By Melane’ J. Marsh, MSN, BSN, CEN, CMRN, APHON, SANE
Nevada ENA State Council President
Melane’ J. Marsh, MSN, BSN, CEN, CMRN, APHON, SANE
Get ready to roll the dice, shuffle the cards and pull the slot handle. It’s time to bet on yourself and start planning your Emergency Nursing 2024 agenda.
On behalf of the Nevada ENA State Council, we look forward to welcoming you to Las Vegas Sept. 4-7. We’re here to help ignite your conference experience. Depending on if you are a first timer or if this is your 20th conference, there are endless ways to have a productive and fun time at Emergency Nursing 2024.
This is one of my favorite weeks every year. The conference is the best time to reconnect with fellow members, or as I call them, my ENA family. There are plenty of opportunities to catch up with old friends and make new ones. For instance, the legendary Welcome Party will have you smiling for pictures, dancing, laughing and meeting new people. Celebrate your colleagues and their achievements at the Hall of Honor Reception. Connect with like-minded peers at the numerous networking events throughout the conference.
I am also excited to attend the Opening Session. It kicks off with “Light on Your Darkest Day,” moments and messages of inspiration from emergency nurses who were there for others and for each other during challenging times. Then keynote speaker Randy Fox will share how to create a culture of excellence that brings out the best in people.
With more than 100 education sessions, Emergency Nursing 2024 covers an array of topics to help ED nurses improve their clinical skills, explore best practices and insights, and advance their careers. I’m looking forward to attending a variety of education sessions, including those that address workplace violence, patient flow, disaster planning and team building. I’m particularly interested in the communications sessions, such as “Enhancing Emergency Care: The Critical Role of Effective Communication,” which explores improving patient care through robust communication practices. Because I want to present at conferences in the future, another communications session I am adding to my agenda focuses on how to craft compelling abstracts.
In between sessions, I plan to check out the bustling and dynamic Experience Hall. You’ll be in awe at the 200 exhibitors there, demonstrating their innovative technology and services. Stop by some of the state council booths, where they will sell T-shirts, stickers and raffle tickets for amazing prizes. You will also find energizing, interactive learning sessions to refresh and boost your clinical skills.
And don’t miss SIM Wars. Teams of nurses will test their skills in high-stress simulated patient scenarios. The winning team will receive the SIM Wars championship belt, trophy and bragging rights. All SIM Wars team spots are filled. But please email conference.education@ena.org to add your team to the wait list.
Don’t forget to vote in the ENA elections while we are at the conference. Voting will open on Sept. 3 and close at 6 p.m. Pacific time on Sept. 6. This is your opportunity to shape the future of the association and emergency nursing.
You’ll get the chance to learn about the candidates when ENA hosts a Candidates Forum on Sept. 3 from 2-3:30 p.m. Pacific time in Ballroom I of The Venetian Resort Las Vegas, and it will be streamed live on ENA’s Facebook page. Additionally, a Meet the Candidates event will be held outside the Exhibit Hall on Sept. 5 from 4-4:30 p.m. Pacific time.
If you are arriving early or staying after the conference, bring your walking shoes, so you can experience what the Las Vegas Strip has to offer.
The city is known for its world-class dining scene, with restaurants from acclaimed chefs like David Chang, Gordon Ramsay, Joël Robuchon, Giada DeLaurentis and José Andrés.
Las Vegas’ renowned concerts or shows will not disappoint. Several singers will be in town performing their chart-topping hits, including Christina Aguilera, Garth Brooks, Shania Twain and The Beach Boys. Catch one of the city’s entertaining shows, such as the avant-garde theatrics of the Blue Man Group, the high-flying acrobatics of Cirque Du Soleil and the showmanship of illusionist David Copperfield.
Architecture and design buffs should take an up-close look at the stylish hotels on the Strip. For example, The Venetian Resort Las Vegas is all about Italian opulence, complete with its version of Venice’s Grand Canal and gondola rides. While the Bellagio Las Vegas is known for its dancing fountains, the hotel’s design resembles an idyllic town on the shores of Lake Como and includes a conservatory and botanical garden.
Remember, Emergency Nursing 2024 is a time to learn, re-energize, meet people and have fun. Stop by the state host booth, where you can purchase the Emergency Nursing 2024 pin. The Nevada ENA State Council is here to help guide you through the conference and around town to help you make the most of your time in Las Vegas, so you return home with a renewed zeal for emergency nursing.