President's Page

Experiencing the Vision: From Sea to Shining Sea
Myrna Mamaril MS, RN, CPAN, CAPA
ASPAN President 1999-2000

 


April 1999, from the edge of the Pacific Rim, the American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses (ASPAN) set sail from beautiful Honolulu, Hawaii, to begin a voyage from "Sea to Shining Sea" for perianesthesia nursing. Our hearts were overflowing with energy and expectation as we said goodbye to the 20th century and welcomed the opportunities and possibilities of the 21st century. The new millennium was dawning and the vision for ASPAN would be realized: prepared to seize opportunities and to be a strong leader as a national nursing specialty organization. The privilege of this journey has taken ASPAN leaders to the shores belonging to our grass root members. Open discussion on challenging perianesthesia topics and shared concerns about clinical standards and safety for our patients served as the catalyst for immense bonding and collegiality. Nurse to nurse dialogue encouraged networking and sharing of best practices and fostered common concern for problem resolution in many clinical settings. From "Sea to Shining Sea" took on a new meaning as the reality of the journey unfolded and each port presented an even brighter more vibrant vision. I invite you to share in my visions as ASPAN President.

Traveling first to the heartland, and the site of the 2000 National Conference in Kansas City, the skies were spacious and proclaimed an invitation to try new far reaching, futuristic steps for ASPAN. Our Strategic Planning Committee presented dynamic initiatives to position ASPAN firmly in the new century. Fulfilling our vision, our ASPAN Committees revised our 1998 Standards of Perianesthesia Nursing Practice, established a code of ethics for perianesthesia nurses, developed competencies for our unlicensed assistive personnel, detailed and approved education tracks for conference, seminar and workshop participants, and continued to introduce innovative information on ASPAN's web page. In addition, our Governmental Affairs Committee has done an outstanding service by keeping the membership knowledgable and energized to participate in important healthcare and nursing legislation. Public Relations/Marketing Committee networked with the Membership Committee to form a strong alliance promoting ASPAN as the premier nursing specialty organization. 

During this inspiring year ASPAN publications restructured, our policies, procedures, and bylaws were revised, and our history reviewed. ASPAN's Research Committee and Visioning Team have charted new and important territory. Our three Specialty Practice Groups (SPGs) , Preoperative Assessment, Management, and Pain Management, are not only increasing in membership but are vital to ASPAN's mission. We have critically examined how we do business and where we need to be and are moving toward accomplishing our goals. Through the work of ASPAN's Finance Committee, we maintained a sound financial base that enabled a new course to be chartered for self-management. Visioning for the future kept the sails in check and on course.

In the fall, the amber waves of grain gave way to the purple majesty of Mount McKinley and the Alaskan glaciers. Witnessing the golden aspens during the day and pondering the aurora nights was second only to visiting the perianesthesia units in Anchorage and Fairbanks hospitals and surgery centers. Sharing practice and education concerns identified an acute need for online services to our remote, faraway nurses. Through this moving experience, a new understanding about the heritage of our American Indians was gained. Perianesthesia nurses were always eager to share and it was clear a special sisterhood and brotherhood existed. Our journey would only find more momentum for future ports of call.

Another wonderful experience was encountered with the Rocky Mountain component and their "Retreat in the Rockies" at the YMCA Camp in Estes Park. While there practice problems beckoned the consideration for research methods and our taste buds were exposed to different variables of chocolate chip cookies that only research can provide. After 'roughing it' for two and a half days, our common experiences bonded us. Soul sisters and brothers were emerging and the journey would continue. 

Next stop was Albuquerque, New Mexico, and experiencing the liftoff of the Balloon Festival and feeling the lift of still more ASPAN spirits eager to fuel the journey. The following port was historic Easton on Maryland's eastern shore. The Chesapeake Bay Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses united to promote ASPAN and to represent Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Delaware. Traveling South, Carolina SCAPAN members assembled to promote education and perianesthesia nursing practice. Orlando, Florida, was the memorable port for FLASPAN's 30th Anniversary Conference. Watching the sun come up over the crystal clear water in Rockport, Maine, and set beneath the towering mountains in Utah was just confirmation that America is not only beautiful, it is filled with caring nurses. Other exciting ports, such as Reno, Nevada, Gulfport, Mississippi, Rocky Hill, Connecticut, and Boston, Massachusetts, were highlights on the tour. On every single stop of our journey there were remarkable people, our perianesthesia nurses, with common passions: love for perianesthesia nursing and a willingness to serve.

ASPAN's vision would not be complete without visiting our military hospitals. Visits to the National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland, and Fort Sam Houston, Texas, represented the Navy and Army at its very best. A visit to Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama, and then to Holeran Air Force Base - walking the beaches at White Sands provided footsteps leading to yet another port. Our military nurses are dedicated to providing the highest quality care to our uniformed services.

ASPAN values networking with other professional nursing and medical organizations. Collaborating with AACN in New Orleans, ENA in Washington, D.C., AANA in Boston, NFSNO and NOLF in Washington, D.C., ASA in Dallas, the PGA in New York City, and AORN in New Orleans proved to be an exciting experience. ASPAN is recognized as the leader in the perianesthesia arena.

I am proud to have served as ASPAN's President from 1999-2000. As I reflect on my past year, I feel priviledged to have met many of you. I will always remember the special ways each of you has contributed to advancing perianesthesia nursing so uniquely. Each time we share ASPAN's vision and passion for our nursing specialty, we continue to inspire, encourage, stimulate, motivate and ultimately build a stronger, more vital organization. Our ASPAN members are charged with passion, committed to excellence and genuinely care about perianesthesia nursing. Sharing our love for our patients and our nursing practice reveals our true committment to ASPAN and advances our nursing specialty from "Sea to Shining Sea."

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