Opportunities from the Center for Perioperative Education

AORN Journal, Oct, 2004

PERIOPERATIVE NURSING COURSE 101

AORN's Perioperative Nursing Course 101 is a comprehensive program for educating new perioperative nurses. The curriculum covers 26 crucial topics in a scripted lecture format and is designed to be integrated with your facility's specific policies and procedures.

Perioperative Nursing Course 101 will help you develop confident, better educated, safety-conscious employees The course includes overviews, reading assignments, glossaries, bibliographies, posttests, preceptor guidelines, handouts, PowerPoint presentations, a critical skills assessment checklist, a "Preparing the Preceptor" module with free contact hours, and more. For a free information packet, contact Susan Becia at (800) 755-2676 x 287 or visit AORN Online at http://www.aorn.org/education /periop101.htm.

AORN CONFERENCES

Clinical (Inpatient and Ambulatory) Multispecialty Conference and RNFA Forum Oct 16-17, 2004 The Westin Casuarina Las Vegas, Las Vegas

This conference's targeted specialties are orthopedics, cardiothoracics, neurosurgery, RN first assisting, pediatrics, minimally invasive surgery, lasers, and rural/small hospitals. The RNFA Forum, an event designed to provide an opportunity for RNFAs and perioperative RNs in the RNFA practice arena to learn, network with colleagues, and discuss issues germane to the practice of RNFAs, will be included in this conference. For more information, visit http://www.aorn.org/ events/clinical/default.asp.

Trauma Multispecialty Conference Oct 30-31, 2004 Dallas-Addison Marriott by the Galleria, Dallas

This conference addresses the care and management of injured patients across all age groups and specialty areas. No matter what specialty you work in, you will learn techniques to help you address the needs of trauma patients and their family members. For more information about this conference, visit http://www.aorn.org/events /trauma/default.asp.

Preparing for the CNOR Examination Nov 6-7, 2004 St Luke's Episcopal Hospital, Houston

This two-day program will alleviate participants' fears of taking the CNOR examination by walking them through the examination's format. Topics will be related to clinical situations with which perioperative nurses are familiar. The program provides effective test-taking strategies and a framework to help participants develop their own plans for continued examination preparation. This conference is underwritten by St Luke's Episcopal Hospital. For more information, visit http://www.aorn .org/events/prep/default.htm.

Hands Across Borders: The Americas Unite to Celebrate Perioperative Nursing Nov 12-14, 2004 Intercontinental Miramar Panama Hotel, Panama City, Panama

AORN's inaugural Pan-American conference, which is being held jointly by AORN and perioperative nurses who live and work in Panama, is dedicated to enhancing a partnership of nursing across the borders of our countries. This conference will explore critical patient care issues and provide opportunities for attendees to network, make new friends, gain valuable education, and join in celebration of Perioperative Nurse Week, Nov 14 to 20. Visit http://www.aorn.org/events/ panama/default.htm for more information.

Ninth Conference on Infectious Diseases Dec 6-8, 2004 Kimberly-Clark Corporate Facility, Roswell, Ga

This conference is designed to provide the latest information on current and emerging infectious diseases. Topics include

* infection control in ambulatory settings,

* novel technology for preventing nosocomial bacteremia,

* perioperative hypothermia and infection, and

* recurrence of hepatitis C after liver transplantation.

Faculty members are nationally known professionals in the area of infectious disease. This conference is sponsored by AORN; the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc; and Kimberly-Clark. For more information, visit http://www .aorn.org/events/infect_diseases /default.asp.

DISTANCE LEARNING

Visit http://www.aorn.org/ education for the latest continuing education opportunities. AORN Journal Home Studies published since October 2001 are available online at http:// www.aorn.org/journal/home study/default.htm. The Home Studies are available in portable document format (PDF) to print and complete. Use these programs to earn contact hours and stay abreast of the latest nursing information.

Preparing for the CNOR Examination--online version.

This program will alleviate participants' fears of taking the CNOR examination by walking them through the examination's format. Subjects will be related to clinical situations with which perioperative nurses are familiar. The program also provides effective test-taking strategies. This two-week online program will be offered Oct 4 to 18, 2004. Visit AORN Online at http:// www.aorn.org/events/cnor.htm for more information.

RN to Bachelor of Science (BS) Degree in Nursing program. AORN and the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center (UCHSC) School of Nursing, Denver, are offering preferred tuition rates to AORN members for an online RN to BS program. All courses are conducted entirely via the Internet. Nurses can progress from a diploma or an associate's degree to a bachelor's degree in nursing. The UCHSC School of Nursing validates students' previous nursing education according to the Colorado Nursing Articulation Model. Approved credits can be applied toward a bachelor's degree. Visit http://www.uchsc .edu/nursing/rnbspromo.htm or http://www.aorn.org/education /rnbsn.htm for more information. You also may contact the UCHSC School of Nursing's office of professional development at (303) 315-8691 or professional.development@ UCHSC.edu, or contact Holly Heston at (800) 755-2676 x 318 or hheston@aorn.org.