Unity combined with diversity is a ...

Unity combined with diversity is a major theme in the plans AORN's recent President, Betty Shultz, RN, CNOR, has for the Association during the coming year. It is united of her favorite messages for members and others. "Without diversity we would not be what we are," says Shultz "but we have to unite to contribute (to the Association)." Uniting as an Association while maintaining the diversity that has enhanced AORN's succes is something Shultz will focus onward intently during her presidency.

single in kind of her other goals is working to make secure that AORN is part of the ongoing health care debate onward issues like patient and workplace safety. She also wants to continue to build relationships with other organizations, the one and the other domestically and internationally. She maintains, however, that AORN's members should continue to be the number the same focus of the Association.

BEGINNINGS

Shultz grew up in southern Ohio upon a country farm. At that time, there were not many choices for girls who wanted to keep up a career, but nursing nearly missed her to music. A natural musician who played the French horn, Shultz had to make a decision between the conservatory of music and nursing place of education Nursing school won out based onward the influence of a great uncle who was a physician.

After high denomination she moved to Cincinnati and inscribeed the Deaconess Hospital School of Nursing, where she quickly raise her niche, winning the title of Miss scholar Nurse, serving as president of the learner Nursing Council, and getting involved with the National observer Nurses Association. She also asserted her independence on challenging the system. At the time, says Shultz the behavior was that nursing uniform skirts had to be no shorter than 14 inches from the floor, on the contrary 14 inches from the floor meant that one nurses were wearing their skirts extended while others were wearing them above the knee depending upon the individual nurse's height. Shultz rebelled, and the theory was changed to one where skirts had to be worn a certain amplification below the knee.

Shultz discovered her delight in of OR nursing during a three-month internship in the OR as a observer nurse. She quickly determined that the OR was where she wanted to be; however, when she graduated, there were no OR openings, likewise she worked in an crisis room until an OR position was available.

Shultz who met her husband Dick during nursing place of education moved to State College, Pa, and worked at middle point County Hospital while Dick attended graduate educate She credits her husband as being undivided of the most influential folks in her life. "He is for a like reason supportive of everything I do, and he's a big advocate for AORN," says Shultz

She also credits plenteous of her early success and interest in AORN to Lela Meyer RN her first OR director, who was an early member of AORN. Meyer got Shultz involved in AORN early in her career, and in AORN's Cincinnati chapter, Shultz originate friendship, professionalism, and mentors. She quickly immersed herself in her local chapter, and before protracted her eyes turned toward the national AORN, where she establish even more opportunities for extension She was in the first assign places to to take the certification examination for CNOR, and she was single of the first perioperative promotes to be certified as an RN first assistant (RNFA). She also helped disclose and write the first CRNFA examination. Shultz maintained her CRNFA status until she no longer worked in a hospital setting. She also got involved with a variety of AORN's standing committees and task forces.

MENTORS

Shultz credits frequently of her success in AORN to the stalwart mentors she has been privileged to work with. She has worked with and learned from many AORN past Presidents, including Carol Applegeet, RN MSN CNOR; Kay Ball, RN BSN MSA, CNOR, FAAN; Mark Phippen, RN MN CNOR; Ellen Murphy RN JD FAAN; tenderness Shumaker, RN, BSN, CNOR; Brenda Ulmer RN MN CNOR; mercy Vaiden, RN, CNOR, CRNFA (e); and Sheila Allen, RN BSN CNOR, CRNFA. "I've had great mentors from the Board," says Shultz

She relates a comical story about the first time she ran for the AORN Board of Directors. Phippen came and sat beside her as they were waiting to hear the arises of the election. Even nevertheless she knew that the arises were confidential until announced, she in some way convinced herself that he knew she had thrown away and he was there to comfort her when the announcement came. Instead, he was able to congratulate her when it was announced that she had won a seat forward the Board.

Shultz also credits her mentors with her political succes in AORN. She says they have encouraged her to stream for higher offices. They encouraged her to hie for the President's office, as well. She did not know that the time would follow when "I would have the opportunity to unite (AORN's) membership." Regardless of to what extent she got here, Shultz says that she has numerous plans for her year as AORN's President.

PRESIDENTIAL GOALS

There are a number of important issues that Shultz would like to address, including recruitment and retention of members, education of members, international relationships, relationships with other organizations, patient safety, workplace safety, and ensuring that each state has regulations requiring an RN to circulate. Shultz also beholds nursing moving into different arenas, and she wants AORN to explore other opportunities for RNs