Candidate for Regional Director, Region 2

Susan Russell, BSN, RN, JD, CPAN, CAPA

Susan recently accepted a new position as the perianesthesia supervisor at The Hospital at Westlake in Austin, TX. Her responsibilities include preadmissions testing, preop, and PACU.  She works prn as a staff nurse in the PACU at St. David’s Medical Center in Austin. Her nursing experience includes both Phase I and Phase II care in inpatient and outpatient settings. Susan has also worked in oncology, urology, and in ICU.  Susan is a charter member of ASPAN and joined TAPAN in 1980.  She is currently President of TAPAN and was its Chair for Governmental Affairs. She currently serves on the ASPAN PDE Committee and has served on the Governmental Affairs and the Clinical Practice Committees.  Susan is licensed as an attorney in Texas and specialized in Professional Medical Liability and Medical Products Liability. She has lectured on the Safe Harbor/Nursing Peer Review Provision of the Texas Nurse Practice Act.

Membership and Organizational Affiliations:

ASPAN, TAPAN, ANA, TNA, The American Association of Nurse Attorneys, State Bar of Texas, Austin Bar Association

Upon review of ASPAN’s Strategic Plan and our B.A.G., describe your vision as a national leader to keep the organization current and relevant in the existing healthcare environment to meet the needs of the membership.  How will you assure ASPAN is strategically positioned to accomplish our goals and objectives?

Perianesthesia nurses adapt well to the changing needs of the healthcare community and the clients we serve.  ASPAN sets the standard for excellence in perianesthesia care wherever patients receive that care. As an ASPAN leader, I would encourage our Board and members to keep raising the bar by using Evidence Based Practice for all standards and guidelines.  Supporting research in our specialty is critical to our position as a world leader in perianesthesia nursing and patient safety.  Collaboration with other healthcare where feasible will allow ASPAN to be a vocal and visible power in legislation affecting healthcare.  By strategically and carefully choosing our political alliances, we will support ASPAN’s goal of effecting patient safety, ensuring the continuation of funding for nursing education and making healthcare available to all.