Happy International Nursing Conference Day! Today started with a lesson about pregnancy and fetal development, and ended with attending an International Nursing Day conference that was hosted by Birmingham City University (BCU). We were able to use the Anatomage table, which was so cool to see because we have one back home at Pitt as well. Being able to interact with the body in such a realistic way feels so hands-on. We learned a lot about the anatomy that is related to pregnancy and childbirth, and what happens physically when things go right or wrong. It helped me to be able to connect what I hear and learn from the speakers (like the midwives) and see it in front of me.
After that, we attended the International Nursing Day conference, where everyone was able to come together to talk about things like the future of nursing and how the university prepares their students for the real world. It was so empowering to be in a space where people are so passionate about healthcare and want to make change happen.
At the one booth I was able to stop by, I met Paul, who was a cardiac nurse and a lecturer at BCU. He showed us the activities he does using the defibrillators and heart rate monitors, all of which mimicked exactly what the student nurses would experience and see in the field. We also talked a lot about the differences in nursing education between the US and the UK. He is currently writing a new curriculum and revising old lessons so the students feel more prepared during their first year. His new program reminded me of what we have in the States because he was adding anatomy and physiology into their first year.
One thing that stood out to me throughout the conference, though, was how much everyone (including our own group of special needs) emphasized collaboration. Even Paul mentioned how important it is for student nurses to interact with other healthcare professionals during training because it reduces disconnect between teams and improves patient care. It really made me realize how much teamwork plays into healthcare and you can not only rely on your own medical knowledge.
We were able to hear from two keynote speakers today, Nikki Brockie and our very own Melissa Marks. Nikki talked about the importance of professional curiosity and the importance of having the correct number of nurses to improve patient outcomes. And Dr. Marks talked about how we can embrace diversity in healthcare settings and learn to acknowledge our implicit biases.
We also learned more about sexual health and HIV nursing, which I did not realize was an option to go into. The speaker was very knowledgeable and ready to challenge the normal misconceptions people have. She explained how HIV is treatable and not curable, and how much mental health nursing is involved. She talked about how she has treated both adults and children over the years. It was a good reminder that as nurses we have to work to reduce the stigma with certain illnesses and work to provide well rounded care to everyone.
We had a quick break for some tea and pastries, which felt very British of me. Then later in the day, there was a student panel with nursing students who were in their first and last years, and midwifery students in their last year. They talked very honestly about burnout, emotional exhaustion, and how it is difficult but necessary to leave your personal life at home. One thing that was repeated over and over was the importance of kindness and attitude. Patients will remember the way you made them feel just as much as they will remember the care you gave.
The biggest moment of the day, however, was presenting on low-income males and their access to healthcare. I am truly so proud of what my group accomplished and the work we put into our presentation. Our presentation focuses on socioeconomic status and its impact on healthcare in both the US and the UK. It felt meaningful to all of us because it is not always discussed, but happens all around us. We even had the chance to have a discussion about the services being offered at BCU and Pitt for students deemed to be low-income.
Overall, today was such a great experience that I am so glad we had. It was so cool to be surrounded by so many passionate people, and it made me excited for my future career.