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The contribution of national committees to AORN goals
JULY
A O R N JOURNAL
1988. VOL. 48.
NO I
President k Message The contribution of national committees to AORN goals
T
he monthly “President’s Message” is often devoted to a personal belief of the President or accounts of AORNs success in one area or another. This month I would like to combine those two thoughts and provide information about how I believe AORN national committees contribute to AORNs continued success in many areas. There is no doubt in my mind that AORN committees and the volunteer participation of AORN members and liaisons from other organizations on those committees are keys to AORNs success as a professional organization. There are four types of national committees: Board committees, standing committees, special committees formed by the Board of Directors, and one elected committee (ie, Nominating). Board committees facilitate the work of the Board, and membership is limited to Board members. Examples of Board committees are the Budget and Finance Committee, the Credentials Committee, the Executive Committee, the Planning Committee, the Reading Committee,and the Policy Committee. Standingcommittees have ongoing charges.The committees are identified in the Association bylaws, and their charges are listed in the Board manual. The members of each committee are chosen by the President with the approval of the Board of Directors. Each member is chosen in view of his or her expertise and qualifications in the area of that committee’s responsibility. The standing committees are the Audiovisual Committee, Award for Excellence Committee, Bylaws Committee, Legislative Committee, Membership Committee, National Committee on Education, 8
Nursing Research Committee, and the Technical Practices Coordinating Committee. Special committees are formed by the Board of Directors to accomplish definite tasks within a specified time. Special committees are disbanded once their charge has been met. Members are chosen from the AORN membership, but occasionally other nursing experts are asked to serve because of their knowledge in a specific area. This year the special committees are the Invitational Conference for Nurse Educators Planning Committee and the Committee on Critical Issues. The Nominating Committee is the only committee composed of members who are elected by the House of Delegates. Its duty is to prepare a slate of candidates for national ofice for the House of Delegates. In addition to committees, AORN has three Boards: Scholarship, Editorial, and Approval Board. Their functions are ongoing, and members interact to provide Association benefits to members. Each committee and board has a charge, and each establishes its own set of goals for the year ahead. But all of those goals are in line with AORN goals, which are identified in the “Strategic Plan.” The following is a list of each goal as identified in the “Strategic Plan” and various committees’ contributions to that specific goal. Goal I Maintain membership growth. The Membership Committee promotes and maintains the growth and development of the membership and chapters of the Association. Goal II - Provide membership benefits.
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AORN JOURNAL
The Membership Committee maintains current information of related activities and membership benefits offered by AORN. The Scholarship Board selects recipientsof AORN scholarshipawards. The Nursing Research Committee grants budgeted funds for research. Goal III - Ensure financial solvency. All committees participate in this goal as they function within their annual budget. Goal N Expand legislative activity relative to health care. The Legislative Committee keeps the AORN Board of Directors and AORN membership informed about regional issues in health care that directly or indirectly affect perioperative nursing. Goal V -Enhance information services. The National Committee on Education disseminates informationon perioperativenursing practice to schools of nursing. The Nursing Practices Committee develops recommendationsfor methods of communicating information to the membership related to the behavioral components of perioperative nursing practice. The Invitational Conferencefor Nurse Educators Planning Committee shares information regarding perioperative nursing at the Nurse Educators Conference with faculty from invited schools of nursing. Goal V I Enhance public relations approaches. The Scholarship Board recognizes recipients of AORN scholarships. The AORN A ward for Excellence Committee recognizes a registered nurse whose accomplishments in areas of practice, education, or research reflect the goal of excellence in patient care in perioperative nursing. All committees contribute to this‘goal when the outcome of their work is disseminated and when they work with liaisons from other organizations. Goal VII Serve the needs of members by providing educatwnal opportunities. The Audiovkual Committee prepares the scripts and facilitates the development and timeliness of audiovisual education materials pertinent to OR nursing.
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JULY 1988. VOL. 48. NO 1
The National Committee on Education interacts with institutions of higher learning by disseminating information about perioperative nursing. The Approval Board reviews educationalofferings of the chapters and approves continuing education credit for those that qualify. The Nursing Practices Committee identifies educational needs related to the implementation of perioperative nursing practice. The Technical Practice Coordinating Committee together with the Recommended Practices Subcommittee publishes established recommended technical practices for the membership. Goal yI;cT -Foster research. The Nursing Research Committee adds to the body of scientific knowledge in perioperative nursing by fostering applied and basic research. Goal IX - Devehp, collect, and dimeminate knowledge on perioperative nursing practice, The National Committee on Education disseminates knowledge on perioperative nursing practice to schools of nursing. The Nursing Practices Committee reviews, revises, and assists with the implementation of AORN “Standards of Nursing Practice” and other components of perioperative nursing practice. The Nursing Research Committee distributes information on completed and ongoing research projects. The Committee on Critical Issues identifies the impact of current and future issues on perioperative nursing practice and makes recommendations to the Board of Directors on ways to address those issues. The Technical Practices Coordinating Committee coordinatesand directs AORN technical practices and medical device standards activities. It also disseminates recommended practices through established publications. The Editorial Board reviews manuscripts submitted to the AORN Journal and makes rmmmendations regarding their acceptance for publication. GoalX -Anabze organizational structure of AORN. The Bylaws Co&e examines AORN bylaws and recommends changes to the House of Delegates consistent with the changing needs of AORN.
All committees contribute to this goal whenever they recommend changes in their own structure and organization. Goal XI Enhance understanding of volunteer Association leaders regarding their responsibility, roles, and performance within the organization. All committees address this as new members are orientated to the structure and function of the
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committees and how they work together. The committee members, the Board of Directors, and the Headquarters staff all work in unity to attain the organization’s goals and thus support perioperative nursing as a specialty and nursing as a profession. Together we have an impact on the future of professional nursing. PATHERCULES,RN, MS
PRFSIDENT
O’Neale Joins Consultation Staff O’Neale believes that researching clinical questions and corresponding with AORN members will challenge her creativity and allow her to learn more about nursing from a new perspective.
Increase in Closures of Acute Care Hospitals Mary O’Neale
Mary ONeale, RN, BS, has joined the Education Department as a consultative specialist. ONeale will provide technical and administrative consultative services regarding perioperative nursing practice to AORN members and staff. Other responsibilities will include authoring the “Clinical Issues” column in the AORN Journal and serving as a staff consultant to national AORN committees as assigned. O’Neale received her nursing diploma from Franciscan Hospital School of Nursing, Rock Island, Ill, and her bachelor of science degree in business administration from Regis College, Denver. Before joining AORN, ONeale was the day charge nurse in the OR at The Children’s Hospital, Denver. Prior to her position at The Children’s Hospital, she was the head OR nurse at Rose Medical Center, Denver. She spent nine years as an OR nurse. ONeale also spent three years as an operating room technician before entering nursing school.
The American Hospital Association (AHA) reported that 79 acute care hospitals closed in 1987, and that figure is expected to increase in 1988, according to the March 25, 1988, issue of Modem Healthcare. The 1987 closures represented an 11.3% increase in closures when compared to closures in 1986. The AHA researchers attributed the closures to an unstable economic environment, inadequate Medicare reimbursement, and competition. Hospitals that closed in 1987 were located in 30 states, with 28 of the 79 closings in four states: Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas. All of the facilities were small (25 to 99 beds); 40 hospitals were located in rural areas and 39 in urban areas. In the last seven years, 355 acute care hospitals have closed, according to the article. The study was conducted jointly by the AHA and the School of Public Health at the University of Illinois, Chicago.
A O R N JOURNAL
1988. VOL. 48.
NO I
President k Message The contribution of national committees to AORN goals
T
he monthly “President’s Message” is often devoted to a personal belief of the President or accounts of AORNs success in one area or another. This month I would like to combine those two thoughts and provide information about how I believe AORN national committees contribute to AORNs continued success in many areas. There is no doubt in my mind that AORN committees and the volunteer participation of AORN members and liaisons from other organizations on those committees are keys to AORNs success as a professional organization. There are four types of national committees: Board committees, standing committees, special committees formed by the Board of Directors, and one elected committee (ie, Nominating). Board committees facilitate the work of the Board, and membership is limited to Board members. Examples of Board committees are the Budget and Finance Committee, the Credentials Committee, the Executive Committee, the Planning Committee, the Reading Committee,and the Policy Committee. Standingcommittees have ongoing charges.The committees are identified in the Association bylaws, and their charges are listed in the Board manual. The members of each committee are chosen by the President with the approval of the Board of Directors. Each member is chosen in view of his or her expertise and qualifications in the area of that committee’s responsibility. The standing committees are the Audiovisual Committee, Award for Excellence Committee, Bylaws Committee, Legislative Committee, Membership Committee, National Committee on Education, 8
Nursing Research Committee, and the Technical Practices Coordinating Committee. Special committees are formed by the Board of Directors to accomplish definite tasks within a specified time. Special committees are disbanded once their charge has been met. Members are chosen from the AORN membership, but occasionally other nursing experts are asked to serve because of their knowledge in a specific area. This year the special committees are the Invitational Conference for Nurse Educators Planning Committee and the Committee on Critical Issues. The Nominating Committee is the only committee composed of members who are elected by the House of Delegates. Its duty is to prepare a slate of candidates for national ofice for the House of Delegates. In addition to committees, AORN has three Boards: Scholarship, Editorial, and Approval Board. Their functions are ongoing, and members interact to provide Association benefits to members. Each committee and board has a charge, and each establishes its own set of goals for the year ahead. But all of those goals are in line with AORN goals, which are identified in the “Strategic Plan.” The following is a list of each goal as identified in the “Strategic Plan” and various committees’ contributions to that specific goal. Goal I Maintain membership growth. The Membership Committee promotes and maintains the growth and development of the membership and chapters of the Association. Goal II - Provide membership benefits.
-
AORN JOURNAL
The Membership Committee maintains current information of related activities and membership benefits offered by AORN. The Scholarship Board selects recipientsof AORN scholarshipawards. The Nursing Research Committee grants budgeted funds for research. Goal III - Ensure financial solvency. All committees participate in this goal as they function within their annual budget. Goal N Expand legislative activity relative to health care. The Legislative Committee keeps the AORN Board of Directors and AORN membership informed about regional issues in health care that directly or indirectly affect perioperative nursing. Goal V -Enhance information services. The National Committee on Education disseminates informationon perioperativenursing practice to schools of nursing. The Nursing Practices Committee develops recommendationsfor methods of communicating information to the membership related to the behavioral components of perioperative nursing practice. The Invitational Conferencefor Nurse Educators Planning Committee shares information regarding perioperative nursing at the Nurse Educators Conference with faculty from invited schools of nursing. Goal V I Enhance public relations approaches. The Scholarship Board recognizes recipients of AORN scholarships. The AORN A ward for Excellence Committee recognizes a registered nurse whose accomplishments in areas of practice, education, or research reflect the goal of excellence in patient care in perioperative nursing. All committees contribute to this‘goal when the outcome of their work is disseminated and when they work with liaisons from other organizations. Goal VII Serve the needs of members by providing educatwnal opportunities. The Audiovkual Committee prepares the scripts and facilitates the development and timeliness of audiovisual education materials pertinent to OR nursing.
-
-
-
10
JULY 1988. VOL. 48. NO 1
The National Committee on Education interacts with institutions of higher learning by disseminating information about perioperative nursing. The Approval Board reviews educationalofferings of the chapters and approves continuing education credit for those that qualify. The Nursing Practices Committee identifies educational needs related to the implementation of perioperative nursing practice. The Technical Practice Coordinating Committee together with the Recommended Practices Subcommittee publishes established recommended technical practices for the membership. Goal yI;cT -Foster research. The Nursing Research Committee adds to the body of scientific knowledge in perioperative nursing by fostering applied and basic research. Goal IX - Devehp, collect, and dimeminate knowledge on perioperative nursing practice, The National Committee on Education disseminates knowledge on perioperative nursing practice to schools of nursing. The Nursing Practices Committee reviews, revises, and assists with the implementation of AORN “Standards of Nursing Practice” and other components of perioperative nursing practice. The Nursing Research Committee distributes information on completed and ongoing research projects. The Committee on Critical Issues identifies the impact of current and future issues on perioperative nursing practice and makes recommendations to the Board of Directors on ways to address those issues. The Technical Practices Coordinating Committee coordinatesand directs AORN technical practices and medical device standards activities. It also disseminates recommended practices through established publications. The Editorial Board reviews manuscripts submitted to the AORN Journal and makes rmmmendations regarding their acceptance for publication. GoalX -Anabze organizational structure of AORN. The Bylaws Co&e examines AORN bylaws and recommends changes to the House of Delegates consistent with the changing needs of AORN.
All committees contribute to this goal whenever they recommend changes in their own structure and organization. Goal XI Enhance understanding of volunteer Association leaders regarding their responsibility, roles, and performance within the organization. All committees address this as new members are orientated to the structure and function of the
-
committees and how they work together. The committee members, the Board of Directors, and the Headquarters staff all work in unity to attain the organization’s goals and thus support perioperative nursing as a specialty and nursing as a profession. Together we have an impact on the future of professional nursing. PATHERCULES,RN, MS
PRFSIDENT
O’Neale Joins Consultation Staff O’Neale believes that researching clinical questions and corresponding with AORN members will challenge her creativity and allow her to learn more about nursing from a new perspective.
Increase in Closures of Acute Care Hospitals Mary O’Neale
Mary ONeale, RN, BS, has joined the Education Department as a consultative specialist. ONeale will provide technical and administrative consultative services regarding perioperative nursing practice to AORN members and staff. Other responsibilities will include authoring the “Clinical Issues” column in the AORN Journal and serving as a staff consultant to national AORN committees as assigned. O’Neale received her nursing diploma from Franciscan Hospital School of Nursing, Rock Island, Ill, and her bachelor of science degree in business administration from Regis College, Denver. Before joining AORN, ONeale was the day charge nurse in the OR at The Children’s Hospital, Denver. Prior to her position at The Children’s Hospital, she was the head OR nurse at Rose Medical Center, Denver. She spent nine years as an OR nurse. ONeale also spent three years as an operating room technician before entering nursing school.
The American Hospital Association (AHA) reported that 79 acute care hospitals closed in 1987, and that figure is expected to increase in 1988, according to the March 25, 1988, issue of Modem Healthcare. The 1987 closures represented an 11.3% increase in closures when compared to closures in 1986. The AHA researchers attributed the closures to an unstable economic environment, inadequate Medicare reimbursement, and competition. Hospitals that closed in 1987 were located in 30 states, with 28 of the 79 closings in four states: Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas. All of the facilities were small (25 to 99 beds); 40 hospitals were located in rural areas and 39 in urban areas. In the last seven years, 355 acute care hospitals have closed, according to the article. The study was conducted jointly by the AHA and the School of Public Health at the University of Illinois, Chicago.