Dear Colleague: Sincerely, Cynthia Nowicki Hnatiuk, EdD, RN, CAE AAACN Executive Director

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1 Dear Colleague: I am writing to introduce you to the Group Membership Program developed by the American Academy of Ambulatory Care Nursing (AAACN). Your institution is dedicated to excellence in patient care delivery and we know it takes a significant investment by your facility and your nurses to uphold this status. AAACN s Group Membership Program can help you enhance the professional development of your ambulatory care and telehealth nurses in a cost-effective way. Enroll a group of your nurses (25 or more) and receive a discount off each of their memberships. AAACN is the only professional association dedicated to fostering excellence in ambulatory and telehealth nursing practice. We are proud of the many benefits we offer to our members and would like to extend those benefits to your nurses through our Group Membership Program. You might be asking the question: Why would I want my ambulatory and telehealth nurses to belong to AAACN? By providing the benefits listed in the attached fact sheet, you will enhance the professional development of your staff which is a valued and effective recruitment and retention incentive for your facility. And, if you have achieved or are considering attaining magnet status, Magnet recognition requires membership in professional nursing organizations and certification. Let AAACN help you achieve this distinguished designation at a reduced cost. In fact, through our program discounts, you can encourage more of your nurses to become AAACN members and become certified in ambulatory care nursing. Enrollment in the program is easy. Just complete the enclosed agreement and fax or send it to the AAACN National Office. If you would like further information, please contact Pat Reichart at reichartp@ajj.com or Ext. 53. I am confident AAACN s Group Membership Program can help you achieve and maintain a higher level of excellence at your facility. Thank you for taking a few minutes of your time to review this outstanding way to show your nurses you value their expertise and commitment to your facility. Sincerely, Cynthia Nowicki Hnatiuk, EdD, RN, CAE AAACN Executive Director

2 Group Membership Benefits Fact Sheet Your institution is dedicated to excellence in patient care delivery and we know it takes a significant investment by your facility and your nurses to uphold this status. AAACN s Group Membership Program can help you enhance the professional development of your ambulatory care and telehealth nurses in a cost-effective way. Enroll a group of your nurses (25 or more) and receive a discount off each of their memberships. Group Membership Program Adjusted Dues AAACN Regular Dues = $130 LPN/LVN/Associate Member Dues = $105 Membership Level # of New Members Adjusted Dues Rate for Discount RNs LPN/LVNs Associates Level $121 $98 7% Level $120 $97 8% Level $118 $96 9% Level $117 $95 10% Level Plus $116 $93 11% AAACN is the only professional association dedicated to fostering excellence in ambulatory and telehealth nursing practice. We are proud of the many benefits we offer to our members and would like to extend those benefits to your nurses through our Group Membership Program. Show your nurses you value their expertise and commitment to your facility by providing them membership in AAACN funded by your facility. By providing the benefits listed below to your nurses, you will enhance the professional development of your staff which is a valued and effective recruitment and retention incentive for your facility. And, if you have achieved or are considering attaining Magnet status, Magnet recognition requires membership in professional nursing organizations and certification. Let AAACN help you achieve and maintain this distinguished designation at a reduced cost. In fact, through our program discounts, you can encourage more of your nurses to become AAACN members and become certified in ambulatory nursing. How to Enroll Once an agreement is signed, the facility will be supplied with an electronic membership application imprinted with the facility name, and coded for tracking purposes. Once completed, all applications are submitted for the facility s nurses who wish to join AAACN (new members) along with one payment at the group discount. The facility can also submit additional names and payment monthly, as needed. Upon receipt of the applications and payment, AAACN will process the memberships and issue a Welcome/New Member packet to these individuals. For more details or to implement the program, contact reichartp@ajj.com or call Pat Reichart , Ext. 53. AAACN has many programs and services that would benefit your facility and your ambulatory and telehealth nurses. The primary benefits of membership can help your staff: Sharpen skills and connect with peers through education events. Members receive discounts and contact hour credit for participation in the various live, technologic, and self-study education opportunities. Education events also provide opportunities for speaking and poster presentations. Boost knowledge through high quality publications such as the member s choice of one of four bimonthly journals, Viewpoint newsletter, and various other publications.

3 Enhance leadership skills through volunteering at the national level. AAACN has many committees, special interest groups, and short term task forces that allow nurses to develop and strengthen their organizational and leadership expertise. Stay connected to the latest happenings in ambulatory or telehealth practice, health care, and organization activities through the AAACN Web site, and our monthly electronic newsletter. Advance career development through AAACN s scholarships and research grants. Certification Certified Ambulatory Care Nurses Gain Confidence and Respect AAACN works closely with the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) in the development of the Ambulatory Care Nursing Certification Exam that includes telehealth. ANCC offers a $55 discount off the exam fee to AAACN members. Complimentary Publications Choice of One of Three Journals AAACN members receive a bi-monthy subscription to their choice of one of three journals to advance their practice and earn continuing education credit. Choices are: Nursing Economic$, Med Surg Nursing, or Pediatric Nursing. Viewpoint Our members-only newsletter is published bi-monthly and features CE articles on ambulatory and telehealth topics along with association news. E-News This monthly electronic newsletter highlights health care news, association news and benefits, features an article from the ViewPoint newsletter, monthly LIVE Audio Seminar topics, as well as other special interest features. Networking Members have the opportunity to join a Special Interest Group (SIG) and network throughout the year with members of our 7 SIGs: Leadership, Patient Education, Pediatrics, Staff Education, Telehealth Nursing Practice, Tri-Service Military, and Veterans Administration. Members of the SIGs share innovative and best practices, learn new techniques, share best practices and solve practice problems, work on special projects, develop educational products, present topics at the annual meeting, etc. Other Benefits AAACN Web Site, ( AAACN Research and Scholarship Fund Leadership Development AAACN Annual Conference including a pre-conference workshop, Ambulatory Care Nursing Certification Review Course, and the Ambulatory Care Nursing Certification exam. Members save $150 on conference registration fees,* $50 each off Pre-conference Workshop and Certification Review Course fees, and $55 off the Certification Exam fee. Monthly audio seminars are also offered at a discount to members. Education Resources at Discounted Member Prices: Core Curriculum for Ambulatory Care Nursing; Scope and Standards of Practice for Professional Ambulatory Care Nursing; Ambulatory Care Nursing Review Questions; Ambulatory Care Nursing Certification Review Course Syllabus; Ambulatory Care Nursing Certification Review Course DVD; Ambulatory Care Nursing Guide to Orientation and Competency Assessment; Scope and Standards of Practice for Professional Telehealth Nursing; Telehealth Nursing Practice Essentials text book; Telehealth Nursing Practice Resource Directory; Telehealth Nursing Practice Core Course (TNPCC) DVD. American Academy of Ambulatory Care Nursing P.O. Box 56, Pitman, NJ AMB-NURS ( ) FAX: Web: aaacn@ajj.com

4 AGREEMENT This agreement is between the American Academy of Ambulatory Care Nursing (hereafter AAACN), a nonprofit organization with principle offices at East Holly Avenue, Box 56, Pitman, NJ 08071, and the of (hereafter Facility) Background AAACN is interested in working with the Facility to enhance the professional development of the Facility s nursing staff through education and certification. Through the Group Membership Program, AAACN will introduce the ambulatory and telehealth nursing staff to the many benefits of belonging to the only professional nursing organization that represents the ambulatory and telehealth specialty. New Members The Facility agrees to provide AAACN with new members. As such, only nurses who are not currently members of AAACN will count toward the agreed upon number during the initial enrollment year. Payment must be submitted upon the signing of this agreement to qualify for the group rate for membership dues. An electronic membership application imprinted with the facility name, and coded for tracking purposes, will be sent in advance to the facility. The special facility applications must be sent at one time. Additional applications and payment may be submitted monthly throughout the year. If the Facility does not submit the agreed upon number of new members by the end of the agreement year, the Facility forfeits the balance of dues previously paid. Memberships are non-transferable and non-refundable. Membership will start the month the names and payment are received and is valid for one year. The Facility will receive a discount on AAACN membership based on the number of new members enrolled by the Facility (see membership levels below). Full membership is available to any registered nurse. Associate membership is available to any licensed health care professional interested in ambulatory care nursing practice or telehealth/telephone triage nursing. AAACN Regular Dues = $130 LPN/LVN/Associate Member Dues = $105 Group Membership Program Adjusted Dues Membership Level # of New Members Adjusted Dues Rate for Discount RNs LPN/LVNs Associates Level $121 $98 7% Level $120 $97 8% Level $118 $96 9% Level $117 $95 10% Level Plus $116 $93 11%

5 Membership Processing To implement the program, the Facility will assign one contact person to work directly with AAACN. This individual will also be the contact person at the Facility to answer questions from the Facility s nurses. The contact person is responsible for collecting completed membership applications from the Facility s nurses who wish to join AAACN (new members). S/he will submit the completed membership applications, along with payment at the group discounted rate, along with this signed agreement. S/he will also submit additional names and payment monthly, as needed. Current AAACN Members Nurses who are currently members of AAACN and are included on the Facility s list as new members, will be renewed. However, these memberships will not count toward the agreed upon number of new members during the initial enrollment year. Adding New Members During the Agreement Year Throughout the year, the Facility may submit additional names and addresses, along with payment, on a monthly basis, using the special facility application. Year End Program Evaluation Evaluation of the program by the Facility and AAACN will take place 90 days prior to the end of the Facility s group membership year. If it is agreed that the program will continue, group membership dues will be adjusted according to the number of members the Facility agrees to sponsor. Renewals (Second and Subsequent Years of Program) AAACN will send one renewal invoice annually to the Facility contact person 90 days prior to the end of the annual agreement. The invoice will contain a complete print out of current AAACN members who participated in the program. The Facility contact person will be asked to confirm current employment and continuation of AAACN membership for each employee listed. New members may be added at this time. The Facility will remit one payment to AAACN for the total number of memberships indicated on the list (renewals and new members) within 60 days of receiving the renewal notification. Membership dues will be based on the total number of members the Facility agrees to provide to AAACN for the coming year. If the Facility s membership falls below the agreed upon number, the membership level and discount will be adjusted. If the Facility s total membership falls below the lowest number of members required for the group membership program, the regular dues will apply. Term The term of this agreement shall be for a period of one year, commencing on and ending on. Ninety days prior to the end of the term, AAACN will review with the Facility the effectiveness of this program. Continuation of the program will be by mutual consent of both parties. If the program is continued, the procedure outlined in Renewals (Second and Subsequent Years of Program) above will be followed. Review Course Discount Participation in the Group Membership Program provides a $300 discount off the regular $4,000 fee to offer either the Ambulatory Care Nursing Certification Review Course or the Telehealth Nursing Practice Core Course LIVE at your facility.

6 Certification Exam Discount Through AAACN s collaboration with the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), your AAACN members will receive a $55 discount on the certification exam and pay $340. Certification is valid for 5 years. I agree to the above items. American Academy of Ambulatory Care Nursing Facility Name Cynthia Nowicki Hnatiuk, EdD, RN, CAE Title Executive Director Title Date Date Name and contact information for main contact at facility: Name: Phone: American Academy of Ambulatory Care Nursing P.O. Box 56, Pitman, NJ AMB-NURS ( ) FAX: Web: aaacn@ajj.com