Dear Mountain to Sound Chapter Members / NTI Scholarship Committee,

Thank you MTS for the incredible opportunity to attend NTI in Orlando.

I encourage other MTS nurses to attend NTI in 2013. Why go to NTI? Get all your CCRN

CERPS! Energize yourself! Invest in yourself by attending NTI! The hardest part of NTI is deciding which sessions to attend. There are over 300 sessions in six days. I had to make myself a timetable. Here are some of my personal NTI highlights.

Mary Stahl, past AACN president, gave a rousing address during a Supersession. Keynote speaker,Robyn Benincasa shared inspirational and motivational stories during her address, “How Winning Works: Essential Elements of Human Synergy.” Everyday heroes were honored, such as hospital teams that established best practices and benchmark systems of excellence that resulted in sustained and consistent success in eliminating ventilator associated pneumonia and central line-associated bloodstream infections. I felt camaraderie with the 7000 nurses attending; we shared not only clinical knowledge, but an emotional connection.

A panel discussion entitled, “Actionable Alarms or Crying Wolf?” was offered as a 7 AM, Sunrise Session. Sucha relevant topic for my life in the ICU! This discussion was about learning and becoming better at what I do, so I can provide better care to my patients. A wonderful breakfast was included. Tickets went fast, so register early for Sunrise Sessions.

The Supersessions, ExpoED, and classroom sessions included speakers with resumes a mile long. Some of my favorite classes were: “Anticoagulant Therapy: The Old, The New,The Tried and True.” This class truly make a positive contribution to my patient care, furthering my understanding of the most commonly used anticoagulation agents and their use in the management of various pathologies, and the recent advancements in pharmacology. Another class, “Gut Wrenching, Stomach Churning: Gastrointestinal Emergencies in Critical Care” helped me to assess significant signs and symptoms, identify key diagnostic findings and manage priorities for patients with GI emergencies. “Pressors, Preload Reducers and Pumping Agents: Hemodynamic Drip Titration Made Easy” was another of my favorite classes because the speaker engaged the class with interesting case studies. NTI offered me unparalleled opportunities to exchange ideas with other nurses and learn best practices from national experts.

There was a Self-Study Pavilion, with computers, headphones and Self-Study Courses, all available for credit hours. I had fun listening and quizzing myself on different heart and lung sounds on the headphones. Next, I reviewed the CCRN Adult Certification Course.

The Exposition is an essential part of the NTI experience. There were more than 350 exhibits, covering an area larger than two football fields. I watched hands-on demonstrations by manufacturers of equipment / supplies that I use daily in my institution, and gleaned more insight into their uses. The Fitness Pavilion had electronic games and exercise programs designed to keep nurses healthy and fit, with daily contests and prizes. Hill-Rom sponsored a Relaxation Station, where I enjoyed a refreshing seated massage.

SeaWorld Orlando was the site for “Nurses’ Night Off”. We had SeaWorld all to ourselves! I saw amazing dolphins, seals and sea lions, and I even braved the thrilling rides, Manta and Kraken.

It’s not too soon to make plans for next year’s NTI. I will see you May 18-23, 2013in Boston! Thank you again!

Barbra

Barbra Clary, R.N., B.S.N., CCRN, CEN

MTS-AACN NTI Scholarship Recipient and Chapter Member