|
|  | AAOHN Fact Sheet Vision
Work and community environments will be healthy and safe. History
The tradition of excellence for AAOHN began in 1942, when 300 nurses from 16 states created the American Association of Industrial Nurses (AAIN) with the purpose of improving occupational health programs and services and enhancing career opportunities for occupational and environmental health nurses. Following a quarter century of progress and growth, AAIN adopted the name American Association of Occupational Health Nurses, Inc. (AAOHN) in 1977 to reflect the expanding activities of members in health promotion and disease prevention, and the variety of settings in which they practice. Today AAOHN’s reach extends domestically and globally, with members who are health care professionals with business acumen and are dedicated to the health and safety of workers, worker populations and community groups. As the primary association for the largest group of health care professionals focusing on promotion and restoration of health, prevention of illness and injury and protection from work related and environmental hazards, AAOHN is a principle force in: - Advancing the profession—AAOHN offers a number of cutting-edge professional and leadership development, networking and career opportunities. For example, an annual Symposium & Expo, the Conference for Leadership Advancement, workshops and a variety
of other options for continuing nursing education credit (e.g. online learning modules, webcasts and certificate programs).
- Protecting the profession—AAOHN is a visible force in federal legislative and regulatory affairs, as well as in state and local public policy involvement through its chapters. The association supports an interdisciplinary approach to health care and the right to prevention-oriented, cost effective healthcare and health and safety programs and services, which positively impact occupational and environmental health nursing.
- Guiding the profession—Occupational and environmental health nurses have a combined knowledge of health and business that they blend with health care expertise to balance the requirements of a safe and healthful work environment with a “healthy” bottom line. AAOHN provides a number of tools to address the distinct practice role these nurses play in promoting the health and safety of workers, worker populations and community groups (e.g. competencies, core curriculum, peer-reviewed journal, monthly newsletter, weekly electronic newsletter, Web site and electronic communities of interest).
- Promoting the profession—Through marketing and public relations strategies that emphasize the value of occupational and environmental health nurses to employers, employees, government and other important stakeholders, AAOHN continuously works
to elevate the profession and build visibility for occupational and environmental health nurses (e.g. bizhealthcheck.com).
| |
|
|
