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.  

 

Marzena Incolla

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Essay 1:  As an Assistant Nurse Manager in the Neuro ICU and a soon-to-be Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), I am committed to integrating mental health awareness into critical care nursing. The high-stress environment of the Neuro ICU often exposes nurses to trauma, burnout, and emotional exhaustion. Additionally, our patients frequently struggle with psychological challenges such as post-stroke depression, sleep deprivation, sundowning, and delirium. The knowledge I will get at the psychiatric conference will allow me to bridge the gap between mental health and critical care, equipping both nurses and providers with tools to improve resilience and patient outcomes. Neuro ICU nurses frequently experience moral distress, secondary trauma, and emotional fatigue, making them vulnerable to burnout. To address this, I will bring pamphlets and structured guidelines that provide evidence-based coping strategies. These will include mindfulness techniques, breathing exercises, and cognitive reframing strategies to help nurses manage stress, depending on presentations at the conference. Additionally, I plan to conduct short debriefing sessions where staff can openly discuss their experiences and emotional challenges. Providing a safe space for these conversations, like closed fb page or private chat. Furthermore, I will advocate for peer support programs where nurses can check in on each other's well-being and share coping mechanisms. By promoting open dialogue and self-care strategies, we can create a more resilient workforce. Beyond addressing staff mental health, it is crucial to incorporate psychiatric insights into patient care. Many Neuro ICU patients suffer from post-stroke depression, sleep disturbances, delirium, and sundowning, which can complicate their recovery. One of my goals is to educate providers on updated treatment approaches that integrate psychiatric interventions into neurocritical care. For example, I will introduce guidelines on the early screening and management of depression in post-stroke patients. Research has shown that early psychiatric intervention can significantly improve both mental and neurological outcomes. Similarly, I will provide evidence-based recommendations on managing delirium and sleep disturbances, emphasizing the role of non-pharmacological interventions such as light therapy, structured sleep schedules, and minimizing nighttime disturbances. A key component of implementing these changes is fostering collaboration between nurses, physicians, and mental health professionals. I plan to schedule discussions with ICU physicians and neurologists to explore how psychiatric care can be better integrated into our unit's treatment protocols. Encouraging mental health consultations for high-risk patients will ensure that we are addressing both their neurological and psychological needs. Additionally, I will advocate for family education sessions to help caregivers understand the mental health challenges their loved ones may face post-ICU. Providing families with tools to recognize and manage depression, anxiety, and cognitive changes can improve long-term recovery and reduce hospital readmission rates. To ensure these efforts have a lasting impact, I will propose incorporating mental health training into regular staff education sessions. This could include workshops on trauma-informed care, burnout prevention, and de-escalation techniques for managing agitated patients. By sharing my learnings from the psychiatric conference, I aim to create a holistic approach to mental health within the Neuro ICU. Supporting our nurses in building resilience will not only improve their well-being but also enhance patient care. Additionally, integrating psychiatric principles into neurological care will provide our patients with comprehensive, multidimensional treatment. Through education, collaboration, and advocacy, I am committed to fostering a culture that prioritizes both mental and physical health in the Neuro ICU.

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Essay 2: As I wrap up my last semesters of the PMHNP program and get ready to start my career in mental health, I'm excited to bring what I learn from psychiatric conferences into my practice. I plan to apply new insights on medications, therapy approaches, and screening tools to improve patient care. Sharing knowledge with colleagues and patients, exploring innovative technologies like tele-psychiatry, and staying updated on the latest research will help me grow as a provider. I'm looking forward to using these experiences to make a real difference in mental health care.

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Essay 3: Attending this psychiatric conference is a crucial step in advancing my professional development as both an Assistant Nurse Manager in the Neuro ICU and a soon-to-be PMHNP. This conference will provide me with up-to-date psychiatric knowledge, practical tools for supporting ICU staff and patients, and networking opportunities to strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration. One of my primary goals is to improve mental health support for ICU patients and staff. The conference will offer insights into managing depression, anxiety, delirium, and post-stroke psychiatric symptoms, which are common in Neuro ICU patients. By learning about the latest treatment approaches, including medication management and therapeutic interventions, I will be better equipped to advocate for mental health integration in critical care settings. Additionally, I aim to support my nursing colleagues by enhancing their resilience and coping strategies. ICU nurses are frequently exposed to trauma and high-stress environments, which can lead to burnout and secondary trauma. This conference will provide evidence-based stress management techniques, peer support strategies, and resilience-building workshops that I can bring back to my team. By implementing these tools, I hope to create a more supportive work environment and improve staff well-being. The conference will also prepare me for my future role as a PMHNP by expanding my understanding of psychiatric assessments, crisis intervention, and trauma-informed care. Learning from experienced clinicians and researchers will help me develop a well-rounded approach to psychiatric care that I can apply both in ICU settings and outpatient mental health care. Finally, I plan to share my learnings with my colleagues by providing educational materials, leading discussions, and collaborating with providers to improve mental health protocols in the ICU. By integrating psychiatric knowledge into critical care, I hope to enhance patient outcomes and improve the overall well-being of both patients and healthcare professionals. This conference directly aligns with my mission to bridge the gap between mental health and critical care, ensuring that both patients and healthcare providers receive the support they need.

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