AORN Board reviews function, makes number of decisions The AORN Board of Directors met pre-Con- gress March 6 and 7, and post-Congress March 15 in Atlanta. Annual reports from standing and special committees were con- sidered. Methods of streamlining functions of the Board to use time more effectively during Board meetings were discussed, including re- visions of some Board policies.

In action taken during the meeting, the Board approved a new biographical data form submitted by the Nominating Committee.

A membership questionnaire will be inserted with each member's renewal letter, with ques- tions regarding Headquarters services and members' educational needs.

The Board approved a recommendation that the Audiovisual Committee provide the mem- bership with information on how to locate au- diovisual references and materials.

An ad hoc committee was established to develop criteria and a method of selection for an OR nursing award. The committee will con- sist of the three immediate past-presidents with Jean Davis, RN, as chairman. The pur- pose of the award is to provide visible recogni- tion of an individual nurse who has made a significant contribution to the advancement of new concepts in OR nursing or to the promo- tion of OR nursing as an important component of the body of nursing knowledge and practice.

The Board approved changes in the title of AORN technical standards to "recommended practices." The title of the Technical Standards Subcommittee was also changed to the Rec-

ommended Practices Subcommittee. These changes will affect standards approved in the past and any to be developed in the future. It is the Board's belief that AORN's technical stan- dards reflect optimum practice and present the ideal situation toward which individual OR nurses should strive, while other standards in health care are based on minimum per- formance requirements. This discrepancy causes misconceptions when AORN stan- dards are read. Also, standards set by organi- zations, such as the Association for the Ad- vancement of Medical Instrumentation, are developed in a consensus manner, which AORN's standards are not.

Discussing the Association's need for re- search in several areas, the Board placed a priority on the hiring of a researcher in the near future.

The concept of a plan for implementing AORN's position advocating a single entry level into nursing practice was approved. The ad hoc Committee on Entry into Practice will determine priorities for the master plan as soon as possible. The plan was in the dele- gate's packets and will be summarized in the Journal. Shirley Phillips, RN, chairman of the ad hoc Committee, attended the American Nurses' Association's (ANA) national briefing on entry into practice, March 24 and 25, in Pittsburgh. There will be a report of the meet- ing by Phillips in the June Journal.

The Board approved a recommendation from the Committee on Nursing Practices that AORN continue formal communication with the American College of Surgeons, the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospitals, the American Hospital Association, and the American Medical Association. The House of Delegates approved the "Guidelines for regis-

AORN Journal, Ma.v 1980, V o l 3 1 . No 6 977

tered nurses choosing to function as first assis- tants," which will be communicated to these organizations.

The House of Delegates approved a dues increase of $10 annually, effective July 1, 1980.

A decision was made to include the CNOR designation on badges of certified nurse regis- trants for future Congresses and change the address of registrants from residence to em- ployer.

Jean Davis, who has been AORN's Wash- ington liaison, reported on her Washington activities to the House of Delegates. In an ef- fort to obtain more information about local leg- islation, the Board is asking chairmen and members of all national committees to alert the national Legislative Committee of activity in their states. In her report to the House, Davis charged each delegate to do the same and to communicate directly with their chapter legis- lative liaison and their regional national legis- lative representative. It is hoped that by in- creasing the numbers of members charged with this responsibility, we can improve com- munication of legislative activities.

The Board voted to expand the approval process to include chapter meeting education activities starting July 1 and continuing on a two-year trial basis. Approval fees will be $25 for approval of a full-year program in one sub- mission and $20 for approval of each half-year program.

Plans were reviewed for the invitational con- ference of nurse educators in June. About 50 deans and faculty members will meet in Den- ver to explore the advantages of incorporating concepts of the perioperative role in the bacca- laureate curriculum, facilitating positive out- comes for students and patients.

The House of Delegates approved a decla- ration presented by the Board reading: "It is therefore declared that Nov 14 annually hereafter be designated as OR Nurse Day. This day will be committed to consumer educa- tion to increase public knowledge regarding our perioperative role." The AORN National Committee on Education will be charged with the revision of local chapter guidelines for OR Nurse Day to include coordination of public relations activities. The Board will attempt to gain national recognition of this day.

The new format for "Meet the Candidates"

was evaluated. Delegate response indicated it was satisfactory, and it will be continued at future Congresses.

The Board approved Connie Walker, RN, St Petersburg, Fla, and Helen J "Jodie" Hue- schen, RN, Kansas City, Mo, to the National Certification Board (NCB), replacing Nancy Ertl, RN, and Joan Koehler, RN. Joan Koehler will remain on NCB, replacing Nancy Mehaffy, RN, as the Board of Directors member.

The 1980 annual AORN Congress was a huge success with the highest number of regis- trants in history-9,941. We congratulate the Atlanta Chapter members on their gracious hosting and commend them for the time and effort involved. The Board wishes to acknowledge Jerry G Peers's and the Head- quarters staff's expertise, talent, and efforts in planning and implementing this Congress. The Congress included many fine educational ses- sions, exhibits, and social events. Lively dis- cussions at the Forums and House of Dele- gates are reported in this Journal. The Board would like to thank the delegates for their preparation and discussion of the issues and willingness to listen to all views presented.

Public relations activities included two tele- vision, six nursing journal, and several radio interviews.

"Tempo of the 80s: Visions and Challenges" was selected as the theme for the 1981 Con- gress in Dallas. This theme reflects problems critical to nursing as we face the 1980s.

The Board would like to thank Barbara Gruendemann, RN, for her superb leadership this past year. We anticipate this next year will be another successful one for AORN under the leadership of Barbara Stanewick, RN.

We pledge our continued dedication to up- hold AORN's philosophies and goals and to communicate all aspects of the Association's business.

The next meeting of the Board of Directors will be June 22 to 24 in Denver. Agenda items should be sent to Barbara Stanewick, presi- dent, or Jerry G Peers, executive director, at AORN Headquarters.

Nancy L Mehaffy, RN President-elect

978 AORN Journal. May 1980. V o l 3 1 . N o 6