AUGUST 1996. VOL 64. NO 2 P U B L I C E D U C A T I O N

People of all ages learn more about perioperative nurses

ealth care consumers of all ages had a chance to learn more about perioperative H nurses when AORN Headquarters staff

members and member volunteers met with the public at two consumer-oriented activities during the month of May.

RN RECOGNITION DAY

o celebrate RN Recognition Day held on T May 6 during National Nurses Week, AORN Headquarters hosted a group of third-, fourth-, and fifth-grade students from a Denver-area elementary school. The students toured AORN’s OR Learning Lab-a mock OR-where they observed a hand- washing demonstration; handled a variety of instru- ments, including clamps and retractors; and watched themselves on a television monitor during a demonstration of endoscopy equipment. In addi- tion, each student listened to his or her heartbeat using a stethoscope.

The students also viewed x-rays and watched a videotape describing the history and responsibilities of perioperative nurses. Each child received a “goodie bag” containing a surgical hat and mask, a copy of AORN’s “You Need and Deserve a Periop-

Visiting schoolchildren open their “goodie bags” and try on sur- giml masks and h a .

Jan Hixon, RN, MA, perioperative education specialist in AORNs Center for Perioperative Education, discusses x-rays with schoolchildren visitlng Headquarters.

erative Nurse” brochure, and an AORN pin. The students, their teachers, and the nurse volunteers agreed it was an informative and fun morning.

The nurse volunteers from Headquarters who participated were Jan Hixon, RN, MA, perioperative education specialist in AORN’s Center for Perioper- ative Education; and Mary O’Neale, RN, MN, CNOR, perioperative nursing specialist in AORN’s Center for Perioperative Nursing Practice, Health Policy, and Research. Two nurses from The Chil- dren’s Hospital, Denver, who volunteered their time were Nanci Royal, RN, and Gail Dumwirth, RN, BSN, a member of the AORN of Denver chapter.

AORN AT THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF RETIRED PERSONS ANNUAL CONVENTION

t the other end of the age spectrum, AORN A members and Headquarters staff members met with more than 500 senior citizens who stopped by AORN’s booth at the biennial conven- tion of the American Association of Retired Per- sons (AARP) held May 2 1 to 23 in Denver.

At the AORN booth, AARP members had the opportunity to discuss hip and knee implants,

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AUGUST 1996, VOL 64, NO 2 P U B L I C E D U C A T I O N

AORN mp-ntative especially pleased to see AORN in attendance. Volunteers for the AARP convention from the

AORN of Denver chapter were Geraldine L. Hop- kins, RN, BSN, CNOR; Frances Parker, RN, BS; Karen T. Mathis, RN; Janet Stull, RN, MS, CNOR, CNA; Joan C. Blanchard, RN, MS, CNOR; Grace Gulizia, RN; Barbara J. Hershelman, RN, CNOR; and Ellen V. Lord, RN, MSN, CNOR. David S.

enc(Juq@ awndm to

demand the q d w patient Corken, RN, BSN, CAPT, US Air Force, from the AORN of Pikes Peak Area of Colorado chapter they need and deserve* volunteered, as did Robin E. Maher, RN, CNOR; and Elaine Flaim, RN, from the AORN of Western Frontier Colorado chapter.

cataract surgery, and other surgical procedures. The display of artificial hip joints drew many people to the booth. “I have that” or “My husband/wife/ fathedmother has one of those” were frequently heard comments.

The AORN representatives staffing the booth encouraged attendees to speak up and demand the quality patient care they need and deserve (ie, care delivered by perioperative RNs). To help them in this effort, the seniors were given a copy of AORN’s “You Need and Deserve a Perioperative Nurse” brochure. Also distributed at the AORN booth were copies of the November 1995 AORN Journal article saluting the nurses of World War 11. Retired nurses who visited the AORN booth were

Volunteers at the AORN booth discuss with conference otten- dees the variety of anificiai hip Joints on the display board.

Volunteering their time from Headquarters were Peggy Camp, RN, MSN, former director of the AORN Center for Perioperative Education and newly appointed director of surgical services at North Suburban Medical Center in Thomton, Colo; and Bonnie G . Denholm, RN, MS, CNOR, chapter relations coordinator. Also volunteering from Headquarters were Janet Paulson, public informa- tion coordinator; and Anne Hermann, associate edi- tor of the AORN Journal and editor of the Journal’s “Elder Care” column.

Seniors stop by the AORN booth at American Association of Retired Person’s blenniai convention held in Denver.

JANET PAULSON PUBUC INFORMATION COORDINATOR

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