As I sit here writing this message, there are hints of spring in the air. The first robin appeared on my back deck and I knew that a new season will soon be here. The cycle of the seasons is how we usually view our lives. I too have looked at my life through the prism of the changing seasons and have continued to do that during my presidency.
As I reflect on my year as NAON's president, I look at the goals that NAON accomplished this year. Our membership numbers are up from this time last year, which is very exciting. During last summer, NAON's various committee positions were filled with NAON members who had the courage to volunteer their time and talents to ensure that NAON will continue to be the world leader in orthopaedic nursing education, practice, and research. Their combined knowledge and skills ensure that products and educational material that NAON develops promotes the competent care our patients deserve.
In August, the NAON finance committee created a budget that was both realistic and in keeping with the Executive Board's fiduciary responsibility to manage NAON's finances well. In September, NAON's Strategic Plan for 2016-2019 was formed with input from our liaisons from the Orthopaedic Nursing journal board, the ONCB president, and a member of the Advancing the Careers of Orthopaedic RNs committee. What we discovered is that the culture of the group was positive, collaborative, reinforcing, and inclusive, and provided an environment in which every member was valued and their opinion heard. That environment allowed us to create a meaningful document that will guide NAON for the next 3 years. That culture is what has guided NAON and the Executive Board this year and has allowed us to achieve many goals. That is what our membership elected us to do.
The fall was a busy time for me and Angela Pearce, NAON's President-Elect. We had the honor of representing NAON at various meetings where we networked with other nurses from different nursing organizations. We attended classes and seminars where we learned a great deal about organizational management and have brought those ideas and concepts back to NAON and implemented some of the strategies we learned. The goal was to provide learning opportunities for board members so that we have more evidence-based tools to use to better manage NAON, the job our members tasked us to do when we were elected. Being the best board possible helps the organization tremendously and using best practices in organizational leadership strengthens NAON.
For me, the most exciting thing that happened this fall was the call for Letters of Intent for NAON-funded nursing research. Two years ago, the NAON Executive Board asked that a task force be formed to look at the feasibility of NAON-funded nursing research. That task force was involved in developing the process of defining and developing tools that would be used to evaluate any proposals that might be submitted. The task force was elevated to a full committee by the NAON Executive Board last year. It has been several years since the NAON Research Committee was active, and it has been gratifying to see new members take control and develop protocols for nurses to follow when submitting proposals. The 2016 and 2017 budgets have included funding for the Research Committee.
There has been an increased and relentless emphasis on evidence-based practice and best practices for all aspects of patient care. That obviously has impacted all our members and most of you are directly involved in identifying and delivering this competent care. How do we as members of the orthopaedic nursing profession identify best practices? That is through nursing research.
Nursing is considered a profession, and there are specific definitions of what a profession is:
A profession is a disciplined group of individuals who adhere to ethical standards. This group positions itself as possessing special knowledge and skills in a widely recognized body of learning derived from research, education, and training at a high level, and is recognized by the public as such. A profession is also prepared to apply this knowledge and exercise these skills in the interest of others.
A professional is a member of a profession. Professionals are governed by codes of ethics and profess commitment to competence, integrity and morality, altruism, and the promotion of the public good within their expert domain. Professionals are accountable to those served and to society.
Professionalism comprises the personally held beliefs about one's own conduct as a professional. It's often linked to the upholding of the principles, laws, ethics, and conventions of a profession as a way of practice. (Professional Standards Council, 2016)
Looking at these definitions, our members and NAON certainly meet the criteria for a profession, professional, and professionalism. Our members are dedicated to providing the best care possible. It is NAON's responsibility to provide the tools our members need to deliver evidence-based care. Our body of knowledge is most definitely derived from research, and who is better to conduct orthopaedic nursing research than orthopaedic nurses?
The Research Committee was delighted to review the 6 Letters of Intent that were submitted and the committee is now closely looking at the proposals for viability and will be announcing the project funded by NAON. The major criterion for possible funding is "what will this research add to orthopaedic nursing practice?" How will this research impact our NAON members? What a great time for NAON! This spring, the Research Committee will be awarding funding for our own orthopaedic nursing research. How exciting it that?!
NAON's Executive Board has been involved in recruiting members to write the NAON's position papers on topics critical to our members, patients, and society. Last spring, the NAON Position Statement "Promoting Musculoskeletal Health Through Physical Activity for All Children and Adolescents" was published in the Orthopaedic Nursing journal and the newest position statement "Distracted Driving" is currently undergoing revisions prior to publishing. It is so important for NAON to publish position papers and statements that are catalogued for retrieval through data bases so that our positions on musculoskeletal and societal issues can be viewed by anyone. These position statements showcase NAON and our values.
As I get ready to complete my term as president, I again want to thank the NAON members for their faith and trust in me. It has been humbling as well as a great honor to serve as NAON's president, and I have learned so much. I appreciate the members who have directly contacted me with concerns and questions and I hope I have been able to address those issues to your satisfaction.
Angie Pearce, our President-Elect, will bring a new and exciting energy to NAON and I am so confident that our future leaders will continue to drive NAON to new heights! NAON's Executive Board is engaged and committed to our members and they are eager to serve.
I hope to see many of you in San Juan in May for our 37th Annual Congress. The program is filled with topics of great interest that are timely, relevant, and evidence-based. There will be so many opportunities for networking with other orthopaedic nurses and we will be networking with our colleagues from Puerto Rico, which is so exciting! There are many continuing education units that can be earned during Congress as well as bundles that can be completed prior to Congress. It will be a wonderful educational offering in a beautiful setting, so pack your bags (no passport needed!) and I will see you in San Juan!.
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