Special Focus Groups and Forums
The AANN special focus groups (SFGs) are consistently ranked one of the top membership benefits.
AANN members get free access to the SFG and Forum communities on the AANN NeuroNetwork. Each SFG and Forum has its own community used for communication, networking, problem solving, and sharing knowledge and resources among its members.
Special Focus Groups (SFGs)
SFGs are groups that are specialty-focused. AANN has seven SFGs for members to join:
Epilepsy
This is a community focused on the care and treatment of individuals with Epilepsy. Conversation topics may include: epilepsy monitoring unit practices, new treatment modalities, patient and family support, and diagnostic procedures.
Neuromuscular and Movement Disorders/MS
This is a community for the discussion of topics pertaining to neuromuscular and movement disorders, or any interference with speed, fluency, quality, and ease of movement. Additionally, it includes discussion of neuromuscular disorders: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, Multiple sclerosis (MS), Muscular Dystrophy, Myasthenia Gravis, Myopathy, myositis (polymyositis, dermatomyositis), peripheral neuropathy and spinal muscular atrophy.
Neuro-oncology
This is a community for the discussion of topics pertaining to neuro-oncology, including: tumor, clinical trials, treatment, patient support, and metastases to the central nervous system.
Neurotrauma
This is a community for nurses interested in the care of patients impacted by trauma and resulting head and/or spine injury. Conversation topics may include: prevention of secondary injury, ICP monitoring and CSF diversion, neurological assessment techniques, and care across the continuum.
Pediatrics
This is a community for nurses interested in the care of children impacted by neurological conditions.
Spine
This is a community for the discussion of topics pertaining to the spinal cord. In general, topics may include: spinal cord injury, tumors, infections (meningitis, polio), inflammatory disease, autoimmune disease, and degenerative spinal cord disease in the broad sense. Specifically, the forum captures the inpatient, pre/post-surgical, outpatient and community need of neuroscience nurses.
Stroke
This is a community for the discussion of topics pertaining to stroke from pre-hospital through rehab. Other vascular diseases are included in this community, such as: moya moya, endovascular, interventions, and stroke systems of care (through rehab).
Forums
Forums are groups that are demographic-focused. AANN has three forums for members to join:
Advanced Practice Nurse (APN)
This is a community for the discussion of topics pertaining to advanced practice neuroscience nurses. Advanced practice nurse providers share a unique role and set of support needs. The forum serves as a safe place that encourages critical thinking and problem solving skills, diagnostic tools, and advanced examination skills.
Critical Care
This is a multidisciplinary community for the discussion of topics pertaining to critical care within the neuroscience population including professional networking, problem solving, knowledge and resource sharing.
New to Neuro
This is an all-levels community for the discussion of topics pertaining to exploring neuroscience nursing or transitioning into practice within the specialty. Conversation topics may include, but are not limited to: networking, advice, support, mentoring, and knowledge and resource sharing. Trainees and students are welcome!
Join an SFG Community or Forum
To join a special focus group or forum, please visit the NeuroNetwork or email AANN Member Services at info@aann.org. You can edit your SFG and forum memberships in your member profile.
Tips for Posting
What is Appropriate to Post?
The types of messages that are acceptable to post on the NeuroNetwork include general questions, job descriptions, AANN sponsored activities, sharing of resources, and requests for information assistance, best practices, and policies.
What Should I Not Post?
The NeuroNetwork should not be used for job searches or to post open positions, newsletter distribution, surveys, press releases, non-AANN product promotions, or meeting announcements. If you are interested in posting a position opening, please consider the Career Center or contact the AANN office at info@aann.org or 888.557.2266. If you are interested in posting a meeting announcement, please consider an AANN calendar posting. If you have a survey that you would like to send to the membership, please contact Meredith Nichols at mnichols@aann.org to submit it to the Clinical Science Committee for review.
Helpful Hint:
You can change the email to where the NeuroNetwork notification messages are sent under Profile > My Account > Community Notifications.
Usage Guidelines
Please keep in mind the following guidelines when using the NeuroNetwork:
- Be courteous and respectful of others.
- Submissions should be crafted with appropriate language. Be informative, polite, and professional.
- The NeuroNetwork should not be used for commercial purposes or to advance the business or financial interests of any person or entity not affiliated with AANN. Communications that advertise events, products, or services or that directly solicit members to purchase products or services are prohibited.
- AANN accepts no responsibility for the content of the postings on the SFG communities. The content of all postings is solely the responsibility of the authors.
- Practice caution when replying to the discussion. There is an option to respond to the entire thread or directly to the author. If you would like to send a response to the author, you will need to select that you would like to reply to sender.
- Please participate! Your ideas are important. Just because you think everyone knows something doesn't mean they do.
- Please contact AANN at info@aann.org with any questions or to change which communities to which you belong.
We hope you enjoy this networking opportunity and find it a worthwhile benefit of membership in AANN.