By Deborah Spann, MSN, RN-BC, CEN, FAEN
Louisiana ENA State Council President
Emergency Nursing 2025 coming to Louisiana is more than an event — it’s an invitation to experience the spirit, culture and passion that define our region. This is our opportunity to showcase what makes Louisiana exceptional: the vibrant traditions, rich culinary heritage and unparalleled hospitality that infuse every part of who we are.
Deborah Spann, MSN, RN-BC, CEN, FAEN
There’s something intangible yet unforgettable about this place — a flavor, a rhythm, a warmth — that can’t be replicated. Some may say we’re “too spicy,” both in our cuisine and in our nursing style, and we proudly take that as a compliment. Yes, our heat and humidity are real, so we kindly remind our guests to stay hydrated — and not only with our famously tempting adult beverages.
Whether you visit for the zest and energy or find yourself wanting to stay longer, we welcome you with open arms. This is Louisiana, and here, we treat you like family.
Our state is home to more than 65,000 registered nurses, including an estimated 4,000 to 5,000 emergency nurses. Of these, more than 700 are active members of our Louisiana ENA State Council. That ratio speaks volumes about the dedication, professional pride and community spirit among our emergency nurses. We value collaboration, continued learning and the shared goal of elevating our practice every day.
This year’s event holds a particularly special place in my heart. My very first ENA annual conference was held in New Orleans. I remember standing in that conference hall, surrounded by thousands of emergency nurses — all passionate, all eager to grow and all committed to excellence. In that moment, I knew I had found my people. It was a community driven by a shared desire to be better: better clinicians, better leaders, better educators, better teammates — simply better humans.
To now return to ENA’s premier gathering as the Louisiana ENA State Council president is a deeply meaningful full-circle moment for me. I’m incredibly grateful for the journey, the growth and the people who have shaped my experience through ENA.
What ENA means to me can’t be captured fully in words, but I can tell you this: Attending Emergency Nursing 2025 with your peers and immersing yourself in the professional energy and camaraderie that defines ENA will be transformational. And meeting the nurses of Louisiana — some of the most passionate, resilient and spirited professionals you’ll ever encounter — will make it even more unforgettable.
We can’t wait to welcome you. Come for the spice. Stay for the experience.