History of the ORNCC

The Operating Room Nursing Council of California (ORNCC) was formed in 1983 by a group of visionary perioperative nurses who realized the importance of watching legislative and regulatory activities in the State. This small group of involved perioperative nurses met several times during those early years to give structure and direction to the new organization. The ORNCC was the first State Council to interact with the National Association of Operating Room Nurses (AORN). In spite of the early rebuffs from AORN, these perioperative nurse leaders were determined to build the Council, without the blessing of the mother organization, because they knew how critical it was to watch issues that would impact the care of perioperative patients and the nurses who care for them.

Each State AORN Chapter was invited to join paying dues of $15.00. Current AORN Chapter Presidents were asked to attend meetings as a voting member. If they couldn't attend, they were asked to send a representative. Each Chapter was responsible for travel expenses. If a Chapter representative didn't attend they were sent minutes of the meeting.

In 1989, the Council created a new Associate Member category with voting privileges. The new Associate Member category allowed individuals, who faithfully attended Council meetings, to participate in the governing process. Prior to this, the only voting members were AORN Chapter representatives and elected officers. The Associate Membership dues were $25.00.

The purposes of the Council were simple and still guide the organization today. They are:

1. Establish communication among State AORN Chapters.

2. Communicate educational offerings to prevent duplication.

3. Disseminate information important to perioperative nurses.

4. Participate in other nursing organizations.

5. Serve as a resource for perioperative nurses.

The Council believes in a unified concept for California AORN Chapters to;

• Foster an assembly for consultation, advise, or discussion,

• Act as a resource organization,

• Promote communication relative to professional nursing issues,
  
  
• Work collaboratively with other professional State organizations.

How the ORNCC Works

The Council holds 3 meetings a year through-out the state. A 4th meeting is held at the annual AORN Congress. Rotating the meetings around the State enables nurses from all over the state to attend at least one meeting each year. The meeting held, at the AORN Congress, is a luncheon designed to expose as many nurses as possible to the Council. Each Chapter makes the luncheon a requirement for delegates.

The Council has three elected officers; Chair, Vice-Chair/Treasurer, and Secretary. The terms are for 2 years with the Vice-Chair/Treasurer being elected in the off year. The meetings are conducted by the Chair. There are also regular reports from committees' that have been formed by the Chair. National AORN Committee reports are also given. The meetings are held from 1000-1500 on the first Saturday in February, May, and October.

Contributing to the Council’s effectiveness is its affiliation with other influential state and national organizations. Here is an ove view of some of these organizations.

• ANA\C- the American Nurses Association \ California- is a constituent member of the American Nurses Association, and it leads the profession of nursing in fulfilling its commitment to excellence in practice, education, research, and social policy. Its mission is to optimize nursing’s contribution to the health and well-being of individuals, families, and communities. This primary commitment to society guides and shapes nurses’ efforts to foster nursing practice standards, promote professional development, conduct and use research, influence public policy, and enhance professional practice environments. The Honorable Tricia Hunter, serves as a legislative advisor to ORNCC.

•AORN-the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses. The Council is affiliated with AORN, the professional organization of perioperative registered nurses, whose mission is to support registered nurses in achieving optimal outcomes for patients undergoing operative and other invasive procedures. ORNCC offers a state-wide organization to complement AORN’s structure of national, chapter, and specialty assembly components. Members of the AORN National Board of Directors frequently attend Council meetings.

• The California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) regulates the practice of registered nursing and certified advanced practice nurses in order to protect the public health, safety and welfare. The Board exists to protect the health and safety of consumers and to promote quality registered nursing care in California. Members of the Council provide information to the BRN regarding issues pertinent to basic and advanced practice perioperative nursing

•CINHC-the California Institute for Nursing and Health Care- is a statewide non-profit, non-partisan organization developing solutions to California’s nurse shortage by partnering with nursing associations, educational institutions, hospital and health systems, foundations, policy leaders, health care companies, consumers and individual nurses. It provides information and solutions to vital nursing issues affecting the health of all Californians. The Council is a nursing association partner with CINHC.

• CalNoc-the California Nursing Outcomes Coalition Database Project-is a collaborative Project of ANA\California, the Association of California Nurse Leaders (ACNL) and the CalNOC Steering Committee. Its mission is to advance improvements in patient care by:

• Building and sustaining a valid and reliable statewide outcomes database;
• Conducting research to advance evidence-based interventions to achieve quality;
• And synthesizing and disseminating data to shape public policy, practice, and education.

Members of the Council assist CalNOC in its goal of attaining a shared vision of designing, systematically implementing, and evaluating this statewide nursing outcomes database.

ORNCC thus provides perioperative nurses in California the opportunity to keep abreast of issues pertinent to nursing and healthcare in general and perioperative nursing in particular.