The Bridge between Research and Practice
IntNSA is…
A professional specialty organization for nurses
committed to the prevention, intervention,
treatment, and management of addictive
disorders:
 alcohol/ drug dependencies
 nicotine dependencies
 eating disorders
 dual/ multiple diagnosis
 process addictions such as gambling.
History
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Founded in 1975 - provisional component of the
National Council on Alcoholism (NCA), initially named
the National Nurses Society on Alcoholism (NNSA).
Renamed the National Nurses Society on Addictions.
1997 merged with the Drug and Alcohol Nurses
Association and the Consolidated Association of Nurses
in Substance Abuse (CANSA).
Joining of the three organizations symbolized in the
current logo.
The organization’s name was changed to the
International Nurses Society on Addictions with the
vision to be a global leader in addictions nursing.
Our Members
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Our strength comes from our members, including
clinicians, educators, managers, and researchers who
practice in a wide variety of settings, including
treatment centers, hospitals, schools, private
practices, primary care, and other community
agencies.
We firmly believe that all nurses, regardless of their
specialty or practice setting, can play a role in the
promotion of healthy lifestyles and the early
identification of people at greater risk for developing
problems associated with the abuse of addictive
substances.
Membership Categories
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Regular Membership (3 Types)
 U.S.
Full Membership - $200
 International Full Membership - $230 USD
 Retired Membership - $100
Student Membership - $75
 Disabled Membership - $100
 Associate Membership - $120
 Individual Affiliate Membership - $150
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Membership Benefits
IntNSA offers a variety of services specifically
for our valued members including:
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Education
Networking
Scientific Information
Research
Washington Representation
Education…
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IntNSA serves as a forum for all nurses who are
interested in the prevention, intervention and
treatment of addictions to enhance knowledge,
advance skills, continue education and be a resource
to nurses across all practice settings.
IntNSA’s hallmark is the Annual Educational Conference
which offers:
 Cutting-edge topics & educational presentations
 A forum for the exchange of ideas
 Continuing education credits
 The occasion of social networking to increase
collegial relationships
Year/Date
Location
Theme
2001 - Sept. 11-14
Niagara Falls, Canada
Advancing Addictions Nursing Practice in the 21st Century
2002 - Sept. 24-28
San Antonio, Texas
Forging Frontiers in Addictions Nursing
2003 - Nov. 5-8
Baltimore, Maryland
Promoting Partnerships for Change in Education, Research, & Service for
Individuals with Substance Use Disorders (with AMERSA)
2004 - Oct. 13-16
San Diego, California
Addictions and Nursing Practice: A Global View
2005 - Sept. 7-10
Minneapolis,
Minnesota
Commemorating Our Past, Celebrating Our Present, Charting Our Future
2006 - Sept. 28-30
Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania
Nursing: Leadership in Addiction Treatment and Prevention
2007 – Oct. 11-13
Arlington, Virginia
Advocacy and Addictions Nursing: Influencing Policy and Practice
2008 - Oct. 10-13
Atlanta, Georgia
Addiction Nursing and the Public’s Health: Healthy People 2010 Initiatives
2009 - Sept.30Oct.3
Albuquerque, New
Mexico
Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment: Working with the Criminal
Justice Systems
2010 - Oct. 20-23
Old Greenwich,
Connecticut
Learning from Each Other: A Global Perspective on Addictions
2011 - Sept. 7-10
Tucson, Arizona
In conjunction with the American Society of Pain Management Nursing –
Management of Pain & Addictions: Broadening Our Perspectives
2012 - Sept. 5-8
Washington, DC
Nurses Caring for Patients across the Continuum of Substance Use: Leading
Change and Advancing Health
2013 - Oct. 9-12
Washington, DC
Riding the Wave of Change in HealthCare: Interprofessional Collaboration
and Caring for Substance Use Disorders
2014 - Oct. 15-18
Washington, DC
TBD
Webinars
All webinars are archived on our website on the events page. Below are the offerings
from 2012:
 Webinar - Buprenorphine Clinic: A Multidisciplinary Model for Opioid
Maintenance Therapy
 Webinar - Opioid Replacement Therapies for Opioid Dependent Health Care
Providers: The Controversy
 Webinar - Treating Chronic Pain with Prescription Opioids in the Substance
Abuser: Relapse Prevention and Management
 Webinar - The Pharmacologic Management of Substance Use Disorders
 Webinar - The Neurobiology of Addiction and Pharmacological Concepts
Funding for these webinars was made possible (in part) by (1H79T1022022) from
SAMHSA. The views expressed in written webinar materials or publications and by
speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the
Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention of trade names,
commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.
Networking…
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Networking with other behavioral health care
professionals who focus on addictions to enhance
your professional development and apply in your
practice what you learn from others through faceto-face workshops and meetings, and through
volunteer participation on IntNSA committees.
IntNSA’s website also hosts a searchable directory
through which members can search for colleagues
by location, institution name and a variety of other
factors.
Chapters
CCAN (Commonwealth of Massachusetts), Garden State, Greater Delaware
Valley, New York State, North Carolina, South California, Virginia
Scientific Information…
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Is delivered through IntNSA’s publications and web site.
The indexed scientific journal, Journal of Addictions Nursing
(JAN), a journal for the Prevention and Management of
Addictions, keeps members current on practice-related issues
which boost their own performance. Articles featuring
scientific breakthroughs, controversial therapies, and ethical
issues are some of the topics featured in each issue.
 The News Wave newsletter provides brief, informative
articles on IntNSA’s initiatives underway on our members’
behalf and reports events that affect your practice.
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Research…
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Research provides the opportunity to study
questions and present results encountered in everyday practice. Learn from colleagues through
abstracts, case studies and research grant
presentations, which IntNSA and the Foundation for
Addictions Nursing (FAN) support.
Washington Representation…
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Addictions nurses influence legislation and positively
impact their practice when they participate in
IntNSA’s grass roots efforts.
IntNSA is effectively presenting ways the nation can
improve patient care, while reducing the frustrations
and challenges our members face in daily practice.
IntNSA weighs in on proposed legislation, presents
expert testimony before congressional committees,
or suggests new legislation when meeting with
health care staffers.
Get Involved
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A strong volunteer structure is essential to
every society.
Join a committee or task force.
Get involved in your local chapter or start one.
Submit an article for IntNSA News Wave or the
Journal of Addictions Nursing (JAN).
Offer your ideas, share your experiences, help
the organization stay in tune with the needs of
our members.
Not a member? Join us today!
Foundation for Addictions Nursing (FAN)
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FAN is dedicated to stewardship of IntNSA, serves
to support leadership and growth of the organization.
Financial contributions are utilized to support
scholarship and research by IntNSA members - the
life-blood of addictions nursing.
Lois Widley Scholarships supports nursing students attending
the Annual Educational Conference.
 Cathy Buffington Memorial Scholarship for registration for a
nurse who would otherwise not be able to attend (needbased)
 NEED NEW NAME IntNSA Research Grant provides support
for researchers at any level – novice to experienced.
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Certification in Addictions Nursing
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The Addictions Nursing Certification Board (ANCB) was
established in 1989 for the purpose of promoting the highest
standards of addictions nursing practice through
development, implementation, and coordination of all aspects
of certification for addictions nurses.
Two certifications are offered:
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Certified Addictions Registered Nurse (CARN)
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Certified Addictions Registered Nurse - Advanced Practice (CARN-AP)
Examinations are designed to determine and recognize the
ability to apply knowledge from nursing and related disciplines
to the care of persons with problems resulting from patterns of
abuse, dependence, and all aspects of addictions.
Value of Certification
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Certification attests to attainment of specialized
knowledge beyond the basic nursing credential.
Certification serves to maintain and to promote
quality nursing care by providing a mechanism for
nurses to demonstrate their proficiency in a nursing
specialty area. It documents that special knowledge has
been achieved, elevates the standards of addictions
nursing practice, and provides for expanded career
opportunities and advancement within the specialty of
addictions nursing. Thus, certification benefits the
nurse, the profession of nursing, and the public!
Value of Certification
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Deemed Status granted in 1997 to North Carolina Substance Abuse
Professional Certification Board (NCSAPCB) recognizing the CARN
with master's degree or CARN-AP.
Protecting the Health of the Public
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Finnell, D.S. (2002). Certification in Addictions Nursing: Promoting and
Protecting the Health of the Public. Available at
http://www.intnsa.org/pdfs/intnsa-VHYjpC.pdf
Carey, A.H. (2001). Certified Registered Nurses: Results of the study of
the certified workforce. American Journal of Nursing, 101 (1), 44-52.
Brady, C., Becker, K., Brigham, L.E., Goldman, J., Wilson, B.B., & George,
E. (2001). The case for mandatory certification. Journal of Nursing
Administration, 31 (10), 466-467.
American Board of Nursing Specialties (2006). Specialty Nursing
Certification: Nurses’ perceptions, values and behaviors. Available at
http://
www.nursingcertification.org/pdf/white_paper_final_12_12_06.pdf
CARN Eligibility
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CARN Requirements
 Current,
full and unrestricted license as a registered
nurse.
 Three years experience as an RN.
 Within the three years prior to the application, a
minimum of 2000 hours (one year) of nursing
experience related to addictions.
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CARN Examination Fees
 IntNSA
Members $195
 New Member $335
 Non-Members $395
CARN-AP Eligibility
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CARN-AP Requirements
Current CARN certification or meets eligibility criteria for
CARN.
 Master's degree or higher in nursing.
 Minimum of 500 hours of supervised direct client contact in
advanced clinical practice in addictions/psychiatric/mental
health nursing. All 500 hours may be earned while in the
master's program.
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CARN-AP Examination Fees
IntNSA Members $295
 New Member $435
 Non-Members $495
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Visit Us Online
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Learn more about
IntNSA on our newly
designed website.
www.intnsa.org
Connect with Us
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Get connected with your colleagues by joining us on
our social media sites. Get frequent updates on
events and education opportunities as well as
network with fellow members and colleagues.
Join Us
Contact Us
Toll Free: (877) 6-INTNSA (646-8672)
Phone: (913) 895-4622
Fax: (913) 895-4652
intnsa@intnsa.org
Office Hours: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm CT, Monday through Friday
Mailing Address
International Nurses Society on Addictions
P.O. Box 14846
Lenexa, KS 66285-4846