Worth joining AORN?

RNOTODAY, BSN, RN · Nov 3, 2006

Just been debating with myself whether or not I should join AORN..I intend to stay in the OR for a good few years so what benefits are there? Anyone here a member?

I am a member, but so far the benefits are only a journal every month, some free ceu's, and password access to special areas of their site......however I did join because I got one year free...from my peri op 101 course.

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Nov 8, 2006

I'll never ever join once i become an RN. It's another elitist nursing organization IMHO.

ortess1971 · Nov 9, 2006

I'll never ever join once i become an RN. It's another elitist nursing organization IMHO.

You're not the only person I've heard this from...plus, it's not exactly cheap to join either...I'm leaning towards no-it's a shame that most of these organizations still try to pit LPN against RN, Diploma-ADN grads against BSN's etc...There's enough politics at work!

decartes · Nov 9, 2006

You're not the only person I've heard this from...plus, it's not exactly cheap to join either...I'm leaning towards no-it's a shame that most of these organizations still try to pit LPN against RN, Diploma-ADN grads against BSN's etc...There's enough politics at work!

Sounds like a very eligible reason to join and make your voice heard. Present an argument and they may think twice before forcing the above changes.

hotdog19d · Nov 16, 2006

I joined this summer. I'm still a student nurse, so the $20 I payed for the membership was well worth it. I don't know if it will be once the dues go up after I graduate.

Jarnaes · Nov 16, 2006

I'm an AORN member and I'm still trying to figure out why I renewed my membership. I like the AORN standards, but you do not need to be a member to purchase the book. Needless to say, I have issues with AORN and I have yet to see any real benefits of the membership.

suzanne4, RN · Nov 16, 2006

Their yearly conferences are excellent, have been to several and a delegate to one Congress. You need to participate to make any changes, if you do not like something. Or lend your support when you do like something.

Same thing for any group.

And sorry, AORN has never tried to pit LPN against RN.

chartleypj · Nov 16, 2006

Interesting responses.

I think the answer to your question lies in precisely what You hope to gain from membership in YOUR professional organization.

If your intent is to network and collaborate with other perioperative nurses; to stay on the forefront of evidence-based perioperative practice, and attend monthly meetings for continuing education hours, then membership may be for you. If you wish the opportunity to attend workshops at reduced rates, meet and discuss perioperative issues with equipment and sales reps servicing your facillity, then AORN may be for you.

If you wish the opportunity to have access to a highly respected, well written journal geared specifically to perioperative nursing, then AORN may be for you.

If, as some responders have written, you believe that AORN is all about pitting the LPN against the diploma RN and BSN, then AORN is definitely for you.

This professional organization is there to represent the profession of nursing and specifically, perioperative nursing. Whether it is your state organization of nursing, or a specialty organization such as AORN, the organization is only as effective as its membership.

I have never found AORN to be elitist; I hope you will make an informed decision about your professional organization.

Sincerely,

Paula

ortess1971 · Nov 17, 2006

Thanks everyone for the replies...the jury is still out on whether or not I'll join, for financial reasons, mainly. The free ceu's would be a good thing....

ORNurse452 · Jan 2, 2008

Now more than a year later, are there any other opinions on the matter of joining or belonging to AORN?

I am kind of surprised reading the responses critical of AORN being elitist or pitting one group of nursing against another.

I am curious, what is the purpose of the association? What are your expectations for such an organization, to be a leader or to consume everything you possibly can then criticize the organization for coming up short because they missed the mark?

I am a member and thusfar AORN has been a wonderful resource, they are certainly not static, they are constantly looking for ways to help their members.

CDNORRN · Jan 5, 2008

I agree with the above response. They are indeed a valuable resource. I only wish that here in Canada we had an organization that is as accountable. I firmly believe in evidence based practice and practicing excellence in the periop field. From what I've seen back here, so far, (after 7 years in the US) we could utilize some of the guidelines as set out by AORN. And yes, I maintain my membership and years worth of journals. I was fortunate enough to see what Congress is all about when it was in San Diego, very impressive.

OR nursing is about ongoing, life long learning. AORN helps to keep us abreast.