By Diane Graham

President’s Message

My current role as perioperative clinical nurse specialist is a challenging one of preparing new staff members to assume clinical positions in my medical center.It is becoming increasingly difficult to fine experienced perioperative nurses as we suffer the ongoing reality of the nursing shortage. We have all heard that average age of an OR nurse is in the mid to late 40's. Who will replace us? Although my facility has a new grad training program and has had for several years, there never seems to be enough eligible candidates. Only a few nursing schools allow preceptored clinical rotations in the operating room and those that do may experience difficulties in finding hospitals that are willing to serve as clinical training sites.

As 2007 approaches, I strongly urge all members to actively encourage students of all ages to explore the wonderful, exciting world of perioperative nursing. No other nursing specialty offers such on-going technological improvements inpatient care, such dynamic teamwork and critical thinking opportunities. Perioperative nursing needs to push open the "closed doors of the OR" and actively pursue the placement of nursing students among us. There is no better recruitment tool than incorporating a new student into the invigorating enviroment of the OR. What can you do? There are a number of possibilities. Approach your manager with your willlingness to serve as a preceptor for any existing nursing student rotations. Go out of your way to explain to nursing students doing an observation day in you OR what the role of the perioperative nurse is and how it affects quality patient care. Do a presentation in a local high school on career day about the fascinating world of perioperative nursing. Do you interact with any young people or those considering a second career? Tell them what you do and why you enjoy it. Too many veiw OR nursing as a closed, unapproachable world and worse, a mere technical job. Let them know they are wrong and show them your passion for being a patient advocate!! As the New Year approaches and new semester begins, let's campaign for our share of all who are willing to take part in a stimulating and patient-centered career in the operating room.

Sincerely,Diane Graham RN,MSN, CNOR

President CCC AORN 2006-2007

Home Page | Officers/Board Members | Presidents Message
Monthly Meeting Schedule | Congress Reports | Upcoming Chapter Events
Past Chapter Events | OR Humor

This page hosted by