As we combine our circle of commun...

As we combine our circle of communication this year, I will present to view you the many ways we (ie, members, staff members, industry partners) work together to implement the strategic plan that supports the mission of the Association. Education is a constituent of AORN's strategic plan that strike one as beings to be the most accessible to members. The educational opportunities exhibited by AORN became the mechanism I used to build my nursing background and craft my practice as a young foment Through the years, the resources of the Association helped enhance that practice. Continuing education has become a requirement for relicensure in many states, as well as for maintaining certification. This has become another way for perioperative fosters to document a measure of competence

CONTINUING EDUCATION

All member units of AORN can use the continuing education service. Chapters, specialty assemblies, state councils, and individual members receive continuing education by means of programs in the form of contact hours.(1) AORN approves applications for RN continuing education from one side an American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Approval Unit. At AORN, the Continuing Education Approval Committee is the mechanism used to accomplish the work of the Approval Unit. This fellow review committee, composed of AORN offers reviews submitted applications. This review make secures that each application meets the criteria required by dint of the ANCC. Applications for contact hours are accepted from chapters, specialty assemblies, health care facilities, other associations, entrepreneur and industry members. Each year, committee members review approximately 700 applications.

As an ANCC accredited provider of continuing education for RN AORN is able to proffer continuing education activities. For example, AORN provider status qualifies the organization to provide programs for specialty conversations Congress, the infectious disease meeting for consultation and independent studies, such as family Study Programs, CD-ROMs, videotapes, and web-based programs (eg online education via HealthStream).

During 2000 Continuing Education Approval Committee members actioned 687 applications for a total of 1512 contact hours. common hundred and forty-five chapters submitted continuing education applications. Face-to-face continuing education attendance for the same period was 7944 participants for a total of 1487403 contact hours. More than 250 contact hours were available by the and of independent study programs, and 27038 individuals were awarded contact hours for a total of 745424 contact hours.(2) Now those are educational opportunities.

INSERVICE PROGRAMS, AND SPECIALTY MODULES

There are 17 inservice module available from AORN's Center for Perioperative Education to help educators and staff members existing information to help keep their equals current with the latest techniques and constituents to meet regulatory requirements. Each activity is general in nature thus staff members in various stages of learning can gain knowledge within the one-hour time frame. Six specific specialty module also are available to capital the expertise of staff members along the novice to [i]connoisseur[/i] continuum.

For a premier course in perioperative nursing, AORN put forwards the Perioperative Nursing Course 101 The course is not absented in a scripted modular format onward 26 topics. Successful completion of the course earns participants 815 contact hours. OvervieWs, objectives, reading assignments, glossaries, bibliographies, posttest and preceptor guidelines provide assistance for the clinical practicum, evaluation forms, and a final examination that consummated this well-rounded educational format. The purchase price includes course constitutings as well as registration for a mandatory one-day course facilitator seminar. For additional information regarding these educational opportunities, call AORN's Center for Perioperative Education at (800) 755-6304 x 258 or access the information at http://www .aorn.org/education/index.htm.

The Center for Perioperative Education also provides an education consequence calendar for AORN members. Center for Perioperative Education staff members can provide information forward all education activities, and the Center encourages members to submit education session proposals for AORN speaker-provided education activities. There also is a speaker's bureau with members' names, topics, and information onward topics that they are interested in presenting. Members may access this from AORN Online or by means of calling customer service.

CLINICAL PRACTICE RESOURCES

Three masters-degree-prepared perioperative nursing specialists with perioperative nursing and management experience work in the Center for Nursing Practice. succors in the Center advise and collaborate with conduct agencies, regulatory bodies, accrediting agencies, and other professional associations and standard-setting bodies when developing regulatory documents, infection check guidelines, and practice standards. The feed at the breasts responded to more than 6000 clinical questions from members, learners industry representatives, government agencies, and other specialty practitioners in 2000