2025 Nursing Conference Grant Winning Essays

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

1. Please describe how you will share what you learn at this conference with colleagues. 

2. How will you incorporate what you learn from this educational offering into your practice? 

3. 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.  

 

Elizabeth Malfaro

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Essay 1:  As the founding president of our developing Sigma Theta Tau chapter at the University of Puerto Rico, I?m committed to creating spaces where student nurses can grow as scholars, clinicians, and leaders. I plan to bring lessons from the AANA Annual Congress directly into our chapter?s programming. For example, sessions like "The Scholarly Shift: A Blueprint for the Nurse Anesthesiologist in Academia," and "If You're Awkward and You Know It, Speak Up: The Far-Reaching Impact of Communication Within Healthcare," will provide strategies for effective academic leadership and team communication, skills necessary for our members. I plan to incorporate the knowledge and insights gained from these sessions into our chapter's programming by leading workshops, developing mentorship opportunities, and organizing events that promote academic excellence, leadership, and collaboration within our chapter.

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Essay 2: As a rising second-year Student Registered Nurse Anesthetist, my current practice is focused on developing the clinical and communication skills essential to safe, independent anesthesia care. Attending the AANA Annual Congress in Nashville will provide an exceptional opportunity to deepen this foundation. I am registered for three high-fidelity simulation labs: Intraoperative MI/Cardiac Arrest, Obstetric Hemorrhage, and Pediatric Respiratory Failure. These sessions will allow me to rehearse time-sensitive decision-making, practice interdisciplinary teamwork, and enhance my ability to respond under pressure?skills that directly translate to my daily clinical rotations. In addition to the simulations, the conference offers access to advanced hands-on learning, including difficult airway management sessions, open ultrasound workshops, and educational sessions grounded in the latest evidence-based research. These learning opportunities will allow me to refine my clinical decision-making, stay current with emerging anesthesia practices, and strengthen my readiness for the dynamic demands in the OR.

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Essay 3: I see the AANA Annual Congress as a powerful opportunity to advance both my clinical and professional growth. The immersive simulation experiences will sharpen my critical thinking and hands-on skills in managing high-risk patient care, while also allowing me to strengthen my communication under pressure. Equally important, the conference offers valuable opportunities to engage with CRNAs, educators, and national leaders in discussions on academic advancement, advocacy, and interdisciplinary collaboration. These experiences align directly with my goals as a future CRNA and as a representative of the University of Puerto Rico. They will not only enrich my individual development but also strengthen my ability to uplift peers, contribute to our professional community, and help bring greater national visibility to our program.

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