Why Did You Join AAOHN?
According to the latest edition of AAOHN News (Vol. 28, No. 4), continuing professional development is the big draw to the association's membership.
In November and December 2006, AAOHN surveyed a group of members who joined the association three years ago to learn more about why they joined and what member benefits would be most useful to them in the future. Of those who responded to the question, "Why did you join AAOHN initially?" 37 percent said "continuing professional development," 22 percent said "to keep abreast of current issues in the profession," 16.4 percent said "networking," and 12.3 percent said "standards/professional guidance." Other responses included "contribute to the profession" (2.7 percent), "receive periodicals" (1.4 percent), and "discounts on meetings and products" (1.4 percent).
The most common way three-year members responding to the survey found out about AAOHN was through a peer suggesting that they join (49.3 percent). Other ways respondents first learned about the association included the AAOHN Web site (13.7 percent), a mailed invitation to join from AAOHN national (5.5 percent), having a local chapter contact them (4.1 percent), or from having seen an article about AAOHN in trade media (4.1 percent). A full 23 percent said they found out about the association through other means.
The survey was conducted electronically and sent to 426 members who joined AAOHN three years ago. Of those, 73 responded, for a response rate of 17 percent.