Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion

Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion (DEI) in the Perioperative Community

View Our Committees

AORN is committed to incorporating diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) principles into our work with our members, facilities, industry partners, in our communities and for our patients.

  • AORN’s pledge to strengthen diversity, equity, and inclusion in healthcare is based, in part, on the ANA Code of Ethics that governs our profession.
  • As a nursing organization we have a fundamental principle that underlies all nursing practice in our respect for the inherent dignity, worth, unique attributes, and human rights of all individuals.
  • We are ethically responsible to provide leadership in the development and implementation of changes in public and health policies that support this duty and maintains the integrity of our profession.

What is DEI?

Diversity: Broad concept that embraces individual differences.

Equity: Fairness and respect. Individuals feel supported, valued, and trusted.

Inclusion: Involvement, engagement, and empowerment of all individuals. Leveraging everyone's’ talents and strengths so that they can contribute to his or her full potential.

James L. Cousin II, CPA, MBA, the AORN CFO and Chief Diversity Officer, presents the 2022 year-end highlights of the AORN Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiative to the House of Delegates at the 2023 AORN Annual Conference and Expo.
AORN received the Denver Business Journal Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Award.
Check out our DEI album on Facebook.

Why Did You Become a Periop Nurse?

AORN reached out to members to share why they became a perioperative nurse and why diversity in nursing is important.
In July 2020, AORN’s Executive Team and Board of Directors created a comprehensive DEI plan that established the following goals:
Have a diversified staff, reflective of the community it serves.
Maintain a diversified membership, reflective of the national benchmark.
Have a diversified board of directors, reflective of its membership makeup.
Develop and implement programs locally and nationally to support all communities.
Educate perioperative teams of health care disparities for the patient and strive to improve.
Fulfilling the AORN Foundation mission through initiatives representing the community.
Identify opportunities to ensure LGBTQ+ is represented in AORN's DEI efforts.
Please contact us for more information on AORN’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts.

The AORN Foundation is proud to announce the Barba Edwards Scholarship Fund

Edwards served as president of AORN during the 1976-77 term and, in her honor as the first and only African American to serve in this position, the scholarship will fund students and nurses of color who are in pursuit of a Master’s, Bachelor’s or Doctoral degrees in the field of nursing.