NCAPAN President's Message 1st Quarter 2025

“The beautiful spring came; and when Nature resumes her loveliness, the human soul is apt to revive also.” 

 

Spring is my favorite season because of the gradual emergence of new plants, flowers, and trees. This time of year, also marks the ASPAN National Conference for Perianesthesia nurses. As we prepare to head to Dallas, Texas, we'll have voted for new officers, registered for educational sessions, volunteered in various areas, and reviewed documents for items to vote on at the Representative Assembly.  

Behind the scenes, much work goes into organizing the conference. Attendees often leave feeling revitalized and empowered to implement changes locally. I encourage you to engage with your professional organization, NCAPAN, and ASPAN nationally. If you're interested in getting more involved, please email me at elkisjoy2@gmail.com or at ncapan83@gmail.com or call/text at 828-217-1353. Your NCAPAN Board has positions to fill, and I'd love to discuss professional opportunities with you. Our goal is to help you grow as an expert in your field. 

Anyone is welcome to attend a board meeting to see if this is an area you would like to pursue. Our goal is to assist you in getting involved first in your local district. If you are not sure which district you belong to, we can also help align you with your chapter director. NCAPAN’s future as one of the strongest components in the nation, depends on succession planning and development of leaders such as those of you reading this.  

Help us continue the legacy that started long ago in North Carolina with a group of nurses who believed in making decisions about their practice of Perianesthesia nursing. ASPAN leaders are updating policies to manage Waste Anesthesia Gases (WAG) and protect nurses’ health, including future pregnancies and babies. This is accomplished through research and collaboration with colleagues from various specialties such as environmental health.

When is the last time you investigated not only the NCAPAN website, but ASPAN’s as well? So many resources are awaiting you by doing your own research on these websites. Revive your professional interest, step up and get involved. We need your brains, creative and innovative ideas, and initiative. Your NCAPAN Board of Directors and I am here to assist in any way. 

Happy Spring and buy yourself some flowers. You certainly deserve them!  

Fondly, 

Susan Knowles MSN, RN, NPD-BC 

NCAPAN President