The National Student Nurses’ Association (NSNA) is the membership organization that supports aspiring nursing candidates. NSNA Membership opens opportunities for scholarships, informative conferences, NCLEX-RN licensing examination study materials, malpractice insurance, and discounts on hotels, shopping, professional journals and healthcare insurance. They also provide a professional magazine geared towards the information that helps aspiring nurses complete their education and rise up the career ladder.
NSNA Membership Benefits
NCLEX-RN Study Materials
NSNA has six different volumes of study materials that are available at a discount to help nursing candidates pass the NCLEX-RN. The NCLEX-RN is the examination that all entry-level nursing students in the U.S. and Canada must pass in order to obtain state licensure. The examination is not knowledge-based. Rather, it has the candidates use their knowledge of nursing in order to answer questions that demonstrate critical thinking skills relevant to the field. The format is computer delivery. It can take up to 6 hours to complete the examination. At least one of the volumes of study material provided by NSNA for the NCLEX-RN has six complete practice examinations for candidates with all answers explained in detail.
Imprint Magazine
NSNA provides three mailed and two online issues of Imprint Magazine each year. Imprint is a professional magazine for nursing students. The January online magazine is focused on career planning. The mid-year issue focuses on graduation. Articles highlight nursing specialties, career development and legislative and regulatory issues that are related to the nursing and healthcare field. The career planning guides for the past 10 years can be found online.
Prospective Student Resource Guide
A very thorough guide for prospective students is available online on the NSNA website that shows students in depth the types of questions they must ask in order to evaluate potential nursing programs.
Job Board
An online job board lists nursing jobs currently available by state.
List of Featured Nursing Schools
NSNA provides a list of featured nursing schools around the country on their website with links to the nursing program information.
NSNA Partnership Program
NSNA has partnerships with 20 different nursing-specialty membership associations to allow NSNA members receive discounted memberships.
Nursing Journal Discounts
NSNA members receive three nursing journals for only $19.95 each yearly – Nursing 2019, American Journal of Nursing and Nursing Made Incredibly Easy.
HealthStream Professional Portfolio
NSNA members are enrolled in a professional portfolio service that quickly allows them to upload their career accomplishments, attach career documents and upload their resume to be viewed by potential employers.
NSNA Awards
NSNA members can compete for one of 28 nursing student awards they provide yearly. Many of these awards allow members to demonstrate to employers their leadership qualities.
Midyear Planning Conferences and Annual Conventions
NSNA members attending their conventions will receive a lot of face-to-face assistance, such as career counseling, job fairs, certification workshops and information on how to be a part of NSNA leadership and nursing legislative advocacy.
Malpractice Insurance
NSNA members are able to receive malpractice insurance through Nurses’ Service Organization for only $35 yearly. The coverage is for $1 million per malpractice incident and up to $6 million of annual coverage. When a student has graduated their program, the same organization offers a 50 percent discount on the graduate’s first year of full-time nursing malpractice insurance.
Health Insurance Marketplace
An NSNA membership also opens up to access a health insurance marketplace that allows them to find the best healthcare insurance for their family, regardless of where they live in the country. A customer service representative will help find members the best coverage that works within their budget to satisfy the needs of their family. The marketplace has access to government and private healthcare plans.
Scholarships
NSNA offers $125,000 in scholarships each year that are from $1,000 to $2,500. Any nursing student in a state-approved program that either is a U.S. citizen or someone who has an alien registration number can apply. Criterion for the scholarships are one’s prior academic record, demonstrated financial need, community involvement and involvement in nursing.
Discount Programs
Another really great NSNA membership perk for nursing students are the discounts that your membership card provides. For example, there is a 10 percent discount at two nursing apparel companies for scrubs, stethoscopes and accessories. Members are enrolled in an Office Depot savings program. They also receive a 20 percent discount at Wyndham Hotels, 10 percent off Motel 6, 15 percent off Red Roof Inn stays, and membership in an exclusive hotel-booking platform that saves members money when they stay at many different hotels and motels across the country. There is also a 25 percent savings at Hertz, Avis or Budget for car rentals and 7 percent discount at Dollar or Thrifty Car Rental.
These discounts could end up quickly paying for a year’s membership.
Azigo
Similar to the discount programs, NSNA members are also enrolled in an online shopping mall that allows them to shop at their favorite stores and receive cashback. Members can enter their favorite stores so that they get a stream of offers tailored towards their interests and preferences.
Dues
For all the benefit the organization provides aspiring nursing students, the membership fee is reasonable. The fees vary by state. New members begin at a range of $25 to $45 per year, depending upon which state you reside in. Renewal membership fees are $30 to $50 per year. There is also a two-year membership rate that saves a bit of money.
