An important message from the ABPANC Board of Directors to all CPAN and CAPA certified nurses and those in the perianesthesia nursing field:
As nurses, we are all involved in the ongoing preparations and response to the COVID-19 worldwide pandemic. There is no better example of the essential role nurses play in the delivery of care than in the unprecedented situation we are faced with right now.
We would first like to pause to thank all health care professionals, first responders, and our military who do not get to work from home and cannot socially distance themselves as they work to serve and protect our country and its citizens. We appreciate what you – as nurses – and all of these professionals do each and every day.
Please be assured that we are monitoring this situation closely in order to evaluate how the pandemic is affecting our nurses, and we are meeting daily to ensure that any matters relating to examinations and recertifications are addressed quickly and appropriately. To that end, we have communicated to all registered applicants for CAPA and CPAN examinations in the spring window (March 15 – May 15) regarding updated procedures at PSI testing centers across the country. We have provided information regarding rescheduling of exams, site procedures and cleaning, and other hygiene information here.
Many nurses have alerted us to travel restrictions and increased safety measures that have been implemented in their hospitals and other organizations. We understand that nurses are being asked to take on additional responsibilities, work additional hours and shifts, while at the same time tend to their own families and personal needs. As you are aware, many business meetings, conferences and leisure travel have been canceled. The ABPANC office in New York City was closed effective last Friday and ABPANC employees are working from home in order to ensure their health and safety, and to abide by the recommendations set forth by that city – and many others.
As you may know, the ASPAN Conference in Denver at the end of April has been canceled. If you are a CPAN or CAPA nurse who has registered and paid for the ABPANC Celebration Luncheon on April 27, you will receive a refund for that as well as your conference registration directly from ASPAN. Please check the ASPAN website for further information regarding the conference. All registrations for all ASPAN conference events are handled directly by ASPAN.
As you know, preparedness is key as we plan for the identification of additional cases in the days ahead. As the situation continues to rapidly evolve, we encourage you to visit these links from the American Nurses Association and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, both of which have excellent updated information on COVID-19, especially as they pertain to nurses:
https://www.aacnnursing.org/News-Information/COVID-19
Lastly, we thank you for the continued care and dedication that you display as a nurse every day. We are all proud to be perianesthesia nurses and to be an important part in the health care of our communities. Above all: remember to practice good “self-care.” Your health, safety and well-being – and those of your loved ones – are of utmost importance.