Who's going to AACN NTI 2010 in Washington DC May 15-20th?

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allnurses.com will be exhibiting for the 3rd year in a row at AACN's NTI and we love meeting our members at nursing conventions as well as future members ;)

It's a great Critical Care Nursing Convention.

So who is planning on going to the critical care AACN NTI convention in Washington DC May 15-20th

Who's coming?

Specializes in ICU.
You only have to sign up ahead of time for the ticketed sessions - the ones that, by nature of the learning methods, have to be limited to a small number - and the preconference sessions. There definitely is a huge selection of topics and it's pretty overwhelming to look at that list. When you register at the conference centre you'll get a bag full of goodies, including a guide to the venue, an expanded list of topics with more info about the speaker(s) and the intended lecture, a conference planner, a name badge, a pencil and some other neat things. I bring a notebook from home so that I have lots of room to make notes.

I try to have an idea of what I want to focus on (peds, healthy work environments, ethics). I like to look at the list without making any effort to decide what I'm going to do first. Then I look at the sessions that cover topics related to my interests. Then I look at which ones are only offered in one session and plot them in. Then I go through the rest and make up a master list. Each morning I write down the sessions I plan to attend and the room numbers on a piece of paper from the notepad in my hotel room and slip it into the pocket at the back of my name badge. That way I can find the rooms as quickly as possible so that I don't miss the start of the lecture. I carry things with me like fruit, granola bars, bottled water and other little snacks because I don't want to miss anything and usually the food vendors are incredibly busy with long lines.

Make sure you make time to go through the expo... AN will be there with a bunch of souvenirs and you'll get a chance to meet some of the staff. There are hundreds of vendors and resources at the expo and they have some very neat swag. You'll NEVER have to buy another pen as long as you live.

Rent a mailbox on the first day so that you have somewhere to put the things you'll be collecting as time goes by. They have a mail-home service set up so that you can have it all shipped home at the end of the conference rather than carry it and maybe have to pay for overweight luggage. Even if you choose not to ship your stuff home, having a place to put it is worth the nominal fee they charge for the use of the box.

Wear comfortable shoes!!!!! There's a lot of walking involved. 2008 in Chicago there were over 9,000 people there. Dress in layers because you'll be too warm at times and freezing at others. Plan on going without a lot of sleep because you'll be making new friends and socializing. Plan to have a lot of fun.

Sorry it took me awhile to respond. Thank you so much for taking the time to write all of this out. It is so helpful. How do people normally dress at these things? Casual, business casual?

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, PCVICU and peds oncology.

You'll see absolutely the gamut, from very formal business wear to jeans and tee-shirts, shorts and flip-flops.

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This photo is from Chicago in 2008; it was earlier in May than usual and it was pretty chilly and wet. Most of the speakers dress professionally for their sessions and like everybody else for the rest of the time. The vendors dress professionally because they're working, although the AN staff wear tee shirts... we're a casual bunch. I usually pack things that are comfortable but nice enough that I can go to a good restaurant without changing. Trust me, whatever you wear, you're not likely to stick out!

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Specializes in Critical Care (ICU/CCU).

Just paid for my registration so I will see you all in D.C.!! I'm excited because I missed out in New Orleans last year and Chicago was a blast so I'm sure this year will be amazing!!

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Specializes in CCU, Geriatrics, Critical Care, Tele.

Great advice janfrn! She's an NTI veteran ;) This will be my 3rd NTI, but I'm busy with the AN Booth and all, I have not gone to too many of the classes and events.

I'm looking forward to meeting you all at NTI and putting a face to the name. Make sure you stop by the allnurses.com booth, tell us your username and chat with the staff, we usually have a goody bag for members who introduce themselves to us and tell us their usernames :)

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

visit our allnurses booth# 4409 in hall c, career opportunities section for our world famous give aways.....and get a picture with the bossman brian.

members: be sure to ask for your free goodie bag stuffed with allnurses pens...just tell us you bb name!

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Specializes in RN, BSN, CHDN.

Can I have a goody bag even though I am staff lol-the goody bag sounds very exciting!!!

:bowingpur:tku: ;)

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

Only if you tell me your bb name...... and work like crazy helping me stuff the bags!

:D

Just 2 weeks left till our latest adventure. Check out the freebies at the information center, hosted by allnurses.com for the second year too!!!!

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You'll NEVER have to buy another pen as long as you live.

So true. I'm still going through and giving out pens from NTI Chicago 2008! Trying to get rid of them for this year in D.C.'s new pen collection.

Rent a mailbox on the first day so that you have somewhere to put the things you'll be collecting as time goes by. They have a mail-home service set up so that you can have it all shipped home at the end of the conference rather than carry it and maybe have to pay for overweight luggage. Even if you choose not to ship your stuff home, having a place to put it is worth the nominal fee they charge for the use of the box.

Did not know that they offered this last time so thank you!! I actually left some stuff behind at my hotel last time due to space and airline weight restrictions.

Wear comfortable shoes!!!!! There's a lot of walking involved. 2008 in Chicago there were over 9,000 people there. Dress in layers because you'll be too warm at times and freezing at others. Plan on going without a lot of sleep because you'll be making new friends and socializing. Plan to have a lot of fun.

Definitely layers. I grew up in the midwest so I thought Chicago in May should be nice spring weather. On Friday night it was nice, we ate at an outdoor patio restaurant on Rush Street for dinner, short sleeve shirts were comfortable. But on Saturday morning for the first pre-conference, very cold jacket weather and it variated like that during the entire week. But most days were cold and wet. But still had a great time.

Or maybe I've just lived in Texas too long and lost my endurance for midwestern cold weather. Don't know.

But I used to live on the East Coast as well and D.C. has always been my favorite East Coast city by far so I'm very excited to go back as well as be with a co-worker who has never been there so I will be able to experience it once again through new eyes.

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Specializes in ED, ICU, lifetime Diabetes Education.

DC is usually pretty warm mid-May but the convention center may have the AC on full blast

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, PCVICU and peds oncology.

The meeting rooms at NTI are usually much like a meat locker... wear a sweater!

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Specializes in ICU.

It was nice to meet everyone!! Had a blast at NTI and DC!! If anyone would like to see some of my photos, I will be posting them on my blog, so send me a PM for a link

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Specializes in ED, ICU, lifetime Diabetes Education.

I would love to see your pictures. I would also like to thank allnurses.com for the year's supply of black pens

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