The cooler fall weather has descended upon the Pacific Northwest and I find myself reflecting on the past year and the progress ASPSN has made toward the goals we set at the beginning of the year.
The third edition of Core Curriculum for Plastic Surgical Nursing is now available for purchase. We will launch the new edition with an author signing in Baltimore at our National Convention. Tracey Hotta has done an outstanding job as the editor of this third edition. ASPSN, the organization, can be very proud of this publication, and members studying for the CPSN certification examination will find it to be an invaluable tool. The Core Curriculum is currently available for purchase on our Web site: http://www.aspsn.org.
2007 also saw a successful 4th Annual Aesthetic Symposium in New York City. The meeting held in conjunction with the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS) continues to move us toward our goal of collaborating with the plastic surgeons for better patient care. Patti Schultz and Tracey Hotta are to be congratulated for planning this outstanding educational meeting.
ASPSN bylaws were revised this year along with the streamlining of the policies and procedures. Members can review the bylaws on the Web site and the national office is available for any questions. The ASPSN newsletter progressed this year to an electronic newsletter. This move was a significant financial savings for our organization while still providing each member with a quality newsletter.
In Baltimore, we will be showcasing a new, updated Web site. The new Web site will put ASPSN in a position to offer online continuing education and a new source of revenue. Members will see cameras filming many of the educational sessions in Baltimore. This film will be used to develop continuing education for the Web site and will be available for members and other healthcare professionals who were not able to attend our Baltimore meeting. ASPSN continues to encourage members to become certified plastic surgery nurses and maintain their certification. Having online continuing education for plastic surgery will make this easier for everyone.
ASPSN continues to have grants available for the certification examination. INAMED Academy generously supports our certification goals by providing the funds for these grants. Past ASPSN president Joanne Gladfelter has been the leading force in increasing the number of grants each year and working with this generous sponsor. Any member may apply for the grant. The application can be found on the ASPSN Web site.
ASPSN's relationship with our management firm Dancy, Puetz, and Associates and our executive director Patricia Barlow continues to grow. As we had hoped, the management firm has provided us a firm foundation and plans for our future look very bright.
ASPSN's professional journal Plastic Surgery Nursing is a publication that does our organization proud. The journal offers continuing education, articles on new and current procedures, patient education, media review, a pharmacy department, and a legal department. The success and professional level of our journal is a direct reflection of the current editor, Kathleen Walsh Spencer. I am sad to report this is Kathleen's last issue. Kathleen is moving on to other endeavors in her professional career. Kathleen's hard work and dedication elevated our journal to a professional level that continues to make our organization proud. Kathleen will be missed as our journal editor. We wish her the best in her new professional adventures and thank her for her expertise and dedication while the editor of the Plastic Surgery Journal.
As I complete my term as president of ASPSN at the end of the convention, I know ASPSN is moving forward and to a positive future. I also know that I am leaving the organization in excellent hands as Claudette Heddens moves into the president position for 2008. I have had a great year and thank all the current board members for their support and hard work. I highly recommend each and every one of you to become involved in your organization. You will not regret the decision.
Exceptional Nurses: Touching Extraordinary People [horizontal ellipsis] Plastic Surgery for Today's Society
ASPSN Mission Statement
The mission of ASPSN is to promote high standards of plastic surgical nursing practice and patient care through education, exchange of information, and scientific inquiry.
Pamala Silvers, BSN, RN, CPSN
ASPSN President 2007