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Reach Out for ASPAN:

ASPAN is Reaching Out for You

November-December 2002

“We are all idealists. We are all visionaries. Reach for your dreams and they will reach for you.”                       -- John F. Kennedy

During my travels this year as ASPAN President, many of you have asked how you can reach out and get involved on a national level. In order to fulfill its mission, ASPAN requires the participation of dedicated volunteers. All members are encouraged to be active contributors, and they can be involved through a variety of ways, including committee activities, assisting as hostesses at National Conference, or joining an ASPAN Specialty Practice Group (SPG) related to their interests. Many members have informed me they are unclear on some of the processes involved with committee and strategic work team appointments and other volunteer opportunities available for members. To reach ASPAN members who are interested in getting involved, I devote this message to answering some of your questions. 

To become involved with committee activities on a national level, one needs to fill out a “Willingness to Serve” (WTS) form. This form is available on the ASPAN website (www.aspan.org), in Breathline, and in the Journal of PeriAnesthesia Nursing. The form requests general demographic information and also asks the nominee to send a copy of his/her resume or curriculum vitae. The WTS form lists standing committees, strategic work teams, and special projects on which the volunteer can participate. Generally no special travel is required since today’s technology permits the majority of committee work and communication to be completed over email, fax, or telephone. Some committees, like the Research Committee, have specific educational, experience, or resource requirements. Be certain to check the requirements of each committee. The application process is simple so reach out and become involved! The ASPAN Vice President/President-Elect determines the final appointments and they are finalized at the National Conference. 

I also want to impart some details regarding the ASPAN committees, so you can start thinking about where your talents and interests would be utilized the most.  

What about the Committees?

The Clinical Practice Committee processes all clinical practice questions and inquiries that come into the national office via the phone, fax, email, or website. Access to email or a fax machine is required for committee members to facilitate distribution of questions to the committee members.

The Education Approver Committee is the committee processes and approves the applications for continuing education contact hours submitted to the national office. These committee members work in teams of two headed by a team leader to process the applications. Each member receives education on the process and regulations for reviewing the contact hour applications. Our accrediting body, ANCC-COA (American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation) requires each member of this committee to hold a BSN. 

The Education Provider Committee assists with the review and development of educational programs that ASPAN provides. The ASPAN Seminars, “Co-Sponsored Seminars” series, and independent study activities, such as our videos and journal articles are just some of the excellent programs available. The Provider Committee also assists in the pilot testing of independent study materials and ensures that all educational programs meet continuing education requirements set forth by our accrediting organization ANCC-COA. 

The Governmental Affairs Committee works as a resource for ASPAN and the components by providing the latest information on pertinent governmental and legislative issues for perianesthesia nurses. The Membership / Marketing Committee works on promoting and increasing recruitment and retention of our ASPAN membership. Additionally, this committee assists with the design and selection of the PeriAnesthesia Nurse Awareness Week (PANAW) theme and logo items. Look in this issue for the details of this year’s PANAW theme, Reaching Out, Touching Lives. The Publications Committee works on the review and continued development of the various ASPAN publications such as the Redi-Ref and Competency Based Orientation Credentialing Manual. This committee is also responsible for the annual Component Newsletter Awards, which are presented during the National Conference. (Additionally a new Publications Specialty Practice Group (SPG) is available to members, so if this is your interest contact the National Office for an application. There are also SPGs for Pain Management, Preoperative Assessment and Management )  

The Research Committee assists with ongoing research projects, reviews abstracts submitted for oral and poster presentations at national conference, in addition to reviewing Research Grant applications. A Master’s degree is recommended for the members of the research committee because at the graduate level research education is emphasized. However, if you do not have a Masters degree and wish to participate, you are encouraged to submit your WTS form. Each application is reviewed and given careful consideration. We would be glad to consider you! You can also feel free to contact the Director for Research personally, by email or phone, for more information.  

The Standards and Guidelines Committee reviews and revises the ASPAN Standards of Perianesthesia Nursing Practice as needed, but at a minimum on a biannual basis. (The newly revised 2002 Standards of Perianesthesia Nursing Practice is available now.) This committee also develops Position Statements as needed for current practice issues. For example, last year a Position Statement on the Nursing Shortage was developed and approved by the Representative Assembly in San Diego. The committee is currently working on Position Statements for “Visitation in the PACU” and “Medical Surgical Patient Overflow.” Access to email and previous participation in the Clinical Practice Committee is a pre-requisite for participants seeking this committee.

Several Strategic Work Teams (SWT) are designated to act on a specific project or goal for ASPAN. One Strategic Work Team is the National Conference Planning Team, which is responsible for planning and coordinating the ASPAN National Conference. The team is lead by a SWT Leader who is selected by the Vice President/ President Elect two years prior to the conference. This SWT also has two Members-at-Large on the team who are selected by the SWT Leader. This could be you! What is unique about this SWT is the following: 1) the members are not required to live in the state where the national conference is being held and 2) the Coordinator is selected two years in advance to allow for mentoring by the current conference chair. For example, this year’s Vice President/President-Elect will be selecting the SWT Leader for the 2005 National Conference in Chicago. If you would like further information about participation on the National Conference Strategic Work Team contact the Vice President / President-Elect directly by phone or email to let her know of your interest. The majority of the work is accomplished by email, phone, fax, and regular mail. The team meets at the national conference the year prior the conference year and at a summer meeting in the planned city of national conference. 

There are several other Strategic Work Teams and Ad Hoc Teams that you can participate on for ASPAN. A complete list is provided for you on the ASPAN website and the WTS form. If you have any questions or want more information on any of these options, please feel free to contact the ASPAN National Office and they will provide you with additional information or put you in contact with someone who can answer all of your questions. Don’t be afraid to call and inquire.

I started out on the Education Provider Committee working on the independent study activities. I learned many skills related to continuing education requirements that I now use in my present job. I also participated on the ASPAN 1998 National Conference Strategic Work Team (then called National Conference Committee) for Philadelphia as the Co-Chairperson. This experience taught me many organizational skills. My participation was based on the amount of time and degree of commitment that I could make at that time in my life.

 I encourage each and every one of you to reach out and reach for your dreams! If you have always dreamed of participating in ASPAN on a national level, then reach out, take a chance, and become involved! I have found that this commitment to my national organization has helped me to grow both professionally and personally, and has enabled me to reach for, and achieve my dreams! I encourage all of you to reach out. . .reach for your dreams. . . and become involved in ASPAN! I can personally tell you that it will be one of the greatest things you ever do - both for yourself and for ASPAN. So REACH OUT!!  

I encourage all of you to reach out, reach for your dreams, follow your vision and become involved in ASPAN!

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