THE PRESIDENT’S PAGE

Our Journey to Excellence

Pamela E. Windle, MS, RN, CNA, BC, CPAN, CAPA

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What exactly is excellence? Excellence is . . .caring more than others think is wise, dreamingmore than others think is practical, and expectingmore than others think is possible.

We are in the midst of rapid and enormouschange. It is a given that change will alwayscontinue. The question is, however, in whatform should the change take place? WilliamBridges1,2 in his books Job Shift and ManagingTransitions notes that trimming down the oldsystem will probably not achieve the desiredresult. What is required is a shift in our para-digm and in our way of thinking. The percep-tion that nurses have no control over the direc-

tion and the magnitude of the winds of change

Journal of PeriAnesthesia Nursing, Vol 21, No 3 (June), 2006: pp 153-156

elongs to the past—thankfully, that ship hasailed. Not only can we control where and howard the winds will blow, we can also controlow we set our sail.

Pamela E. Windle is the Nurse Manager in the Day Surgeryenter, PACU, and Surgical Observation Unit, St. Luke’spiscopal Hospital, Houston, TX.This is the Presidential Address presented at ASPAN’S 25th

ational Conference, Orlando, FL, April 30-May 4, 2006.Address correspondence to Pamela E. Windle, MS, RN, CNA,

C, CPAN, CAPA, St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital, 6720 Bertner,C 4-278, Houston, TX 77030. e-mail address: pwindle@

leh.com.© 2006 by American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses.1089-9472/06/2103-0002$32.00/0

amela E. Windle, MS, RN, CNA, BC, CPAN, CAPA, is theresident of ASPAN (2006-2007). She was the Vice Presi-ent/President Elect from 2005 to 2006; ASPAN Directoror Region II from 2000 to 2004; Coordinator of ASPAN’sational Conference Research Abstracts, 1997 to 2005;oordinator of ASPAN’s Strategic Planning from 2005 to006; and also served on numerous ASPAN committees.he is currently the Immediate Past President of the Texasurses Association District 9. She is a contributing editor for

he PeriAnesthesia Nursing Core Curriculum: Preoperative,hase I and Phase II PACU Nursing, Compentency Basedrientation Manual. She is a member of the Journal of

eriAnesthesia Nursing editorial staff as the Researcholumnist.

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The analogy of nurses charting the course andnavigating the future of nursing through theserough seas becomes meaningful when you re-alize that how the sail is set is crucial to reachingthe destination. The sail provides the directionby harnessing the winds of change to reach thefinal goal.

To be ASPAN leaders in this changing world, wemust have a dream and a vision. My dream is tolead ASPAN to become not just a good organi-zation, but a GREAT organization. My dream isto embrace our intellectual talents and culturaldiversity. At the same time, we can be influen-tial change agents who are deeply passionateabout healthcare policy and safe nursing prac-tice.

We are not just good nurses. We are the GREATnurses of today and tomorrow, the leaders andthe navigators of change. As I begin my Presi-dency, I call all perianesthesia nurses to directthe wind that drives our Journey to Excel-lence. I am calling each and every one of you toserve with me as we complete our 25th anni-versary and venture forth on the next leg of ourjourney, reaching out for the next 25 years tocome.

Charting this journey requires a commitment tomastering the art of the profession. While nurs-ing is a profession that concerns itself withhealing and caring, we are often less than caringto each other. The support of our professionalcolleagues is an integral force in propelling ustoward our ultimate destination. As Ernest Hem-ingway said, “Never go on trips with anyoneyou do not love.”3

Our ASPAN journey has taken us far, but wehave farther to go, and our journey must con-tinue down the path of excellence in clinicalpractice, excellence in research, and excellencein education. ASPAN needs courageous mem-bers and leaders who will continue movingforward to improve our professional image. Wemust recognize our past mistakes and celebrate

our forward progress. We must each commit to i

ontinue our Journey to Excellence. We can-ot afford to resist change. In fact, we mustpproach the future with confidence in ourbility to make a difference in the lives of thosee serve, because I believe nurses are everydayeroes—and heroes every day.

o be able to set the sail and plan the course,owever, we must be ready to take severalteps to ensure success. First, we must be clearbout our destination. I have a vision that willhape ASPAN’s future:

irst and foremost is greater recruitment andetention of ASPAN membership. Membershipn the nursing elite carries with it many respon-ibilities. Collectively, we are charged with theesponsibility for advancing the science of nurs-ng and for providing leadership to ensure allatients receive the wisest and most humaneealth care possible. The leadership mantle be-towed upon ASPAN members cloaks us withhe confidence to step out of the crowd, and toake a stand on behalf of the vulnerable. Thisantle of leadership envelops us with the re-

ponsibility for making this organization a betterne, particularly by working with other compe-ent perianesthesia colleagues within a modernealthcare system. Our direction is to provide

nnovative strategies, such as mentorship andollaborative programs in order to solidify,trengthen, and expand our membership.

ne of my Strategic Work Teams will focus onuccession Planning. We need to motivate ourrassroots members to participate, get involved,nd stay involved. When you see members whore shining stars at the district or componentevels, let’s coach them, mold them and mentorhem. Remember, they will be our future AS-AN leaders. We need these members to con-inue leading our organization on our Journeyo Excellence. We need to respect them, em-race their differences, and teach them ourassion for perianesthesia nursing. Our pastresidents have done a marvelous job of achiev-

ng ASPAN’s core ideology: be the expert in

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perianesthesia nursing. We will continue toachieve this promise and pass it on to newmembers.

Another initiative for advancing our Journeyto Excellence is to expand our educationalopportunities. ASPAN needs to keep our mem-bers stimulated with increased knowledge andinformation regarding technology and research-based practices. We will offer new diverse,flexible educational programs. I envision AS-PAN as a Magnet organization that embracesand promotes professional growth and educa-tional offerings. We must constantly move for-ward in terms of knowledge and execution.

Research is also crucial. Our research and evi-dence-based committees are now stronger thanever and will continue to be the best! ASPAN’sfuture journey includes integrating clinical prac-tices by validating our current standardsthrough continuing research activities and evi-dence-based practice throughout the contin-uum of care for our patients.

Another focus this year is advocating Safety.Safety has become the “world wide talk” topicamong our patients, families, physicians, col-leagues, and staff. We need to assess and ex-plore commonalities and develop suggestionsor solutions to provide a safe, healthy environ-ment for everyone.

Another requirement in setting the sail forchange is to change our paradigms. We mustall see beyond the walls of the present, andchart the new ever-expanding directions wemay take. We cannot be complacent, unfeeling,and unmindful of the changes occurring aroundus. I’ve heard that a frog, sitting in a pan of coldwater that is gradually heated, is unable to rec-ognize and react to the subtle changes in thewater temperature, and ends up literally being“boiled to death.” The “Boiled Frog Syndrome”must be avoided at all cost. We cannot afford tobe “Boiled Frogs” by remaining uninformed orself-satisfied about the ongoing changes occur-

ring in our field. As we proceed with our jour- q

ey, we need transformational members whore willing to take the challenge and moveorward, rather than being boiled to death. Forur success, and even our survival, we shoulde ready to let go of the “old way” and welcomend embrace the challenges ahead.

nother step in setting the sail is to build part-erships. We must continue our forward jour-ey, especially now that we are recognizedationally and have the attention of other nurs-

ng organizations and industries seeking ourxpertise and guidance. Our members shouldct as advocates for extensive partnerships withther professional organizations. It is notnough to be the experts. It’s imperative thate collaborate with other organizations andork from the same “menu.” As ASPAN mem-ers, we should continue to better positionurselves by politically partnering with otherrganizations and increasing our visibility. Our

nternational alliance has only begun, and ourast leaders have made this happen.

s Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “The futureelongs to those who believe in the beauty ofheir dreams!”4 My dream is to make the inter-ational alliances stronger than ever, network-

ng, collaborating, partnering, and extendingerianesthesia nursing to the rest of the world!

HERE IS POWER IN NUMBERS! Together, wenow we have the power to make changes, toirect our course and navigate our future. YOUay furnish the added energy as an ASPANember to get someone in your component

nvolved in our paradigm . . . the paradigm ofursuing excellence in perianesthesia nursing!

value YOU, our members who are ourtrength, our stability and our unity. Our mem-ers are the unsung heroes of this organization.e need to encourage our members to partic-

pate in and collaborate with other organiza-ions to shape our national healthcare policiesnd ensure the delivery of safe, compassionate,

uality care. We must make ASPAN the shining

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beacon, the guiding star of Our Journey toExcellence.

We, as individuals and as an organization, mustrespond proactively because our response iscrucial not only to our growth, but also moreimportantly, to the survival of our organization.Let us learn from the dinosaurs, who mutelywarn us, a species that cannot adapt to chang-ing conditions will become extinct.

As your President for 2006-2007, I challengeeach of you to join me in our Journey toExcellence, to reach out to all perianesthesianurses, to create a shared destiny, and to followASPAN’s vision, mission, and dreams! Remem-ber, a journey of a thousand miles begins with asingle step. Today, let us take the first step

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leave you all with this final thought from annknown author: “Yesterday is but a dream;omorrow is a vision of hope. Look to today,or it is life. Champion the right to be yourself . . .are to be different . . . live your own life andollow your dreams . . . for in the end, if we liveruly, we will truly live!”

lease join me as I chart the course of “Ourourney to Excellence!”

References

1. Bridges W. Job shift: How to prosper in a workplaceithout jobs. Harper Collins; 1995.2. Bridges W. Managing transitions: Making the most of

hange, 2nd ed. Cambridge, MA: De Capo Press; 2003.3. Hemingway E. Available at: http://www.brainyquote.

om/quotes/authors/ernest_hemingway.html. Accessed May006.4. Roosevelt E. Available at: http://www.brainyquote.com/

uotes/authors/eleanor_roosevelt.html. Accessed May 2006.