As nurses, are we still in our adolescence? - perioperative nursing - Editorial

AORN Journal, July, 1997 by Beverly P. Giordano

Rather than waiting for someone to rescue us from our current predicaments or hoping that the health care delivery system will stop changing, we need to engage in self-inquiry and to reassess our past career choices and the resulting consequences. We need to step back and view health care delivery changes in a broad context. Finally, we need to move from adolescent entitlement issues (eg, "They owe us jobs") to adult inquiries into how we can continue to contribute to health care delivery.

NOTES

(1.) T Porter-O'Grady, "The passion and the promise: Creating our own future," speech presented at the 44th annual AORN Congress, Anaheim, Calif, 11 April, 1997.

(2.) M Green, Bright Futures: Guidelines for Health Supervision of Infants, Children, and Adolescents (Arlington, Va: National Center for Education in Maternal and Child Health, 1994) 197-203, 237-238.

(3.) S P Thomas, "Turn your anger into empowerment," Revolution 6 (Winter 1996) 11-14.

(4.) "Growth and development," in Principles and Practices of Adult Health Nursing, ed P G Beare, J L Myers (St Louis: The C V Mosby Co, 1990) 27-29.

(5.) Porter-O'Grady, "The passion and the promise: Creating our own future."

(6.) M C Dreher, "Making the invisible visible: Public communication and private deportment in nursing," (President's Message) Reflections 23 no 1 (1997) 6.

(7.) D Clark, "Throw the crutches away--Your career depends on it," Orthopaedic Nursing 15 (September/October 1996) 9-11.

(8.) "A Comprehensive Model for Perioperative Nursing Practice," Congress News (newsletter, Anaheim, Calif: Association of Operating Room Nurses, Inc, April 7, 1997) 4-6; "Comprehensive practice model discussed at Forum," Congress News (newsletter, Anaheim, Calif: Association of Operating Room Nurses, Inc, April 10, 1997) 1, 4.

RELATED ARTICLE: What Do You Think of the Comprehensive Practice Model?

Please read the "Comprehensive Model for Perioperative Nursing Practice," which appears on pages 46-49 of this issue. As you review the model, consider the following points; however, you do not need to limit your comments to the items listed here.

* Describe any strengths, weaknesses, or gaps in the model.

* Describe where you see yourself in the model. Where do you see other perioperative nurses (ie, nurses who do not function in your specific role)?

* Describe how you would change this model, particularly anything you would add or delete.

* Describe the education modality you believe would be most beneficial to you related to the model and its implementation.

* Describe your education needs related to meeting the role expectations in the model.

Send your comments, questions, and suggestions to AORN President Jeannie Botsford, RN, MS, CNOR, by Aug 15, 1997. Mail your response to the Executive Department, AORN, Inc, 2170 S Parker Rd, Suite 300, Denver, CO 80231-5711, or send it by fax to (303) 750-2927.