Features or benefit—AORN is a great place to be - President's Message - Association of Operating Room Nurses

AORN Journal,  Feb, 2002  by Sheila L. Allen

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When I am traveling around the country and visiting with members and others, a question I am asked frequently is, "What is the value of membership in AORN?" As you can imagine, there are as many answers to that question as there are people who ask it. It seems appropriate for me to explore this question because February is sometimes thought of as the month of "belonging."

DEFINITIONS

Websters defines the word belong as

   1. to be properly placed; 2. to be appropriate or suitable; 3. belong to as
   in property of or part of an adjunct of or to be a member of. (1)

I tend to think of belonging as one of the seven senses (ie, sight, hearing, smell, touch, taste, being, belonging). Of course, belonging comes in different forms (eg, family, work colleagues, church groups, professional associations).

Our membership handbook has member benefits listed as including professional, educational, networking/local, and personal resources. (2) AORN provides an opportunity for large numbers of people with common needs and interests to join together to enhance personal and professional growth and provide services to address those needs.

The membership handbook lists benefits, but to me the description of benefits directly illustrates the features of the Association. The definition of the term feature that applies to the organization is "prominent or conspicuous characteristic and something offered as a special attraction." (3) These features give us the tools we need to provide efficient, effective patient care, as well as tools to function appropriately in the public policy, regulatory, and legislative arenas. Financial programs, insurance options, cellular service, and long-distance discounts comprise another set of features that members may access. Our valuable Headquarters staff members are involved in providing products and services that make up these features. Although the Association can offer these features, the value of membership lies in the benefits, and a benefit as it relates to membership is defined as, "something that is advantageous or good." (4)

BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP

Typically, the benefits of membership are intangibles (eg, networking opportunities, camaraderie, credibility). These intangibles are our way of reconnecting with our profession and our colleagues. When we come together for meetings, programs, or our annual Congress, AORN members and Headquarters staff members have an opportunity to be re-energized about our profession and our sense of purpose. I think anyone who has ever attended Opening Session, in addition to a huge lump in the throat, experiences a feeling of pride in who they are, what they do, and being a part of a group of peers with similar goals and interests.

Sherron Kurtz, RN, MSA, CNOR, CNAA, and president of the Certification Board Perioperative Nursing, states, "To make a difference you have to participate--you have to be at the table. It starts with a single step." (5) As a member of AORN, she has had opportunities to reach out to colleagues and expand her sphere of influence. She encourages members to recognize opportunities and capitalize on them. (6)

Betty Shultz, RN, CNOR, in her comments on the benefits of membership, says

   I have gained not only friends, but mentors from across the country. I have
   become a better professional and a better person through AORN. (7)

According to Sharon McNamara, RN, MS, CNOR,

   Congress each year is my professional high. Membership in the Association
   has enhanced my ability to speak, critically think, and appreciate the
   diversity in nursing. (8)

Anita Shoup, RN, MSN, CNOR, agrees that membership has enhanced her critical thinking, goal setting, and problem-solving skills. Membership in AORN has boosted her self-confidence, civic involvement, and networking opportunities. She explains that one of the most satisfying moments in her life was after the Washington State Council of Perioperative Nurses' fourth mini-Congress when she realized that she had helped create an organization that was of continuing value to perioperative nurses. She had the opportunity to make a vision become a reality. (9) Each perioperative nurse makes a difference in his or her practice everyday. Through membership in our professional association (ie, AORN), we have the opportunity to leave a lasting legacy to our profession.

PARTICIPATION--MAKING A DIFFERENCE

In Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland, Alice poses a question to the Cheshire cat.

   "Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?" "That
   depends a good deal on where you want to get to," said the Cat. "I don't
   much care where," said Alice. "Then it doesn't matter which way you go,"
   said the Cat. (10)

In our professional lives, we make choices about belonging to a professional association. If we do not care how we grow and we do not have a direction, it really does not matter whether we belong. As you can see from the comments of members, however, belonging to a professional association provides direction, purpose, and opportunities that can assist you in your journey to excellence in your practice.