Learning from international colleagues

AORN Journal,  Oct, 2005  by Karen Walker

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I just finished reading the "President's Message" (vol 82, August 2005), and I wanted to respond with a sincere thank-you. In this often troubled world we live in today, it is refreshing to know that nurses in the perioperative community are being represented in international meetings, such as the ones President McNamara recently attended.

I had the unique blessing to have been raised by parents who had an open home for international visitors in San Antonio, Tex. I grew up meeting and sitting down at our dinner table with physicians, nurses, and students from all over the world.

Today, I have international nurses as friends and coworkers. The hospital I work for employs four wonderful international nurses in our OR. These nurses are from India and England, the Philippines, Australia, and the Bahamas. I was given the honor of welcoming them and orienting them to our OR. These nurses have taught me many things about their OR environments and duties. I realize that I may never have the personal experience of traveling to other countries; but I have been privileged to learn through these friends about their homes, work, and cultures.

I am proud to be a member of AORN, a progressive and inspiring professional organization. I am a new member learning about the organization and looking forward to many wonderful experiences. Thank you for being an open-minded and open-hearted organization.

KAREN WALKER

RN, BSN

CLINICAL NURSE EDUCATOR

PERIOPERATIVE SERVICES

DENVER HEALTH

DENVER

COPYRIGHT 2005 Association of Operating Room Nurses, Inc.
COPYRIGHT 2005 Gale Group