Here’s what you missed at the NurseLearn conference
Reflecting on the success of our first CBC nursing conference
This month, NurseLearn hosted our first-ever community-based care (CBC) nursing conference. And it was… a huge hit!
The conference brought together over 200 Oregon CBC nurses, nurses from other specialty fields, student nurses, other CBC professionals, vendors, and sponsors.
Our NurseLearn education programs operate online, and through Zoom calls, and this was our first time bringing to life one of our core values: creating a space for CBC nurses and friends of nurses to come together and build community.
Sessions on Leadership, the CBC Landscape, the Importance of Humor and More!
The day started with a series of TED-talk style presentations. NurseLearn Founder and CEO Cynthia McDaniel took the stage to deliver a presentation about how to navigate being put into leadership positions unexpectedly, a phenomenal called “accidental leadership”.
One attendee commented, “After this session, I feel more encouraged as a leader. It‘s something I didn’t anticipate taking on in this role as a CBC nurse, but have really worked at improving at,” a sentiment that so many CBC nurses can relate to.
Next, Oregon Center for Nursing Executive Director Jana Bitton gave attendees a lay of the CBC land, explaining our “nursing shortage” and how organizations can better support nurses through career transitions into community-based care.
The opening sessions ended with Ann McQueen, Quality Assurance and Training Coordinator at the Oregon Department of Human Services’ Office of Aging and People with Disabilities, reminding us about the importance of incorporating humor and fun into our practice.
McQueen invited attendees to share some of their funny stories from their experiences as a CBC nurse, which got the crowd roaring with laughter. Afterwards, one attendee commented, “I loved this session. It made me think…maybe nurses should write down their funny stories to be published!” Now that’s an idea.
Following the opening session, attendees made their way into morning and then afternoon breakouts, each of which covered hot topics in community-based care: Navigating new RN Delegation rules, Nurse Leadership, and Managing Symptoms of Dementia.
The rooms were packed with attendees eager to learn from our wonderful speakers.
Attendees got to learn from expert speakers, like Elderwise Nurse Consultant Laura Richardson and Adult Protective Services Learning and Development Specialist Susanna Reese in a presentation called, “Detective Mode: Mastering the Art of Investigation.”
Published author and expert Gerontologist and Psychiatic Nurse Practitioner, Dr. Susan Saboe Rose, led two enthusiastic sessions exploring best practices for managing symptoms of dementia. The group discussed how to manage agitation, aggression, mood instability, and psychosis in older adults with neurocognitive disorders and investigated appropriate use of dementia-specific medications, antidepressants, mood stabilizers, and antipsychotics.
These breakout sessions were designed as an opportunity for attendees to engage directly with experts in the field and have a chance to interact with their peers. “I cannot decide which aspect of this conference was most valuable,” said one attendee. “I appreciated the time with peers, the presentations’ focus on important topics in CBC, and the like-energy we all held that filled each room,” they concluded.
In addition to the fantastic program of speakers and presentations, during lunch, the NurseLearn team got to do something really special.
NurseLearn’s 2nd CBC Cohort Graduates!
NurseLearn provides education programs to nurses in, or interested in, community-based care settings. Our Enhanced Program, a mentored learning program, just graduated our second cohort of scholars in February. At the conference, NurseLearn invited those scholars to the stage to celebrate their commitment to the practice by completing the NurseLearn Enhanced Program.
Each graduate of the program, both past and present, were welcomed to walk across the stage and receive their official certificate of completion from their program mentor.
This graduation ceremony was a heart-felt opportunity to celebrate the work of these committed CBC nurses in-person and give scholars a space to further connect with fellow nurses in the field. Congratulations to our Enhanced Program graduates and future-graduates!
OSBN Director Rachel Prusak On the Importance of Nurse Wellness
The day concluded with a powerful and poignant presentation, “Nurse Wellness is Public Protection,” by Oregon State Board of Nursing Executive Director Rachel Prusak.
Director Prusak’s session highlighted the crucial role of policy in shaping nursing practice and the vital advocacy role nurses play in promoting professional and regulatory excellence. It explored the impact of past, present, and future policies on the nursing practice environment and the steps the Board is taking to better promote nurse wellness.
The session sparked group discussion right there in the presentation hall, and nurses passed around the mic to share perspectives on the importance of being able to pursue and receive mental health resources without fear of impacting their nursing license.
Said best by Director Prusak, “Nurse wellness IS public protection. Period,” and making sure our nurses feel safe to access mental health resources is a vital step in making sure we can meet the needs of residents and patients.
It was an important discussion and presentation that left nurses feeling like someone finally had their back. One nurse reflected, “I appreciated hearing that the Board of Nursing is being intentional about nurse advocacy. It inspires me to raise my level of involvement in Oregon nursing.”
NurseLearn was honored to be able to host an event that left such an impact on nurses in community-based care settings. And, we will do it again soon! Sign up for NurseLearn updates about future conferences and explore NurseLearn education opportunities on nurselearn.com!
Thank you to our conference speakers, sponsors, and vendors whose participation made this important and impactful day possible!