Happy New Year to all National Association of Orthopaedic Nurses (NAON) members, orthopaedic nurses, and colleagues. Can you believe we are in the year 2020? I am really struggling with how quickly time keeps moving on. It seems like yesterday when we were concerned with Y2K, and the millennial computer virus that threatened our existence with all things linked to calendars that represented years in two digits instead of four. Fortunately, we survived that scare over 20 years ago with little disruption. This year the NAON turns 40 years old, a milestone that truly deserves a celebration and there are plans in the works. In addition to our special 40th anniversary, the American Nurses Association (ANA) announced that the World Health Assembly, the governing body of the World Health Organization, declared 2020 the International Year of the Nurse and Midwife, in honor of the 200th anniversary of Florence Nightingale's birth (ANA Enterprise, 2019). The ANA plans to expand the National Nurse's week celebration from the traditional week in May to the entire month of May. This is going to be a good year!
As we begin our fourth decade and survey the healthcare landscape, we know that orthopaedic nurses are practicing everywhere and continue to be part of the most trusted profession that delivers patient care in a variety of settings across the entire lifespan. The NAON plans to embrace the 2020 Year of the Nurse and celebrate alongside the ANA. The ANA's theme for nurse's month features the words "lead," "innovate," and "excel." Some thoughts of how the NAON finds synergy with that theme and provides support to those wishing to help advance the art and science of orthopaedic care.
Lead
Many of our members lead clinical teams and work on units that drive best practices through research and education. The NAON offers many ways to become a more formalized leader volunteer. Interested leaders should simply download and complete a "willingness to serve" form available on the NAON website at http://www.orthonurse.org. The form guides you through a range of volunteer and professional growth opportunities from research and education committees to local affairs, authorship and steps to become an executive board member. The NAON supports each opportunity through a network of mentors and experienced professionals.
Innovate
Healthcare changes occur rapidly. Bundled Payments for Care Improvement initiatives link payments for services during an episode of care to improve coordination and quality of care (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 2019). New surgical techniques, robotics, medications, treatments, and equipment routinely enter the system. Orthopaedic nurses are designers and adopters of innovation. They continue to drive change in care coordination through navigation and optimization. Innovation often involves more than technology. Nurses often design work around to get things done. The keynote opening speaker for NAON's 40th Congress in Pittsburgh is Bonnie Clipper, DNP, RN, MA, MBA, CENP, FACHE, who will present the topic of "Engage Your Core Innovation." Dr. Clipper plans to help NAON members and Congress attendees identify innovations impacting nursing practice, describe ways to engage nurses in innovation, and discuss the importance of the role nurses play in transforming health.
Excel
The word excel is defined as being superior to or to surpass an accomplishment or achievement. To date, the 2020 NAON membership rates are surpassing recent trends. More orthopaedic nurses are realizing that there is tremendous value with a NAON membership. The NAON clears a path to certification and recertification. Certified orthopaedic nurses add value to specialty care delivery and provide an intrinsic feeling of accomplishment. Member benefits include access to education, leaders, mentors, and the science to help raise the level of patient care allowing nurses to excel. The number of advance practice level of orthopaedic nurses continues to grow and enter the workforce. The NAON continues to develop evidence-based practice products and services to help improve metrics associated with surgical care. Some include topics on pain, falls, hospital-acquired pressure injuries, catheter-associated urinary tract infections, surgical site infections, and venous thromboembolic events.
I continue to be extremely proud to serve the orthopaedic nursing community and look forward to celebrating the orthopaedic accomplishments during the 2020 Year of the Nurse. Please join me and the entire NAON Executive Board and staff in our continued quest to lead, innovate, and excel.
Some thoughts as you consider your annual resolutions. Get engaged and stay engaged in your profession.
* Step up and become a leader volunteer by filling out a "willingness to serve" form.
* Post an innovative practice on the issue and practice discussion forum.
* Commit to excel by challenging yourself to achieve orthopaedic certification.
Happy New Year and here's hoping your 2020 is healthy, prosperous, and professionally rewarding.
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