Members Making a Difference
Reaching the next generation of nurses
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Callie Craig, RN, BSN, CNOR |
Callie Craig, RN, BSN, CNOR, is still feeling the excitement from AORN's 55th Congress in Anaheim, Calif., where she received AORN's Next Generation Achievement Award and was also elected to AORN's national nominating Committee.
Craig, 31, a team manager and perioperative clinical educator at INTEGRIS Baptist Medical Center in Oklahoma City, Okla., proudly considers herself a next generation perioperative nurse. She works to advocate for the value next generation nurses bring to the perioperative profession.
"Nextgen nurses are very comfortable with technology, and that is where I see medicine heading. Things are happening fast, and nextgen nurses are equipped to handle new technologies like electronic health records and robotic surgery," Craig said.
She is eager to bring this nextgen perspective to AORN's national nominating committee to encourage other nextgen nurses to get involved and work toward leadership roles within the association.
"Nextgen nurses see the value of evidence-based practice and are civically-minded. We want to be involved and make a difference and, for most nurses, that means being part of your professional organization," she acknowledged.
Her need to be involved is what drew Craig to join AORN seven years ago and begin participating in AORN leadership activities at the local and national levels. She says her current success within the association would never have been possible without the encouragement of her mentor and colleague, Janet Lewis, RN, MA, CNOR.
"Janet took me to my first Congress and my first House of Delegates and nominated me to run for nominating committee in my local chapter. She is that person behind me, spurring me on, telling me I am not too young, that I have the talent AORN needs," she stressed. "I hope I can be an example to other young nurses."
Do you know a member who is making a difference? Contact Carina Stanton to share your story.