Senior nursing students traveled to Nashville to present research to over 3,000 nursing students, faculty, and nursing leaders.
In April, eight undergraduate nursing students and Assistant Professor Mary Murphy, PhD, APRN, FNP from ¶¶Òô»ÆƬapp’s Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies presented their capstone research at the 66 th Annual National Student Nurses’ Association Convention in Nashville, Tennessee.
Olivia Foye ’18, Kaylee Dwyer ’18, Samantha Bongo ’18, Katherine Dowling ’18, Elizabeth Harwood ’18, and Lilly Kemm ’18 had the opportunity to present their original research in the poster presentation session to a conference of over 3,000 nursing students, faculty, and nursing leaders from across the country. The nursing students who were selected for the conference were all seniors completing their capstone and transition clinical experiences.
In addition to presenting their research, students attended seminars, workshops, and general sessions that focused on the trends, issues, and career opportunities within the nursing field.
“The conference was an amazing experience for all of us,” stated Foye ’18, Fairfield's Student Nurses Association president. “It was great to talk to other student nurses from across the country to share our experiences and knowledge with one another. In addition, there were several representatives from health systems across the country, graduate nursing schools, and board certification representatives sharing information with us.”
Each of the students conducted research on different aspects of healthcare that they are interested in or have had first-hand experience with while working in hospitals. Some of the projects included Dowling’s research on expectant mothers and false signs of labor, and Bongo’s project which centered on critical care nurses and the personal effects of working with patients in distress. Bongo provided an educational brochure that offers ways for nurses to focus on their own self-care so that they can avoid burning out due to exhaustion.
Reflecting on her time in Nashville, Harwood said, “This was my first time presenting at a conference and it was extremely rewarding. I met so many people and got to hear about others' experiences and learn from them. The conference provided me with many networking opportunities because I met professionals from a multitude of hospitals, graduate schools, stethoscope companies, NCLEX Prep companies, and more.”
The conference proved to be a great learning opportunity for all of the nursing students because it was a chance for them to work alongside other nurses from across the country and network as they prepare for the future after graduation.
