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Specialty assembly and group meetings provide networking opportunities: Saturday, March 22, to Thursday, March 27, 2003 - Specialty Assembly Meetings

Networking was listed among the top six reasons for joining AORN, according to the AORN 2000 Member/Nonmember Needs Assessment Survey. (1) Surprisingly, many AORN members are not aware of the networking opportunities available through specialty assembly membership and how they can gain enhanced benefits by joining a specialty assembly. Each year at Congress, specialty assemblies gather for business meetings, and networking groups meet to discuss common interests and the potential for forming new specialty assemblies.

SPECIALTY ASSEMBLIES

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In 1992, AORN began creating specialty assemblies to promote communication among RNs with similar professional interests, provide a forum for networking, identify and explore patient care issues, promote specialized education, and support the mission of AORN, Currently, there are six specialty assemblies with a clinical focus and six that focus on a variety of unique aspects of perioperative nursing (Table 1). Some examples of activities incorporated in each specialty assembly's agenda include

* publishing quarterly newsletters,

* collaborating to offer specialized educational events,

* producing a membership directory,

* developing strategies that support research and the Perioperative Nursing Data Set (PNDS), and

* developing strategies to participate in or increase awareness of AORN's legislative activities.

Following is specific information about the assemblies and examples of possible discussions to be held during meetings at Congress. Table 2 lists meeting times for the individual assemblies.

Advanced Technology: Lasers & Minimally Invasive Surgery. The 200 members who belong to this assembly serve as resources for other health care professionals who are interested in the latest developments in technology, lasers, and minimally invasive surgery. Potential discussions include research studies on pain management, the impact of advanced technology from a staff nurse's point of view, safety issues regarding laser technology, and issues and trends related to minimally invasive surgery.

Ambulatory Surgery. More than 1,200 members belong to this assembly, which aims to facilitate the application of research in the ambulatory setting and to promote safe patient care through the application of AORN's standards and recommended practices in the ambulatory setting. Potential discussions include updates on new projects (eg, ambulatory safety manual, identifying procedures for care of eye instruments) and a status report on the development of recommended practices for preoperative and postoperative care.

Cardiothoracic. Approximately 750 members belong to this assembly. One of the goals of assembly members is to promote safe patient care by applying standards, recommended practices, and guidelines in the cardiothoracic perioperative setting. Potential discussions include reviewing research projects and publications regarding cardiac surgery, web site planning, and education planning for future conferences.

Leadership. The more than 1,200 perioperative leaders who belong to this assembly act as a resource network, promote the highest professional standards of practice among perioperative leaders, and facilitate application of management research. Potential discussions include identifying safety and workplace environment issues related to the nursing shortage, effective mentoring opportunities to support new leaders in AORN and in the work setting, and a status report on the new publication Leadership in Action, which is targeted for publication in fall 2003.

Neurosurgery. More than 325 members belong to this assembly. They serve as a resource for other neurosurgical perioperative nurses and promote safe patient care through the application of AORN's standards and recommended practices. Potential discussions include collaborative efforts to focus on trauma and safety issues, facilitating online networking among members, and education session planning for future conferences.

Nurse Educator/Clinical Nurse Specialist. More than 700 members belong to this assembly, which aims to facilitate research activities and opportunities related to all areas of perioperative practice and to promote the value of the perioperative educator and clinical nurse specialist. Potential discussions include developing an AORN membership recruiting kit for visits to schools of nursing, designing templates to be used to train students and experienced perioperative nurses, and providing a resource on the web page for planning education activities.

Nurses in Business, Industry & Consulting. Approximately 400 members belong to this assembly. Their goal is to enhance communication among nurses who work in a variety of health care settings related to perioperative nursing, including management consultants, education specialists, self-employed consultants, industry representatives, health care industry resource consultants, and those involved in scientific and clinical research for industry. Potential discussions include mentoring AORN members who are interested in consulting, promoting online networking, and strategies for recruiting associate members.

Health Care Industry

Specialty assembly and group meetings provide networking opportunities: Saturday, March 22, to Thursday, March 27, 2003 - Specialty Assembly Meetings

AORN Journal, Jan, 2003

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