NSWS Members at the WSNA Leadership Conference- September 2011
Alex Dunne
Skagit Valley College
RN Class of 2013
Student Nurse Club, Incoming President
Nursing Students of Washington State, Recording Secretary
The Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA) Leadership Conference is held annually at Campbell’s Resort in Chelan WA. The Cabinet on Economic and General Welfare graciously extended a “scholarship” for several students to attend this year’s 2011 conference -- which included a lovely hotel room, conference registration, meals, and even mileage reimbursement.
At the beginning of the conference all the students were asked to stand and be recognized, and the warm welcome continued throughout the education sessions, breaks and meals – everywhere I went, people were always saying, “we’re so glad you’re here!” and “come sit with us!” There was a lot to learn about how WSNA interrelates with the American Nurses Association (ANA) and the National Federation of Nurses (NFN), and WSNA’s programs and priorities – so I’m glad they gave us copies of all the speakers’ presentations in a big notebook to take home (I have the feeling I’ll be referencing that for years to come.) But, lest you think it’s all work and no play, I’ll have you know these folks also really know how to have fun – the awards ceremony has a theme every year, and 2011’s was replete with Lions, Tigers, Bears and a singing Lollipop Bunch!
All in all, I must admit, the biggest thrill for me was meeting Karen Daley, the President of the American Nurses Association – that was an honor and a privilege I didn’t think would happen for many years, where I’d be one of thousands in an audience – not one on one helping her carry something down the hall and chatting about her presentation. But it just goes to show that Following the Yellow Brick Road of Leadership can lead to some great opportunities, not only in Oz, but also right here in the Emerald City!
Coleen Belton
Pacific Lutheran University
RN Class of 2012
The WSNA Leadership Conference in Lake Chelan, Washington was very interesting to attend as a nursing student. I was able to connect with other nursing students and current nurses who attended the conference. I attended this conference out of pure curiosity. I wanted to learn more about WSNA and its members. Not only did I learn a lot but in the process of learning about the different things that WSNA offers, I also learned about the members that attended. There were nurses from all over the state. This was a great place to network and make professional contact with practicing nurses.
I attended several of the information sessions that included everything from a speech by WSNA’s president, Karen Daley, to how to work better within a team. I loved listening to the speaker on relaxation techniques, hearing from Karen Daley about her journey to promoting safety for nurses, and from Barbara Crane, the president of NFN (National Federation of Nurses), about issues on the national level. Hearing about everything that is going on with nurses around the state and the nation really put things into perspective for me as a future nurse. I was able to hear about the issues that have been solved, the current issues, and issues that are projected to come in the future.
This conference made me excited to participate in issues that catch my interest, both on a state level and on a national level. Just seeing the exuberance of the nurses encouraged me because I was able to see that there are people out there in professional positions that are concerned about the issues relating to the nursing profession. After attending this conference, I feel I am more prepared and ready to stand up and make a difference in the world of nursing for both patients and nurses.
Katie Bates, RN
Pacific Lutheran University
RN/MSN Class of 2012
As a recently licensed RN, I wanted to attend the WSNA Leadership conference to learn about the issues affecting nurses today. At the conference, I had the opportunity to meet nurses from all over the state, listen to educational and inspiring speeches, and make friends with fellow nursing students. We also received an incredibly warm welcome from the rest of the conference attendees. It was so nice to feel supported as a student and as a new nurse. This experience has helped me to realize the importance of being aware of the issues affecting nurses today and how I can be involved in improving the environment for nurses everywhere.
Brianna Payne
Pierce College, Puyallup
RN Class of 2012
I am so grateful for the opportunity to attend the WSNA convention because of the knowledge and community I gained. Karen Daley's inspirational speech taught me that nursing goes to a different level of advocacy that I knew. It is not just advocating for the patient at the bedside, but as nurses we have the responsibility to follow through problems to the national level. Between Karen Daley's speech and being surrounded by empowering professionals, I left the conference feeling like I can really make a difference in my nursing career. Because of the WSNA conference, I also feel more knowledgable about topics such as safety, stress relief, community, nursing roles, and the intertwining of advocacy with the political process.
For each of the nurses that I was able to talk with at the conference, I asked them "what is the one piece of advice that you would give for nursing students?" I received some wonderful responses, such as get a mentor, trust your instincts and gut feelings, don't be afraid to stick up for what you believe, and you will survive! I was able to take these great pieces of wisdom to my fellow students, along with a summary of the rest of the conference. Being able to share my new knowledge with my fellow students was a great experience in itself. I am so glad that my opportunity also got to benefit them as well.
Skagit Valley College
RN Class of 2013
Student Nurse Club, Incoming President
Nursing Students of Washington State, Recording Secretary
The Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA) Leadership Conference is held annually at Campbell’s Resort in Chelan WA. The Cabinet on Economic and General Welfare graciously extended a “scholarship” for several students to attend this year’s 2011 conference -- which included a lovely hotel room, conference registration, meals, and even mileage reimbursement.
At the beginning of the conference all the students were asked to stand and be recognized, and the warm welcome continued throughout the education sessions, breaks and meals – everywhere I went, people were always saying, “we’re so glad you’re here!” and “come sit with us!” There was a lot to learn about how WSNA interrelates with the American Nurses Association (ANA) and the National Federation of Nurses (NFN), and WSNA’s programs and priorities – so I’m glad they gave us copies of all the speakers’ presentations in a big notebook to take home (I have the feeling I’ll be referencing that for years to come.) But, lest you think it’s all work and no play, I’ll have you know these folks also really know how to have fun – the awards ceremony has a theme every year, and 2011’s was replete with Lions, Tigers, Bears and a singing Lollipop Bunch!
All in all, I must admit, the biggest thrill for me was meeting Karen Daley, the President of the American Nurses Association – that was an honor and a privilege I didn’t think would happen for many years, where I’d be one of thousands in an audience – not one on one helping her carry something down the hall and chatting about her presentation. But it just goes to show that Following the Yellow Brick Road of Leadership can lead to some great opportunities, not only in Oz, but also right here in the Emerald City!
Coleen Belton
Pacific Lutheran University
RN Class of 2012
The WSNA Leadership Conference in Lake Chelan, Washington was very interesting to attend as a nursing student. I was able to connect with other nursing students and current nurses who attended the conference. I attended this conference out of pure curiosity. I wanted to learn more about WSNA and its members. Not only did I learn a lot but in the process of learning about the different things that WSNA offers, I also learned about the members that attended. There were nurses from all over the state. This was a great place to network and make professional contact with practicing nurses.
I attended several of the information sessions that included everything from a speech by WSNA’s president, Karen Daley, to how to work better within a team. I loved listening to the speaker on relaxation techniques, hearing from Karen Daley about her journey to promoting safety for nurses, and from Barbara Crane, the president of NFN (National Federation of Nurses), about issues on the national level. Hearing about everything that is going on with nurses around the state and the nation really put things into perspective for me as a future nurse. I was able to hear about the issues that have been solved, the current issues, and issues that are projected to come in the future.
This conference made me excited to participate in issues that catch my interest, both on a state level and on a national level. Just seeing the exuberance of the nurses encouraged me because I was able to see that there are people out there in professional positions that are concerned about the issues relating to the nursing profession. After attending this conference, I feel I am more prepared and ready to stand up and make a difference in the world of nursing for both patients and nurses.
Katie Bates, RN
Pacific Lutheran University
RN/MSN Class of 2012
As a recently licensed RN, I wanted to attend the WSNA Leadership conference to learn about the issues affecting nurses today. At the conference, I had the opportunity to meet nurses from all over the state, listen to educational and inspiring speeches, and make friends with fellow nursing students. We also received an incredibly warm welcome from the rest of the conference attendees. It was so nice to feel supported as a student and as a new nurse. This experience has helped me to realize the importance of being aware of the issues affecting nurses today and how I can be involved in improving the environment for nurses everywhere.
Brianna Payne
Pierce College, Puyallup
RN Class of 2012
I am so grateful for the opportunity to attend the WSNA convention because of the knowledge and community I gained. Karen Daley's inspirational speech taught me that nursing goes to a different level of advocacy that I knew. It is not just advocating for the patient at the bedside, but as nurses we have the responsibility to follow through problems to the national level. Between Karen Daley's speech and being surrounded by empowering professionals, I left the conference feeling like I can really make a difference in my nursing career. Because of the WSNA conference, I also feel more knowledgable about topics such as safety, stress relief, community, nursing roles, and the intertwining of advocacy with the political process.
For each of the nurses that I was able to talk with at the conference, I asked them "what is the one piece of advice that you would give for nursing students?" I received some wonderful responses, such as get a mentor, trust your instincts and gut feelings, don't be afraid to stick up for what you believe, and you will survive! I was able to take these great pieces of wisdom to my fellow students, along with a summary of the rest of the conference. Being able to share my new knowledge with my fellow students was a great experience in itself. I am so glad that my opportunity also got to benefit them as well.
