By James X. Stobinski, Ph.D., RN, CNOR, CNAMB, CSSM(E)
In these columns I have recently written on perioperative nursing competency. This month, I would like to change it up and speak to volunteer work for health care professionals. The Competency and Credentialing Institute (CCI) conducts periodic studies, called job analysis surveys, to reach consensus on the work of perioperative nurses. Reliably, and across multiple studies of diverse credentials, volunteer work is found in these studies. Volunteer work seems to be a small but important part of what we do as perioperative nurses.
In my pre-licensure training, my diploma of nursing program had a tradition of volunteer service. This orientation to volunteer service continued and was strengthened when I re-joined active-duty military service in the late 1980s. After working with many organizations over the years I now have two main foci for work in the community. The first organization is my local professional organization, Denver AORN Chapter 0601. I joined an AORN chapter almost four decades ago and I have continued to serve with local chapters and at times with national level committees.
The second organization which comprises the majority of my volunteer work is Project CURE (projectcure.org) which has its world headquarters in a Denver suburb near my home. This organization collects excess medical equipment and supplies from around the country and then re-distributes that material worldwide to medically under-resourced sites. We are blessed in this country in which many have access to the highest quality and most advanced medical care in the world which accounts for a significant share of our gross domestic product. But we also have significant waste and not all our resources are well utilized. The work of Project CURE decreases the waste in American health care and markedly improves the life of those who receive our supplies.
At Project CURE, I work as a sort team leader and lead groups of volunteers to sort supplies, inventory materials and assemble overseas shipments. I do this once a week for 4 hours and it gives me a distinct break from the work of CCI. Sorting supplies and using hydraulic lifts to move pallets of inventory is much different than working in test development activities. I can honestly say that the benefit of this work is reciprocal for me and the organization. I connect to the community and other health care providers and meet a lot of new, but like-minded people.
Nurses have a lot to offer organizations such as Project CURE and perioperative nurses with supply chain experience are a valuable addition. I share my knowledge of supplies and I get to teach, a distinct side benefit of the work. CCI encourages volunteer work and engagement in our local communities. In this, I try to lead by example. About two years ago we transitioned to an all-remote workforce; our team is dispersed all over the continental United States. Our volunteer work reaches many communities and organizations. My work at Project CURE is but one small example of the diverse volunteer work done by the CCI team. In very disruptive times it is very easy to become absorbed in our daily work. Consider giving back and volunteering in your community as part of your work-life balance. Perioperative nurses agree that is part of what we do, and it can have immense value on a personal level.
Next month, I have some exciting news to share about the professional development and credentialing work going on with the CCI team. There have been some recent advances in the larger world of credentialing which present great opportunities for the CCI staff. I will share the details next month.
– James X. Stobinski, Ph.D., RN, CNOR, CNAMB, CSSM(E), is CEO of the Competency and Credentialing Institute.
References
Project CURE (2022). Accessed January 27th, 2022 at: https://projectcure.org/
