State Convention Reflections

WOW.

What a great event. I was impressed with first, the sheer number of nursing students that attend - record numbers for VNSA - and second, the caliber of the speakers that participated!

Stephanie and I, both members of our school SGO Honor Council, decided to make the drive together in the morning before the event. We got up and ready at 4am, and met to ride together at 4:45! It's been a long time since the alarm went off THAT early. We made a coffee run (even Starbucks isn't up that early!) and headed out.

The drive was foggy and rainy, and we weren't sure where we were headed. I didn't bring the GPS from my hubby's truck, thinking that my mapquest printout would be all we needed. Looking back, it's kind of a metaphor for our careers, isn't it? We are dressed for the part, prepared, and excited about what the future might hold, but at the same time we were going 60 miles an hour in the foggy drizzle, with only a vague idea of our destination. Silly comparison, but the further we drove down those long, dark, narrow roads, the more I wished I knew where I was going.

Well, the drizzle subsided and the roads opened up, and before our deadline was up, we made it to Lynchburg to Liberty University! VSNA had done a great job placing small signs directing us to the correct building, and once we found a parking spot we headed on in. The foyer of the large building our lecture hall was in is breath-taking. Tall grand columns, large portraits hanging on the walls, and the vaulted ceiling all made it feel like we were in for something great. Once we were registered and signed in, we grabbed bananas and scooted on in for the opening session, and we were right on time for the 8:15 start.

Throughout the day we were treated to speakers from all different parts of the healthcare and education industries, and we were able to choose which "breakout sessions" we wanted to attend. I was very happy with those that I chose - including a Critical Care lecture with the Dean of Nursing at UVA! And an amazing Nurse Anesthetist lecture with the Chief Nurse Anesthetist from DUKE! I just couldn't get over the caliber of the speakers at this convention. GREAT JOB to all of those who helped put this together.

We had a large exhibitor's hall with rows of tables from colleges and universities around the country, as well as health systems vying for new nurses. Our own Whitney Malone and the HR department from Bon Secours was even there! We were treated to lunch in the dining hall down the road, and dessert halfway through the afternoon.

I learned a lot, but honestly the most powerful message was that the hospital systems here in our country truly NEED us. They NEED quality graduates to join them in the hospitals and help care for their patients. They NEED new Nurse Practitioners to help them open their new ICU beds. They NEED us to be successful, and they are there for us now if we need help or motivation.

It's not about how perfectly we can start an IV or hang a bag of fluids, it's about doing these skills well while we CARE for the whole patient. We see the big picture and help everyone work together. And this is why we need to keep pushing forward to get our careers in gear - it's time to get out into the world and CONTRIBUTE!

If the nursing community is desperately ready for us to join them, shouldn't we?