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.  

 

Christina Dye

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Essay 1:  Following the ANCC Magnet Conference and ANA Enterprise Research Symposium, I will actively disseminate the knowledge gained through multiple structured avenues within my organization. First, I plan to deliver a formal presentation during our shared governance council meetings, focusing on key takeaways related to nursing innovation, research dissemination, and strategies for sustaining Magnet-level outcomes. I will also develop a concise executive summary and slide deck to share with nurse leaders and unit council chairs, highlighting actionable insights that can be adapted to frontline practice. In addition, I will host targeted education sessions with our unit-based practice councils and clinical nurses, integrating examples from the conference to inspire future quality improvement and research projects. For broader impact, I plan to collaborate with our Nursing Professional Development team to incorporate conference learnings into workshops for nurse mentorship, leadership development, and evidence-based practice training. Finally, I will publish an internal newsletter article summarizing key themes and spotlighting how they align with our strategic goals, ensuring that nurses across all practice settings?regardless of role or schedule?have access to the information. These efforts are designed not only to inform but to engage and empower nurses across the organization to lead transformative change.

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Essay 2: Attending the ANCC Magnet Conference, in conjunction with the ANA Enterprise Research Symposium, will deepen my understanding of how high-reliability organizations successfully integrate nursing research, evidence-based practice, and innovation into clinical care. Through exposure to national exemplars of Magnet designation, I will gain insight into strategies for advancing a professional practice environment where nurses are empowered to lead and sustain improvements in patient outcomes. I plan to incorporate these learnings by strengthening shared governance structures at my organization, mentoring clinical nurses to align unit-level initiatives with Magnet principles, and embedding a research-supportive infrastructure into existing quality improvement work. The knowledge I gain will directly support my current role in helping nurses develop, implement, and disseminate unit-based projects?particularly around mobility, safety, and patient experience. Additionally, I will bring back best practices in data transparency, interdisciplinary collaboration, and nurse-sensitive indicators to inform leadership decisions and nursing council priorities. The conference will also enhance my ability to coach nurses in preparing for professional advancement, DAISY award submissions, and future conference presentations, creating a ripple effect of growth and recognition across our organization.

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Essay 3: The ANCC Magnet Conference, in partnership with the ANA Enterprise Research Symposium, directly supports my professional goals by providing a national platform to present my research on post-sternotomy mobility and engage with nurse leaders who are shaping the future of practice through innovation, evidence, and excellence. By attending, I will gain exposure to cutting-edge strategies used by Magnet-recognized organizations to integrate research and evidence-based practice into everyday care. This aligns with my goal to strengthen shared governance structures, mentor clinical nurses in project development, and expand our hospital?s capacity for nurse-led innovation. The conference also offers the opportunity to receive feedback on my work, connect with researchers from across the country, and explore new methods for disseminating nursing science, all of which are critical to my growth as a nurse leader and scholar. The sessions and networking will inform how I coach other nurses to transform practice through research and position our team to lead initiatives that improve patient outcomes?particularly for surgical populations. Ultimately, this conference will empower me to return to my organization with the tools, insights, and inspiration needed to drive practice change, support professional development, and elevate the visibility of nursing contributions through scholarship and leadership.

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