Opportunities abound for engaging in self-care.
WHAT HAPPENS when you bring 10,500+ nurses together, mix in some magic from Universal’s Islands of Adventure™ theme park, add plenty of wellness offerings from ANA Enterprise’s Healthy Nurse, Healthy Nation™ (HNHN), incorporate exemplary nursing practice presentations and posters, and sprinkle with innovation and awards? Another successful ANCC National Magnet Conference® of course.
HNHN was proud to be a part of this year’s Magnet® conference. With a large booth, healthy breakfast, raffle, gifts, new challenges, and a “hot off the press” year 2 highlights report, HNHN had a strong showing.
The HNHN breakfast, powered by support from Humana, featured micro-presentations from our Champion partners. Speakers from Humana, North Shore University Hospital, Ochsner Health System, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, and MD Anderson Cancer Center shared how their organizations participate in HNHN and other nurse wellness offerings.
The HNHN booth offered easy access for attendees to participate by:
• texting to join challenges (text healthynurse to 52-886)
• signing up to receive a monthly e-newsletter
• joining the HNHN Connect community at hnhn.org.
Hundreds of nurses joined HNHN’s latest challenge, Embracing Caregivers, powered by support from EMD Serono. A fun raffle prize ($500 spa gift card) was awarded to one lucky winner.
This year’s conference encouraged nurses to care for themselves and improve their own wellness and safety. For example, a quiet room for prayer or meditation was available where attendees could unplug, relax, and focus on themselves, their spirituality, and their emotional health. Modeling the behavior we want to encourage, water coolers for proper hydration were located throughout the conference center.
Many conference sessions spotlighted various aspects of nurse health, safety, or wellness, running the gamut from workplace violence prevention to food as medicine to transformational leadership. A poignant montage honored nurses who have served in the military.
The program included nurse innovation, powered by support from BD. Lydel Wright, MSN, RN, chief executive officer of SafeWatch, LLC and Texas Nurses Association member, spoke about his journey and creating his company. Antonette Montalvo, MSN, RN, PNP-BC, visionary nurse and community health consultant, encouraged audience members to be creative and resilient when faced with obstacles.
If the immense expanse of the Orange County Convention Center didn’t offer enough walking opportunities, the welcome party at Universal’s Islands of Adventure certainly did. Attendees had access to attractions, restaurants, and shops, as well as several joyful dance venues.
Attendees were invited to explore their artistic side by painting, decorating, and bedazzling super-size posters, hats, koozies, cups, and bandanas. From the opening program’s speakers, operatic singing, and orchestral music to the closing inspirational message from Leon Logothetis, author of The Kindness Diaries, there truly was something for everyone’s well-being.
One of HNHN’s Champion partners, OSF HealthCare Saint Francis Medical Center, won the 2019 ANCC Magnet Prize® for developing various food desert mitigation innovations, including a community garden.
Did you miss the conference this year? Join HNHN and thousands of your nursing colleagues in Atlanta, GA, October 7-9, 2020!
The authors work at the American Nurses Association. Holly Carpenter is senior policy advisor in the Nursing Practice and Work Environment and Innovation departments. Lois Gould is program manager in Nursing Practice and Innovation.
