2025 Nursing Conference Grant Winning Essays

The questions for this year’s application cycle were as follows:

Please describe how you will share what you learn at this conference with colleagues.
How will you incorporate what you learn from this educational offering into your practice?
How will this conference advance your long-term career goals (beyond the attainment of continuing education hour requirements)?

Essays were lightly edited for grammar, flow, and readability.

Jaydon Grafsgaard

Essay 1: By attending the ENA National Conference, I aim not only to grow as a clinician but to elevate the care we provide as a team and advocate for the ongoing development of rural emergency nursing. After attending the ENA National Conference, I plan to share the knowledge and skills I acquire with my colleagues through several structured and informal methods tailored to our rural emergency department:

1. Inservice Education Sessions: During scheduled ER nurses meetings, I plan to share information gained from ENA's conference such as updates in trauma care, sepsis protocols, pediatric resuscitation, and mental health crisis management. Each session could include a short presentation, case scenarios, and hands-on practice when appropriate.

2. Development of Quick-Reference Tools: I would like to create user-friendly reference guides or 'cheat sheets' summarizing clinical pearls, new algorithms, and evidence-based updates shared at the conference. These could be laminated and placed in the nurses' station for easy access during high-stress situations.

3. Informal Knowledge Sharing and Huddles: During daily huddles and downtime between patient care, I will informally discuss relevant clinical tips or techniques I learned, framing them within real-time patient situations. This peer-to-peer format fosters an open environment where staff feel comfortable asking questions and exchanging ideas.

4. Quality Improvement Collaboration: I plan to collaborate with our nurse manager and quality team to identify any opportunities for improving care processes based on new best practices I bring back. For example, if I learn of a more efficient triage tool or a low-cost simulation strategy, I will propose piloting it within our department.

Essay 2: Attending the ENA National Conference will equip me with the latest evidence-based practices, clinical updates, and leadership strategies specifically tailored to emergency nursing. I plan to incorporate these learnings into my own practice in three key ways: First, I will apply the clinical knowledge gained - particularly in areas such as trauma management, pediatric emergencies, and behavioral health crises - directly to patient care in our rural emergency room. Given the limited access to specialty resources in our setting, staying current with best practices is essential to improving outcomes and ensuring safe, timely interventions. Second, I will take an active role in sharing these insights with my colleagues. I plan to organize informal inservices and debriefings, using what I learn to guide discussions on topics like team communication, de-escalation techniques, and rural-specific protocols for high-acuity care. This not only enhances team readiness but fosters a stronger, more cohesive work environment. Lastly, as a DAISY Award honoree, I see continued learning as a way to model professional excellence and growth for others. The knowledge and inspiration I gain from this conference will renew my energy and deepen my capacity to lead with compassion, especially during high-stress, high-impact situations that are common in rural emergency medicine.

Essay 3: The ENA National Conference is uniquely positioned to support my professional goals by offering targeted education, hands-on learning, and leadership development opportunities designed specifically for emergency nurses. As someone who works in a rural ER, I am often called to manage a wide range of high-acuity situations with limited resources. This conference will provide me with access to the latest clinical guidelines, protocols, and innovations that I can immediately apply to enhance patient care in my setting. The conference's diverse range of sessions covering trauma care, pediatric emergencies, behavioral health, and rural emergency medicine?directly aligns with my goal of strengthening my clinical expertise. I plan to attend workshops that focus on practical, real-world strategies for emergency preparedness and rapid decision-making under pressure, which are daily realities in my practice. Additionally, the conference offers sessions on leadership, mentorship, and nurse resilience, which will support my growth as a preceptor and informal leader. Learning from experienced educators and emergency care leaders will help me build confidence in guiding new nurses and advocating for evidence-based improvements in our department. Finally, attending this conference will help me advance my long-term goals by connecting me with a national network of emergency nursing professionals. These connections will expand my perspective, inspire new approaches to challenges we face in rural care, and motivate me to continue developing in ways that benefit not only my career, but my entire healthcare team and the community we serve.

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