Congress Education Planning Committee reviews hundreds of proposals, selects education program for AORN Congress

AORN Journal, Feb, 2005

Saturday, April 2, to Thursday, April 7, 2005

The Congress Education Planning Committee, whose members were pointed by AORN President William J. Duffy, RN, BSN, MJ, CNOR, reviewed more than 280 Congress proposals and selected programs based on various needs assessments and recent trends in perioperative nursing. In selecting the sessions to be presented, committee members reviewed Clinical Improvement/Innovation posters, general session proposals, information from potential speakers, and hot topic proposals. AORN thanks the committee for their commitment to this process, which has resulted in an exciting and stimulating education program. Members of the Congress Education Planning Committee are

* Susan Renee Guerra, RN, MN, CNOR, CNAA, chair;

* Barbara Jane Alcock, RN, BSN, CNOR;

* Donna A. Ford, RN, BSN, CNOR;

* Kathleen B. Gaberson, RN, PhD, CNOR;

* Lowell L. Price, RN, CNOR; and

* Sharon A. McNamara, RN, MS, CNOR.

AORN also thanks the following representatives of AORN specialty assemblies and task forces for reviewing proposals related to their specialty areas:

* Larry Asplin, RN, MS, CNOR--Perioperative Nursing Informatics Specialty Assembly Governing Council;

* Linda L. Bowen, RN, BSN, MBA, CNOR--Cardiothoracic Specialty Assembly;

* Claire R. Everson, RN, CNOR, CCAP--Integrated Health Practices Specialty Assembly;

* Jane H. Flowers, RN, MSN, CNOR--Nurse Educator/Clinical Nurse Specialist Specialty Assembly Governing Council;

* Debbie L. Galante, RN, MSN, CNOR--Neurosurgery Specialty Assembly Governing Council;

* Lynn M. Geren, RN, MSN--Perioperative Nursing Informatics Specialty Assembly Governing Council;

* Stella M. Harrington, RN, BSN, CNOR--Pediatric Specialty Assembly Governing Council;

* Trudy A. G. Kenyon, RN, CNOR--Workplace Safety Task Force;

* Darin M. Prescott, RN, CNOR--Rural/Small Hospital Specialty Assembly Governing Council;

* Donna A. Pritchard, RN, BSN, MA, CNOR, CNA--Leadership Specialty Assembly;

* Charlie A. Purvis, RN, BSN, CNOR--Leadership Specialty Assembly;

* Janina Rusnak, RN, BSN, CNOR--Orthopedic Specialty Assembly Governing Council;

* Donna Stanbridge, RN--Minimally Invasive Surgery & Lasers Specialty Assembly Governing Council;

* Sandra L. Thompson, RN--Ambulatory Surgery Specialty Assembly; and

* Mary Lynne Weemering, RN, MSN, CNOR--Leadership Specialty Assembly.

STUDENT PROGRAM

AORN is excited to offer student nurses free registration to the 52nd Annual AORN Congress. Attendees can come for the special one-day student program or join perioperative nurses for the week. Students who have chosen to pursue a career in the perioperative specialty or those who just want to see what perioperative nursing is all about can benefit from the student-focused program. The hands-on program will introduce practice skills that nurses use every day.

A one-day student program is offered on Wednesday, April 6, 2005, but students can attend the entire week to make valuable connections with experienced perioperative professionals from across the country. Registration is available to individuals pursuing education leading to eligibility to sit for the RN licensing examination. To register by telephone or to request the student registration form, call customer service at (800) 755-2676 x 1. Register online by visiting http://www.aorn.org/congress and clicking on "Registration." See "Congress Education" in the January 2005 issue of the AORN Journal for more information, including program times, descriptions, and contact hour information.

FACULTY MEMBER PROGRAM

AORN invites full-time faculty members of schools of nursing to a one-day education program designed with a concurrent session for students, all free of charge. Free registration for Wednesday is available to all regular, full-time faculty members of schools of nursing. For faculty members who are planning to attend Congress for the entire week, Wednesday's registration fee will be subtracted from the weekly registration fee. Other days are offered at a discounted rate of $85 per day if registration is received on or before Feb 18, 2005, or $105 per day after Feb 18. To register by telephone or to request the faculty member registration form, call customer service at (800) 755-2676 x 1. Online registration is not available for this program.

EARNING CONTACT HOURS AT CONGRESS

AORN will award contact hours to attendees for attending education sessions, all three Forum sessions, and both House of Delegates sessions and for studying poster displays containing nursing continuing education content. Attendees may earn up to 12.6 contact hours by reviewing Research/Evidence-Based Practice and Clinical Improvement/Innovation posters and 5.1 contact hours for attending the Forums, and both sessions of the House of Delegates. By attending education sessions, the Forums, and both sessions of the House of Delegates and reviewing poster displays, delegates may earn up to 30.1 contact hours, and nondelegates may earn up to 37 contact hours.