Content provided in partnership with

Health Care Industry

Planning ahead to celebrate Perioperative Nurse Week

AORN Journal, Oct, 2007 by Mary Jo W. Steiert

Typically, the AORN President writes a message about Perioperative Nurse Week that is published in the November issue of the Journal. This year, I'd like to talk about it one month early, in hopes that you will have time to think about how you will honor the week--November 11 to 17. This year's Perioperative Nurse Week theme is "A Legacy of Leadership in Safe Patient Care."

Perioperative Nurse Week actually began as OR Nurse Day. AORN of Richmond Area, Virginia, an active and forward-thinking chapter, developed a consumer education program to promote public awareness of the perioperative nurse's role. (12) Building on the program's success, in 1979, the AORN House of Delegates passed a resolution establishing November 14 as OR Nurse Day. (2,3) Within a few years, that one day had become a full week of celebration, and in 2000, OR Nurse Week was renamed Perioperative Nurse Week. (3)

More Articles of Interest: Nurses' Week; Perioperative nurse week products now available - Brief Article; Nursing Week Activities; National Nurses Week 2003 district activities; Leading with a passion

We have seen a shift in the focus of Perioperative Nurse Week over the years. Whereas formerly, nurses received gifts, meals, and flowers in celebration of Perioperative Nurse Week, today, they are opening their ORs and letting community members in to see what happens behind those closed doors and to meet the faces behind the masks.

WAYS TO PROMOTE PERIOPERATIVE NURSING

Many of you have notified us of the methods you have used to promote the perioperative nursing role to the public. Displays in malls, presentations at local schools or children's museums, and tours for fellow hospital colleagues are some of the successful strategies that have been used for teaching our patients, past and future, about the importance of having an RN manage their care in the OR.

For 17 years, the Memorial Health University Medical Center, serving the Savannah, Georgia, area, has hosted a Teddy Bear Clinic. Children bring their teddy bears, stuffed animals, or dolls to the hospital for x-rays, laboratory tests, and surgery. During National Nurses Week last May, the AORN Headquarters nursing staff hosted a Teddy Bear Clinic and operated on children's toys, making needed repairs by replacing limbs, button eyes, and noses. For Perioperative Nurse Week this year, the AORN Headquarters staff will partner with my facility, The Medical Center of Aurora, Colorado, and Peakview Elementary School, Centennial, Colorado, for a Teddy Bear Hospital OR tour. Each "patient" will be triaged and re-paired, and the "parent" will receive a certificate, hat, mask, and coloring book that explains who a nurse is. Templates on how to host a Teddy Bear Hospital will be made available to members at http://www.aorn.org/Educa tion/EducationEvents/2007Perioperative NurseWeek/TeddyBearHospital/ so that they can host a similar event and provide more information to youngsters who might consider perioperative nursing as a future career.

Another way to celebrate perioperative nursing achievements is to nominate one of your colleagues for an AORN award. For 2008, the Awards committee has completely redesigned the nomination submission process, making it easier to complete while focusing on key points contributing to the recognition of our colleagues' achievements. Nominations must be submitted by November 15. Applications are available on the AORN web site at http://www.aorn.org/Community /AwardsRecognition under "Supporting Documents." Individual awards include

* Outstanding Achievement in Perioperative Nursing Management;

* Outstanding Achievement in Perioperative Clinical Nursing Practice;

* Outstanding Achievement in Mentorship;

* the Next Generation Achievement Award;

* Outstanding Achievement in Perioperative Clinical Nursing Education;

* Outstanding Achievement in Perioperative Academic Nursing Education;

* Outstanding Achievement in Perioperative Patient Education;

* Outstanding Achievement in Application of Perioperative Clinical Research;

* Outstanding Achievement in Perioperative Nursing Research; and

* our highest honor, the Award for Excellence in Perioperative Nursing.

Chapters also are eligible for awards, and chapter members should submit a documentation of their year's highlights.

Recognition of the award recipients will take place at a Congress event titled "Sweet Success." This event will feature a two-hour reception to honor the award winners and give everyone an opportunity to network with the winners while sharing appetizers and desserts.

SHOW YOUR PRIDE

We are the safety net in every surgical procedure in which we participate. Take time to tell your patients and their family members exactly what role you have in ensuring quality care that results in positive outcomes during their surgical experiences. Every day we can share the importance of the perioperative nurse in keeping patients safe at a time when they are at their most vulnerable.

Celebrating our successes and sharing our passion about perioperative nursing with our communities will add to the richness of the legacy we will leave behind. Show your pride in who you are and in the profession you represent.

Health Care Industry

Planning ahead to celebrate Perioperative Nurse Week

AORN Journal, Oct, 2007 by Mary Jo W. Steiert

Find Research Guides for:

Find Featured Titles for: Reference

Most Popular Articles in Health

Most Popular Publications in Health