2024 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.  

 

Meredith Krauss

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Essay 1:  Coming from a small rural health system, opportunities for current comprehensive in-person education are far and few between, especially for a specialty like radiation oncology. Upon returning from the conference my plan to share what I?ve learned will occur in 3 ways. First, I plan to speak at the radiation oncology nursing meeting sharing highlights and identifying key opportunities that may benefit our team, patients and department. This will be an exciting discussion to see what may fit as we are attempting to earn an APEX accreditation for the department. Second, I would like then for my peers to choose from those opportunities and identify what they would like to learn more about and I will follow up with a more detailed information session to share the information I have received. The third way I plan to share will be to write for either the Asante Three Rivers Rapids Newsletter or the Asante News which are online blasts that are sent out to all employees where I would discuss at a high level my experience travelling to a Mayo sponsored conference in hopes of eliciting excitement in others to pursue outside educational opportunities. I firmly believe in seeking out these opportunities to mature within our discipline, identify opportunities for improvement, and seek out the best treatments and processes for patient care.

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Essay 2: Since joining the radiation oncology team in 2017 I have yet to attend a conference solely dedicated to our discipline. It is difficult to find a conference tailored to our specialty that understands and encompasses the type of unique work performed within our department. I am very excited to attend a course committed to exploring a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach to radiation therapy. In our department we treat a multitude of cancer sites in a variety of different ways and are eager to explore new opportunities and advancement in treating benign diseases. Treatments are constantly evolving and can be difficult to find evidence based research to support making change. We have a new linear accelerator coming & our new physicians are open and eager to implement changes that are keeping up with newest advancements. As we implement new technology and treatments, nursing will need to learn how best to assess, support, and treat our patients as they undergo these treatments. Side effects management is a key piece of nursing care as is being able to swiftly and fully engage to reduce barriers and provide the warm compassionate care they may need. The more I know and understand about the treatment, I feel will allow me to proactively provide what is necessary without delay or patient suffering.

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Essay 3: I've been a registered nurse since 2006 and worked in a variety of disciplines and roles over the years. I have never felt such fulfillment as I do working with oncology patients and their friends and family. I also have not worked in an area that is so specialized that it can be incredibly difficult to find dedicated resources or opportunities for learning. Radiation oncology therapies are unique, but I feel that the people who work in my area are also truly distinctive. We are a driven group. I have a strong desire to ensure that our patients feel the warmth and love from our team from the moment they engage with our department. I strive to reduce redundancy, streamline processes, provide up to date education, swift responses to questions, always same day feedback, eliminating barriers, and ensure a patient experience that meets and exceeds the patients needs. I provide a smile and pleasant engagements to offer an inviting space where patients feel welcomed, safe, and trusted. I would like to engage with others in our discipline at this conference so I may continue to identify new technical and holistic methods to provide even better care at our facility. This opportunity will also be beneficial as we strive to obtain the APEX accreditation. I live in a small town, work at a small facility, but I have a big heart and our patients deserve world class treatments and care.

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