Quick Summary
Professional organizations like the North Texas Organization for Nursing Leadership (NTONL) offer educational, networking, and personal advantages for Nurse Leaders at any level.
Professional organizations are committed to providing members with up-to-date continuing education and training. NTONL conducts an annual internal needs assessment to help tailor programming to the needs of its members.
NTONL has developed three distinct committees — Education, Communication, and Membership — to allow Nurse Leaders to get involved with the organization and give back to their communities.
Today, Nurse Leaders are busier and more in demand than ever before. As Nurse Leaders juggle professional responsibilities and commitments, it might seem overwhelming or untenable to add professional organization membership into the mix.
The truth, however, is that professional organizations like the North Texas Organization for Nursing Leadership (NTONL) provide a number of advantages for Nurse Leaders in every stage of their careers.
Within a rapidly changing environment, NTONL is a forum for Nurse Leaders to promote compassionate, effective, and efficient healthcare, emphasizing nursing’s role in patient care.
Keep reading to learn more about six key benefits of professional organizations for Nurse Leaders.
1. Continuing Education
One of the primary functions of professional organizations is professional development. Nurse Leaders can strengthen their skills with educational programs that explore current issues relevant to nursing administration and healthcare providers. The healthcare environment is continually changing and evolving, and participating in a professional organization is one way Nurse Leaders can ensure that they stay up-to-date with skills and technology.
NTONL conducts an annual internal needs assessment of Nurse Leaders, which allows the organization to cater its educational offerings to its audience’s needs. For example, the 2023 NTONL seminar was focused on engaging, energizing, and empowering a diverse multigenerational workforce.
2. Community-Specific Support
Getting involved in a regional professional organization is a great way for Nurse Leaders to meet colleagues in their areas. This is indispensable for networking, especially with other healthcare providers in various stages of their careers.
Additionally, professional organizations like NTONL allow Nurse Leaders to collaborate when issues or questions arise. Being able to pick up a phone and ask for help, feedback or ideas is invaluable.
3. Diverse Perspectives
Professional organizations bring together a unique and varied cross-section of nursing personnel to share ideas, information, and support.
NTONL members serve in many different roles and various healthcare settings. The organization’s membership includes professionals at every career stage, so several generations of Nurse Leaders can learn from one another and share their experiences.
The NTONL is committed to supporting Nurse Leaders in the earliest stages of their professional lives. Programs that welcome early-career members not only support the development of rising healthcare personnel, they also help established Nurse Leaders and managers to understand their colleagues more and to better meet their needs.
4. Space to Workshop and Troubleshoot
Professional organizations are designed to foster the interchange of new knowledge and innovation in an accepting and supportive environment. The goal is to offer a forum for Nurse Leaders to speak to issues relevant to nursing and share their own experiences.
NTONL allows Nurse Leaders to collaborate specifically with colleagues they rarely interact with in their day-to-day jobs. Ultimately, this liberates healthcare providers, allowing them to speak freely about complex topics. Professional organizations make space for open dialogue that may otherwise be difficult to achieve.
5. Opportunities To Give Back
Participating in a professional organization is also a meaningful way to give back to one’s nursing community and to support tomorrow’s leaders.
NTONL has developed three distinct committees — Education, Communication, and Membership — to empower Nurse Leaders to shape the future of their field.
Education Committee: This group plans and executes bimonthly education offerings as well as the annual Fall Forum. The Education Committee also collaborates with the NTONL board to ensure programming meets members’ educational and professional development needs.
Communication Committee: The purpose of this committee is to leverage social media to drive engagement within NTONL. The Communication Committee is designed to increase the visibility of Nurse Leaders internally and externally in the broader community. It also is a way to communicate to the current membership about upcoming events, meetings, and networking opportunities.
Membership Committee: This group is charged with recruiting up-and-coming Nurse Leaders to join NTONL, retain members, and contribute to the organization. The Membership Committee’s goals include supporting chapter activities and networking events to encourage NTONL’s growth, and to encourage Nurse Leaders’ engagement across each chapter.
Nurse Leaders at any career stage are encouraged to get involved with NTONL’s Education, Communication, and Membership committees.
6. Fellowship
Finally, professional organizations allow Nurse Leaders to connect on a personal level. The field of nursing is demanding, and healthcare providers inevitably experience significant ups and downs in the course of their work. NTONL offers a ready-made environment in which Nurse Leaders can celebrate their successes, commiserate with each other, and support one another during difficult times.
Sometimes, simply speaking with someone who truly understands the challenges of nursing can make all the difference.
Final Thoughts
As Nurse Leaders continue to manage myriad responsibilities in a high-pressure workforce, joining a professional organization may initially seem like an additional burden. But often, organizations like NTONL make nursing even more rewarding because they help Nurse Leaders stay up-to-date educationally, get the support they need, and give back to their professions.
A simple way to get started is to check out upcoming events through NTONL’s website and Facebook page.
NTONL is open to emerging and established Nurse Leaders. Its programs are an ideal way to get education and support nurses to grow, learn, and have fun!
Dr. Donna Montgomery is the Chief Clinical Informatics Officer for Lone Star Communications. Donna has spent over 35+ years as a healthcare leader in various roles from nursing management, IS management, product line development, process improvement, informatics, and executive leadership.
I must commend Dr. Donna Montgomery for conducting such an insightful and well-structured interview, and for her profound insights and expertise. This interview beautifully captures the essence of the North Texas Organization for Nursing Leadership (NTONL) and the exceptional benefits it offers to Nurse Leaders. Dr. Montgomery's extensive experience and wisdom shine through, making her an exemplary representative of the nursing profession. Kudos to both Dr. Hernandez and Dr. Montgomery for providing such a valuable resource and shedding light on the importance of professional organizations in nursing. This interview is a true gem for all Nurse Leaders seeking guidance and inspiration in their careers.
Brian Banks