When did AORN become an elitist political organization?

[mgordonlvn]

I have been an LVN in Texas for 9 years. I have worked in the OR as a scrub and anesthesia tech(one of very few Certified Anesthesia Technologists in the US) for 13 years.

Upon successful completion of my NCLEX-VN, I joined AORN(Association of Operating Room Nurses) and began studying for the CNOR(Certified Nurse in the Operating Room) certification exam. I spent close to $200 on exam-prep materials from AORN and other sources. A justifiable expense since the facility I worked for would pay a $2/hr certification bonus.

I studied until I new the material inside/out and upside-down. I sent in my exam registration form(which made no mention of an RN-licensure requirement). Two weeks later I received a nice(read: condescending) hand-written note and my cashier's check saying that I could not take the exam because I was ONLY an LVN.:angryfire

Subsequently, I let my AORN membership lapse...

Before this year's Congress in New Orleans, my director asked if I would be interested in joining AORN...apparently, they are having some sort of membership drive. I decided that since I am nearing completion of my LVN-to-RN transition coursework that I would take a look at it. I go to the web-site and WHATTAYAKNOW!?! They have changed the name of the organization to Association of periOperative Registered Nurses?!?!?!?! And...now you cannot even join as an LVN!!!

I am sick of listening to RNs complain about "lesser educated members of the nursing field", then turning to us for help when they can't find their butts with both hands, a flashlight, and the AORN Best Practice guidelines for "Finding Your Own Butt!"

Seems to me that there is a concerted effort by many nursing groups to force the more cost-effective LVN/LPN into extinction simply to preserve the purity of their clubs. I think this has happened before...Zieg Hiel!

Ich bin LVN!

[stevierae]

At our hospital an LPN is our OR Nurse manager. She is an excellent OR nurse and has been for over 20 years. Also, a male nurse at our facility is an ADN grad and just received his RNFA.

Eeyore

Your OR nurse manager probably does not circulate in rooms--EVER. She may, indeed, have gotten away with circulating in rooms for over 20 years--but AORN sure didn't know about it. In every state in which I have ever worked, one MUST be an RN to circulate. It's the law. New Hampshire may allow certain things according to their nurse practice act that are not allowed in other states.

He (the AA grad, as I am) had to have been grandfathered, in some way. Maybe he was a PA in the military, or something? Could he be a PA simply referring to himself as an RNFA? Could he be using RNFA as a title--but not be recognized or certified by AORN, perhaps? I can't imagine whyAORN might have made an exception for him--but, if you are curious, simply call and ask AORN. They may not be aware he is using the title.

Interestingly, I took my RNFA course IN New Hampshire--at Elliot Hospital, (Manchester) in 1999----and the 2 RNFAs who taught it emphasized very heavily the need to finish our coursework and clinical hours and have it turned in before 2000---otherwise we would no longer be eligible to sit for the exam.

[suzanne4, RN]

At our hospital an LPN is our OR Nurse manager. She is an excellent OR nurse and has been for over 20 years. Also, a male nurse at our facility is an ADN grad and just received his RNFA.

Eeyore

I actually have my RNFA, and am a Diploma gradutate. But I do not have my certification...............you can go thru the training and even work as one, but you will not be able to sit for the certification exam.

I just never had the time to prepare for the exam, too many other things going on when you could get the certification without the BSN. ( I have a BS in physiology, as well as an MBA, so would never consider going back for a BSN.)

Your RNFA, is not certified, is working directly for the hospital and is not being paid or reimbursed by the insurance companies............big difference.