"As recognized leaders in workplace health and safety, occupational and environmental health nurses affect the bottom line of businesses, which becomes more critical as the general population and workforce ages and chronic disease increases," said Susan Randolph, AAOHN president. "The AAOHN Symposium & Expo provides occupational and environmental health nurses the opportunity to get together to learn and share information on the topics that matter most to their practice and to our profession."
As the largest conference for occupational and environmental health professionals, the Symposium & Expo will provide attendees with a wide variety of vendors showcasing the latest developments in scientific research, business resources, pharmaceuticals, equipment, supplies and medical technology. A comprehensive schedule of workshops and educational programs will provide ample opportunity for attendees to broaden their professional and personal lives in a relaxed and festive atmosphere as well as network with more than 1,700 of their peers.
AAOHN also will offer members a choice of two three-day seminars. The first, titled "Safety Management: Certification Review" is designed to educate participants on the role of the safety manager and review the material for the ABOHN Safety Management Certification Examination and the Associated Safety Professional (ASP) Exam. The second seminar, titled "OHNs and International Travel: Mastering the Pre-Travel Consultation" will provide the knowledge and skills to ensure quality pre-travel care. Both provide continuing nursing education hours.
"Approximately 50 percent of businesses’ profits go toward health care costs, and businesses must include provisions for keeping healthy employees healthy, improving the health status of all employees, and creating a company that supports, promotes and actively engages employees in achieving optimal health," said Randolph. "AAOHN provides attendees a number of resources to help their company achieve long-term success."
The Symposium & Expo coincides with National Occupational Health Nursing (OHN) Week, April 16-20, which is sponsored by AAOHN. This fourth annual OHN Week is a national observance to recognize and celebrate members of the occupational and environmental health nursing profession. This year’s theme is "Occupational Health Nurses: Promoting Workforce Health, Safety and Productivity." The April dates commemorate the inception of the first professional association for occupational and environmental health nurses on April 19, 1942, when 300 nurses from 16 states founded the American Association of Industrial Nurses (AAIN), the predecessor to AAOHN.
Informative and inspirational speaking sessions will be held daily during the AAOHN Symposium by experts in the industry. Pre-Symposium educational sessions will be offered from Saturday, April 14 until Symposium Proper begins on Tuesday, April 17. Additional speaking sessions are scheduled throughout the Symposium, including post-Symposium workshops on Friday, April 20.
For more registration information and complete details on AAOHN’s 2007 Symposium & Expo, please visit www.aaohn.org.
Established in 1942, AAOHN is a 10,000-member professional association dedicated to advancing the health, safety and productivity of domestic and global workforces by providing education, research, public policy and practice resources for occupational and environmental health nurses. These professionals are the largest group of health care providers serving the worksite.
