Nurses as Lifelong Learners

by | Oct 15, 2014 | 2 comments

Well, I am back. Officially back in Maryland. After a whirlwind tour of the West Coast… I think my physical body clock is finally getting readjusted to East Coast Time.

And the neat thing I heard from another nurse entrepreneur colleague one time was the notion that each trip brings back a new person. We never leave and come back exactly the same as we were. Travel- whether for professional or personal reasons- always puts a new imprint on our lives.

So I have got to say a super THANK YOU to the South Dakota Nurse’s Association. That group has got it going on! From the hospitality to the professionalism, from the organizational skills to the communication- the entire convention was a breath of fresh air. An easy place to visit and a group I would love to get back to!

While giving my keynote presentation to the SDNA, I spoke to the fact that we as nurses are all lifelong learners. We learn from books, studies and journal articles. We take in information from case studies, patient experiences and each other’s stories. But what I truly enjoyed from this group was the fact that I as the speaker was not only the one teaching.

[Tweet “The South Dakota Nurse’s Association taught me so much in return.”]

Here are some of my key takeaway’s from my keynote speech at the SDNA:

  • We are not alone! The convention theme was ‘Close Encounters of  Nursing Kind: You Are Not Alone!’ This group showed me that we are all connected via our passion, joy and dedication for nursing. I’ve never been to South Dakota, but to hear of the wonderfully innovative things that are going on at a state level was inspiring to say the least. And I never felt far from home, due to the kind and generous hospitality of everyone in the group.
  • We are proud to be nurses! From nursing students to retired nurses, this group was full of motivated men and women. They are looking to advance our profession. Create change agents in healthcare. Put nursing on the map as true leaders. I am so grateful for all of the wisdom, knowledge and experience that was shared with me this week.
  • We rock! I got to take a quick trip to Mount Rushmore- so I got to see some major rock sculptures live and in person. But in all seriousness, to be a nurse is something to be proud of. These nurse professionals of the SDNA believe in doing great work. Putting patients first. Coming together for the advancement of clinical outcomes. And they are doing an exceptional job!

I am so honored that I had the opportunity to provide my keynote talk, breakout session on Reiki Practice and closing speech on nurse entrepreneurial concepts. The event was off the charts and I am thankful for every lesson learned.

Who is learning as a nurse out there? What is something new you are learning or relearning? What have you learned about this great profession of nursing? I’d love to hear from you! Leave a comment below. Thanks for reading.

2 Comments

  1. Jack Goodsell RN BSN

    It was great to read the article and to see the positive learning experience of the author. After 20 years on the profession, I went back to school for my BSN. One of the best things I’ve ever done. Not only did I graduate Summa Cum Laude, I won the Leadership award for the entire nursing class of 2013. It invigorated me to move on for my Masters and I’m considering becoming a NP at age 53. It’s incredible to meet the challenge and continue 25 years now into nursing to be a lifelong learner and continuing to grow. Now I want to visit the Dakotas! LOL Thanls for sharing your experience!

    Reply
    • Elizabeth Scala

      Hi Jack,
      Thank you so much for coming by, sharing your experiences and taking time to comment on the blog. It sounds like your nursing career journey has been filled with learning and growth; I am so happy for you. And yes, the Dakotas (well, I have only been to South… so far) are amazing! I cannot wait for my next trip back.
      Enjoy the day,
      Elizabeth

      Reply

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Q

Love the Content?

Join the mailing list for even more great information from Elizabeth Scala!

Name
Opt-in Notice(Required)
By submitting this form, you agree to receive email marketing from Elizabeth Scala regarding our products and services.
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.