caring today—preparing for tomorrow

NOVEMBER 2001, VOL 74, NO 5 P R E S I D E N T ‘ S M E S S A G E

Caring today-preparing for tomorrow

ach year in November, pre- dictable things happen: the E leaves change color, we count

our blessings at Thanksgiving, and we celebrate Perioperative Nurse Week. Although we have little control over the colors of the leaves-moisture and temperature throughout the year determine the vibrancy and depth of color we enjoy-the manner in which we participate in the other two events is up to us.

COUNTING OUR BLESSINGS

sage, I ask you to pause and remember where you were on Sept 1 1,2001. I ask that you say a prayer for those we love, those we lost, and the heroes of the tragedy. Their bravery represents the best of humanity. We can count our blessings because we saw, first- hand, people from all walks of life, all nationalities, and all reli- gions come together in a time of crisis. At the scenes, police, fue- fighters, rescue personnel, nurses, physicians, physician assistants, and concerned Americans responded, in spite of the over- whelming conditions and with little regard for their personal safety. In our O h , nurses, surgical tech- nologists, physicians, nurse anes- thetists, environmental services staff members, plant operations employees, and all hospital personnel provided care to those in need of their services.

colleagues set up triage stations, staff mobile surgery units, assist

As you begin to read this mes-

In September, we watched our

in digging through rubble to search for survivors, and comfort victims and families. One of our members, Donna Pritchard, RN, BSN, MA, CNOR, was singled out by Associated Press writer, Larry Neumeister, in an article relating the events of the day.

“I couldn f see. I was cov- ered in soot,” she said. “A@ eyes were burning. As soon as I came in, thty handed me water and a mask. ” Many patients needed care. One patient needed a pacemaker With no tele- phones working 10 order the device, she [Pritchard] ran onto the street and bor- rowed a cell phone@om a passer-by. She got the pacemaker in time. ‘

Nurses have a proud history of stepping forward in times of crisis. From the days of the Crimean War and Florence Nightingale, nurses have served valiantly. This time was no different. Our members and all nurses demonstrated strength of spirit and an emotional integrity while continuing to care for our perioperative patients in the face of adversity. AORN Board of Directors member, Michelle Burke, RN, MSA, CNOR, sent a message to us on MemberTalk.

Dearjiendy and colleagues: We here at St fincent’s Catholic Medical Center in New York thank

you so much for your kind words and prqers. As you can imagine, it has been

SHEILA 1. ALLEN dflcult for us here on the receiv- ing end to deal with this tragedy. It is more horrible than you can imagine. We have essentially stopped getting traumas, which is not good. We have moved into the rescue/recovery mode and are doing a great deal of bereavement coun- seling and assisting people to locate their loved ones. It is quite sad and devastating emotionally. Each encoun- ter with someone in search of someone who is missing is heartbreaking. Your prayers andgood thoughts will serve us all well. Thank you so much.’

Like many others, our members were overwhelmed by the urge to help. Calls and messages flooded our Headquarters offering assistance and asking questions. The good decisions and quick response of our staff members in handling meetings scheduled for that week, posting information on the web site, and providing personal assistance to members was exemplary. AORN’s staff members connected with our members and demonstrated their care for

600 AORN JOURNAL

NOVEMBER 2001, VOL 74, NO 5

the caregivers. In a staff meeting on Sept 17,2001, Executive Director Tom Cooper, CAE, voiced the appreciation of the membership. He expressed thoughts that, I feel sure, were shared by many.

. . . though we lost some things last week, we also ,found some things-love for our country, a connection to our neighbors, a sense of purpose, a renewed mare- ness of what S realty impor- tant in this lfe, and more. Let’s hope that we can nourish those positive things and help them grow. We will be better for it.’

We are grateful to our industry colleagues for their quick response with supplies and support sent to the places of greatest need. Their organized efforts again demonstrate the advantages that can be gained by workmg together.

RESPONSE FROM OUR INTERNA TIONAL COLLEAGUES

In the face of great tragedy, freedom-loving people throughout the world shared their compassion and strength. Inter- national leaders sent support in many forms to our leaders here a home. Communications filled with kindness and sympathy poured in from our perioperative colleagues as well, particularly from those who had just partici- pated in AORN’s World Confer- ence. I cannot share all of them, but the following examples demonstrate the friendship and caring of these leaders and their organization’s members.

Carolyn I. Webster, RN, BASN, COTM, president of the International Federation of Peri-

It

operative Nurses, had this to say.

We know that many perioperative nurses will hme been in theji-ont line ofpro- viding care for injured victims of the terrorist attacks.

In the face of great tragedy, people throughout the

world shared their compassion and

strength.

We wish fo commend them for their efforts and hope that they will not have suf- fered loss of familv and jPienak themselves. We offer thanks for these nurses and their dedication to their profession during such a traumatic period in your histoiy :‘

Yukie Yamano, who works in the public relations department for Johnson & Johnson Medical, Inc, and who was a translator for the Japanese delegation at the World Conference, expressed her own sympathies, as well as those of our Japanese colleagues. Kate Woodhead, RGN, DMS, chair of the National Association of Theatre Nurses in the United Kingdom, sent these remarks.

I wanted to express our extreme sense of loss and devastation at the news ji-om New York and

Washington, as well as Pittsburgh. This senseless act of horror defies words. All the perioperative nurses of UKJFom the National Association of Theatre Nurses send their very best wishes to you all at AORN, and especially anyone whose lives have been touched by loss of loved ones. We have been think- ing of you so much this last week, and you are in our prayers. ‘

Our colleagues from the Australian College of Operating Room Nurses expressed their

. . . anguish and deep sorrow over the horrendous events that hove orrurred in your county. . . . It is at times like these where the true spirit of a nation is dis- played We have alrea4 seen examples of this on the broadcasts here, strangers comforiing and assisting each other and coming together with a common face of humanity‘

Vija Hay, RN, of Canada, expressed her sympathy and grief about the tragedy and offered her thanks to nurses working with the wounded and traumatized.’ We also heard from Mary Knight, RN, president of the Operating Room Nurses Association of Canada. She told of how she had flown to St John’s, Newfound- land, after being trapped in Sydney during the September 11 tragedy. What she found in Newfoundland was an OR community that put all elective sur- geries on hold so they could hold clinics for airline passengers

602 AORN JOURNAL


being diverted from the United States. The community’s popula- tion increased by 12,000 as air- planes were diverted from the United States, and people in the community took airline passengers home with them. The Newfoundland and Labrador OR Nurses Association, which was holding its provincial meeting at the time, adopted a US Air Force squadron that was stranded in the area. During a dance hosted by the association, nurses danced with the young men. That experi- ence enriched the lives of both groups in a meaningful way that will be remembered always.’

Nurses from Brazil sent messages of support upon retum- ing home from the AORN World Conference. On behalf of the International Council of Nurses, Christine Hancock, RN, acknowledged

the extraordinary courage of all involved in caring for victims in rescue eforts, many of whom are having to provide services while dealing with their own personal loss and grieving.’

Many of our New Zealand colleagues communicated their sympathies, friendship, and love, but they also offered many kind- nesses to our members who remained in New Zealand. All will treasure their gracious hospitality, friendship, and information. The timing of the World Conference renewed many friendships and forged new ones. The tragic events served as a catalyst to cement a family spirit among all perioperative nurses. We are touched by the support and caring of our nursing colleagues.

SUPPORT FROM OUR AMERICAN COL L €A GUES

On the home front, messages from the American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses president, Susan Shelander, RN, and past president, Nancy Saufl, RN,

The tragic events served as a catalyst to cement a family

spirit among all perioperative

expressed their grief and support.

There are no words, howev- er heartfelt, that can erne the pain and sorrow we have experienced today. The magnitude of this tragedy or the impact this will have on each of us is yet to be determined. May it strengthen you to realize that we are supported by each other and care deeply for each other and everyone is near in heart. In grief we all needpiends to say, “We love you. We are with you; and we care. ’’ We have the gifr ofkiendship and can lean on the strength of our Fiends to begin to under- stand this tragedy,“

I spoke with Mary Foley, RN, president of the American Nurses Association, at a meeting in Baton Rouge, La. She was in Washing- ton, DC, at the Nursing Summit

on the Nursing Shortage, and we discussed events fiom her perspective, as well as the need for nurses to work together to meet the challenges ahead. To AORN participants at this meeting, including Debra Fawcett, RN, MS, PhD; Suzanne Beyea, RN, PhD, CS; Michelle Burke; and Carol Petersen, RN, MAOM, CNOR, we extend, not only our thanks for your participation, but also our gratitude for your dedication in the midst of this crisis.

It is sadly ironic how it takes horrific events to put things into perspective, but it has. The events of this tragedy have taught us many lessons. We are contemplat- ing things taken for granted, for- gotten or overlooked and, hopefully, things that will not be overlooked again. Hopefully, we also remember the blessings we should count. In her November 2000 “President’s Message,” Brenda C. Ulmer, RN, MN, CNOR, said,

Pause to renew your com- mitment to our profession and our ovganization. We have a standard that is only a dream in some places around the world. Let us celebrate the dream of some that is a real@ in the United States . . . ’ I

PERIOPERATIVE NURSE WEEK History has shown the

resilience of our nation and our profession. Nurses were not at the scene of this tragedy to be heroes or seen on television, but they were heroes, nonetheless. They were there to save their fellow man, and they did. We have much to celebrate this year as we honor all perioperative nurses.

Dorothy would have

603 AORN JOURNAL


reached Oz much faster in the company of one nurse. For no one can practice your profession unless they already possess a brain brimming with wisdom, boundless courage, and a heart filled with love. You are living proof that humanity is created in the image and likeness of God, and the name of that God is Love.’2

Colleagues, I am proud to

serve with you. I am proud to be a perioperative nurse and a member of AORN, and I am proud to be an American. May this week of celebration renew your spirit and love of nursing. Remember to support and encourage each other and celebrate each other’s uniqueness. Your compassion and courage are inspirational. You have demonstrated your care today. I know that as we prepare for the hture, we can do this. We can continue to make a difference in patient care. As we celebrate

this week, we are a family. We are a family, not for the blood that flows in our veins, but for the blood that has been shed to preserve our freedom. May we continue to connect to join in our circle of care. God bless you all. God bless America.

SHEILA 1. ALLEN RN, BSN, CNOR, CRNFA

PRESIDENT

President Allen can be contacted at (303) 755-6304 x 31 I , by e-muil at slallen @eatel.net, or by fax at (425) 740-9269.

N O T E S

Trade,” Associated Press, 17 Sept, 2001. 1 . L Neumeister, “Nurse Hopes Tragedy Revives

2. M Burke, MemberTalk, 13 Sept 2001. 3. T Cooper, speech given during AORN staff meet-

4. C I Webster, personal communication with the

5. K Woodhead, personal communication with the

6. J Harrison, personal communication with the

7. V Hay, personal communication with the author,

ing, Denver, 17 Sept 200 1 .

author, Baton Rouge, La, 14 Sept 2001.

author, Baton Rouge, La, 1 1 Sept 2001.

author, Baton Rouge, La, 12 Sept 200 I .

Baton Rouge, La, 22 Sept 2001.

author, Baton Rouge, La, 2 Oct 200 1.



tives,’’ (President’s Message) AORNJournal72 (November 2000) 766.

Chicken Soup for the Nurses ’ Soul (Deerfield Beach, Fla: Health Communications, Inc, 2001) 336.

8. M Knight, personal communication with the

9. C Hancock, personal communication with the

10. S Shelander, personal communication with the

1 1 . B C Ulmer, “The importance of international initia-

12. J W Schlatter, “To the nurses of the world,”

Support AORN in Nurses for a Healthier Tomorrow AORN is a member of Nurses for a Healthier Tomorrow, a coalition of 32 nursing and health care organizations that formed to create a national campaign to address the nursing shortage and boost the attractiveness of nursing as a profession. The Nurses for a Healthier Tomorrow advertising campaign-“Nursing. It’s Real. It’s Life.”-kicked off in September, and a 30-second public service announcement (PSA) was distributed to 200 television stations across the country. Seven print advertisements also were created for paid or nonpaid advertising. To assist in this effort, AORN members can take the following actions.

Visit the “Campaign News” section of http://www.nursesource.org to determine whether your local television stations received the PSA. If they did not receive the PSA, ask your employer to purchase a PSA kit to send to them. Kits are

available at http://www.nursesource.org. Your employer can place a logo at the end of the PSA for a minimal fee. If the stations received the PSA, encourage them to air it. Request copies of print advertisements via http://www.nursesource.org. Encourage your employer to publish them in its publications and in the local media (eg, newspapers, magazines) as paid or nonpaid advertising.

For more information about activities of the campaign, visit the Press Office on AOR”s web site at http://www.aorn.org. The Nurses for a Healthier Tomorrow coalition is a collaborative effort. Your grassroots support is needed to make it a success. For more information, contact Janet Paulson, AORN public relations manager, at (800) 755-2676 x 235 or at jpaulson@,aorn.org.

604 AORN JOURNAL

caring today—preparing for tomorrow

Documents