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Board chooses Jordan to be new AORN executive director
Board chooses Jordan to be new AORN executive director The AORN Board of Directors’ unanimous choice of Clifford H Jordan, RN, to be the new executivedirector was announced March 11 to the House of Delegates by President Nancy Mehaffy, RN. He will join the staff on Sept 7 as executive director designate. Jordan is currently professor of nursing at the University of PennsylvaniaSchool of Nursing, Philadelphia. An AORN member, he has served on Project 25 and 26 task forces, which defined the perioperativerole. He is now serving as treasurer of the National Certification Board, Inc. Executive Director Jerry G Peers, who has led AORN for more than 11 years, plans to retire in January 1983. The AORN Board met before and after the annual Congress March 7 to 12 in Anaheim, Calif. The theme selected for the 1983 AORN Congress in Houston is “Pacesetters in Professional Practice.” The Board felt the title reflected AORN’s position in establishing standards and recommended practices for professional nursing practice. At its post-Congressmeeting, the Board expressed its gratitude to the more than 50 chapters that pledged more than $8,950to OR nursing research during the House of Delegates. There were donations from the past-presidents, Sigma Theta Tau, and individual members as well. The pledges came in responseto a challenge from AORN of San Francisco and Marin. AORN Headquarters will send each chapter
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a letter of acknowledgment upon receiving its donation. A complete list of all supporting chapters will be publishedto give them credit. An educational program on the functions of the Headquarters staff, the Board of Directors, national committees, and local chapter members was presentedat Congress. As a result of this session, the Board appointed an ad hoc committee to develop a method to assist incoming chapter presidents to identify appropriate materials and resources for the chapter’s functions. This should ease the transition from one president to the next. The Board reviewed a report from Barbara Gruendemann, RN, who represents AORN on the Hospital Accreditation Program Professional and Technical Advisory Committee of the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospitals (JCAH). The committee has approved the concept of a separate section for the operating room in the JCAH accreditation manual. The staff of JCAH will now draft the section for the approval of its board of commissioners, using AORN’s comments. The draft is expected later this year. Proposedchanges in the JCAH nursing services standards have been deferred by JCAH until next year. One proposal would have eliminated the requirement that head nurse/ supervisor positions and circutator positions in the OR be filled by qualified registered nurses. Written comments from many nurses and a meeting between the JCAH standards committee and the American Nurses’ Association were influential in the postponement of these changes. The AORN Board addressed bylaws changes approved by the 1982 House of Delegates. To implement one change, starting in May, the second mailing of dues notices will
AORN Journal, May 1982,Vol35, No 6
Jordan dedicated to AORN’s goals A distinguished educator and leader in nursing, Clifford H Jordan, RN, EdD, FAAN, has been chosen as the next executive director of AORN. In brief comments to the House of Delegates after the announcement, Jordan said his efforts would be dedicated to making certain that AORN continues to grow and succeed. He assured members that he would be committed “to your needs and goals” and that he was willing to meet and discuss any issue “with each of you” at any time. Working together, he said, we can “achieve the goal of elevating nursing as a profession and as an essential component in health care.” Jordan is professor of nursing at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia, where he has been on the faculty since 1965. A member of AORN, Jordan has participated in the development of the perioperative role and in the AORN certification program. He was a member of the Project 25 and 26 Task Forces, which defined and planned implementation of the perioperative role, and is treasurer of the AORN National Certification Board, which he has served on for three years. He has
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also served on the planning committee for the AORN invitational conferences for nursing educators and participated on the programs. In recognition of his contributions to nursing, Jordan has been elected a fellow of the American Academy of Nursing. Active in the American Nurses’ Association, he was a member of the board of directors from 1976 to 1980. He has served on numerous ANA committees and was a member of the ANA National Accreditation Board for continuing education and served on its executive committee. He is a trustee of the American Nurses’ Foundation. Other honors include the Christian R and Mary F Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching given by the University of Pennsylvania. He is a member of the Lindback Society for Distinguished Teaching. Jordan also received the Dora Mathis Award for Outstanding Achievement and Contribution in Nursing from the Southeastern Pennsylvania League for Nursing. He has received honorary recognition for distinguished service from AORN. Jordan has given numerous speeches and published extensively. He is a contributing editor to the Journal of Nursing Adminisfration, a member of the advisory board for administration in nursing services for Nursing 82, and a member of the editorial board of ~ f f r s i n gAdministration Quarterly. He has published articles and book reviews in the AORN Journal. A graduate of the Pennsylvania Hospital School of Nursing for Men, Jordan has a doctorate in education with a major in educational psychology from Temple University, Philadelphia, a master of science degree in education with a major in administration in nursing from the University of Pennsylvania, and a bachelor of science in nursing education from Temple university. His wife, Clara Jordan, RN, is associate professor and director of the graduate program in health care of women and the childbearing family at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing.
AORN Journal, May 1982, Vol35, No 6
cease. Headquarters will now mail one notice of dues expiration at least 30 days before the end of the member’s renewal month. In the second change, military members will now be required to join a local chapter, if one exists in their area. At a Congress forum, members showed support for AORN acting as a resource on expert witnesses. Headquarters staff estimates it receives one or two inquiries a month seeking OR nurses to act a5 expert witnesses in legal cases. These witnesses provide technical and scientific information the jury may need in reaching a verdict. In presenting the issue lo the forum audience, Secretary Janett F Propst said, “The suggestion is not that AORN prepare expert witnesses but become a resource for expert opinions on perioperative nursing.” She emphasized that doing so would not place the Association in legal jeopardy, constitute endorsement of individual witnesses, or be a unique service, since some state nurses associations also do this. AORN was asked to and sent a representative to the National Implant Registry meeting in Philadelphia April 20. Joan Koehler, RN, president-elect, and Paula Stiles, RN, credentialing coordinator, planned to attend a meeting of the national Task Force on Credentialing in Nursing April 24 in Bloomington, Minn. The meeting was to discuss the task force’s recommendation to form a coalition of nursing organizations to establish a national nursing credentialing center. Nancy Mehaffy, RN, immediate past-president, will chair the third invitational nurse educators’ conferenceto be held in Denver on Nov 12. Additional informationwill be forthcoming. This is one in a continuingseries of meetings to encourage schools of nursing to reintroduce OR nursing into the curriculum. The next meeting of the Board of Directors will be May 21 to 23 in Denver. Agenda items should be sent to Margaret Huth Meeker, RN, president, or Jerry G Peers, RN, executive director, at AORN Headquarters in Denver.
Claire Plourde, RN Vice-president
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Research funds available in perioperative nursing Applications are now available for the 1982 competitive extramural grants program, sponsored by the American Nurses’ Foundation (ANF). This year, funds for 13 grants will be available. The program is intended to stimulate the novice nurse researcher and to assist established researchers who are moving into new areas of research. Proposals are reviewed by a committee of researchers, and summary critiques are provided to all applicants. In 1982, research in the areas of perioperative nursing and nursing administration are being sought, in addition to proposals in clinical nursing. ANF is providing five unrestrictedgrants because of contributions from individual nurses. The deadline for completed applications is July 1, and awards will be made Oct 1. The grants are for a maximum of $2,100. Grant application kits are available upon request from the American Nurses’ Foundation, 2420 Pershing Rd, Kansas City, Mo 64108, or by calling (816) 474-5720.
Day of recognition for nurses planned May 6 has been declared by the US Congress as National Recognition Day for Nurses. New Mexican nurses, with the help of the New Mexico Nurses’ Association, asked Rep Manuel Lujan (R-NM) to introduce a bill in Congress asking that a special day be designated to honor nurses. This has been celebrated previously on May 6 by some groups calling it National Nurses’ Day. At its December 1981 meeting, the American Nurses’ Association Board of Directors also agreed to designate the day as National Nurses’ Day. ANA encourages its constituent associationsto continue to honor nurses in the way that seems most appropriate to them.
AORN Journal, May 1982, Vol35, No 6
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a letter of acknowledgment upon receiving its donation. A complete list of all supporting chapters will be publishedto give them credit. An educational program on the functions of the Headquarters staff, the Board of Directors, national committees, and local chapter members was presentedat Congress. As a result of this session, the Board appointed an ad hoc committee to develop a method to assist incoming chapter presidents to identify appropriate materials and resources for the chapter’s functions. This should ease the transition from one president to the next. The Board reviewed a report from Barbara Gruendemann, RN, who represents AORN on the Hospital Accreditation Program Professional and Technical Advisory Committee of the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospitals (JCAH). The committee has approved the concept of a separate section for the operating room in the JCAH accreditation manual. The staff of JCAH will now draft the section for the approval of its board of commissioners, using AORN’s comments. The draft is expected later this year. Proposedchanges in the JCAH nursing services standards have been deferred by JCAH until next year. One proposal would have eliminated the requirement that head nurse/ supervisor positions and circutator positions in the OR be filled by qualified registered nurses. Written comments from many nurses and a meeting between the JCAH standards committee and the American Nurses’ Association were influential in the postponement of these changes. The AORN Board addressed bylaws changes approved by the 1982 House of Delegates. To implement one change, starting in May, the second mailing of dues notices will
AORN Journal, May 1982,Vol35, No 6
Jordan dedicated to AORN’s goals A distinguished educator and leader in nursing, Clifford H Jordan, RN, EdD, FAAN, has been chosen as the next executive director of AORN. In brief comments to the House of Delegates after the announcement, Jordan said his efforts would be dedicated to making certain that AORN continues to grow and succeed. He assured members that he would be committed “to your needs and goals” and that he was willing to meet and discuss any issue “with each of you” at any time. Working together, he said, we can “achieve the goal of elevating nursing as a profession and as an essential component in health care.” Jordan is professor of nursing at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia, where he has been on the faculty since 1965. A member of AORN, Jordan has participated in the development of the perioperative role and in the AORN certification program. He was a member of the Project 25 and 26 Task Forces, which defined and planned implementation of the perioperative role, and is treasurer of the AORN National Certification Board, which he has served on for three years. He has
1048
also served on the planning committee for the AORN invitational conferences for nursing educators and participated on the programs. In recognition of his contributions to nursing, Jordan has been elected a fellow of the American Academy of Nursing. Active in the American Nurses’ Association, he was a member of the board of directors from 1976 to 1980. He has served on numerous ANA committees and was a member of the ANA National Accreditation Board for continuing education and served on its executive committee. He is a trustee of the American Nurses’ Foundation. Other honors include the Christian R and Mary F Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching given by the University of Pennsylvania. He is a member of the Lindback Society for Distinguished Teaching. Jordan also received the Dora Mathis Award for Outstanding Achievement and Contribution in Nursing from the Southeastern Pennsylvania League for Nursing. He has received honorary recognition for distinguished service from AORN. Jordan has given numerous speeches and published extensively. He is a contributing editor to the Journal of Nursing Adminisfration, a member of the advisory board for administration in nursing services for Nursing 82, and a member of the editorial board of ~ f f r s i n gAdministration Quarterly. He has published articles and book reviews in the AORN Journal. A graduate of the Pennsylvania Hospital School of Nursing for Men, Jordan has a doctorate in education with a major in educational psychology from Temple University, Philadelphia, a master of science degree in education with a major in administration in nursing from the University of Pennsylvania, and a bachelor of science in nursing education from Temple university. His wife, Clara Jordan, RN, is associate professor and director of the graduate program in health care of women and the childbearing family at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing.
AORN Journal, May 1982, Vol35, No 6
cease. Headquarters will now mail one notice of dues expiration at least 30 days before the end of the member’s renewal month. In the second change, military members will now be required to join a local chapter, if one exists in their area. At a Congress forum, members showed support for AORN acting as a resource on expert witnesses. Headquarters staff estimates it receives one or two inquiries a month seeking OR nurses to act a5 expert witnesses in legal cases. These witnesses provide technical and scientific information the jury may need in reaching a verdict. In presenting the issue lo the forum audience, Secretary Janett F Propst said, “The suggestion is not that AORN prepare expert witnesses but become a resource for expert opinions on perioperative nursing.” She emphasized that doing so would not place the Association in legal jeopardy, constitute endorsement of individual witnesses, or be a unique service, since some state nurses associations also do this. AORN was asked to and sent a representative to the National Implant Registry meeting in Philadelphia April 20. Joan Koehler, RN, president-elect, and Paula Stiles, RN, credentialing coordinator, planned to attend a meeting of the national Task Force on Credentialing in Nursing April 24 in Bloomington, Minn. The meeting was to discuss the task force’s recommendation to form a coalition of nursing organizations to establish a national nursing credentialing center. Nancy Mehaffy, RN, immediate past-president, will chair the third invitational nurse educators’ conferenceto be held in Denver on Nov 12. Additional informationwill be forthcoming. This is one in a continuingseries of meetings to encourage schools of nursing to reintroduce OR nursing into the curriculum. The next meeting of the Board of Directors will be May 21 to 23 in Denver. Agenda items should be sent to Margaret Huth Meeker, RN, president, or Jerry G Peers, RN, executive director, at AORN Headquarters in Denver.
Claire Plourde, RN Vice-president
1050
Research funds available in perioperative nursing Applications are now available for the 1982 competitive extramural grants program, sponsored by the American Nurses’ Foundation (ANF). This year, funds for 13 grants will be available. The program is intended to stimulate the novice nurse researcher and to assist established researchers who are moving into new areas of research. Proposals are reviewed by a committee of researchers, and summary critiques are provided to all applicants. In 1982, research in the areas of perioperative nursing and nursing administration are being sought, in addition to proposals in clinical nursing. ANF is providing five unrestrictedgrants because of contributions from individual nurses. The deadline for completed applications is July 1, and awards will be made Oct 1. The grants are for a maximum of $2,100. Grant application kits are available upon request from the American Nurses’ Foundation, 2420 Pershing Rd, Kansas City, Mo 64108, or by calling (816) 474-5720.
Day of recognition for nurses planned May 6 has been declared by the US Congress as National Recognition Day for Nurses. New Mexican nurses, with the help of the New Mexico Nurses’ Association, asked Rep Manuel Lujan (R-NM) to introduce a bill in Congress asking that a special day be designated to honor nurses. This has been celebrated previously on May 6 by some groups calling it National Nurses’ Day. At its December 1981 meeting, the American Nurses’ Association Board of Directors also agreed to designate the day as National Nurses’ Day. ANA encourages its constituent associationsto continue to honor nurses in the way that seems most appropriate to them.
AORN Journal, May 1982, Vol35, No 6