MEMBER BENEFITS

Chapter Membership: There are 6 regional Chapters supported by the parent organization of MAPHN, providing public health nurses with information, networking, continuing education, learning opportunities, “field trips”, and regionally relevant programs. Half of all dues paid annually to MAPHN go towards the support of your selected Chapter and half of all dues go to supporting conference planning, technology support, subscriptions to G platform for communications available to all members! Chapters annually elect officers who attend quarterly meetings of the Board of Directors. Monthly Chapter meetings often feature guest speakers, continuing education and MAPHN Board news. Chapter, Board and Committee meetings are posted to our website and on Google Calendar available to all members.

Membership Directory: An online directory of all current MAPHN members is available to those looking to connect with other members.

Website: https://www.maphn.org is the portal for members to obtain the latest practice information, access information and resources, tools to enhance the PYN Practice, professional topics, and Orientation Guide for all members on the many, various tasks for public health nursing in Massachusetts.

Communications: A member driven twice annual Newsletter; The PULSE, written by members for members which includes articles of interest, chapter activities to spark and inspire, photographs of public health nurses in action, and more! The PULSE editions are published in the Fall/Winter and Spring/Summer. Throughout the year, submissions can be sent to Newsletter@maphn.org.  Each Monday morning, News This Week email for members includes local, state, regional, national and global public health news as well as member highlights and parent organization announcements such as elections, award nominations, and other Board of Director’s news. Find us on Facebook under Massachusetts Association of Public Health Nurses and like us! The group is a private/closed group which requires “approval” of your request to join us; all in an effort to safeguard your privacy. 

Leadership: There are several committees and positions at the Chapter and Parent Organization level for membership participation which builds leadership excellence with educational opportunities and leadership training, partnership development, and experience in management and governance. 

Committees: MAPHN always welcomes member participation on committees who form the foundation of our organizational efforts and advancement of Public Health Nurses in Massachusetts including Outreach, Visibility & Membership, Service, By-Laws, Finance, Conference Planning, Nominations & Elections, Education, Professional Practice, Research and Informatics

Mentoring: MAPHN provides a viable resource to nurses new to the discipline of Public Health/Public Health Nursing through its mentor program. Experienced PHNs are partnered with new PHNs, providing support, guidance, information and encouragement. 

Service: Operation Stand Down with MAPHN: This is an annual project coordinated by our Service Committee members. Volunteers from MAPHN membership, university nursing students, and Medical Reserve Corps volunteers provide foot care to at-risk and at risk for homelessness veterans at the Stand Down event in Boston. Members help by conducting sock drives in their community in the months preceding the event. In some years, the “tent operations” may include flu vaccine, tetanus vaccine, personal care items and boot and shoe distribution on behalf of the VA. Massachusetts Nurses Honor Guard There are 2 trainings (one on line, and one live) to participate in funeral services for nurses who have passed and whose family requests the presence of the Nurses Honor Guard at the service. Honoring nurses who have dedicated their lives to the profession of nursing. For more information and to sign up please go to help@nurseshonorguardma.com

Advocacy: MAPHN supports a pro-active legislative affairs program through our participation in CLPH (Coalition for Local Public Health), and collaborative partnerships and alliances with MSNO (Massachusetts School Nurse Organization), Boston University School of Public Health, New England Public Health Learning Institute, MaAOHN (Massachusetts Association of Occupational Health Nurses), The Public Health Museum and Public Health Nursing Section of the American Public Health Association. MAPHN advocates for issues impacting the field of nursing and public health, keeps members abreast of the latest legislative and regulatory developments and often solicits support and assistance from members. 

Professional Development: Educational Support: MAPHN promotes excellence in continuing nursing education through Chapter activities and our Annual Conference (held in the Spring). It is the largest meeting of public health nurses in Massachusetts. MAPHN provides both virtual and in-person learning opportunities throughout the year for members. MAPHN Coordinates CEUs for many of the programs using the Board of Registration in Nursing requirements for CEUs.

Savings: Being an MAPHN Member means membership rates and discounts on all of the organizations conferences, webinars and online educational materials. In addition, scholarship support is available to attend professional events in public health such as the American Public Health Association (APHA) and Association of Public Health Nurses (APHN) conferences.