The beginning of a new year. The expectation of what 2022 will hold for each one of us and for NAON is like an unwrapped present. Imagine the possibilities of what is inside this gift. I know we do not always get to choose our new beginnings, but as an optimist, I imagine 2022 will be full of growth, new knowledge, skill development, and connections.
In the artist rendition of the thematic representation of Dare to Lead, the nurse is looking forward toward the horizon. The nurse is holding a stethoscope and a lamp in her hands. As we move into 2022, let us bring the spirit of clinical inquiry with us. Let us be observers of our own clinical practice to address areas of improvement in clinical workflows and patient outcomes. Look ahead in planning your attendance at NAON's 42nd Congress in Reno, NV, in May. Meeting, connecting, and building relationships are a highlight of Congress. NAON is creating a networking hub for attendees to find "buddies" to share room expense and share strategies on minimizing travel expenses. Lyndee Leavitt, Director on the Executive Board of NAON, shares her story from her first Congress.
After receiving my certification in orthopaedics in 2015, I knew I needed to belong to NAON and attend the 2016 NAON Congress in Orlando, FL. I accepted a call to be part of the Advancing the Career of Orthopaedic RN's (ACORN) committee. I wanted to attend Congress so badly, but I was stressed as to how to make it happen. At the time, my children were ages 15, 13, and 9 years. My husband was attending paramedic school. My employer was great, but I did not want to ask them to send me and pay for it. Because I made my decision to attend Congress in January, I was on a tight timeline. I requested the time off and it got approved. I started to pick up extra shifts to pay for travel expenses. I saved and saved to make ends meet. I started bringing my own lunch instead of going to the cafeteria. It wasn't much, but every effort counted. Because I was a committee member, I received a complementary registration. Because I was a NAON member, I would have been eligible for a reduced registration rate. My next step was to book a flight which had decision points. The airport in my town is small, which means it costs at least $100 more to fly out-sometimes more! I decided it was more economical to drive 150 miles to Las Vegas to catch a flight. I booked my flight in February. Next was to book the hotel which also had decision points. Stay on-site or stay off-site. If I stayed on-site, then I would need to book prior to the conference rate deadline. If I stayed off-site, how would I get to and from Congress conference center. I stayed on-site, and I was able to take the hotel shuttle.
I was on a VERY tight budget, but I had just a little bit extra. I knew that I could probably have one or two meals out, but that was it! I didn't know what else to do, so I packed two boxes of protein bars in my suitcase. I figured I could at least eat them if I got into a pinch. When I got there, I was able to pay for my room, but the hotel put a $200 hold on my card. Ouch, there went my extra! This made me even more grateful that I packed the protein bars-especially since there wasn't a continental breakfast. I was able to eat out one meal with my new friends, but that was it! This was the year that we were at the Disney Resort, and we could get a pass to go into the parks. My NAON friends were going and invited me along several different instances. I couldn't admit to these people that I didn't have the money. Instead, I made some lame excuse about not wanting to go without my family. Off the hook a little bit!! To this day, some of them don't even know how much I struggled to make it to my first Congress. However, because of the welcoming attitude, "a sense of belonging," I was hooked and knew that these were my people. I knew that I would need to figure out a way to make sure I never missed a Congress. NAON members took me under their wing and helped me succeed. Now, I have a better idea of what to expect for expenses and I'm happy to announce that with careful planning throughout each year, I haven't missed Congress and I have not had to pack a bag of protein bars again.
We are a diverse membership in terms of care settings, generational cohorts, and geographical areas. The NAON Executive Board is looking ahead to meet the changing needs of membership to provide meaningful experiences in each connection, in person and virtual. The NAON Board approved a strategic investment for rebranding and website transition. Rebranding is to ensure the NAON brand is current and connects with our membership, stakeholders, and new audiences. The website transition will optimize website performance, enhance member access, and usability, making it easier to browse and navigate to educational learnings and resources with additional focus based on subspecialties (ASC, Pediatrics, Trauma, Advanced Practice, etc.).
Over the next 5-10 years, primary and secondary drivers of change will impact the organization: microlearning, aging population, economy, virtualized meetings, and the change in generational professionals (NAON, 2021). The Board is strategically addressing four areas: attract nonmember orthopaedic nurses; attract orthopaedic allied health professionals; education of patients and caregivers; and diversity, equity, and inclusion (NAON, 2021). Operationally, these strategic objectives are in varied stages of planning and implementation and are aligned with budgeted programs with assigned staff, committees, and task forces to oversee.
As current members of NAON, let us look to the future growth of our organization and strengthen its membership. WE must become participative at all levels: within your organization, at the local, state, regional, and national levels, and connect with other specialty orthopaedic nurses and allied health professionals, across settings. Inviting others to become members in your local area opens the door of opportunity to colleagues and may enhance your professional prospective. Engaging membership at the Affiliate and Chapter levels can strengthen community standards of care delivery. Learning together and implementing new evidence into practice as a team can bring your organization to a new performance level, achieving improved patient outcomes. NAON can be a place to disseminate these quality improvement initiatives, spotlighting the great work of your organization.
Florence Nightingale said, "My work is my must." Imagine a stone thrown into the middle of the pond. A ripple effect happens. It begins in the middle moving outward. That is how NAON will continue to grow, by growing from the center outward. That is also how your practice setting will change. You are the stone and NAON's cumulative power of networking potential is the ripple effect forming the outer band. Great things are ahead of us in 2022; let us look forward to the horizon.
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