Abstract
Happy Birthday ASPAN! Our Society celebrates its 20th birthday this year. This anniversary issue of the Journal of PeriAnesthesia Nursing, and the 20th National Conference in Boston, 2001, will culminate a year of celebration for ASPAN. In the Breathline (November/December 1999), an article was printed requesting narratives or stories from perianesthesia nurses who are ASPAN members. The invitation was extended to share in the celebration of our success. Over 70 stories were sent in, some quite lengthy and detailed, and others with bulleted information of selected memorabilia. All share the heart and soul of ASPAN and of perianesthesia nursing. The heart of ASPAN is its membership—the memories we share about the founding of our Society and its meaning in our lives are poignant. The excerpts included in this article are taken from perianesthesia nurses' stories. The member voices are heard, the passion is stirred, and the pride is evident. The stories were displayed at the ASPAN National Conference in Kansas City, MO, in April 2000, during ASPAN's kickoff birthday celebration, Walk Down Memory Lane, sponsored by the ASPAN Foundation through a grant from Stryker, Inc. The Conference was a perfect opportunity to stir the passion of perianesthesia nurses, to remember how we got started, and celebrate what we have become. Milestones, such as this anniversary, are significant events as we consider the past, the roots worth nourishing, and the years ahead. The stories are placed in 1 of 4 themes: Historical Perspective, Regional Pride, Personal Meaning and Passion, and National Conference. Expect to see several other themes emerge as well. Professionalism, mentoring, nursing friendships, focus on patient advocacy, and certification are frequently repeated. As individuals, ASPAN members share their own accomplishments with humility, surprise, and delight. The power and dignity of volunteer efforts and of our specialty Society are palpable. ASPAN thanks each author who took the time and effort to relate their personal memories. Individual credentials for each writer are listed at the end of the article.
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