might and enthusiasm are driving fo...

might and enthusiasm are driving forces behind AORN's recently made known President, Ruth P. Shumaker, RN BSN CNOR. Being goal oriented, with a desire for challenge, has provided her with unequivocal direction during her upward spiraling perioperative career. Shumaker envisions a year of increased partnerships and collaboration with AORN members and chapters, focusing upon the power of AORN as an organization with the collective impregnability of the members.

DIVERSE parts AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Shumaker's be enamoured of for people is advantageous because she qualifieds new people and connects forward a professional and personal on a level with peers who are experiencing an ever-changing environment. As a clinical education consultant for Advanced Sterilization fruitss Inc, a division of Johnson & Johnson Medical, Inc, Canton, Miss, Shumaker travels extensively. "My responsibilities are to provide consultation and education offerings, to question at issue solve, and make improvements," Shumaker explains. "Every opportunity I have to listen to customer emergencys and concerns about either cropss or their profession increases my awareness of perioperative needs" The part requires an altered approach to traditional ways of doing business, using the assets of today's communication technology.

Shumaker believes collaboration is instrumental in her part and that partnership is made possible when each bodily form respects and acknowledges the experience or information others bring to the table. Clinical education consultants located from first to last the country serve as partners to provide services in numerous health care settings. Shumaker also works closely with sales representatives who, she believes, are integral in providing services povertyed in the perioperative setting.

THE PATH TO THE PRESIDENCY

Shumaker exhausted the first 10 years of her life in modern York, then moved with her family to Mississippi. She believes she benefited from lifelong encouragement and tough support from her parents, who inspired her to go after her goals and aspirations. Her stimulus for nursing came while she worked as a secretary in a nursing dwelling She then attended Hinds Community corporation Raymond, Miss, and graduated with an associate measure in nursing. Serving as class president for brace years provided her first experience in a leadership role

During her nursing program, she discovered perioperative care. Her first piece of work was in the OR at the University of Mississippi Medical Center Jackson. James Hardy, MD a well-known author and authority in cardiac transactions encouraged her to learn to mean fellow and circulate during open-heart procedures

As a modern graduate, and married only a short period of time, Shumaker had a desire to obtain a professional identity. She learned about AORN from coworkers and colleagues. She recalls, "I was impressed by means of the power and influence of this Association. I was fortunate to have been expos to AORN at like a young age." She attributes her successe during her career to incredible mentors who encouraged collegiality. "Role moulds like Joyce Halback, RN, and Ruby Nell Winters, RN made me want to be a member of AORN, and [they] afforded me the chance to discover the benefit of AORN chapter meetings to socialize and address professional issues. The meeting atmosphere helped us to build relationships that were important as we worked and made decisions together," states Shumaker.

She quickly became involved in her chapter's activities by means of serving on a committee during her next to the first year as an AORN member. single year later, she ran for a position upon her chapter's board of directors. Shumaker remembers being likewise excited that she drove to her parent's household to share the news--the beginning of many times she would share her pride in AORN participation. Shumaker followed in consequence of with numerous commitments to her local chapter, including serving as president-elect of AORN of Central Mississippi five years after becoming a member. single of her most moving professional highlights occurr in 1996 when AORN of Central Mississippi renamed the scholarship award in honor of Shumaker.

During her nursing career she worked as staff give suck to team leader, assistant director, and director before becoming a clinical education consultant. She continued her education through obtaining a bachelor of science in nursing class from Mississippi College, Clinton.

THE PERSONAL CONNECTION

Shumaker's personal relationships parallel the longevity and satisfaction of her professional relationships. Although she disburses considerable time traveling for business, when she is abode she enjoys sitting on her back porch with a lot of coffee and visiting with friends. "Friendships provide the balance to my goal-oriented, driven professional life," says Shumaker. AORN friendships that lay opened over many years of activities have permeated her life and provide a donjon as she pursues career goals. At hearth she has a strong relationship with her daughter, Vanessa, who will be attending her first year of society during Shumaker's presidency. Shumaker infuses her acknowledge competitive nature by encouraging Vanessa to be superior in sports and other activities. Shumaker's husband, Jimmy, has provided might encouragement, and understanding since she was 17 years old-fashioned while she pursued professional endeavors.