Her first nursing job was in obstetrics in a rural hospital in Wisconsin. She said many times she was the only nurse around on weekends and had to take responsibility very quickly in her early nursing career. The progression to the OR came when she was almost forced to learn to scrub c-sections. This experience caused her to like the OR and perioperative nursing. Her nursing career has taken her to jobs in California, Ohio, Wisconsin, and Texas. During a time when she taught a perioperative course, she became involved in AORN and eventually held it’s highest office. She credits Jerry G. Peers, an early national AORN pioneer, as a strong influence. Barbara recalled what a strong personality Jerry G. Peers had and often pushed her influence on others unchecked. Barbara recalled a time when she said no to Ms. Peers and wandered what the consequence would be. Ms. Peers related to her that this was one of the few times anyone had told her no and Barbara was proud that she was able to hold her own with such a strong personality.

I asked Barbara, with her strong history of AORN, what she felt AORN did best and what she felt the association could improve on. Barbara feels AORN does a very good job of educating nurses and the public on the role of the perioperitive nurse. She feels even though physician/nurse working relationships have improved more work is needed in improving mutual respect.

Barbara is married and has one son and two grandsons. Her son lives in Malibu, California and is very involved in the entertainment industry. He has written for a number of television/movie productions including Zena the Princess Warrior and Hercules.