AORN JOURNAL JANUARY 1989, VOL 49, NO 1

President k Message

‘Magnet’ people shape the future

n 1983, the American Nurses’ Association I published the results of a study conducted by the American Academy of Nursing’s Task Force on Nursing Practice.l This famous study of “magnet hospitals” descn’bed those institutions of excellence as “good places in which to work and practice nursing.” Forty-one hospitals were identified as successful in both attracting and retaining nurses in the midst of a nursing shortage, and therefore, they were called “magnet.” Other hospitals recognized the success of the magnet hospitals and tried to incorporate thase sucxxssful traits in their own practices. Since then, the magnet hospitals continue to be fecognized for their ability to perpetuate their success into the future.

Successful people also seem to have a certain degree of magnetism. They know what traits make them successful, and they use those traits and skills in situations that demand their resources. These successful people are, in a manner of speakiog, “magnet people” because others see them as people who are “doing it right.”

People who possess such magnetism have talents that are special and can be easily identified. I believe that such people will have an effect on perioperative nursing. Qualities most important for professional and personal success include:

knowledge, demonstrated competena in skills, commitment and conscientiousness in the work done for an employer or for an organization, objective decision making, dependability, humor mixed with intelligence,

the ability to be a mentor for others, and enthusiasm to perceive, effectively analyze,

Without a positive image and personality, these qualities will not result in magnetism. And Werent people feel ditrerently about s u d people; for one to be considered a magnet person, others must feel some sense of attraction to him or her for various reasons.

Magnet people are leaders. They are the individuals who are teachers and mentors and whose ideas are incorporated into others’ professional lives. Perioperative nursing has numerous individuals who possess magnetism, who do things right, who are role models for others, and who inspire success. You will find such people in your community, your place of work, your chapter, and at Congress. If you are fortunate, you will have the opportunity to meet such people from other countries.

I had such an opportunity while attending the 24th annual Congress of the National Association of Theatre Nurses (NATN), Oct 11 to 13, 1988 in Harrogate, England. The NATN chairperson, Brenda Baxter, SRN, SCM, is, in my opinion, such a magnet person. She projects the profes- sionalism mixed with humor that creates a succesful leadership style for the association. She set the pace for the meeting she was knowledge- able, available, responsible, and in frequent demand for consultation. chairman Baxter is a professional perioperative nurse who cares, shares, and commits her time to advance the quality of theatre nursing in England I was i m p d with the NATN Congress, the NATN membership, and

and solve difficult problems.

8

AORN JOURNAL JANUARY 1989, VOL. 49, NO I

the universal sense of caring and service that marks the members.

I enmurage you to capture the spark of the magnet people you will meet at this year‘s Congress in Anaheim. Do not hesitate to share your talents, professionalism, and knowledge with your peers as well as with those you consider to be YOU h d e i ~ I am looking fO~-~arcl to seeing many of you during Congress week. Your

contributions to penoperative nursing can shape our future in the challenging new frontiers of the years to come.

PAT HERCULES, W, MS PRESIDENT

Nde 1. Magnet H w i h ! r Amaction and Retention of

Profaioional Nurses (Kansas City, Mo: American Nurses’ Association, 1983)

Changes Expected for Cardiac Surgery Trends in pharmacology, equipment, and reim- bursement may jeopardize cardiac surgery’s sta- tus as a major revenue producer for hospitals, according to the Sept 23, 1988, issue of Modern Healthcare.

Data from the Health Care Advisory Board, Washington, DC, showed that a single cardiac surgical procedure has a net marginal profit per patient of $4,049. Now hospitals need to perform between four and 10 catheterbations to achieve the equivalent revenue generated by one cardiac surgery.

Advances in pharmacology and noninvasive surgery help reduce the cost of treating cardiac patients. Because of new treatment programs at Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, patients who suffered heart attacks are discharged after three days. The treatment program has been so effective that six months later, the patients are doing well; however, hospital revenues have decreased 30%.

An insurance company has developed a stra- tegy that would, in most cases, exclude the local provider. Under the new plan, Prudential Insur- ance Co of America, Newark, NJ, has chosen 17 US hospitals to which it will send patients using its insurance. The patient and a s s w t other would be transported to the most convenient facility for one price. Currently, the plan is for patients requiring heart transplants, but it may be expanded to other areas including bypass surgery.

Journal Encourages Nurses to Write The staff of the AORN Journal wekomes manuscripts from OR nurses for publication in the J o u d Manuscripts may be written on clin- ical subjects, management topics, ambulatory surgery, and research. Nurses who are hesitant to tackle a full-fledged article may want to share practical techniques in the “Practical Innova- tions’’ column, or express their thoughts in an “Opinion” column.

submit form indicating the title of their article and an expected submission date. When the Joumaf sla$ receives the manuscript, it will be sent to members of the AOFW Editorial Board for review. Accepted manuscripts will be edited by the editorial sta& and a typescript copy will be sent to the author for final approval.

The editor, Pat Palmer, and the assoCiate edi- tor, Peggy Lehr, will present an education session at Congress entitled ‘‘Writhg for Publication” on Thursday, Feb 23, from 915 to 11 AM. Nurses inkrested in learning more about publishing arti- cles are encouraged to attend

The J o u d also will have a booth in the AORN Booth at Congress. Potential authors are urged to stop by and talk with one of the editors about article ideas. Authors may pick up author guidelines and intent-mub&t forms at the booth.

Potential authors should submit an intent+

10