How to Successfully Navigate NTI

[tnbutterfly - Mary, BSN]

The 2018 NTI Conference is Sold Out. Join Us Next Year in Orlando.

The conference this year has sold out. Registration is closed. NTI will not be accepting any additional registrations online or on-site in Boston

Thrive at NTI: Some Tips for the Best Experience

This year, more than 8,500 attendees are expected. The size of the conference alone can challenge NTI newcomers and veteran attendees alike. It is important to plan ahead. Use this checklist to start planning your week for a fulfilling and stress-free conference experience. Look for more tips on the FAQ page at www.aacn.org/nti.

Explore My NTI and get connected. Sign in on the AACN website and use My NTI to create your schedule, plan your week and participate in discussions with facilitators and other attendees - a great forum for your questions about planning, sessions, and Boston.

Organize your schedule and special events. Create your schedule on My NTI, and be sure to add a Sunrise Session to secure your seat. Reservations are required.

• Check if a session is offered twice or online after the conference to help you decide which sessions to attend on-site. Look for the icons in your Program Schedule or online to easily identify these sessions.
• Because of the high attendance, it's important to pick a second or third choice in case your first one is full. Also, pay attention to the room locations of your second and third choices so you can get there quickly. Try to pick alternatives close to your first choice.
• Arrive early to sessions that are a top priority for your education plan, and allow enough travel time.
• Please note that adding a session to your schedule is for planning purposes only and does not guarantee a seat, except for the API reception and Sunrise Sessions. All other sessions are open seating (first-come, first-seated). Please arrive early for the best opportunity to attend a session.

Get NTI tips from the pros. Join NTI Program Planning Committee chairs at "Navigating NTI 101," Sunday, May 20, at 4:15 p.m. or Monday, May 21, at 8 a.m. They'll walk you through how to make NTI an enjoyable and rewarding professional experience.

Take a tour of the convention center. If you arrive early, consider joining members of the NTI and API program planning committees for a tour of the convention center on Sunday beginning at 10 a.m. every 30 minutes. Familiarizing yourself with the convention center layout and key locations will make it much easier to get around quickly once the conference begins.

Maximize your conference experience with the Learning Action Journal. Tools to assist you plan, learn and act on your conference education and activities are available at www.aacn.org/nti. The Learning Action Journal is included in your attendee bag.

Dress for comfort and temperature shifts. Buy a pair or two of comfy shoes and break them in before the trip. Meeting room temperatures often fluctuate, so wear layers.

Allow adequate travel time to Convention Center. If you are at a hotel in the downtown or Back Bay area, allow for a 20- to 30-minute shuttle ride due to traffic congestion in the city.

Plan meals and snacks, and drink plenty of water. The Participant Map in your attendee bag highlights food options and hours at the convention center, but bring nutritious snacks such as fruit, granola or nuts and bottled water for your midday energy boost. Food lines in the convention center can become quite long.

Explore Boston beyond NTI. The diverse neighborhoods of Boston offer endless opportunities for cultural and outdoor activities. Get started at Boston Guide | Hotels, Restaurants, Meetings & Things to Do in Boston or ask the locals at the Host Chapters Booth on-site.

Enjoy a fun-filled Nurses' Night Off at Seaport World Trade Center, Wednesday, May 23, 6:30-9:30 p.m. Unwind at this Boston landmark and dance to the city's premier band, Night Shift. The evening out includes complimentary "taste of Boston" hors-d'oeuvres, coffee and tea. We'll also offer a cash bar serving bottled water, sodas, wine, and beer. Shuttle service will be provided throughout the evening.

Stay and make it a vacation. With a mix of colonial charm and urban sophistication, Boston features a wealth of historical and cultural attractions. Don't miss this opportunity to experience a city offering great dining and nightlife, extraordinary shopping, exciting sporting events, and a vibrant arts and cultural community.

Safe travels. See you in Boston!

Source: AACN Bold Voices, the member publication of the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses.