Just as the country begins to "spring forward," the ISPAN committees have been springing into action. The committee members have been bringing forward various ideas and plans in which to better serve the society. A general yet succinct overview of the ISPAN at work reveals:
* The Clinical Practice Committee (CPC), under the chair-ship of Anne Bechtold, is in the process of establishing an OR Distraction position statement, which will include the use of social media in the operating room. This statement is being developed in conjunction with the AORN. ISPAN member Sharon Van Wicklin is the ISPAN liaison to the AORN. In addition, the committee is working on a Political Advocacy Statement as well as a Tissue Expander Protocol.
* The Committee on Communications (COC), under the chair-ship of Mary Gianaris, has been developing plans to institute a larger ISPAN presence on the social media platforms of Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook Live. They hope to roll out the various messaging venues within the next month. Be sure to visit the ISPAN Face Book page: International Society of Plastic and Aesthetic Nurses; LinkedIn: International Society of Plastic and Aesthetic Nurses; and Twitter: @ispan1975. Should you have any professional plastic surgery/aesthetic nursing messaging/photos/information you would like to share with the society, please contact Nicole at the National Office (mailto:[email protected]), and she will be happy to make the post for you!
* The Membership Committee, under the chair-ship of Kim Saffman, has been deliberating and identifying various membership incentives, including dual memberships with other nursing societies, group discounts, webinar education offerings, and Facebook and Twitter Journal Clubs, all of which will provide more membership value for the society. The committee is also working on developing a new-member welcome packet.
* The Scientific Sessions Planning Committee (SSPC), under the chair-ship of Ginger Mars, is in full swing and has been busy at work developing the education program for the ISPAN fall meeting. The call for scientific proposals formally closed March 6. In addition to aesthetic, reconstructive, and management topics, the overall curriculum will include an aesthetic workshop, reconstructive workshop, CANS and CPSN course reviews, a safety lecture, and a pharmacology lecture. The last two categories will fulfill the APRN, CPSN, and CANS recertification requirements. Please mark your calendars for the ISPAN annual meeting that will take place October 5-9 at The Rosen Center, Orlando, FL. Log onto the ISPAN Web site (http://www.ispan.org) for more information. Once the program has been finalized, it will be posted to the Web site.
As you can quickly see, the ISPAN has been diligently involved to advocate a more robust society. However, one significant question remains: What can the ISPAN further do for YOU? Please let us know, as we are eager to cultivate a relevant nursing specialty society enhanced for YOU!!
Quote of the month: "Your beliefs become your thoughts, Your thoughts become your words, Your words become your actions, Your actions become your habits, Your habits become your values, Your values become your destiny" (Mahatma Gandhi).
Remember, the ISPAN is THE Definitive Voice of (all things) Plastic Surgical Nursing. State it and believe it!
Warmest regards,
Georgia Elmassian, MSN, MA, APRN, CPSN, CFLE
ISPAN President