Reflections from a First-time Conference Attendee
By Jenna Davis, PhD, RNC-NIC, CNEcl
NANN Footprints: Stories from the NICU July 2023
I couldn't pick one word to describe the 38th Annual National Association of Neonatal Nurses conference, so I’m choosing three: invigorating, informative, inspiring! This was my first experience at any national conference, and I was enthralled throughout. The party started with a neon drum solo and the energy continued over the entire four days. I even shook the hand of THE Dr. Jacqueline McGrath!
I traveled to the conference alone, looking forward to a reprieve from my typical day-to-day. I was honored with the Robyn Main Excellence in Clinical Practice Award, and I also had a poster accepted for presentation. Therefore, I was a highly vested attendee. The conference setting may have been vast and aloof in the grand Paris Hotel in Las Vegas, but the conference attendees were a stark contrast: welcoming, humble, and eager to learn. During the opening ceremony, I sat with two women from Florida who took my photo and were just as excited to watch the awards video as I was. During NANN after dark’s neon dance party, I met a lovely woman from Texas with whom I ate cheeseburger sliders, conversed about the rousing speakers thus far (especially Eileen T. O’Grady—I simply cannot wait to dive into her new book that was gifted to all of us!), and provided comical commentary on the attendees who decided to dance (or should I say boogie!).
If my writing seems enthusiastic, it pales to the energy experienced at the conference. The experience was rich with connection, but also knowledge. I learned of resuscitation efforts done on periviable 22-23 weekers, explored legal best practices as a practicing RN, and gained a pragmatic toolkit to build resiliency in healthcare.
So to those who have attended: I know you can relate. And to those who have yet to attend: go! Go by yourself, but know you will not be alone.
Interested in sharing your Stories from the NICU? Email Autumn James at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..