Board discusses Congress, certification, and core curriculum In response to requests from the membership, the AORN Board of Directors has decided that only two House of Delegates sessions will be held during the 1979 Congress in St Louis in March. Meeting July 7 to 9 at Headquarters in Denver, the Board based its decision on com- ments from the 1978 Congress evaluations, which were filled out by the delegates. The Board agreed that the early morning Forums provided information that enabled delegates to come to the House sessions better informed and prepared to vote on the issues.

Prior to the Board meeting, the Planning, Budget and Finance, Policy, and other special committees met at Headquarters. The Board toured the new AORN education building, slated for completion in November. This beau- tiful structure, adjacent to Headquarters, will house staff working on new and continuing educational programs.

The 1979 Congress, which will be March 4 to 9, was discussed. With the theme, "Education: Gateway to Achievement," the program is planned to illustrate a progressive movement toward personal and professional growth by highlighting the educational process that will prepare nurses in the OR for implementation of a multidimensional role. In addition to its deci- sion to limit the number of House sessions, the Board decided to delete the coffee for new members, members-at-large, and interna- tional attendees, which has been traditionally held on Sunday of Congress week.

The Board of Directors discussed the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), the possible exten- sion of the ratification period, and the Ameri- can Nurses' Association's (ANA) stand on economic boycott of states that have not

s Board report

ratified the ERA. The Board did not believe it appropriate to take a position on ERA. AORN's articles of incorporation do not include such activity and the Association's Internal Reve- nue Service tax-exempt status may restrict political activity. The Board is also aware that members have individual feelings on this is- sue.

A nationwide membership promotion project is underway, and by August, each chapter pres- ident will have received a letter of explanation outlining the project they are expected to carry out on the local level. The project begins on Sept 1, 1978 and ends on Feb 1, 1979. Each chapter will be eligible to submit one member's name as the winner from that chapter. The grand prize is an all-expense paid trip on the 1979 International Symposium to Spain and Portugal.

First class mail rather than certified mail will be used for delegates' authorization letters and delegates' forms because of the marked increase in postage costs. A postcard will be included for the recipient to return to Head- quarters as notification of receipt of material.

Approximately 585 nurses from 26 countries have registered for the First World Conference of Operating Room Nurses in Manila, Oct 17 to 20. About 1000 registrants are anticipated, and plans are underway for educational sessions with nurses from many countries participating. Also, 50 industry exhibits will be displayed.

An ad hoc committee was appointed to re- view the nursing diagnosis classifications from the St Louis University Conference on Nursing Diagnosis. The committee is charged with bringing recommendations for applicability to operating room nursing to the Board by the fall meeting. Board Member Shirley C Phillips was appointed chairman.

Issues brought before the Federation of Specialty Nursing Organizations and ANA meeting in June were discussed. An ad hoc committee was appointed to study the resolu-

AORN Journal, September 1978, Vol28, No 3 373

tions on entry into practice approved at the recent ANA convention. This committee will seek information from the ANA Task Force on Entry into Practice and will report to the Board, which will keep members informed on the rele- vancy of the resolutions to operating room nurses. Shirley C Phillips was appointed chairman of the committee.

The Education Department has completed the Nursing Audit Modular independent Learning Systems (MILS). It became available in late July. Six units of the nursing process learning module are being formulated and are expected to be finished in time to fit in with and complement the certification program.

The Board approved the concept of the AORN/University of Colorado demonstration project and implementation by the Education Department for one semester. The demonstra- tion project will be a seven-week elective course in OR nursing using the core curriculum model in Surgical Experience. The project will enable AORN to validate the effectiveness of the model and the content. AORN wants to illustrate to schools of nursing how faculties might develop courses and content appropri- ate in a baccalaureate curriculum within a project framework.

Plans for aggressive implementation of ac- tive student experience in the operating room through the use of the Surgical Experience manual were discussed with the Education Department. AORN hopes to make known through other nursing journals the periopera- tive role description and availability of Surgical Experience. Programs for Congress will in- clude dual responsibility of services and edu- cation for the active student experience in the OR.

The structuring of AORN’s certification pro- gram is progressing. The designated title will be certified nurse, operating room (CNOR). The title, RNC, designated by the House of Delegates cannot be trademarked because of usage by other organizations. The Certifica- tion Committee believes CNOR to be indica- tive of the specialty of operating room nursing and is in keeping with other specialty designa- tions within nursing. The Board voted to estab- lish a directory of certified operating room nurses. Certification process seminars are scheduled immediately before Congress from March 1 to 2, 1979, in St Louis; April 5 to 6,

1979, San Francisco; and May 3 to 4, 1979, Richmond, Va. Test dates have been set for Nov 3, 1979, and Sept 13, 1980, at 60 test centers around the country. Six AORN Journal articles on certification are planned, and mem- bers will be informed regarding the progress of the certification project in the Journal.

A policy for communication to past- presidents of AORN was approved. This policy will enable past-presidents to be better in- formed of issues to carry out their respon- sibilities as included in the AORN bylaws addi- tion (Article IV B 2 d). This addition specifies that past-presidents of AORN will serve as delegates to Congress for three consecutive years immediately following their terms of of- fice.

The Board discussed methods of strengthening a mechanism for keeping mem- bers better informed on legislative issues in- volving nursing. The subject will be investi- gated further.

The mailing of the AORN Newsletter will be expanded from chapter presidents to include 7,000 OR supervisors beginning with the Sep- tember 1978 issue. The Board hopes that OR supervisors will make these Newsletters available to the OR nurses on staff. Chapter presidents will continue to share information in the Newsletter with the membership through chapter meetings and local chapter newslet- ters.

AORN has established another organiza- tional liaison by membership in the National Fire Protective Association.

Health Industry Manufacturers Association (HIMA)/AORN seminars are scheduled for Sept 15 in Boston and Dec 8 in Los Angeles. These seminars are co-sponsored and pre- sented by the AORN Industry Collaboration Committee to orient industry sales personnel to the operating room, to fundamentals in aseptic technique, and to protocol for seeing the operating room supervisor.

The Board of Directors will meet Nov 30 to Dec 3, 1978, in Denver. If you have agenda items, send them to Jerry Peers, executive director, or Jean Davis, president, at AORN Headquarters.

Nancy L Mehaffy, RN Vice-president

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