- Email: [email protected]
Response to Union ‘Editorial’
AUGUST 1990, VOL. 52, NO 2
AORN JOURNAL
expectations to receive individual care and treatment. Perioperative nursing, nursing documentation, and especially quality assurance have been the latest interests. The Operating Room Nurses Association of Finland also holds a national congress annually. These congresses have become popular because of the workshops, lectures, discussions, and exhibits. Because all Nordic countries use the common language of Swedish during these congress, cooperation between participants fiom Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Iceland has been established. With the help of all Nordic countries, we are aiming toward international understanding and friendship. Together we are strong. We look forward to meeting other perioperative nurses in Vancouver for the World Conferences of Operating Room Nurses (September 1991), and perhaps, one day in Finland. MARJA-LIISATAUBERT PRESIDENT THEOPERATING ROOMNURSES OF FINLAND ASSOCIATION TAMPERE, FINLAND
Reader Praises Cancer Article
T
hank you for publishing the article “Testicular cancer: A perioperative challenge,” which appeared in the February 1990 issue of the AORN Journal. Early detection is the key to a complete recovery. I was one of the fortunate ones. Because of early detection and surgery, I am cured. Although males may be sensitive to selfexamination, it needs to be done just as often as women examine themselves for breast tumors. RICHARD JON= ETHICON,INC BEDFORD, TEX
Journal Meets Standards
I
wanted to congratulate the publications staff on the beautiful job that they have done again with the Journal. It seems that every article and column is relevant to practice in my OR in Fort Worth, Tex. 220
Our immediatearea does not have huge medical centers to set the pace for practice. Our standards of care are promoted by dedicated staff nurses, as I am sure is the case in many areas of the country. I rely on the Journal for support to increase standards of care. The Journal staff does a fantastic job every month; however, the May 1990 issue was particularly excellent. The editorial, “Don’t let fear of rejection stop you from trying,” has encouraged me to get back to serious work on my manuscript for the Journal.I feel it is an honor to be associated with the Journal. Thank you for maintaining your standard. MONICAC. R. FREEMAN, RN, BSN, CNOR EDUCATION COORDINATOR SURGERY DEPARTMENT HARRISMETHODIST FT WORTH(TEx)
Response to Union Editorial’
I
would like to respond to the “Editorial,” which appeared in the April 1990 issue of the Journal. I do not believe that nurses who choose to join trade unions are selling themselves or their profession short. The desire of nurses to be treated as professionals is leading many of them to recognize unions as a desirable and professional way to improve working conditions, wages, and other professional issues. Our experiences with state nurses’ associations lead us to believe that they lack the resources, motivation, and progressive thinking that nurses are seeking. As RNs who were trying to unionize, we interviewed representatives from trade unions and state nurses’ associations and selected the Communications Workers of America (CWA) because it is a strong democratic union with a proven record of achievement for its members. We know CWA is interested in more than just gaining members, money, or image. We believe we are supported by CWA’s professional staff negotiators, researchers, lawyers, field representatives, and organizers. As a local unit, we elect representatives and decide what our bargaining demands will be. The CWA provides the
AUGUST 1990, VOL 52 NO 2
framework and assistance for us to set our health care agendas in motion. Our union has successfully addressed the issue of the practice of the RN first assistant. In addition, we have had language in our contract since 1988 that protects our positions against the proposed registered care technologist (RCT). Our current contract prevents the use of RCTs in our hospital. Labor organizations, although highly regulated, must be equipped to deal with all aspects of issues that affect daily living. We have needs outside of work, and we do not need to be represented by state nursing associations, which we believe have a narrow focus. We are aware that the views expressed in the “Editorial” column d o not imply A O R h endorsement. Because AORN’s publications are used as standards in practice, however, a reciprocal relationship between AORN and labor unions should be recognized and respected. HELENCYRULIK, RN DISTRICT DIRECTOR NURSESUNITED,CWA LOCALI I68 BUFFALO,N Y Editor? response. I disagree with your choice, but
I respect your right to choose your bargaining unit. If all RNs who choose to join bargaining units chose state nurses’ associations (SNAs), nursing unity would be visible and SNAs would gain strength in numbers. The SNAs also have professional labor negotiators, lawyers, and researchers. My editorials do not reflect AORN endorsement. Furthermore, the only AORN publication that is meant to be used as a standard of practice is the AORN Standards and Recommended Practices for Perioperative Nursing. The Journal welcomes letters for its ‘Zetters to the Editor” column. Letters must refer to Journal articles or columns published within the preceding two months. Each letter is subject to editing. Authors of articlm or columns referenced in the letter to the editor will be given the opportunity to respond. Letters that are included in the “Lettersto the Ediior” column must contain the reader’s name, credentials l f applicable (eg, RN, BSN, CNOR), position or title. employer, and employer’s uddress. Submit all correspondence to AORN Journal, Letters to the Editor, I01 70 E Mksissippi A ve, Denver, CO 80231.
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AORN JOURNAL
Foss Named Director of Membership Department
Jodq Foss, RN, MS, has been named director of the AORN Membership Department. Foss has worked at AORN for 2% years as assistant director of education/credentialing in the Education Department. She assumed the membership director position on July 9. “My past experience in the educatiodcredentialing division has given me a high level of contact with the members,” she said. “I am looking forward to increasing this contact in ways that will benefit the chapters.” As assistant director from November 1987 to June 1990, she coordinated activities in the education/credentialing division, which included being staff consultant to the Approval Board, which recently was renamed the Chapter Education Approval Committee. She also was responsible for maintaining AORNs provider and approver status, which is granted by American Nurses’ Association (ANA). Foss also presented several AORN educational seminars on trauma and critical care topics. Foss received her nursing diploma from St Joseph Hospital School of Nursing, Denver; a bachelor of science degree in nursing from Metropolitan State College, Denver; and a master of science degree in nursing from the University of California, San Francisco. Foss is a lieutenant colonel in the US Army Nurse Corps Reserves. 22 I
AORN JOURNAL
expectations to receive individual care and treatment. Perioperative nursing, nursing documentation, and especially quality assurance have been the latest interests. The Operating Room Nurses Association of Finland also holds a national congress annually. These congresses have become popular because of the workshops, lectures, discussions, and exhibits. Because all Nordic countries use the common language of Swedish during these congress, cooperation between participants fiom Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Iceland has been established. With the help of all Nordic countries, we are aiming toward international understanding and friendship. Together we are strong. We look forward to meeting other perioperative nurses in Vancouver for the World Conferences of Operating Room Nurses (September 1991), and perhaps, one day in Finland. MARJA-LIISATAUBERT PRESIDENT THEOPERATING ROOMNURSES OF FINLAND ASSOCIATION TAMPERE, FINLAND
Reader Praises Cancer Article
T
hank you for publishing the article “Testicular cancer: A perioperative challenge,” which appeared in the February 1990 issue of the AORN Journal. Early detection is the key to a complete recovery. I was one of the fortunate ones. Because of early detection and surgery, I am cured. Although males may be sensitive to selfexamination, it needs to be done just as often as women examine themselves for breast tumors. RICHARD JON= ETHICON,INC BEDFORD, TEX
Journal Meets Standards
I
wanted to congratulate the publications staff on the beautiful job that they have done again with the Journal. It seems that every article and column is relevant to practice in my OR in Fort Worth, Tex. 220
Our immediatearea does not have huge medical centers to set the pace for practice. Our standards of care are promoted by dedicated staff nurses, as I am sure is the case in many areas of the country. I rely on the Journal for support to increase standards of care. The Journal staff does a fantastic job every month; however, the May 1990 issue was particularly excellent. The editorial, “Don’t let fear of rejection stop you from trying,” has encouraged me to get back to serious work on my manuscript for the Journal.I feel it is an honor to be associated with the Journal. Thank you for maintaining your standard. MONICAC. R. FREEMAN, RN, BSN, CNOR EDUCATION COORDINATOR SURGERY DEPARTMENT HARRISMETHODIST FT WORTH(TEx)
Response to Union Editorial’
I
would like to respond to the “Editorial,” which appeared in the April 1990 issue of the Journal. I do not believe that nurses who choose to join trade unions are selling themselves or their profession short. The desire of nurses to be treated as professionals is leading many of them to recognize unions as a desirable and professional way to improve working conditions, wages, and other professional issues. Our experiences with state nurses’ associations lead us to believe that they lack the resources, motivation, and progressive thinking that nurses are seeking. As RNs who were trying to unionize, we interviewed representatives from trade unions and state nurses’ associations and selected the Communications Workers of America (CWA) because it is a strong democratic union with a proven record of achievement for its members. We know CWA is interested in more than just gaining members, money, or image. We believe we are supported by CWA’s professional staff negotiators, researchers, lawyers, field representatives, and organizers. As a local unit, we elect representatives and decide what our bargaining demands will be. The CWA provides the
AUGUST 1990, VOL 52 NO 2
framework and assistance for us to set our health care agendas in motion. Our union has successfully addressed the issue of the practice of the RN first assistant. In addition, we have had language in our contract since 1988 that protects our positions against the proposed registered care technologist (RCT). Our current contract prevents the use of RCTs in our hospital. Labor organizations, although highly regulated, must be equipped to deal with all aspects of issues that affect daily living. We have needs outside of work, and we do not need to be represented by state nursing associations, which we believe have a narrow focus. We are aware that the views expressed in the “Editorial” column d o not imply A O R h endorsement. Because AORN’s publications are used as standards in practice, however, a reciprocal relationship between AORN and labor unions should be recognized and respected. HELENCYRULIK, RN DISTRICT DIRECTOR NURSESUNITED,CWA LOCALI I68 BUFFALO,N Y Editor? response. I disagree with your choice, but
I respect your right to choose your bargaining unit. If all RNs who choose to join bargaining units chose state nurses’ associations (SNAs), nursing unity would be visible and SNAs would gain strength in numbers. The SNAs also have professional labor negotiators, lawyers, and researchers. My editorials do not reflect AORN endorsement. Furthermore, the only AORN publication that is meant to be used as a standard of practice is the AORN Standards and Recommended Practices for Perioperative Nursing. The Journal welcomes letters for its ‘Zetters to the Editor” column. Letters must refer to Journal articles or columns published within the preceding two months. Each letter is subject to editing. Authors of articlm or columns referenced in the letter to the editor will be given the opportunity to respond. Letters that are included in the “Lettersto the Ediior” column must contain the reader’s name, credentials l f applicable (eg, RN, BSN, CNOR), position or title. employer, and employer’s uddress. Submit all correspondence to AORN Journal, Letters to the Editor, I01 70 E Mksissippi A ve, Denver, CO 80231.
~
.
___ ~ -
AORN JOURNAL
Foss Named Director of Membership Department
Jodq Foss, RN, MS, has been named director of the AORN Membership Department. Foss has worked at AORN for 2% years as assistant director of education/credentialing in the Education Department. She assumed the membership director position on July 9. “My past experience in the educatiodcredentialing division has given me a high level of contact with the members,” she said. “I am looking forward to increasing this contact in ways that will benefit the chapters.” As assistant director from November 1987 to June 1990, she coordinated activities in the education/credentialing division, which included being staff consultant to the Approval Board, which recently was renamed the Chapter Education Approval Committee. She also was responsible for maintaining AORNs provider and approver status, which is granted by American Nurses’ Association (ANA). Foss also presented several AORN educational seminars on trauma and critical care topics. Foss received her nursing diploma from St Joseph Hospital School of Nursing, Denver; a bachelor of science degree in nursing from Metropolitan State College, Denver; and a master of science degree in nursing from the University of California, San Francisco. Foss is a lieutenant colonel in the US Army Nurse Corps Reserves. 22 I