The power of synergy

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A true professional organization reflects the progress of its members, and, conversely, the members reflect the growth of the organization. As I attended the AONE convention in Orlando, I had visions of when I went to my very first annual meeting in New Orleans. I honestly cannot remember what year it was. I do remember that I had joined what was then the American Association of Nursing Service Administrators after being in my position of director of nursing for only a few months. There was no chapter in New York, where I lived at the time, but I knew then, as I know now, that networking, growing, and learning with and from others was the right way to support the staff, the organization, and my own critical needs for personal and professional growth. I have never been let down.

At that time I decided I wanted to take an active part in the organization and learn from the many wonderful leaders who were committed to the growth of nursing practice and its visibility in the health care world. I was fortunate enough to serve as an AONE board member, as well as on several AHA boards as an AONE representative, and even had the honor and privilege of running as a presidential candidate.

The vision and mission of AONE continues to grow and unfurl to the delight and satisfaction of many. Implementation of the values of creativity and innovation has been expanded tenfold, with AONE playing a key role in development, improvement, and success of nurse leaders. The amount of commitment to the development of teamwork and sharing of knowledge and skills is nothing short of phenomenal. Competition has given way to collaboration and communication.

The general sessions continue to broaden our mind to the opportunities to learn in a vast and creative environment that acknowledges the importance of the physical, spiritual, and emotional as well as mental development. The poster and breakout sessions also illustrated the innovation and risk-taking behaviors that are occurring in nursing leadership and clinical practice.

This edition of Nurse Leader reflects the sophistication and risk taking modeled at AONE that will keep nursing at the forefront of patient care and organizational success. Kerfoot et al's article on synergy models in practice is awesome, reflecting a new way of thinking about the delivery of patient care that meets both the demand for mass customization, which applies evidence-based processes and interventions tailored to individual specifications, and patient safety standards. Ann Kobs' article about ISO 9000 standards is superb and something I tried to innovate at least 10 years ago; today the timing is right. Our authors as always reflect the practical, the creative, and the innovative approaches we are taking to enhance patient care and the professional lives and opportunities for our nursing staff.

It would be a great pleasure to have one of our readers and leaders provide the cost structure with financial justification for each of these models that would allow for expansion, modification as necessary, and continuing growth for our organizations and staff.

Congratulations are in order to all of our readers who are, by their very nature, nurse leaders!