By David Taylor, MSN, RN, CNOR
Taking care of today’s patients requires more knowledge than nurses can obtain from their basic education or through their daily experience at the bedside. Licensed professionals have an obligation to seek out learning opportunities that will ensure they have the necessary competence to provide effective nursing care. One way to keep up with evidence based practice standards is to attend a conference.
Because our profession and the perioperative nursing specialty is continuously evolving, it requires nurses to seek up-to-date information. They must educate themselves with what’s relevant and what they can use in their daily practice while providing the very best to their patients. That is why I am so passionate about the OR Today Live! Surgical Conference and why I feel every perioperative nurse should attend. It is important to me that my colleagues have the tools they need to do their job. It is about working smarter not harder, especially in an industry that seems to be changing right before our eyes. OR Today has been around for nearly 20 years and has provided readers with relevant information that educates and provides practical information for career building, problem solving and overall well-being.
As a nurse and surgical services leader, I feel fortunate and honored to chair the OR Today Live! educational advisory board. The board is made up of perioperative professionals just like you – our readers. The board represents nurses and thought leaders working in the ambulatory market, education, CS/SPD, the military, certification/credentialing and leadership segments of health care.
Each brings an expertise to the table that speaks on behalf of nurses working in those areas. The focus is finding the best speakers in the industry and bringing them to OR Today Live! so they can present relevant information that attendees can use once they return to their organizations.
If you work in the perioperative setting or are a nursing student considering a perioperative career, you don’t want to miss OR Today Live!
If you have been to one of the OR Today Live! conferences, you know how impactful it can be. If you have never been, or have not been in several years, you’re going to want to be a part of the Nashville show in August.
Reason #10 Value:
The OR Today Live! Surgical Conference is a tremendous value. It is a fraction of the cost of other conferences. Attending the OR Today Live! Surgical Conference is so affordable that you can afford to bring a friend, or several, and provide a tremendous experience for your entire team. In today’s health care climate and limited budgets, one of the first things cut is education. And with no education budget, far too many nurses will not have the opportunity to attend a regional or national nursing conference. More nurses now have to foot the bill if they want to explore new educational opportunities. I personally feel the OR Today Live! Surgical Conference brings incredible value for attendees in time and education, as well as in dollars spent for what you have available.
Estimated Cost to Attend AORN Global Surgical Conference and Expo
- Registration: $615-$950
- AORN Foundation Night Out in NOLA Party: $35
- AORN Foundation Night Out in NOLA T-Shirt: $20
- AORN Foundation Steps to Health Challenge: $20
- AORN Foundation Yoga Fitness Class: $20
- AORN Foundation Zumba Fitness Class: $20
- 5 Nights in NOLA (including taxes & fees): $1189-$1574
- Airfare to NOLA: ~$400
- Incidentals: ~$375
- Total: ~$2,694-3,414
Estimated Cost to Attend OR Today Live! Surgical Conference
- Registration: $300
- Flight to Nashville on Southwest: ~$350
- Renaissance Nashville Hotel (2 nights): $400
- Incidentals: ~$100
- Total: ~$1,150
Reason #9 Time:
Far too often health care conferences are too short or too long. In most cases it’s the latter. Many of my colleagues tell me they cannot afford to take time off work and attend conferences because they have too much responsibility. Our hectic work lives impede us from attending conferences because of their length and the time away from work. When we take too many days off, the workload becomes overwhelming and we simply feel it’s easier to not go. In addition to time away from work, we have family responsibilities which can make it equally as difficult. With the OR Today Live! Surgical Conference starting on a Sunday and lasting only three days you can have your cake and eat it too.
Reason #8 The Education:
The learning opportunities are endless at the OR Today Live! Surgical Conference. Presentations cover clinical, leadership, CS/SPD and ambulatory topics. As an attendee, you will have access to all of the learning opportunities for one low price. This allows you to learn new skills in all areas of perioperative care without paying more for additional conferences. With several CEUs available you are sure to get tips on improving CS/SPD departments, patient outcomes, expanding case volumes, growing as a leader, protecting employees and much more. In an intimate setting that is innovative and interactive, the OR Today Live! team will make sure you have a seat at the table so you never miss an opportunity to learn. OR Today Live! is approved for up to 28 continuing education credits hours. OR Today has been approved and is licensed to be a Continuing Education Provider with the State of California Board of Registered Nursing; License No. CEP 16623.
Reason #7 Industry partnership with CCI:
For those interested in the CCI certification a representative from that organization will be conducting a CSSM Prep Course. Attendees can register for CCI’s course as an add on to the conference. A separate registration fee will apply. All CEUs are subject to CCI’s rules and are separate from the OR Today Live! education.
Reason #6 Networking:
Developing one’s career takes effort and networking is part of it. Networking with peers and colleagues can have a significant impact on your professional growth. At the OR Today Live! Surgical Conference you will have numerous opportunities to network with your peer group, vendors and speakers, too.
Reason #5 Speakers:
The speakers are sure to please at OR Today Live! Speakers are selected to bring the latest information so you can implement what you learn immediately upon returning to work. Speakers and attendees have several opportunities to make a connection and network after the presentations and throughout the show.
Reason #4 The Exhibit Floor:
With dozens of exhibitors you are sure to find products and services that make your job easier. Health care is changing rapidly and so are surgical innovations. Exhibitors will share their latest advancements with you. The difference at the OR Today Live! Surgical Conference is that attendees actually have time to develop a working relationship with the vendors and not feel rushed to cover endless miles of exhibit hall floor. Magic happens when industry partners with nursing professionals, and whether you are a decision maker or an influencer, you will find exhibitors who are more than willing to share information that will impact your practice and help you better meet the needs of patients. You won’t want to miss the opening of the exhibit hall with the latest products, technologies and services, along with hors d’oeuvres and drinks in a festive atmosphere. Plus, you will have a chance to win great prizes.
Reason #3 Location, Location, Location:
Although you will be coming for the education, nothing beats a mini vacation in a great city. This year the OR Today Live! Surgical Conference will be held in Nashville, Tennessee a.k.a. Music City USA. Home of legendary country music venues like the Grand Ole Opry House, home of the famous Grand Ole Opry stage and radio show, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, historic Ryman Auditorium and more. For information about Nashville, visit http://www.visitmusiccity.com
Reason #2 Webinars:
No matter how hard you try, you can’t make every presentation. It can’t be done. For the ones you miss, recordings of each session will be made available on the OR Today Live! website. Also, OR Today magazine offers a webinar series for additional educational opportunities.
Reason #1 Renew, Refresh and Excite Your Inner Nurse:
Nurses struggle with physical, mental and emotional exhaustion from the work they perform. A recent survey in American Mobile reports a high rate of nurse fatigue. The survey found that 98 percent of hospital nurses reported their work is physically and mentally demanding and 63 percent reported their work has caused burnout. Each of you is vital to our profession, what you do is important to the health of our nation and that is why it is so important to take care of yourself first. Attending the OR Today Live! Surgical Conference will help you re-energize and re-focus on you.
