Anyone go to a Nursing convention?

meanmaryjean, DNP, RN · Dec 23, 2013

I presented at a conference last year in Chicago - it was great. And you have your evenings free to do as you wish. And honestly, there's a lot of downtime during the day, too.

I'm attending NTI in Denver this spring, and have abstracts out to present at ones in San Antonio and Vegas later in the year.

You learn a lot and meet a lot of interesting people. And if you need a lifetime supply of free pens- well, a nursing conference exhibit hall is just he place! :)

BlueDevil,DNP, DNP, RN · Dec 23, 2013

I've been to dozens. Chose carefully, and if you really want to see the city add a few days on the front or back of your trip. If you go to Orlando, for instance, there is not typically enough time off to go to Disney World and still make it worth the price of admission. It takes all day to see one part of DW. If you imagine going to the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, etc, it is going to take several whole days. If you are going to go to Hawaii, ask yourself is it really worth it to go all the way to Hawaii just to spend 3 hours a day on the island(s) and the rest in a conference room? Vegas would be fine because frankly, I hate Vegas and 3-4 hours in the evening is MORE than enough for me.

Choose a conference that you would go to even if it were down the block, don't choose it because of the location. Try to find out something about the speakers if you aren't familiar with their work. Then, if the location happens to be of interest, say New Orleans or someplace snazzy, just give yourself two or three extra days to enjoy. Otherwise you may just as well do it over the internet and save for a real vacation.

lrc1203 · Dec 23, 2013

did you go alone or bring anybody along with you? Someone told me they brought their kids and i'm like well is there really any time to spend? I guess if you add days on you could turn it into a vaca but otherwise I think if I went alone for the 3 days I would just stay in the hotel the rest of the time

lrc1203 · Dec 23, 2013

I guess with ours it's paid for also but their are stipulations such as if you have attended in the last 3 years you aren't eligible

BlueDevil,DNP, DNP, RN · Dec 23, 2013

did you go alone or bring anybody along with you? Someone told me they brought their kids and i'm like well is there really any time to spend? I guess if you add days on you could turn it into a vaca but otherwise I think if I went alone for the 3 days I would just stay in the hotel the rest of the time

If you are asking me, sometimes my family comes along, other times they do not. Generally speaking, I go to two a year; one for family practice in general (I switch between AANP and AAFP every year) and one for a specialty area in which I'd like some extra study/reinforcement.

Obviously my spouse is there to be with the children while I am detained. They usually do most of the touristy things without me, and we have dinner together, visit something that only takes a few evening hours. Most of the conferences I have been to are typically 7:30/8a through 4-5pm, sometimes later. Remember, the real purpose of the trip is the CME, lol. By the time you add in airfare and hotel, these things cost thousands of dollars; it would be pretty silly to skip out early and not make the most of it.

It's education, not vacation. If you want a real vacation, take one.

kp1987 · Dec 23, 2013

I wanted to go to one but I wasn't chosen for the funding and I don't really want to pay 500 bucks but I'd totally go

meanmaryjean, DNP, RN · Dec 23, 2013

I would never take my family. (Caveat: I have four kids, a husband who doesn't like adventure, and have homeschooled for the past 25 years.) I consider conferences my "alone, intellectual" time.

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Dec 23, 2013

I'm with meanmaryjean on this one. I've been to dozens in all my years, and now I present at them. This is my time to learn new stuff, hang out with colleagues, meet new ones, pick up a nearly infinite supply of grocery pads, fridge magnets, and and stocking-stuffer gadgetry, and watch cheesy movies in my room. :) I usually go alone (I snore) but have in the past shared a room with friends, and that can be great fun and a money-saver too.

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Dec 23, 2013

I have been to a few before money got tight in hospital budget. Too expensive to pay for on my own but I have to say I always came back with good information to share

elkpark · Dec 23, 2013

I go to the annual national convention of my (specialty) professional organization most years. I pay my own way -- I've never worked for an employer who would pay my way, although I've always gotten the time paid as educational time, and haven't had to use vacation time (if that were the case, I'd have to think long and hard about a) going to the convention and b) continuing to work for an employer with so little support for continuing ed).

I find them to be great opportunities for education and professional networking, and well worth the cost.

meanmaryjean, DNP, RN · Dec 23, 2013

I also snore and my choice of nightwear (a size 5X man's T-shirt that says "Dixie Car Wash" on it) makes a roomie out of the question!!