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.  

 

Navneet Strickland

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Essay 1:  As a Pain Management Nurse Practitioner at Henry Ford St. John Hospital, I plan to share the learnings from the ASPMN conference through a multi-pronged approach that aligns with my clinical responsibilities and collaborative role within the healthcare team. First, I will develop a structured presentation summarizing key evidence-based updates and clinical takeaways, such as innovations in multimodal pain management, opioid stewardship, and approaches for managing pain in vulnerable populations. This will be shared during interdisciplinary team meetings and nursing huddles to ensure broad reach and relevance. Given my close collaboration with physicians, pharmacists, therapists, and nursing staff, I will also facilitate small group discussions or case-based learning sessions to explore how new strategies can be integrated into our workflows. I will create a concise reference sheet or infographic highlighting actionable points from the conference, which can be posted in team workrooms or sent via email for quick access during clinical care. Additionally, I will work my Nursing Excellence department to incorporate relevant content into ongoing education initiatives, such as orientation materials for new staff or continuing education modules. By leveraging my role in both clinical practice and quality improvement efforts, I aim to not only disseminate information but foster meaningful changes that improve pain management outcomes across our system.

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Essay 2: Attending the ASPMN conference provides a unique opportunity to stay informed on the latest evidence-based strategies in pain management, including innovations in pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatments, patient-centered care approaches, and interdisciplinary collaboration. I plan to incorporate the knowledge gained from the conference into my practice by immediately applying updated pain assessment techniques and treatment guidelines tailored to diverse populations, particularly those who are often underserved or stigmatized in pain care. I will also bring back educational insights to share with my team through in-services and case-based discussions, fostering a culture of continuous learning and quality improvement. Additionally, I plan to evaluate our current practices against national standards presented at the conference and identify areas where protocol or workflow adjustments can enhance both safety and effectiveness in pain management. The conference will strengthen my advocacy skills by connecting me with nurse leaders nationwide, allowing me to better influence institutional policies and contribute meaningfully to professional organizations like ASPMN. The goal is to improve patient outcomes while promoting compassionate, equitable care for all individuals experiencing pain.

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Essay 3: The ASPMN conference is uniquely aligned with my professional goals as it offers access to the latest research, clinical guidelines, and innovative practices in pain management-directly supporting my commitment to delivering evidence-based, patient-centered care. As a Pain Management Nurse Practitioner serving a diverse patient population at Henry Ford St. John Hospital, the conference will provide targeted education on multimodal pain strategies, opioid stewardship, and addressing disparities in pain care areas that are central to my daily practice. Additionally, the conference offers sessions led by national experts and opportunities for interdisciplinary learning, which will strengthen my ability to lead quality improvement initiatives and develop staff education programs within my institution. Engaging with fellow practitioners will also expand my professional network, offering valuable perspectives and collaboration opportunities that can enhance my advocacy work and leadership development. By attending this conference, I will gain the tools and insights needed to elevate both individual patient outcomes and system-wide approaches to pain care, helping me grow as a clinician, educator, and change agent in the field of pain management nursing.

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