JANUARY 1989, VOL. 49, NO 1 A O R N J O U R N A L

Securii

Editorial

ig the future is everyone’s responsibility

s editor, I often wonder what the members A think when they receive their Pre-Congress Journal. For several years now, the Pre-Congress issue has been the largest issue of the year. This year’s is no exception. The Pre-Congress issue always contains the entire Congress education program, the schedule of events such as the exhibits, poster sessions, and AORN business meetings, and a summary of the issues confronting OR nurses today. We balance the Congress material with clinical and management articles and the regular feature columns because we know the need for clinical knowledge never ends, despite Congress.

The professional issues identified in this Journal are important to the future of perioperative nursing. (See “Association Business: Issues to Come Before the House” in this issue.) All perioperative nurses, AORN members and nonmembers alike, have an obligation to become involved. Whether or not they regularly attend local chapter meetings, plan to attend the 1989 Congress, or are delegates from their chapters, today’s perioperative nurses owe it to tomorrow’s perioperative nurses to examine the issues and voice an opinion. Think of the 17 nurses who began AORN in New York City 40 years ago. Their story is a highlight of this issue, and I strongly urge all perioperative nurses to read it. They grappled with the issues of their day and despite some difficult obstacles, they succeeded in forming AORN, Inc. Their immediate need was to establish an organization to serve as a forum for themselves, but they also worked diligently to ensure the future for those. who were to follow. Now, you must

do likewise. In many ways, the next 40 years depend on you.

Delegates, consider your responsibility to vote for candidates for AORN national office very seriously. Your chapter members trust you to make knowledgeable decisions based on the candidates’ statements in this issue, their presentation at the “Meet the Candidates” session, and their answers to your questions at the informal session that follows. Do not vote for or against a candidate just because he or she comes from a specific chapter or geographic location that you personally like or dislike. Learn as much as you can about how each candidate stands on the issues, compare those opinions with those of your colleagues who depend on your judgment, and then cast your ballot with confidence.

Do not be tempted to vote for or against a resolution because “it seems okay” or because you believe “the Board of Directors knows best.” Discuss each issue with your chapter members and bring your concerns to the Forums and the House of Delegates sessions. Do you agree with the resolution on the registered care technologist? Are you satisfied with the revised statement on caring for the patient with acquired immune deficiency syndrome? If, after careful discussion, you agree with the statements and resolutions as written, then cast your vote knowing full well that your action will help shape the future. But, if you have an objection or an amendment to offer, do not hesitate to speak up and cast your vote accordingly.

Do not let the usual tedium of bylaw revisions deter you from examining the implications of the

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AORN JOURNAL JANUARY 1989, VOL. 49, NO I

proposed change in AORN bylaws. Consider the wishes of your fellow chapter members and the implications of the proposed change before deciding what is best for the future leaders of AORN.

Before Congress, review this month’s “Legis- lation” column for information on the second defeat of the initiative that would have allowed Medicare indirect reimbursement for RN 6rst assistant services. Bring your concerns to the Forums. During Congress week, there will be opportunities for you to learn more about the legislative process and legislative issues affecting perioperative nursing. If you take advantage of those opportunities, you will be able to go back to your chapters and inform others about what AORN is doing to address the concerns of all perioperative nurses.

Yes, this Re-Congress issue is large, and in many ways it resembles a textbook. Use it as such. Study its contents. Its weight is symbolic of the seriousness of the issues confronting perioperative nurses.

Do not take your future as perioperative nurses for granted. I am glad that in 1949, there were 17 very special, dedicated operating room nurses who took nothing for granted. Perioperative nurses owe those 17 nurses a great deal. And now, the next generation must take responsibility for the future. So my advice to you is to get a yellow higblighter, comb through this ‘‘textbook,” and start studying.

PAT NIESSNER PALMER, RN, MS EDITOR

Bus Transportation from Airports Congress attendees have two choices for trans- portation to and from the Anaheim area and Los Angels International Airport (LAX) or John Wayne Airport in Orange County: the Super Shuttle and the Airport Coach.

The Super Shuttle will take attendees directly to and from their hotels and the airports. It costs about $10 for a one-way fee.

To use the Super Shuttle, attendees arriving at LAX will need to call for a van after collecting their baggage. The van should arrive within 15 minutes. Attendees arriving at John Wayne Air- port will need to make an advance one-day reservation.

The Airport Coach will take attendees to and from the Disneyland terminal only. Official Con- gress hotels, however, provide shuttle service. to and from the Disneyland terminal. It costs $10 for a one-way fare from LAX and $4 from John Wayne Airport. Attendees can save 20% on a return fare by purchasing both tickets at the same time. The Airport Coach buses run every 45 minutes.

the final information letter from Headquarters. Information and bus coupons will be sent with

Locations of Headquarters Staff at Congress The following is a list of locations where you can find the Headquarters staff in the Anaheim Con- vention Center.

Headquarters Ofice: Room 5. All techni- cal aspects related to meetings and exhibits and scheduling of impromptu on-site meetings will be handled in this office. The lost and found also will be located in this ofice.

AORN Journal, Congress News, Press and Public Relations Office: Rooms 7 and 8. Con- gress attendees can obtain information about the Journal and provide input or changes for the Congress News in this office. Also, public rela- tions and press registrations will be handled in this office.

Board and Staff Services Office: Room 4. This office will handle the scheduling of appoint- ments for the Board of Directors, staff members, and the Parliamentarian during Congress. Ques- tions regarding Association matters should be directed to staff members in this ofice.

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