INTRODUCTION

In health care, as in any other industry, nurses are asked to define and justify their role within their work organization. Nurses need to equip themselves if they are to survive the increasing rate of change within their present working environment and capitalize on their career choices in today's very competitive employment market. To be well equipped, nurses need to be well educated, well informed and highly skilled. They are then able to provide the their clients/patients with the best possible care.

Nurses must be responsible for their own professional growth and development if they wish to manage their career and secure their future. Membership of professional organizations such as AONA Q (Inc) supports nurses by helping to identify needs and set goals through exchanging ideas and skills with peers and learning from experts in their field.

AIM

The aim of the Australian Ophthalmic Nurses' Association Queensland (Inc.) is to promote the advancement of ophthalmic nursing in Queensland and Australia by providing a forum that promotes the sharing of knowledge and craft (expertise) for the advancement of ophthalmic nursing.

OBJECTIVES

To promote the sharing of knowledge and expertise through

1. 1.1 Programmed clinical meetings with a guest speakers four times each year.
   1.2 Publishing the newsletter, "EYEOPENER", which includes "a focus on your workplace".
   1.3 Hosting the annual seminar which proves access to guest speakers, trade displays, professionals associations displays and planned networking sessions.
   1.4 Maintaining a resource library.
2. To promote networking which encourages informal sharing of knowledge and skills.
3. To provide financial support for members in the form of education scholarships and grants which can be used for further education or attendance of seminars.
4. To co-operate and work with other health professionals for the benefit of patients and workers.
5. To form and actively maintain associations with other professional organizations to promote ophthalmic nursing and education opportunities.
6. To promote the formation and continuation of a national body through liaisons with other state bodies of AONA.
7. To promote and support ophthalmic nursing at a regional, state, national and international level. 8. To promote and publish ophthalmic nursing research.