The Benefits of Joining American Pharmacists Association (APhA)

Week 3 Benchmark Assignment: Networking Through Health Care Associations
Student’s Name
Institutional Affiliation
Course Name and Number
Lecturer’s Name
Assignment Due Date
American Pharmacists Association
The American Pharmacists Association (APhA) is the largest association of Pharmacists in the United States (The American Pharmacists Association, n.d). Founded in 1852, the association educates, inspires, innovates, and equips pharmacists to maximize health and medicine (Kardos, 2016). APhA also promotes pharmaceutical research and helps influence medication-related legislation to improve patient care (The American Pharmacists Association, n.d). It is the only organization that advances the whole pharmacy profession by assisting pharmacists to find work satisfaction and success while advocating for effective healthcare changes (Fusco et al.,2015). As the voice of pharmacy, APhA leads this profession and prepares members for their duties.
Benefits of Joining APhA
APhA membership comes with a lot of professional and personal benefits. Firstly, joining this association gives members an advantage of receiving daily newsletters, clinical updates, and developing pharmacy stories they need to stay informed (The American Pharmacists Association, n.d). APhA sends out newsletters or publishes journals to update its members on the current events relevant to its mission. Quick access to resources like Pharmacy Today and Journal of the American Pharmacists Association (JAPhA) allows them to stay updated (Kardos, 2016). Secondly, members can access the programs and healthcare resources needed to provide optimal care.
Thirdly, members receive networking opportunities that enable them to advance their careers. They can attend events like conferences, seminars, and workshops to mingle with other experts as they develop the leadership skills and pharmaceutical knowledge they need to advance their profession (Mattingly & Mattingly II, 2018). Lastly, APhA gives members the opportunity to increase job satisfaction and motivation. By joining this association, members can gain ideas that may improve their proficiency (Bauer & Kane-Gill, 2016). It is because APhA is committed to helping experts offer outstanding care. The organization also prepares members to succeed with quality education, exclusive practice tools, transformative events, and timely solutions to complex problems (The American Pharmacists Association, n.d).
Benefits of Attending a Meeting, Convention, or Conference In-Person
Attending a meeting, convention or conference provides excellent opportunities to network and build connections with other professionals in pharmacy (Fusco et al., 2015). Networking allows one to exchange ideas, share challenges faced in the profession, and find solutions to such problems (Kardos, 2016). It also increases one’s knowledge base. In-person attendance allows a person to meet more experienced and competent professionals with deep knowledge about pharmacy. Interacting with such people enables a member to acquire new information and learn from these professionals. This action improves a person’s professional development. Besides, attending a meeting, conference or convention enab...