Making the Most of Our Association's Opportunities
Article Outline
- Strategic Planning
- Leader Development
- Organization
- Information Technology
- Partnerships
- Education
- Healthy Workplaces
- Legislation
- A Diverse Membership
- International Opportunities
- Sustaining the Momentum
- Copyright
The month of May is significant for nurses all over the world. Since 1965, May 12 has been observed as International Nurses Day to recognize the contributions of nurses on the birthday of Florence Nightingale. The United States and Canada will celebrate National Nurses Week 2008 from May 6 through May 12 with the theme “Nurses: Making a Difference Every Day.” Not only should we stop during this time to reflect on the accomplishments of nurses throughout history, we should take time to remind the public of the tradition of contributions made by nurses to the delivery of safe health care. This year, AORN will continue to “Make a Difference.”
AORN is an association with a rich history of dedication, passion, and determination to continue the tradition of patient-centered care. The past several years have tested those attributes as we faced the most serious nursing shortage in history and threats to our scope of practice. Today, however, I do not want to draw a bleak picture of nursing. Rather, I want us all to appreciate the amazing opportunities this environment presents to solidify and leverage AORN's position as the premier perioperative association affecting health care.
My first year on the Board of Directors was something of a blur, as is the experience for most “rookies.” What I remember most are the amazing efforts that were made to mentor new Board members, along with the deliberate effort to build upon each succeeding Presidency to ensure a forward-moving, strategically developed plan for the future of the Association. It is a memorable experience to have been involved in the birth of an idea that has grown into developing the direction of perioperative nursing. I will always be grateful to have had these experiences with the members, the Board, and the staff of AORN.
Clearly, the vision of AORN is not born from one person's thoughts, nor is it random. It is a compilation of many ideas from people working together with a common zeal to realize a common goal. Thus, this year, I will not put forth “Presidential goals” but will oversee the implementation of AORN's Strategic Plan for 2008.
Strategic Planning
Our planning process began last summer with a stakeholders' summit held at Headquarters. Members of industry, nursing colleagues, AORN members from all generations, staff members, and the Board of Directors participated in designing a framework for the preferred future of AORN. The Board and staff used this framework to identify specific strategic goals to begin the journey. Strategic planning must be an annual event to assess progress and refine direction in response to our often chaotic health care environment. It is an important part of designing the future and will be an integral part of the Board's year. I would like to share with you selected initiatives born of this process.
Leader Development
Preparing for the future means preparing the new leaders whose mission will be to sustain the success and growth of the Association. Following the recommendation of the Legacy Task Force, a Leadership Development group will identify AORN members who desire leadership development and explore opportunities to engage past leaders in serving as mentors and as advisors to committees, task forces, and specialty assemblies. Although many past leaders serve on committees, we need to design and implement a formal mechanism to recruit and deploy those with valuable experience and no obvious way to participate. I challenge each of you to step up and help us retain our intellectual capital before it is too late. I believe our efforts have already had a positive effect on the nursing shortage, patient safety, and quality outcomes and provide a platform for the future advancement of our mission. To fulfill this dream, however, we must pass the torch to those nurses who will follow in our steps.
Organization
A new task force will conduct a SWOT (ie, strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) analysis of our organizational structure, including the role of specialty assemblies and state councils, and explore creative options to meet our future needs along with the infrastructure to support them. What options will take us five, 10, and 15 years forward? What will our children's generation need to sustain their professional growth? These are questions that must be answered now, before it is too late to begin that journey in a deliberate, constructive manner.
What can we anticipate our relationship to be with our nursing partners? During Congress, we heard American Nurses Association (ANA) President Becky Patton, MSN, RN, CNOR, announce the affiliate status in the ANA for AORN members. Colleagues, this is nursing history and presents exciting scenarios for the future. Imagine the influence of 2.9 million nurses speaking in a collective voice, joining together yet maintaining their individual association identities. We would be a force to be reckoned with on Capitol Hill.
Information Technology
The amazing electronic highway will offer us the ability to form virtual communities, linking nurses together all over the world. Therefore, work will continue with the information technology and Internet plan funded by the Board in 2006. Web page improvements will support committee work, allow us to share documents, promote dialogue, and facilitate the work of the House of Delegates in the time between Congresses. This advancement will help AORN make timely decisions that respond to critical issues as they arise. Nimbleness will be a key attribute for thriving in the future.
The Recommended Practices Committee will continue to implement the online product. The Perioperative Nursing Data Set Task Force has an exciting opportunity to develop the Electronic Medical Record and pursue marketing strategies for industry adoption. Completion of the conversions will link all of AORN's documents to provide the most comprehensive collection of electronic information possible. This is impressive and has far-reaching possibilities.
Partnerships
Externally, our partnerships are evolving into a powerful force. Perioperative professional associations consider AORN to be a leader in the patient and workplace safety arenas. We will continue to foster relationships with premier organizations such as the ANA, the American Organization of Nurse Executives, the American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses, and the Joint Commission to develop and sustain practice standards and professional ethics. Our recent membership in the National Quality Forum will give us direct input into a variety of health care issues. Industry partners are joining us in the quest for safety and quality. Currently, Industry Partners for Patient Safety is encouraging the development of user competencies for new technologies and equipment in response to hearing your needs. AORN's sponsorship of nursing research serves to emphasize our leadership in evidence-based practice. The Research Committee will develop a plan to guide this vital link to establishing standards of care.
Education
Education is central to all professions. Many years ago, we adopted the position statement supporting the bachelor's degree as the entry level for nursing. Since that time, there has been minimal progress toward that goal. In order to gain level ground with physicians, legislators, and administrators, nurses must set high standards. The disparity in education fosters a hierarchal working environment and the age old “captain of the ship” systems we still find in many of our ORs.
I will advocate for the BSN, especially in supporting the practicing RN to achieve that level. For graduate nurses, it is vastly important that we encourage the use of Periop 101 as well as orientation to the scrub role before moving on to that of the circulator. It makes us better nurses, and it will reduce our attrition.
Today, however, simply promoting a single entry level is not enough. Let's use our resources to help nurses obtain advanced degrees and to deliver the continuing education that will sustain their practices. The Advanced Practice Task Force is taking the initiative to develop a career map for perioperative nursing and determine ways to enhance our support of clinical nurse specialists and educators. Development of competencies for new managers, directors, educators, advanced practice nurses, clinical specialists, and traveling nurses is also a priority. Finally, we must not flag in the effort to return perioperative tracks to nursing programs.
Healthy Workplaces
A healthy work environment is paramount to our recruitment and retention efforts. This year we are evaluating the impact of noise on patient safety. We have a place at the table with the American College of Surgeons on the Committee on Team Education in Surgery, an opportunity I believe will help us realize an environment of mutual respect. A Smoke Hazard Tool Kit will be developed to help nurses assess compliance and assist in implementing the practice of smoke evacuation in every OR. Additionally, we will explore the opportunity to partner with other nursing associations to adopt a position statement on a healthy work environment. Once again, we will find strength in numbers.
Legislation
The Grass Root Network is of primary importance in achieving RN circulator language and RN first assistant reimbursement in every state. The Legislative Principles serve as a template for monitoring legislative activities that may encroach on our scope of practice. Success depends on each individual, however. Please join the Grass Roots Network and connect with your regional Legislative Committee representative to better understand how you may help protect our practice. Let's establish AORN as a leader and key participant in health policy development that affects perioperative nursing.
A Diverse Membership
Recognizing that diversity is the key to growth, we will continue to explore possibilities for tiered memberships; further affiliate memberships such as we have with the ANA; a robust ambulatory program; and vertical market relationships, such as with colleagues in the catheterization laboratory, labor and delivery, endoscopy, and invasive radiology. In addition to our facility packages, strategies are under consideration for Magnet facilities and industry partners.
International Opportunities
Recognizing that the world is shrinking, you will see Congress become a stronger international event, allowing us to consolidate our efforts to meet the needs of the global community. We will foster relationships with the International Council of Nurses and the World Health Organization through an active role in the International Federation of Perioperative Nurses and participate in bringing patient safety initiatives to the worldwide stage. A Task Force on International Relations, chaired by past-President Mary Jo Steiert, RN, BSN, CNOR, will explore other opportunities in this arena. Because we have seen interest in forming international chapters, the Membership Committee will seek ways to support their growth.
Sustaining the Momentum
My single goal this year is to sustain and intensify the positive momentum AORN is experiencing. Membership numbers are the highest we have seen in many years, and I want my generation to leave a legacy for those who will follow. As an Association, we must push forward without fearing change, without struggling to continue as we always have, and with celebration about the chance we have to leave a sound Association known for its commitment to patient care and perioperative practice. Let us each completely “Embrace the Future.” It is time to move on. Have a wonderful Nurses Week and remember to recognize the significance of our role in perioperative care!
Editor's note: Periop 101 is a trademark of AORN, Inc, Denver, CO. Magnet is a trademark of the American Nurses Credentialing Center, Silver Spring, MD.
PII: S0001-2092(08)00261-5
doi:10.1016/j.aorn.2008.04.003
© 2008 AORN, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc All rights reserved.