Nurse leaders + Las Vegas + a Presidential election = a busy conference week! Whew…it certainly was an eventful week as nurse leaders from around the world got together in Las Vegas for Nursing Management Congress 2016!

Preconference workshops

For two days, preconference workshops were in action. The New Manager Intensive provided fundamentals for success for those new to the role, including calculations – staffing, supplies, and equipment – to effectively and safely run a unit. In addition, new managers brushed up on relationship and communication skills, as well as handling the pressures of leadership through a period of health care reform. The Experienced Nurse Leader Intensive covered topics related to the business of health care, such as aligning with organizational goals, team development, and improving performance. Other sessions during these two days included a Certification Prep Course, Creating a World-Class Culture, and Improving the Patient Experience.

An opening session to remember

This was my first real exposure to Zubin Damania, MD, aka ZDoggMD, and I am now a big fan! His humor, talent, and passion for improving the patient experience were inspiring. He encouraged us to “reshuffle our deck” and embrace a new era of health care – Health 3.0 – re-personalized medicine with a focus on building relationships.  Here’s a brief video clip from his keynote address:
 
You can find ZDoggMD on YouTube, Facebook, and twitter. His “membership-based primary care and wellness ecosystem”, Turntable Health, is truly breaking down barriers.

So much learning

While I’ve never held a role in nursing management, the knowledge and advice from the experts at NMC are beneficial to all nurses. Here are some of the pearls and tips I learned:
“To be a successful leader, you must be flexible and move quickly in decision making.’”
Opening Session
Jeffrey Doucette, DNP, RN, FACHE, CENP, LNHA
 
“Until you change people’s minds about their work habits, they’re not going to change their work habits.”
Changing the Culture of Fatigue: A Nurse AND Patient Safety Problem
Mary Lawson Carney, DNP, RN-BC, CCRN, CNE
 
“Understanding quality across the continuum will lead to improved outcomes across the continuum.”
Reducing Readmissions Across the Care Continuum
Leonard L. Parisi, RN, MA, CPHG, FNAHQ
 
“Nurses should prepare for the future by keeping their eyes on how nursing care helps patients become and stay healthy and allows the health care system to work smoothly.”
Nursing Workforce Predictions: What’s Really Happening?
Sean Clarke, PhD, RN, FAAN
 
“It’s the simple solutions that get us where we need to be.”
Getting the Most from People Around You
Andrea Mazzoccoli, MSN, MBA, PhD, FAAN
 
“The curse of knowledge…We forget what it was like to not know what we know now.”
Talkin’ Bout My Generation: Generations in the Workplace should be Your GREATEST Strength, Not Your Biggest Headache!
Libby Spears

As next year’s planning gets underway, we invite you to look at our 2016 NMC photo album, see social media highlights, and submit an abstract!