Historical Perspective:

The actual dream began more than ten years ago!

 

During the year 1997, the Ontario PeriAnesthesia Nurses Association (OPANA) had heard from their provincial members and then surveyed the interest of various Registered Nurses across Canada regarding nationalization and certification.

 

In 1998, nurses from across Canada gathered at a PeriAnesthesia/Perioperative Conference in Winnipeg, MB at the invitation of the Manitoba Association of PeriAnesthesia Nurses (MAPAN). The Conference Committee provided colleagues from OPANA with space, time and support to host an initial meeting for interested RN’s to discuss a national organization for the perianesthesia nursing specialty. They presented their positive findings to an overflowing room of nurses who then established a Steering Committee for this emerging association.

 

Members of the Steering Committee included:

Laura Van Loon	Saskatoon, SK	Chair
Diane Buckley	Hamilton, ON	Vice-Chair
Linda Fritz	Calgary, AB	Secretary
Jackie Pineda-Silva	Calgary, AB	Treasurer

                                                             

Meetings were held in Toronto, Winnipeg and Calgary during the following years to work towards nationalization and incorporation.The national name search established and ensured our use of NAPANc. In the native language of the Cree, the name "napan" means "Eyes Open".  It was felt that this was an appropriate description of our work with perianesthesia patients who awaken following anesthesia.

On May 31, 2002, the perianesthesia nurses of Alberta – Southern Chapter (PANA-SAC) hosted our first National Conference in conjunction with their provincial conference in Calgary. Twenty-seven (27) RN’s from Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Nova Scotia and North West Territories signed our charter and applied to the Federal Minister of Industry for incorporation. The Honourable Allan Rock granted Letters Patent on June 14, 2002, at which time the Steering Committee became the Officers of the Corporation.

During these years, the Canadian Nurses Association granted us Emerging Association status, a position that provided us with financial support and administrative advice. We were granted Associate Membership of the Canadian Nurses Association in 2002, and continue to meet annual requirements to maintain our status.