Continuing Education is a HUGE deal to me. I can’t fathom doing what I do everyday as an ICU nurse and not having an abundance of knowledge in my “bank” to pull from when I face the weird, wacky, and unexpected. Some would say this essentially the role of the hospital to keep employees up to date. Adult Learner advocates would say it is absolutely the role of the nurse to take ownership of continued learning opportunities. Sounds a lot like the classroom v. clinical integration responsiblity debate doesn’t it?
Anywho, SLCH takes pride in their nurses and has a conference fund available to all their nurses for continuing education. Last year I joined the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN) and went to the National Teaching Institute in Orlando, FL. I was hooked. 10,000 other nurses who do the same things you do all in one place is empowering! So where did NTI lead me this year? Well, the grand-mama conference is in Boston, MA and just a little bit out of my budget for this year, so, “Slice” it was!
MGM in Vegas! What a “GRAND” opportunity?! Let’s just say I don’t take these traveling and learning opportunities lightly. I’m always privileged with someone thinks enough of me to invest their time and money in this case in my education. “Slice” was a bit different from the “Big Momma” in that it’s just 3 days, about 3-400 people and jam-packed with expert knowledge.
I got to attend lectures from experts on Sepsis, Alarm Fatigue, Compassion Fatigue (my passion), and the list goes on and on.
Each session concluded with an expert panel Q&A which was extremely valuable. Next year the “Big Momma” is in Denver, CO. I’m already planning and crossing my fingers as I submit an Abstract to present on Pediatric Respiratory Distress. Wish me luck!
And lastly, it is Vegas!
Brandon Rachal 