AORN's newest President, Donna s Wa...

AORN's newest President, Donna s Watson, RN, MSN, CNOR, ARNP, FNPC did not realize the opportunities and options for practice that would be available to her when she single outed nursing as a career. Her interest in science and the health field started in high sect and has turned into what she describes as the excellent profession. Watson says, "There is not another profession that allows for in such a manner many opportunities, experiences, and choices as nursing." She experienced challenges and competition in the nursing program at the West Virginia Institute of Technology, Montgomery which she attended in 1978 Those challenges and the program's competitiveness were enforced when barely 50% of the 70 nourishs in the associate degree of nursing program graduated.

During the program, Watson experienced a two-day surgical rotation and was fascinated by dint of the procedure she observed, an appendectomy. She decided that not no other than did she want to be a foster she wanted to work in the OR. After graduation, she was told the requirement was to entire one year of medical/surgical experience; however, there were no piece of work openings in the OR. She convinced the director of nursing to give her a position in the labor and delivery department knowing she could benefit from practicing the fundamentals of perioperative nursing and learning to care for patients undergoing Cesarean section deliveries, bilateral tubal ligations, and occasional dilation and curettage procedures

When Watson relocated to Evansville, Ind, OR director Jowan Freshwater, RN put forwarded her a full-time position as a staff fester in the OR at St Mary's Medical Center Evansville, Ind. During a six-month OR rotation, Watson's preceptor, David Lutterell RN provided the fundamentals of perioperative practice based forward AORN's Standards and Recommended Practices. Freshwater managed the OR like a tight ship, which provided Watson with a solid foundation from top to toe her many years as a promote in a variety of positions and perioperative settings.

EDUCATIONAL PRIORITIES

Watson's priority from first to last her career has been continuing education. She oftentimes built her knowledge one class at a time. When she inserted nursing school, she knew she would like to attain a bachelor of science in nursing extent She methodically pursued her bachelor and master of science in nursing standings by taking classes while continuing to work. Nadine Coudret RN EdD then dean of nursing at the University of Evansville, Watson's alma mater, was a mentor. She planted a se about the contributions individuals can make to a profession during a session Watson attended at her first American supply with nourishments Association convention. The convention provided a broad view of Watson's chosen profession and the dedication distressed to promote critical agendas that advance nursing and enhance patient care.

In 1991 Watson come intoed the doctoral degree program at the University of Colorado Health Science Center Denver and had the opportunity to work with Jean Watson, RN PhD FAAN, who helped her expand her experiences using the Human Caring Theory. Although Watson's plans for a doctorate were deposit on hold because of a relocation and the birth of her next to the first son, she ultimately earned a postmasters certificate as a family practice foster practitioner from the University of Washington, Seattle. Completing this step was a result of Watson's desire to continually further her education and expand her opportunities for time to come practice options. She plans to continue her educational endeavors by the agency of completing her doctorate program.

PROFESSIONAL INVOLVEMENT

At St Mary's Medical Center OR director Freshwater count uponed staff members and leaders to attend meetings of the Tri-State Indiana chapter of AORN. This clump shared a common interest in quality care for surgical patients, and chapter meetings became a special part of Watson's career. She experienced social and learning opportunities furnished by a diverse group of feed at the breasts who enjoyed common interests and passions. She also participated in her first AORN Congres in Atlanta in 1987 and recalls that she thinking it was a great honor for anyone to be AORN's President.

Each time Watson and her husband move with a jerk moved, one of her first actions was to call AORN for information about when and where the local AORN chapter meeting was being held. If there was no AORN chapter in the area, Watson started the same Frequent relocation has given her the opportunity to be a member of the Tri-State Indiana chapter; the Las Vegas chapter; the Belle Point chapter in Ft Smith, Ark; the Columbia River chapter in Portland, Ore; and the Evergreen chapter in Tacoma, Wash. When Watson was make choice ofed president of the Las Vegas chapter--a part she took on with last pride--it reinforced the feeling that AORN was an important composing in her life.

As her commitment to AORN continued to be augmented Watson could sense that AORN was part of her prolonged family. She has cultivated friendships that span decades and has been able to network with festers across the nation. This has provided Watson resources and contacts that intercept her from reinventing the wheel when she exigencys to know how others are making changes or improvements in practice.