On May 1-4, 2017, the American Pediatric Surgical Nurses Association, Inc. (APSNA), will hold its 26th Annual Scientific Meeting in Hollywood, Florida, at the Diplomat Beach Resort. When the question of "why attend a nursing conference" is asked of Internet search engines, a plethora of forums, blogs, magazines, and even academic journals will weigh in on the spectrum of opinion and experience and extend all the way to the science of networking and mentorship. Although the general consensus acknowledges the nursing professional's obligation to lifelong learning, nursing conferences have been a fertile ground for advancing the visibility and credibility of the nursing profession along with increasing individual awareness of the benefits associated with peer networking and collaboration versus the potential stagnation of practicing in demographic silos.
Pediatric surgical nursing is special and is practiced in many different ways from nursing administration, nursing clinical research, and nursing faculty to the ambulatory clinics, trauma rooms, operating rooms, and hospital beds. We gain insight and confidence when we network with our peers across a wide geographic distribution. We feel connected when we share our anecdotes and experiences along with our ongoing evidence-based practice. We have the ability to influence in a very powerful and meaningful way, and we do this by attending our annual conferences.
APSNA's conferences are designed to promote a collaborative atmosphere of lifelong learning and lifelong friendships. This is an excellent opportunity for our members to become engaged, energized, and enthusiastic about the future of our organization and for all of pediatric surgical nursing care and management moving forward because, in the somber warning by Florence Nightingale, "Unless we are making progress in our nursing every year, every month, every week, take my word for it, we are going back."