Attracting nursing students to the OR critical for future A student told me she was interested in operat- ing room nursing but understood that nurses were being phased out of the OR by regu- lations that would allow technicians to circu- late.

This, of course, is not true. It is apparent, however, that some people are misinterpreting and distorting the proposed Medicare regu- lations that would permit technicians and licensed vocational (practical) nurses to circu- late. Although this change has been pro- posed, it has not been approved. The Medi- care regulation that permits only RNs to circu- late is still in effect.

With a new administration and a moratorium on governmental regulations, I am optimistic that we will continue to function under the exist- ing Medicare rules. We must continue, how- ever, to dispel the untruths and cite the facts. With a new Secretary of the US Department of Health and Human Services, Richard Schweiker, AORN will continue to communi- cate our stance with letters stating the facts about our practice.

But this student’s remark made me realize that we must work even harder to attract nurs- ing students to a career in operating room nurs- ing. It is one of my chief concerns for operating room nursing and AORN.

Other obstacles impede student nurses’ interest in OR nursing. I have talked to stu- dents who have been exposed to the OR, and they have said they “disliked the atmosphere in the OR.” The reasons varied. “I didn’t feel

President’s message

welcomed by the staff nurses or supervisor.” “I felt in the way.” “I wasn’t allowed to partici- pate.” “OR nursing appears all technical with very little patient contact.” “The nurseidoctor relationship is not conducive to learning, and 1 don’t believe that I would gain satisfaction from working in those conditions every day.”

But it isn’t always that way. Last week, I stopped at the scrub sinks to ask a student how she was doing. Her reply was, “Just great. I never thought I would be allowed to help circu- late and scrub so soon.” She proceeded to tell me that she was learning so much and com- plimented the staff nurse with whom she was assigned. “She is so interested in teaching me.” The student said that her class is divided among six operating rooms for their OR ex- perience, and they compare notes. “This is the favorite OR.” When I asked why, she replied, “Because the nurses want us to be here and allow us to ‘do’ instead of just ‘look.”’

Talking with this smiling, enthusiastic nurse gave me a lift, and I found myself renewed from her enthusiasm. I invited her to our Chapter’s student recruitment seminar in March, and she said she would spread the word. I walked away thinking, “There is OR nursing’s future, and she has the interest because of positive role models and teachers.” The OR nurses were willing to share their knowledge and encour- age her to participate. They showed her that OR nursing is a specialty that uses the nursing process-our students go with staff nurses for preoperative assessments. The nurses also respect what the student has learned prior to coming to the OR.

A few months ago, I was interviewing a stu- dent who told me that OR nursing was dis- couraged at her school. She quoted an educatorwho had said, “OR nursing really isn’t

AORN Journal, May 1981, Val 33, No 6 1023

necessary, because you only use technical skills." I realize that all educators don't believe that. At AORN's invitational conference for nurse educators last June, we were pleased to find many aware of the eff orts we have made in perioperative nursing. These educators see perioperative nursing as an important compo- nent of the nursing curriculum. We must con- tinue this effort and not assume that those who believe OR nursing should be in the curriculum will spread the word. We must market our practice to all educators so that they under- stand what we do. That will take time, effort, and money.

Many chapters have taken advantage of Project Alpha, guidelines designed to assist the local chapters to communicate with schools of nursing regarding the perioperative practice in nursing. Practicing nurses and educators must talk about nursing practice, or we will perpetuate our problems. I hope we will have future educators' conferences at the na- tional level.

A Student Recuitment Task Force has been appointed to assist chapters in efforts to en- courage student interest in OR nursing. Inez Tenzer, director of OR Services, Kaiser Foun- dation Hospital, Los Angeles, is chairman. Members of the task force were selected be- cause of their experience with student recruit- ment and can help other chapters to set up programs to increase the number of student nurses seeking OR nursing careers.

If each of you would devote some time to your chapter for either Project Alphaor student recruitment activities, I feel certain the operat- ing room nurse shortage would be decreased. Share your expertise and enthusiasm for your nursing practice with a student, and you will experience a real satisfaction and help ensure OR nursing and AORN's future.

Nancy L Mehaffy, RN President

Nursing graduations show accelerating decline The number of graduates of programs preparing registered nurses declined for the second consecutive year during 1979-1 980. This trend was among the findings of a National League for Nursing (NLN) survey of state-approved schools of nursing.

Preliminary analysis of national data compiled by the League's Division of Research shows a 2.2% decline in RN graduations, from 77,932 during the 1978-1 979 academic year to 76,190 in 1979-1 980. This decline is twice the previous year's decline despite a net increase of 14 RN educational programs during the year. Last year's survey reported a 1% decline in graduations, the first such drop since the mid-1 960s.

The latest survey also demonstrates a continuing decline in admissions to RN programs. Admissions are down for the third consecutive year, dropping 0.9%, from 108,717 to 107,783.

"We are gravely concerned about the decline in the number of individuals being educated to practice nursing, when all evidence points toward a continuing escalation in the demand for nursing services," said NLN Executive Director Margaret E Walsh. Walsh called for innovative and aggressive efforts to recruit more nursing students, citing a need to attract more men to nursing careers and to focus on midcareer individuals in light of the smaller number of high school graduates.

The NLN annual survey of schools of nursing, now in its 39th edition, produces admission, enrollment, and graduation profiles of every state-approved nursing school in the US. These data are included in the comprehensive reference publication, State-Approved Schools of Nursing-RN 7987 (Publication number 19-1853). It is available for $6.50 from the publications order unit, National League for Nursing, Ten Columbus Cir, New York, NY 10019.

1024 AORN Journal, May 1981, Vol33, N o 6