Frequently Asked Questions About APNA Membership

APNA supports and serves the interests of psychiatric-mental health nurses both nationally and internationally. The organization is inclusive of psychiatric-mental health nurses at all levels of practice (RN, APRN) and all settings. There is membership for nursing students who are engaged in full-time study, one for retired (as defined by Merriam-Webster) nurses, and one for psychiatric-mental health nurses on full-time active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces DOD. In addition, APNA offers affiliate membership to other mental health professionals and nurses interested in supporting psychiatric-mental health nurses.

APNA is governed by a Board of Directors composed of members nominated and elected by the membership. The Board is supported by the national office staff.

Yes! Student membership is $25.00 for full-time students in a nursing degree program who provide evidence of full-time status. A communication from the student’s dean, registrar, or program director which verifies full-time status in a nursing degree program must be uploaded when submitting your application. Student members may not hold office, but they may serve on committees, councils, chapters and task forces.

Learn More: Student Application Process

Log in to the APNA Member Portal with your account log in information. This account will be associated with the email address APNA had on file with your past membership. Please do not create a new account. Your APNA eLearning Center History (including contact hours certificates) is linked to your former APNA member account – if you create a new account, any history you have from your previous membership will not transfer. If you do not know your log in or cannot log on to your account, please call APNA at 855-863-APNA (2762) or email membership@apna.org.

Learn More: Renew Membership

There are many ways to connect with your colleagues as an APNA member! Here are a few suggestions:

• All-Purpose Discussion Forum on Member Bridge: When you join, you are automatically added to this community and will receive daily emails that summarize conversations. Post a message or reply to one in order to connect with the full membership.
• Your Local APNA Chapter: You are also automatically made a member of your local chapter when you join APNA. You’ll get access to the chapter’s online community as well as receive emails about upcoming events and meetings that allow you to connect with nurses in your area.
• APNA Councils: Join one of APNA’s councils to engage with colleagues who share your interest in a specific area of psychiatric-mental health nursing, whether it’s addictions, administration, child & adolescent mental health, mental health advocacy, safe environments, education, practice, recovery, or research.
• Member Directory: Search the member directory by name, location, areas of expertise, and more, then message one-on-one with members.

APNA’s most valuable asset is its members! Member involvement is what shapes and drives this association of professionals. Members have a variety of options for participation, whether it’s taking a few minutes to post a message online or spending a couple of hours each month participating in council work…the opportunities are as varied as they are plentiful!

Learn More: Get Involved

When you join or renew your membership, you receive 25 bonus points for use in the APNA eLearning Center to access continuing education. Bonus points automatically appear in your APNA eLearning Center account as soon as your membership or renewal is processed!

To use your bonus points, select sessions and place them in your cart. On the checkout page, click the blue View Bonus Points button, check the boxes next to the sessions you would like to pay for with bonus points, then click the green Apply Bonus Points button. Your cart will now display your Bonus Points and remaining balance (if applicable). Click the green Complete Registration button to purchase the sessions.

Please contact the APNA Membership Department at membership@apna.org. You can also call toll-free 855-863-APNA (2762).

APNA collaborates with ANA and ISPN to develop and publish psychiatric-mental health nursing standards for both RN and advanced practice nurses. An eBook version of the Scope and Standards of Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing Scope and Standards of Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing is available to APNA members as a part of membership. A hard copy can be also purchased through APNA, with discounted pricing for members. Visit the APNA online store for more information or to purchase a copy.

Learn More: Scope and Standards of Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing