Over 700 nurses gathered for the American Academy of Ambulatory Care Nursing (AAACN) 32nd Annual Conference in Las Vegas, NV, March 29-April 1, 2007. Attendees were inspired to become strong leaders, build dedicated teams and improve patient care.
Participants explored the latest ambulatory care nursing topics, shared best practices, networked with colleagues, and discovered practical and innovative techniques to implement in their facilities. The exhibit hall was bustling with 29 booths and more than 50 poster presentations. A silent auction raised almost $5,000 for scholarships and research grants.
"Our conference grows stronger every year, and that is a testament to our members and attendees," said AAACN's new President, Charlene Williams, MBA, BSN, RNC-BC. "It is exciting to be part of this energizing group of nurses who come together to exchange ideas and truly do their part to advance the specialty of ambulatory care nursing."
AAACN debuted new editions of four publications in Las Vegas. The new editions included Ambulatory Care Nursing Administration and Practice Standards, Telehealth Nursing Practice Administration and Practice Standards, Ambulatory Care Nursing Review Questions (previously titled "Self-Assessment") and Telehealth Nursing Practice Resource Directory. Attendees also had an opportunity to have their copy of the Core Curriculum for Ambulatory Care Nursing 2nd Edition signed by the authors. These and other AAACN education resources are available at www.aaacn.org <http://www.aaacn.org> .
Officers Inducted
Williams, who is manager of the Nurse on Call program, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, was inducted as AAACN's president at the conference.
Also inducted on the Board of Directors was Karen Griffin, MSN, RN, CNAA, as AAACN's president-elect. Griffin is associate chief nursing service, ambulatory care at South Texas Veterans Healthcare System, San Antonio, TX. Kitty Shulman, MSN, RN, C, director, Children's Specialty Center, St. Luke's Regional Medical Center, Boise, ID, was inducted as a director and will serve as treasurer.
Sana I. Savage, LCDR, USN, and Nancy Spahr, MS, RN-BC, MBA, CNS, both assumed responsibilities as AAACN directors. Savage is a senior nurse officer, Branch Medical Clinic, Naval Training Center, San Diego, CA. Spahr is a clinical nurse specialist, ambulatory care, Mayo Clinic Hospital, Phoenix, AZ.
Awards
AAACN recognized members for their dedication to the association and the specialty. Awards were presented on Friday, March 30, during the Opening Reception.
- President's Above and Beyond Award (given to an individual or group who goes "above and beyond" the expectations of a volunteer role in AAACN): Maureen T. Power, RN, MPH, LNC, Senior Consultant, Power and Cronin, Ltd., Oak Brook, IL.
- Administrative Excellence Award (given to a AAACN member who personifies excellence in ambulatory care): Janet P. Moye, RN, PhD, Director of Nursing, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC.
- Clinical Excellence Award (given to a AAACN member who personifies clinical excellence in ambulatory care): LCDR Faria Belmares, NC, US Navy, San Diego, CA.
Education Scholarships were awarded to Peggy Kaminsky, RNC, BSN, Palo Alto Medical Foundation, Palo Alto, CA, and Bonnie L. McGuire, BS, RN, Grand Itasca Clinic and Hospital, Grand Rapids, MN. The scholarships will go toward payment of tuition, books and academic supplies.
A Research Grant was awarded to Capt. Sara Marks, NC, US Navy, San Diego, CA, principal investigator for the project "Evaluation of Two Nurse-Run Interventions for Blood Pressure Control: An Evidence-Based Practice Project." Capt. Marks and co-investigators will share their findings at a future AAACN Annual Conference.
Carol Golden, BSN, of Greenville Hospital System, Greenville, SC, received the Founder's Scholarship for her 100-word essay on why she would recommend AAACN to her colleagues.
The Viewpoint Writer's Award was presented to Kenneth L. Stiefvater, BSN, RN, Cathy Vigil, RN, Karen L. Jones, MS, RNC, CNS, and Jeanne M. Yocke, MS, RN, of Denver Community Health Services, Denver, CO. Their article "Hand Hygiene in Primary Care Clinics" appeared in the May/June 2006 issue of Viewpoint and discussed infection control processes instituted in their workplace to document, evaluate, maintain and improve hand hygiene activities. Viewpoint is AAACN's official newsletter.
Program Highlights
On Friday, March 30, Assistant Surgeon General Carol Romano, RN, PhD, FAAN, presented the keynote address "Improving the Health of the Nation." Romano explored health challenges nurses face in the new century and the impact on the role of the ambulatory care nurse as well as how nurse leaders can advance health care.
During the closing session "Image of Nursing," on Sunday, April 1, Cheryl Mee, MSN, RN, BC, CMSRN, and Sheila Haas, PhD, RN, FAAN, explored how the public perceives the nursing profession as well as ambulatory care nursing.
For the first time at a AAACN conference, the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) administered the Ambulatory Care Nursing Certification Exam administered by. Sixty-two attendees took the exam.
Audio CDs of individual sessions and the full conference CD-ROM are available from Digitell, Inc., and can be ordered at www.prolibraries.com <http://www.prolibraries.com> or by calling 800-679-3646. A new online library offers sessions from this and previous conferences that are available 24/7.
Source: American Academy of Ambulatory Care Nursing (AAACN)
