AORN JOURNAL NOVEMBER 1986, VOL. 44, NO 5

President k Message

Networking can lead to success

etworking is the process of establishing N contacts that can help you attain goals in your career or personal life. It is not new. Remember the “old boys” networks?

Networking can be valuable for all involved, and it is easy. Most of us are doing it now. We have established a network of personal and professional contacts: family, neighbors, col- leagues, teachers, classmates; the list is endless. Our existing networks are composed of the people to whom we turn for advice or help.

Nurses can network anywhere. Personal networking takes place in many nonwork settings including school, church groups, social clubs, or support groups. In AORN, networks are de- veloped at chapter meetings, workshops, by participating in local and national committees, and by attending national seminars and the annual AORN Congress.

The choice of networks in which to become involved and the extent of involvement is entirely up to the individual. I led a specialty discussion group on management at the World Conference of Operating Room Nurses in the Hague, Netherlands, last year, and developed an international network of nursing leaders as a result of that activity. When I attended the National Association of Theatre Nurses meeting in Harrogate, England, an opportunity made possible by a grant from Surgikos, that network proved helpful, and in fact, expanded to include new contacts.

Professional networking can occur any time the nurse meets individuals who are actual or potential contacts for future information, feedback, support,

or referrals. To establish effective networks, we must be assertive in approaching interesting people, introducing ourselves, and in initiating a professionally oriented conversation while mentally adding them to our list of contacts.

One rule of networking is to maintain business relationships on an ongoing basis, not just when they are needed. Also, contacts should only be asked for advice, information, or referrals that they will be able to provide. In turn, our information must be shared with others who would benefit. Honesty is the key. Above all, the capable networker is careful not to burn bridges; past contacts may be most helpful in future situations.

Skillful networking also requires organization. It is important to keep track of contacts and our dealings with them. Methods of keeping track can range from a filing system for contacts’ business cards, to an index-card file, to a loose-leaf notebook in which important information learned from specific people can be noted. A small address book or pocket calendar is a good, handy networking tool.

The benefits of networking are reciprocal. In return for information or assistance from others, we must help others by serving as a contact for them. We should provide support to colleagues who need it, give constructive feedback on their ideas, and provide referrals when asked. We should also recommend those in our network for appropriate opportunities. When making such a recommendation, make sure the person has the ability and desire to do what is needed. The efficient networker is careful and selective with recommendations.

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AORN JOURNAL NOVEMBER 1986, VOL. 44, NO 5

Besides participating in existing networks, we can expand our networks by adding contacts. If a network is needed and it does not exist, start one!

Networking is not for every nurse. But for those who want to get ahead in the profession and want

to help other nurses along the way, networking is an enjoyable and practical way to accomplish that.

ALICIA C. ARVIDSON, RN, BSN, CNOR PRESIDENT

Nonsmokers Slow to Remove Smoke Chemicals Nonsmokers need a significantly longer time than smokers to eliminate chemicals inhaled from sidestream tobacco smoke, according to researchers at the Naylor Institute of Disease Prevention, Valhalla, NY.

The researchers compared how quickly smok- ers and nonsmokers eliminated cotinine, the end product of nicotine metabolism, from their blood and urine. Ten smokers and four nonsmokers were compared.

five days to establish a baseline measurement. On the fifth day, they stopped smoking. Blood and urine samples were taken for the next seven days. Nonsmokers were exposed to sidestream smoke twice daily for 80 minutes for four days. Their blood and urine samples were also taken for seven days.

Researchers found that it took nonsmokers more than twice as long as smokers to eliminate cotinine from their plasma (49.7 hours compared to 18.5 hours). It also took nonsmokers a signifi- cantly longer time to eliminate cotinine from their urine (32.7 hours compared to 21.9 hours).

According to the researchers, the slower elimi- nation time for that nicotine end product (and, possibly, of other tobacco alkaloids) could con- ceivably increase the possibility of endogenous formation of carcinogenic N-nitrosamines from tobacco. However, researchers said that the con- centrations of chemical compounds smokers inhale are 100 times greater than those nonsmok- ers inhale in sidestream smoke. Although smok- ers eliminate those compounds quicker, the con- centrations are likely to have greater health consequences than compounds present in low

In the study, researchers tested the smokers for

concentrations for a longer time period. The report was presented as a letter to editor

in the Aug 15 issue of the Journal of the Ameri- can Medical Association

Film Review: Backfires Backfires is a dynamic educational film about the causes and prevention of back injuries, prob- lems many people disregard until they suffer them.

This film addresses the various causes of back injury, such as improper bending and lifting, and uses mock situations to review misconceptions. It also stresses prevention as a way to decrease or eliminate back injuries. Preventative measures, such as proper body mechanics and fitness, are presented in a detailed and enterdining manner.

film for operating room staffs. Many back injur- ies, such as those caused by lifting patients and heavy equipment, strains from standing during long surgical procedures, or back problems from poor posture, could be decreased by understand- ing the basic concepts this film presents. This film is available in either 16 mm or video

cassette. It can be purchased for $420 or rented for five days for $85. The 16 mm film is avail- able for a three-day preview at no cost. For more information, contact Parker Productions, Inc, PO Box 1476, San Mateo, CA 94401. The phone number is (415) 573-8122.

This film would be an appropriate educational

KAY A. BALL, RN, BSN, CNOR AUDIOVISUAL COMMITTEE

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