FAQs: General Information

Q. How many chapters does AACN have?

A. AACN has approximately 240 chapters in the United States and three international chapters. The international chapters are located in China, Japan and Germany. AACN has divided their chapters into regions and there are 19 regions in the United States. Each region has a Chapter Advisory Team member to assist chapters when necessary.

Q. Does AACN have a chapter in every state?

A. No. All states except for Kansas.

Q. How do I locate a chapter near me?

A. You can locate a chapter near you, by going online to the Find a Chapter area of the AACN website. If you locate a chapter in your area and would like to contact them, click on the "Email Officers" link, to send them an email directly.

Q. Why should I join the local chapter?

A. Chapters provide an excellent opportunity for local AACN members to interact with peers and colleagues from surrounding work settings and areas. They provide a forum for networking and interacting with national leaders. This community allows members to discuss issues related to critical care, advocacy and to be recognized as leaders in their communities. Involvement at the chapter level creates opportunities for professional development, to build your career portfolio and is the starting point for national involvement and recognition in the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses.

Q. Do I have to belong to National to be a chapter member?

A. Yes. Membership eligibility at the local level is one of the benefits for National members.

Q. Can I join an AACN chapter if I am a student?

A. Yes. Many chapters offer significant discounts to students who want to participate at the local level. It is also an important first step for any student to become a member of their specialty organization.

Q. How much are dues to be a Chapter member?

A. Each chapter sets their own dues structure, and they range anywhere from about $5.00 to $30.00.

Q. What types of education are offered through the local chapter?

A. The continuing education opportunities vary from chapter to chapter. Some chapters hold monthly educational programs and others hold quarterly educational programs. Most chapters hold annual educational seminars, which are one or two days long. Regional meetings — which are a time in which neighboring chapters, in a given region, come together for educational programming and collaboration efforts — are held once or twice a year.

Q. How do I find out about Chapter Educational Offerings?

A. Most chapter programs are advertised on AACN's website under Events Calendar, in the Chapters area of the website. All CCRN or PCCN related review courses, that chapters offer, can also be found online on the  Events Calendar webpage.

Q. How do I start a new AACN chapter in my area?

A. AACN has an informative booklet called "How to Start a Chapter", located online on the Start a Chapter webpage. It is also a good idea to contact the Chapter Advisor for your region, to discuss prospects for starting a new chapter. The Chapter Advisory Team listing is located on the same webpage, with the How to Start a Chapter information.

Q. Can chapters access AACN informational materials and/or free give-a-ways to hand out at chapter educational programs or membership drives?

A. Yes. AACN has a complete listing of free resource materials and give-a-ways that chapters can request for their events. These materials are listed on the Chapter Free Resource Order Form, which can be found online on the Forms, in the Chapters area of the website.

Q. What kind of chapter information is available online?

A. In the Chapter section of the AACN website, you can access a variety of valuable resources. This information includes: chapter resource booklets, which contain policies, procedures and guidelines for AACN chapter operations; a complete directory of all AACN chapters, with website links to available chapter websites; a chapter events calendar, listing current and future chapter educational programs and meetings; and a host of other valuable resources.

Q. How does our chapter start a website?

A. AACN provides a free website service. Please contact the National Office, for more information.

** For more information, please call (800) 899-2226 x:365, visit us online at Chapters or email us at chapters@aacn.org.