Here you will find information on nursing specialty organizations and resources to advance diversity, equity and inclusion in the nursing profession. If you have resources you would like to contribute to further promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in the nursing workforce, please email VNA Communications Manager Elle Buck at ebuck@virginianurses.com. 

DEI Resources

• National Academy of Medicine free 90-minute webinar
  Originally airing on August 20, 2020, this webinar examines "Nursing’s Role in Health Equity, Public Health Emergencies, and COVID-19 – Critical Issues for The Future of Nursing 2020-2030."
• Filipinos make up 4% of nurses in the US, but 31.5% of nurse deaths from COVID-19 (article)
• How nurses can help promote diversity in the industry (article)
• Nursing and activism: Decker alumni fight social injustice (article)
• The CDC on Health Equity and COVID-19 - What We Can Do
• "Where are the Black Nurses” by VNA member Dr. Frances Montague, DNP, RN-BC, GNP
• A Focus on Health Equity in the Midst of the Pandemic presented by Dr. Janice Underwood, Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer, Office of Governor Ralph S. Northam
  During this program, learn how COVID-19 is impacting our vulnerable populations across the Commonwealth, what measures Virginia is taking to support these populations, and how Virginia nurses can help make an impact and provide equitable care to all.
• Tipton Health Communications, "a Discussion on Race, Inclusive Practices and Nursing" featuring ANA President Dr. Ernest Grant
• What white nurses can do to help combat racism in nursing (article)
• How Nurses Can Help Dismantle Racial Healthcare Disparity (article)
• Conversations in Equity - CDC Blog
• Minority Mental Health Awareness Month - NAMI
• TED Talk - How to overcome our biases? Walk boldly toward them
• ANA's National Commission to Address Racism in Nursing

Nursing Specialty Organizations
Chesapeake Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates
Bringing together nurses & associates dedicated to  the safe & effective practice of gastroenterology & endoscopy nursing.

VA Association of Community Psych Nurses
The purpose of VACPN is to define and enhance the role of the nurse in mental health, intellectual disabilities, and substance abuse; to exchange ideas, models, and experiences; to facilitate networking and mutual support; to promote the improvement of nursing practice; and to promote professional growth.

International Association of Forensic Nurses
We are an international membership organization comprised of forensic nurses working around the world and other professionals who support and complement the work of forensic nursing.

VA Affiliate of the American College of Nurse Midwives
The mission of the Virginia Affiliate of the American College of Nurse-Midwives (VA ACNM) is to support midwives and advance the practice of midwifery in order to educate, empower, and achieve optimal health for women through their lifespan. Certified Nurse-Midwives and Certified Midwives have expertise in well woman and gynecologic care, promoting physiology pregnancy, birth, postpartum care, and care of the newborn. VA ACNM supports the practice of midwives by promoting education, research, and advocacy that advances clinical excellence, expansion of a diverse midwifery workforce, and equitable legislation, regulation, and institutional policies that establish midwifery as the standard of care for women.

VA Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists
The VaCNS exists to enhance and promote the unique, high-value contribution of the Clinical Nurse Specialist to the health and well-being of individuals, families, groups, and community; to promote and advance the practice of nursing; and respond to the rapidly changing health care arena and challenges facing Clinical Nurse Specialists in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

VA Association of Colleges of Nursing
VACN’s mission is to advance the quality of baccalaureate and graduate nursing education in Virginia in order to improve health care.

VA Association of Nurse Anesthetists
The mission of the Virginia Association of Nurse Anesthetists is to promote safe anesthesia care and to advance and enhance the art and science of the profession of nurse anesthesia in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

VA Council of Nurse Practitioners
The organization of NPs in Virginia began a quarter century ago in the regional or local areas of the state. With the growth in the number of NPs throughout the state, Virginia NPs initially organized to become a Professional Practice Group of the VNA. In 1984, the VCNP became a council of the VNA, and as such continued to grow in membership. In 2012 the VCNP separated from the VNA to become an independent organization.

Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses
The Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses (AMSN) is the only specialty nursing organization dedicated to the practice of medical-surgical nursing. A dynamic community of more than 13,000 medical-surgical nurses, we're committed to quality patient care through professional development, certification, scholarship, and advocacy.

American Assembly of Men in Nursing
The purpose of AAMN is to provide a framework for nurses, as a group, to meet, to discuss and influence factors, which affect men as nurses.

American Association of Critical Care Nurses
AACN, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit association, is more than the world’s largest specialty nursing organization – we are an exceptional community of acute and critical care nurses offering unwavering professional and personal support in pursuit of the best possible patient care.

American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants
Founded in 1989, the American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants (AALNC) is a not-for-profit membership organization dedicated to the professional enhancement and growth of registered nurses practicing in the specialty of legal nurse consulting and to advance the nursing specialty. AALNC is the gold standard for professionals with an interest in the legal nurse consulting arena including novice and veteran legal nurse consultants. AALNC provides networking opportunities, educational advancement, professional development and supports certification through the American Legal Nurse Consultant Certification Board (ALNCCB).

American Association of Neuroscience Nurses
The American Association of Neuroscience Nurses (AANN) is committed to working for the highest standard of care for neuroscience patients by advancing the science and practice of neuroscience nursing.

American Association of Occupational Health Nurses
The American Association of Occupational Health Nurses (AAOHN) is the professional association of licensed nurses engaged in the practice of occupation and environmental health nursing.

American Holistic Nurses Association
The Mission of the American Holistic Nurses Association is to illuminate holism in nursing practice, community, advocacy, research and education. 

American Psychiatric Nurses Association, Virginia Chapter
The American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA) was founded in 1986. In the ensuing years, APNA has grown to be the largest professional membership organization committed to the practice of psychiatric-mental health (PMH) nursing and wellness promotion, prevention of mental health problems, and the care and treatment of persons with psychiatric disorders.

Association of Nurses in AIDS Care
The Association of Nurses in AIDS Care (ANAC) is the leading health care organization responding to HIV/AIDS. Since its founding in 1987, ANAC has been meeting the needs of nurses and other healthcare professionals in HIV/AIDS care, research, prevention and policy.

Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses
AWHONN empowers and supports nurses caring for women, newborns, and their families through research, education, and advocacy.

Central VA Black Nurses Association
NBNA mission is to provide a forum for collective action by African American nurses to represent and provide a forum for black nurses to advocate for and implement strategies to ensure access to the highest quality of healthcare for persons of color.

Central VA Emergency Nurses Association
The purpose of the Central Virginia Emergency Nurses Association is to function as the specialty nursing organization for professional nurses committed to the advancement of emergency nursing, and to provide visionary leadership for emergency nursing and emergency care.

Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association
GAPNA is the premier professional organization that represents the interests of advanced practice nurses who care for older adults. Advanced practice nurses are active in a variety of settings across the health care continuum including primary, acute, post-acute care, home care, and long-term care. GAPNA provides opportunities for education, leadership, research, advocacy, networking, and advancement of evidence-based care for older adults.

National Association of Directors of Nursing Administration in LTC
The mission of NADONA is to be the leading professional organization for current and aspiring nursing leaders thru professional development, board certification, and clinical expertise related to the promotion of health and wellness of individuals in the long term care and post-acute care continuum.

National Association of Hispanic Nurses
NAHN is devoted to promoting safe, quality health care delivery to Latino communities and individuals, and we recognize excellence among Latino nurses, provide formal and informal mentoring opportunities, and generally serve as a center of excellence for our members. Our goal is to create a cadre of highly-qualified Latino nurses by advancing educational, professional and leadership skills and opportunities for our membership. In addition, we work to recruit additional Latinos into the nursing profession because, while Latinos represent 18% of the US population, less than 7% of the nursing workforce is of Latino descent. 

National Association of Neonatal Nurses
NANN is an inclusive, diverse community of registered nursing professionals at all stages of their careers who care for newborn infants born with a variety of health challenges, including prematurity, birth defects, infection, cardiac malformations, and surgical problems.

National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women's Health
The National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women's Health's (NPWH) mission is to ensure the provision of quality primary and specialty healthcare to women of all ages by women's health and women's health focused nurse practitioners. Our mission includes protecting and promoting a woman's right to make her own choices regarding her health within the context of her personal, religious, cultural, and family beliefs.

National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners
With more than 8,000 members, the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP) is the professional association for pediatric nurse practitioners (PNPs) and all pediatric-focused advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs). Established in 1973, we were the first professional society for nurse practitioners and remain the only national organization dedicated to both advancing the APRN role and improving the quality of health care for infants, children and adolescents. Our esteemed members include national child health experts, respected authors, distinguished faculty and practicing clinicians who represent many facets of pediatric health care delivery.

National Association of Rural Health Clinics
The National Association of Rural Health Clinics (NARHC) strives to improve quality, cost-effective health care in rural and underserved areas. The Rural Health Clinics Program (RHC Program) is the means. NARHC works with Congress, federal agencies, and rural health allies. We promote, expand, and protect the interests of clinics in the RHC Program.

National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties
The National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF) is the only organization specifically devoted to promoting high quality nurse practitioner (NP) education.

Nursing Network on Violence Against Women International
The abuse and exploitation of women is a social problem of epidemic proportions which adversely affects the health and quality of life of millions of women each year. The Network's ethic fosters the ideal of nursing practice designed to provide assistance and support to women in the process of achieving their own personal empowerment. The ultimate goal of NNVAWI is to provide a nursing presence in the struggle to end violence in women's lives.

Philippine Nurses Association, Richmond VA Chapter
The Philippine Nurses Association of Virginia, Inc. (PNAVA), is an organization who actively seeks opportunities for continued professional growth through education, research and advance clinical practice. We believe that a Filipino-American nurse has a unique cultural needs that must be met to ensure professional success in a diversified society while preserving cultural identity. We are involved in activities that promote health and wellness through community education. We are involved in legislative and public policies that have impact on the health care agenda.

Society for Vascular Nursing, Southeastern Virginia Chapter
The Society for Vascular Nursing was founded in 1982, with the initial meeting in June at the Copley Plaza Hotel in Boston, Massachusetts, to discuss establishing a society that would officially recognize vascular nursing as a specialty.

Society of American Nepalese Nurses, Virginia Chapter
We motivate our members to provide compassionate and quality care dedicating to serving people in our community where we live. Our underlying philosophy is to unite, motivate and promote professional nursing practices for a benefit of mankind through SANN community. We believe interdisciplinary collaboration with other professionals for serving people primarily in health care.

Society of Urologic Nurses and Associates, Central VA Chapter
Welcome to the website of the Virginia Chapter of the Society of Urologic Nurses and Associates. As a professional, non-profit organization, the Virginia Chapter of SUNA is committed to excellence in clinical practice and research in the field of urology. Our mission is to educate, encourage and support our member, as they work to provide urologic care to the patients, families and communities in Virginia.

Southern Mid-Atlantic Navy Nurse Corps Association
Established in 1987, the Navy Nurse Corps Association is a non-profit, national organization dedicated to bringing Navy Nurses together. We are an association for caring and sharing, where what matters most is not rank, but being, or having been, a Navy Nurse. Any Navy Nurse Corps Officer, whether Active Duty, Reserves, Retired, or Honorably Discharged, may join the NNCA.

Transcultural Nursing Society/College of Nursing Health
In the mid 1950’s Dr. Madeleine Leininger became a leader in establishing transcultural nursing as an area of study and practice.   In 1974-75, under the leadership of Dr. Leininger, nurses and other professionals committed to research, education and practice in this new field founded the Transcultural Nursing Society, originally at the University of Utah.

VA Association of Community Services Boards
The VACSB represents the CSB/BHAs in state and federal public policy matters, including state and federal funding, legislation and regulation.

VA Association of School Nurses
Here you will find information to assist Virginia’s School Nurses such as professional educational opportunities, current news pertaining to school nurses, a timeline of significant VASN events, partners and sponsors, regional leadership and links to community resources.

VA Healthcare Association
VHCA-VCAL is Virginia’s largest association advocating for long term care providers representing 345 nursing centers and assisted living communities.  Our members care for over 90,000 residents and patients annually through the selfless efforts of nearly 50,000 dedicated caregiving staff.

VA League for Nursing
The Virginia League for Nursing supports and implements the mission of the National League for Nursing to promote excellence in nursing education to build a strong and diverse nursing workforce to advance the nation's health at the constituent level.

VA Organization of Nurse Executives & Leaders
The Virginia Society for Nursing Service Administrators was incorporated on October 31, 1983. Today, the Virginia Organization of Nurse Executives (VONEL), an affiliated local group of the American Organization of Nurse Executives, provides leadership, professional development, advocacy and research in order to advance nursing practice and patient care, promote nursing leadership excellence and shape health care public policy.

VA Nursing Students’ Association
The Virginia Nursing Students’ Association is a student managed organization representing future nurses from over 75 nursing education programs throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. We foster the professional and personal development of student nurses by providing educational resources, leadership opportunities, and career guidance.