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ROSEMARIE T. (ROSIE) SCHROEDER, RN, BSN, CNOR, is administrative director surgical services at CoxHealth, Springfield, Missouri. She earned her bachelor of science degree in nursing from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

Schroeder has been a perioperative nurse for 32 years and a member of AORN for 31 years.

She is a member of

• AORN of the Ozarks (2006-present),
• the Missouri Perioperative Nurses State Council (2006-present),
• the Leadership Specialty Assembly (1998-present),
• the Cardiothoracic Specialty Assembly (2005-present), and
• the Endovascular Specialty Assembly (2005-present).

She was a member of

• the Dogwood Chapter of AORN (1998-2000),
• the Tarheels East Chapter of AORN (2000-2006),
• the North Carolina Council of periOperative Registered Nurses (1998-2006), and
• the RN First Assistant Specialty Assembly (1998-2005).

Schroeder has attended Congress 10 times in the past 10 years, eight times as a delegate and once as an alternate.

Schroeder received an NC Great 100 Nurse Award (1999).

Highlights of Schroeder's service to AORN include that she is

• chair of the Bylaws Committee (2007-present).

She was

• a member of the AORN Board of Directors (2005-2007),
• a member of the Scholarship Committee (2004-2005),
• president of the Tarheels East chapter (2005-2006),
• president-elect of the Tarheels East chapter (2004-2005),
• chair of the North Carolina Council of peri-Operative Registered Nurses (2002-2004),
• treasurer of the Tarheels East chapter (2002-2004),
• vice president of the North Carolina Council of periOperative Registered Nurses (1998-2000),
• chair of the National Education Committee (1999-2000), and
• a member of the National Education Committee (1998-1999).

Schroeder is

• a member of the American Nurses Association (2007-present).

She was

• interviewed for a KOLR 10 television story on Perioperative Nurse Week (2007),
• a board member of the North Carolina RNFA Assembly (1998-1999), and
• lead nurse on an Operation Smile mission to Lima, Peru (1998).

In her community, Schroeder is

• a member of the Ozark Technical College Advisory Board (2006-present).

She was

• a member of a neighborhood clean up committee (2005),
• a Children's Miracle Network telethon team leader (2000),
• a Relay for Life committee member (1999), and
• an American Heart Association Heart Week program volunteer (1998).

ELECTION STATEMENT. AORN sets the standard for excellence in perioperative nursing. The Association supports nurses in both their personal and professional growth and development.

I know firsthand the benefits of nurse mentors who have personified AORN ideals along my journey in the roles of staff nurse, educator, RN first assistant, manager, and director. My most recent challenge and opportunity for growth has been chairing the Bylaws Committee as we embark on an extensive review. I am committed to fostering growth opportunities for all members.

Recruitment and retention, implementation strategies for expanded time out protocols, and emphasis on core values are some recognized current priorities. The perioperative setting is a balancing act of safety, technology, efficiency, and interpersonal relationships to deliver quality, and perioperative nurses do it well. We must champion evidence-based research; benchmarking; and an interdisciplinary presence in drafting recommended practices, facility and government regulation, and legislation to ensure nursing standards remain paramount in patient care.

I offer the ability to call upon an extensive network of perioperative colleagues throughout the country and the world, established while holding local, state, and national office within AORN, serving on numerous national committees, and various speaking presentations. I have Board experience with decisions regarding Journal publication, candidates for the Association's Executive Director, strategic planning, budgets, and other components of Association business.

I bring to your boardroom clinical grounding, enthusiasm, dedication, and a sense of humor, along with willingness to listen with a grassroots ear and openness to appropriate negotiation. I respectfully ask for your vote.