Factors affecting nurses' decisions to join their professional association

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Professional Associations
• Membership Trends

Background:

• Nursing associations globally face challenges in member recruitment and retention.
• Previous research has identified several potential factors contributing to declining membership.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the key factors influencing nurses' decisions to join or not join the Kuwait Nursing Association (KNA).

Main Methods:

• Utilized the Professional Association Membership Questionnaire (PAMQ) with added demographic and open-ended questions.
• Surveyed 40 current KNA members and 100 former members who did not renew their membership.

Main Results:

• Nine benefits, including social activities and peer contact, significantly influenced current members' decisions to join.
• Former members indicated valuing education, programs, support, professionalism, and self-improvement.
• Most reported benefits were not highly important to either group.

Conclusions:

• Significant differences exist in the motivations of current and former KNA members.
• The perceived value of benefits varies, and philosophical differences may deter membership.
• Associations must understand member motivations to improve recruitment and retention strategies.