In September 2001, members of the newly formed International Alliance of Orthopaedic Nursing Associations gathered in Belfast (Northern Ireland) during the annual meeting of the Royal College of Nursing Society of Orthopaedic and Trauma Nursing (RCN SOTN). Alliance members include the RCN SOTN, the Canadian Orthopaedic Nurses Association (CONA), the Australian orthopaedic nurses group, and NAON. As NAON's immediate past president, I attended the meeting at the invitation of RCN SOTN Chair Julie Stone. We were joined by CONA President Shelly Knorr. The opening ceremony included fireworks and was focused on introducing the Alliance concept to the membership.
The mission of the International Alliance, which was formally introduced at NAON's Annual Congress in New Orleans, is to advance the quality of orthopaedic and musculoskeletal care worldwide. Discussions were held to develop strategies to accomplish this goal. To facilitate communication among our associations' chairs and directors, for example, one initiative proposed using email to introduce the journal editors, newsletter editors, and research directors. Having been introduced, they are beginning to explore opportunities for collaboration and sharing of information. Members of the RCN/SOTN and CONA will attend NAON's Annual Congress in Las Vegas this year.
We are excited about the opportunity to work with orthopaedic nursing associations from around the world to share our experiences and knowledge, and to improve the quality of orthopaedic nursing care.