AORN Congress kicked off Sunday with the First Forum

AORN President Nakeisha Tolliver DNP, MBA, RN, NE-BC, CNOR, CSSM kicked off the 2025 AORN Congress by welcoming members to Boston and opening the roll call. Following the colorful and lively introductions of each state and delegate count, members heard reports from the AORN Fellowship Program, the AORN Foundation and the Chapter Engagement Task Force.

First, former AORN President Charlotte Guglielmi MA, BSN, RN, CNOR, FAORN presented the work of the AORN Fellowship committee and showed members the difference between the AORN Fellow credential and the AORN Award for Excellence. Members can learn more about the AORN Fellowship program from AORN Fellows in the main hall by the Foundation booth.

Next, AORN Foundation President Martha Stratton MSN, MHSA, RN, CNOR(e), CSSM(e)  presented the AORN Foundation annual report for 2024, highlighting the recent expansion of the Foundation staff and introducing a new Development Committee which will execute the Foundation’s fundraising strategies, engage with donors, and support our various programs and initiatives. In 2024, the Foundation provided Professional Development Grants to 102 nurses for CNOR, CSSM, and CNAMB certification, academic scholarships to 113 outstanding nurses and nursing students for the 2024-2025 school year, financial assistance to 221 Expo attendees, and a new program providing 10 Leadership Grants to support professional development.

Former AORN President Holly Ervine MSN, RN, NPD-BC, CNOR, then provided members an update on the Chapter Engagement Task Force’s work in the past year, culminating in a survey that opened Feb. 19 to all members plus those whose memberships lapsed within the past year.

“We want to explore new ways for members to participate and network,” she said. Following the survey, the task force will provide recommendations to the Board of Directors, which may include a new chapter model or other opportunities and recommendations to expand member engagement.

So far 815 people have responded. The survey remains open until April 14. Those who have not participated can complete the survey here.

Attendees first heard feedback and comments from members at the microphones about the reports. President Tolliver then opened the floor to any topics the members wish to discuss.

Bill Duffy RN, MJ, CNOR, FAAN explained two motions he plans to bring to the House of Delegates on Tuesday:

• Require AORN position statements be brought to the House of Delegates for an in-person discussion and vote for approval
• Require that new and updated Guidelines for Perioperative Practice come to the House of Delegates for an in-person discussion and vote for approval

“It’s our duty as nurses is to advocate and advance our profession. We should participate in setting the standards of our profession,” Duffy said.

President Tolliver asked Erin Kyle, DNP, RN, CNOR, NEA-BC, AORN Editor in Chief of the AORN Guidelines for Perioperative Practice, to provide background on how the AORN Guidelines are developed.

“Recommended practices are something we moved away from in favor of evidence-based guidelines,” Dr. Kyle said. She explained that AORN follows a formal guideline development process that incorporates multi-disciplinary collaboration and member and public feedback along the way.

“We have a guidelines advisory board (GAB) that includes an interdisciplinary team from other organizations and eight AORN nurse members,” Kyle said. “They are involved throughout the process, from inception through final drafting. There’s a lot of collaboration.”

Dr. Kyle added it takes a year to update or draft new guidelines, which includes a systematic review of research and evidence as well as opportunities for the public to comment on the draft.

“That is your opportunity to look at the (proposed) guideline, read it completely… and see the rationale for each of the practice recommendations. If you have questions about the science or how it informs the recommendations, we want you to bring the expertise you have from being in the trenches every day in your role and let us know what those issues are.”

Dr. Kyle also explained it is “intensely challenging” to write recommendations that are universally applicable to everyone in every environment. “Finding common ground is really, really important,” she added. “Our guidelines are used by regulatory bodies. We rely fundamentally on evidence, that’s where our credibility comes from.”

President Tolliver said the discussion will continue during the Second Forum on Monday.