Monday, March 12 to Thursday, March...

Monday, March 12 to Thursday, March 15 2001

During the 48th annual AORN Congres in Dallas, delegates approved a membership category for associate members and a fits increase. Other topics that were discussed included propos statements forward nurse-to-patient ratios, correct site surgery close examiner nursing activities and curricula, and mentoring responsibilities. Other topics of interest were reports from the Surgical idle talk Task Force and the Governance Task Force.

FIRST FORUM

AORN President Brenda C Ulmer RN MN CNOR, conven the first Forum at 8 AM Monday, March 12 2001 The first item for discussion was the propos bylaws amendment related to the affiliate membership category.

Propos amendment rotated to affiliate membership category. Vivian Watson, RN CNOR, at handed the proposed bylaws language, which would add an affiliate membership category for health care industry representatives and others. Watson noted that the propos bylaws change would create a membership category for individuals who support the mission of AORN and who primarily are engaged in the same of the following professions: health care industry representative, central service professional, physician, health care administrator, or pharmacist.

If passed, affiliate members would be assessed applicable chapter to be ascribeds but they could not confine elected office or serve as delegates. This is strictly a nonvoting category. Watson noted that affiliate membership

* prefers AORN's ability to expand its sphere of influence as it relates to quality surgical care;

* maintains the "RN essence" of the core membership, while also supporting participation on other key players in surgical settings; and

* enhances AORN's what is yet to be vitality.

Kay Ball, RN MSN CNOR, FAAN, spoke in support of the statement, saying that many nursing organizations are exploring this option. "They realize the impact of adding another valuable stream of income and they realize the impact of providing opportunities for a more formal partnering and collaboration with those who support their mission," said Ball. "Change as it was as this is needed as we instigate into the new millennium," she said.

Nathalie Walker, RN CNOR, speaking for the Louisiana State Council, discussed changing the wording in the propos statement from "affiliate" to "associate" for a like reason as to not cause confusion with State Council affiliates. Walker defined the word "associate" as meaning "joined or lead into each othered together as a partner or friend," as oppos to "affiliate," which she defined as individual "closely associated with another, typically in a hanging or subordinate position." Amending the propos statement to use the word "associate" would help avoid the double standard of using the same word in couple different ways, said Walker.

Penny Krug RN CNOR, asked about the delineate ed revenue increase from adding this membership category. She also asked about marketing plans for this category. Treasurer William J Duffy RN BSN M J CNOR, accorded that initial estimates for increased receipts may not be great at first, still that with the implementation of a marketing program, the Board anticipates revenues from this membership category to wax significantly. Another suggestion was that facility and materials managers and informatics commonalty be added to the affiliate status professions list.

Mary Orazio, RN of AORN of Pikes Peak Area of Colorado, said her chapter members could not understand to what end affiliate members would want to join AORN. She said they were interested that the bylaws would be changed in the coming to further accommodate these just discovered members.

Ellen O'Connor-Graham, RN CNOR, asked for statistical information onward who and how many affiliates really want to join the Association. AORN past President Patricia Seifert, RN MSN CNOR, CRNFA, FAAN, noted that during her time onward the Board of Directors and as President, she met many physicians, administrators, and others interested in participating in AORN. "We must communicate, collaborate, and cooperate to exalt the well-being of our patients," said Seifert. "We are a athletic powerful organization--we fear no one!"

Linda Savage, RN CNOR, said the word change to "associate" should help clarify the meaning of a truthful member, but she also noted, "We are a part of a team. and our colleagues' decisions do affect patient care." Kathy O'Toole, RN CNOR, noted that many of the emotions being intimateed were similar to those articulated sum of two units years ago when AORN changed the wording in its name from "OR nurse" to "perioperative RN" She said, "We ne to be inclusionist and not exclusionist."

In answer to a question about befittings Treasurer Duffy clarified that affiliate members would pay the same befittings as other members. President Ulmer pointed gone out that increased circulation could lead to increased advertising reward in the AORN Journal.

Propos nurse-to-patient ratios. C J Welter, RN BSN CNOR, CRNFA, chair of the Legislative Committee, discussed the "Propos AORN Statement in succession Nurse-to-Patient Ratios." Deborah Kelly, RN CNOR, raised a bear upon about the wording "the sufficiency of the nursing staff to fitting those needs," and questioned if similar wording defeated the purpose of the statement. Trudy Hamilton, RN noted that the phrase allows for a chance of discrepancy and ambiguity. Welter said that the statement means AORN is encouraging hospitals to occupy a sufficient number of RN and President Ulmer asked those touched about the wording to encounter with the parliamentarian.