The purpose of this feature is to highlight the opportunities and benefits of membership in the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association (AHA/ASA) Cardiovascular and Stroke Nursing (CVSN) Council. Priorities for the CVSN Council include (1) publishing articles that advance the science and practice of cardiovascular and stroke nursing, (2) expanding and retaining a diverse CVSN national and international membership, and (3) fostering and facilitating a culture of inclusion for CVSN members. The CVSN Council has opportunities for cardiovascular and stroke nurses from multiple backgrounds. Opportunities to become involved in CVSN are presented, along with instructions for joining the working committees.
What Are the Benefits of Joining the Cardiovascular and Stroke Nursing Council?
The CVSN Council provides career-advancing opportunities to:
* network with nurse colleagues across the country and around the world;
* learn the latest cutting-edge information related to best practices and guidelines;
* collaborate with colleagues from many different disciplines as it relates to issues important to clinical practice and research;
* serve on committees and writing groups and in leadership roles;
* receive Council awards for excellence in clinical practice, research, or writing clinical articles;
* receive early career investigator and lifetime achievement awards;
* receive awards for established careers caring for patients/families with stroke or for caring for elderly cardiovascular or stroke patients; and
* present cardiovascular or stroke nursing science at national/international meetings.
Do I Have to be a Scientist or Researcher to Join?
No. AHA/ASA and the CVSN Council afford numerous benefits and opportunities for clinicians, educators, quality specialists, and other role specializations. The AHA strives to accelerate the discovery, interpretation, and application of scientific knowledge to enhance cardiovascular health and treat cardiovascular diseases and stroke. Clinicians, educators, and quality specialists are critical for the translation and application of scientific knowledge in clinical and academic settings. Cardiovascular and stroke nursing opportunities for clinicians include (1) networking with other clinicians around the world at the State of the Science Stroke Nursing Symposium (winter) and the Cardiovascular Clinical Nursing Symposium (fall); (2) applying for the Clinical Article of the Year, Excellence in Clinical Practice Awards, and Mathy Mezey Excellence in Aging Awards; (3) serving on writing group members and symposia planning committees; and (4) participating in the patient support group and the "You're The Cure" advocacy networks.
How Can I Get Involved in One of the Cardiovascular and Stroke Nursing Council Committees?
The CVSN Council has 14 committees: Leadership, Stroke, Awards, Clinical Symposium Planning, Early Career, International, Nominating, Pediatric Nursing, Research Mentoring, Scientific & Clinical Education Lifelong Learning Committee (formerly Program Planning), Development, Complex Cardiovascular Patient and Family Care Committee, and Membership and Communications. Further information is available online at https://professional.heart.org/professional/councilList.jsp?councilCode=CVSNCOUN. Please make your volunteer interests known by completing an AHA/ASA science volunteer form (http://www.professional.heart.org), and then send a message to one of the committee chairs and to the CVSN Council Chair or Vice Chair.
How Do I Get Involved if I Am Early in My Career?
The CVSN Early Committee encourages and assists promising students, postdoctoral fellows, and junior faculty as they seek to establish successful careers in nursing science. The committee serves as an advocate for young investigators. Through direct interaction with the Council leadership, the committee works to ensure networking opportunities, career development symposia, and service opportunities are available to fit the needs of early career members.
How Do I Get Involved if I Am Interested in Pediatric Prevention or Congenital Heart Disease?
Nurses who care for children and adolescents with heart disease or stroke may join CVSN's Pediatric Nursing Committee. Additionally, there is a Pediatric Nursing Luncheon held each year during the AHA/ASA Scientific Sessions. This is an opportunity to learn about pediatric research and to meet nursing colleagues with similar interests from other states and countries.
How Do I Get Involved if I Am a Stroke Nurse?
Annually, there is a State of the Science Stroke Nursing Symposium (held in conjunction with the International Stroke Conference). Responsibilities of the Stroke Nursing Committee include the following:
* Participating in all aspects of prevention, acute and chronic management, critical care, and rehabilitation of stroke patients and experiences of family members.
* Shaping the science pertaining to the care of persons with or at risk for stroke.
* Disseminating information about stroke care.
* Developing scientific statements and other professional education materials.
* Developing patient education materials for the lay public and healthcare providers.
* Participating in lobbying efforts for research funding for stroke research.
How Do I Join the Cardiovascular and Stroke Nursing Council?
To join the CVSN Council, you must first join AHA/ASA. Select the CVSN Council (Nursing and Stroke) when you join.
There are several ways to join:
* Visit the Professional Membership page on Professional Heart Daily.
* Call member support during business hours of 8:30 AM to 5 PM (ET) at (301) 223-2307 or (800) 787-8984.
* Contact member support by sending an e-mail to mailto:[email protected].
* Print and fax the membership form (PDF) to (800) 787-8985 (inside the United States) or (301) 223-2327 (outside the United States).
How Much Does It Cost to Join the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association?
There are several levels of AHA/ASA membership. Costs and benefits differ at each level.
* General membership ($85 per year) has several basic benefits including choice of 1 council, networking opportunities, eligibility for council grants and awards, and AHA/ASA Connections Newsletter.
* Early career ($81 per year) includes the basic benefits plus online access to all AHA/ASA scientific journals. Early career membership includes clinicians or investigators who have completed their training within the last 4 years or PhDs in the first 4 years of their faculty appointment.
* Student/trainee ($81 per year) includes the basic benefits plus online access to all AHA/ASA scientific journals. This level of membership includes training as an undergraduate, graduate, postdoctoral, or clinical fellow.
* Premium professional ($270 per year) includes the basic benefits plus the opportunity to affiliate with 2 councils, online access to all AHA/ASA scientific journals, access to CME credits, priority housing registration for Scientific Sessions and the International Stroke Conference, discounted article publication charges, grant application fee waiver, and savings on conference registrations.
* Premium professional plus ($465 per year) includes the premium professional benefits plus 25 complimentary hours of Science On Demand capture products, access to the Professional Membership Directory, and access to an online platform to engage and exchange ideas.
Further details about membership can be found at https://professional.heart.org/professional/membership/membership-tiers.jsp.