Nursing, as a profession, requires a vast amount of knowledge and education so that we are able to perform our tasks in a confident and safe manner. The American Society of Plastic Surgical Nurses (ASPSN) is a specialized group of nurses who are solely dedicated to the care and education of the plastic surgery patient. It is very reassuring to the physician and the patient to receive care from a nurse who is expertly trained and skilled in this specialized field. In order to provide this high standard of care, we must be educated and trained to the best of our abilities. ASPSN recognizes its responsibility to the advancement of plastic surgical nursing practice and provides a broad spectrum of opportunities to promote personal and professional growth.
The ASPSN National Convention is in its 31st year and has provided nurses with a program that ranges from basic to intermediate levels of education. The program consists of workshops for hands-on training, panel discussions, and approximately 40 current sessions to allow choice of topics to target your area of need. This five-day meeting, held in conjunction with the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), is undergoing a long overdue change. For several years, the postconvention evaluations strongly revealed the plea to have the nurses and doctors exhibits closer in proximity. We, as a board, have taken this one step further and have combined our exhibits commencing in 2005 in Chicago. The Scientific Planning Committee has allotted a 21/2 hour unopposed break in the schedule to allow the nurses to attend the exhibit hall. We are very encouraged by this new partnership, which has been reflected by the support received by ASPSN members and by ASPS.
ASPSN is divided into five regions that are based on geographical location. There are the four regions in the United States, and the fifth region is the Canadian and International region, established in February 2004. Each region is responsible for organizing a one- to two-day meeting to be held in their respective regions. These regional meetings provide nurses with another opportunity to attain continuing education units (CEUs) and provide an arena for networking. In April 2004, ASPSN, along with the Midwest region, hosted the 1st Annual Aesthetic Symposium in Vancouver, BC. This was held in conjunction with ASAPS. This meeting was so well received that it has now become an annual event. It will be hosted by the region where the ASAPS meeting is being held. The 2nd Annual ASPSN Aesthetic Symposium will be hosted by the Southeast Region April 30-May 1, 2005, in New Orleans.
Local meetings are organized by established chapters within the regions, allowing nurses who cannot attend the national convention an opportunity to enhance and broaden their knowledge. There are approximately 23 active chapters in ASPSN. If you are considering the formation of a local chapter, please contact your Regional Director, and she will provide assistance to guide you in the process.
The Plastic Surgery Nursing journal was established in 1980, under the skillful guidance of Joyce Black, and has evolved into a major source of education for plastic and reconstructive surgical nurses. This highly respected journal has become an important resource tool for those nurses just entering the field of plastic surgery or for those who are in an advanced level of nursing. Editor Kathleen Spencer, Associate Editor Jeanne Prin-Wyatt, and the entire editorial board have dedicated many hours to provide you with this great benefit of joining ASPSN. In order to maintain this high standard and broad range of topics, they need authors to write these articles. They will assist you in the writing process so you may add the title of "author" to your resume.
The PSN articles have also been made available online through the ASPSN Web site to provide nurses with another opportunity to encourage education and obtain CEUs.
The core curriculum is a resource tool that no plastic surgery nurse should be without. The curriculum represents the comprehensive documentation of plastic surgical nursing and skills. It is designed to serve as a resource for every aspect of patient care, the development of educational materials, and as a guide for self development. The revisions and additions to the second edition of the core curriculum are underway. We realize the importance and necessity of updating this educational tool and are working toward a fall completion date. I extend a sincere thank you to Renee Hinijosa and to all the volunteers who have come forward to assist with this project. They have given hours of their time because they have a passion for plastic surgery and understand the importance of educating the plastic surgery nurse to promote high standards of nursing practice and patient care. In order to promote and encourage the designation of certified plastic surgery nurse (CPSN), we are proposing to develop a pre-exam study guide to be available on CD-Rom. This will allow those nurses planning to write their certification exam to take advantage of the pre-exam review without having to physically attend the lecture.
ASPSN has been through a lot of changes in the past few years, but we are now refocused and are looking forward to a very positive 2005.
I am very proud to be serving you as your president and you can be assured that the executive board is committed to the vitality of this organization.
Tracey Hotta, RN, BScN, CPSN
President