if they know that they have been well trained and have a wealth of experience themselves, entering a new situation and working with a new group of colleagues presents a challenge.

There’s usually a learning curve as you get to know the personalities and politics of the department and the facility, and you might feel like everyone is watching you, the “new kid,” to see what you can do — and whether you will make mistakes. While there is little besides the time that can help you get past the first-day jitters, you can build your confidence as a nurse going forward and reduce those nagging feelings of self-doubt.

Here are a few ideas to help travel nurses build their confidence.

Build Your Knowledge

Knowledge is power, and when you are well-educated, you feel more confident in your abilities. Going back to school for an advanced nursing degree not only provides you with more training and insight into the theory and practice of nursing, but it also opens up new opportunities for your career.

With a master’s degree, for example, you’re qualified for roles as a nurse leader or educator. However, even if a full degree isn’t practical for you right now, taking workshops or individual classes in areas that you’re not familiar with or want to expand your skillset to include can help you feel more confident in your work. Don’t limit your education to just nursing, either; learning communication, conflict resolution, leadership, and other “soft skills” can help you stand out on the nursing team and boost your confidence.

Ask Questions

Even if you have an advanced degree and several years of experience, avoid falling into the trap of thinking that you know everything. Nothing can deflate your confidence faster than being sure of something, only to find out that you were wrong.

If you aren’t 100 percent positive about something, ask questions. Even if you think that your question could be perceived as “stupid,” ask anyway. It’s better to be sure than to make a mistake, especially in the life and death world of nursing, and remember that if you have a question, there is a good chance that someone else has the same or a similar one.

Find a Mentor

Mentors serve a vital role in any career, but especially in nursing. A mentor can serve as a sounding board when you’re feeling frustrated, provide insights that you might not have considered, and be a champion when you need one.

Even if you don’t have a formal mentor, building strong relationships with supervisors, instructors, managers, and nurses with more experience can be a great resource for learning and support. Offer to take him or her to lunch or out for coffee, and ask for suggestions for resources or advice on how to handle certain issues. Knowing that you have someone in your corner can help you feel more confident and make better decisions.

Build Your Communication Skills

Effective communicators can build better relationships since they generally tend to be better listeners and can share information without appearing confrontational, condescending, or unaware of the other person’s feelings. Not only do strong, productive relationships help you remain confident, but also, when you know that you have the skills to communicate with others, even when the subject is challenging, you are more likely to speak up and address problems.

Don’t Compare Yourself to Others

Nothing will torpedo your confidence faster than comparing yourself to others. While other nurses or administrators can serve as inspiration for your own career path, don’t diminish your own abilities and achievements by comparing them to others. At the same time, do not compare yourself to others in a negative way, i.e., inflating your own ego because you know you can do something better than someone else. Overconfidence can lead to mistakes, so stay humble and run your own race.

Even when you have been a nurse for many years, there will be situations that shake your confidence. If you stay focused on improving your skills and relationships with others, though, you’ll have the self-esteem you need to handle anything that comes your way.

Do you have tips for your fellow Travel Nurses to build their confidence? Please post your tips in the comments below.

If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:

START HERE

Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

By The Gypsy Nurse

December 16, 2017

8007 Views

Ask A Travel Nurse: Continuing Education

Posted on December 16, 2017January 26, 2023 by The Gypsy Nurse

Gypsy,

Hi! I’m considering going into travel nursing but have a couple things I’m figuring out to see if this would be the best fit. I am considering travel nursing while continuing education via an RN to BSN online course. The tuition rates are based on my home state, will I still be eligible for those rates because I still have a home base/tax home OR do I pay out of state because i have a temporary address in another state?Thanks for reading this whole message and can’t wait to hear back!!

Sherrie

As long as you maintain a tax-home, your ‘home’ should not be affected in regards to your online education. Many travel nurses choose to continue their education via online colleges while traveling.

I hope that this helps at least a little bit. I would encourage you to Join The Gypsy Nurse Network. Lots of travel nurses there to help answer your questions and lend guidance along the way!!

I love hearing the opinions of my readers. Your opinion could be the perfect solution for someone. Please share your thoughts below in the comments. Do you have a question for me? Fill out the Ask A Travel Nurse form and submit your questions.

We hope this helped to answer your question regarding continuing education. If you have any advice for fellow travel nurses, comment them below.

(Disclaimer: Please note that this is the Author’s opinion only. I do not provide career counseling, legal or medical consults. If you require any of these, please search out the appropriate resources)

Why Join Professional Nursing Organizations?

Top Professional Nursing Associations

American Nurses Association (ANA)

National Student Nurses Association (NSNA)

National League for Nursing (NLN)

American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN)

Emergency Nurses Association (ENA)

Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses (AMSN)

State & Local Nursing Associations

How to Choose the Right Organization

Take Your Career to the Next Level

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Do you have tips for your fellow Travel Nurses to build their confidence? Please post your tips in the comments below.

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Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

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