Excellence in Critical Care Conference was AMAZING!

Another Renown’s Excellence in Critical Care conference has come and gone. This year’s edition included great food, good friends, and an opportunity to see some of our members shine. Mel Nutter, MSN, RN is an internationally recognized speaker for the International Association of Forensic Nurses; nationally for the Emergency Nurses Association and the American Academy of Forensic Science, and at the regional level for the Ohio Coroners Association and our Great Basin AACN Chapter. She is a published author of multiple articles related to sexual assault and identification of traumatic injury, and recently joined us at Great Basin AACN because, as she explained to me, “GB has the best little chapter meetings and events I have ever been to.” She spoke this week at EICC and had the audience’s brains on fire working to see if they were smarter than a clinician in 5 confounding case studies. Another of our GB members and Secretary-Elect, Valerie Jakubos, RN spoke on the incredible improvement in outcomes which have resulted from establishing a dedicated RRT 24/7 who also receive training specific to the algorithms they work under. I believe Val’s talk is worthy of expansion and submission to NTI for 2019. Last but not least, GB member Angie Tanner, RN, CCRN, PCCN spoke on Code Aorta from the in-patient ICU perspective with great visuals covering the A&P and S/S of this deadly disorder. (BTW- Mel couldn’t trick Angie on the aortic dissection case…)

Our chapter has supported this event annually since its inception in 2012. Several members renewed at our vendor booth and we added 4 new members as well.  Many thanks to Insel, Kimmy, Kimberly Marcus, and Gay for working the booth! This year we donated one of our limited edition framed pieces of this year’s AACN themed artwork: guided by why, as a silent auction item. One of only 4 ever framed in this particular combination of materials and colors designed to highlight the amazing art, this piece is destined to adorn a wall in Renown’s Nursing Operations department, reminding those who walk through every day to remember why they do what they do. Funds raised at this conference go in part to support sending a critical care nurse to NTI – an item won by another GB member: Z Li. Several other great prizes were available including Mount Rose ski tickets, Spa Toscana packages, and Amazon gift cards. It you missed EICC this year, watch for the save-the-date announcement for 2018 and don’t miss it again!

Our next chapter supported event is this coming Wednesday evening with a talk by Cheetah Medical at Bricks. We will be fundraising by offering the final framed print as well as Christmas themed gift baskets- so get there early.

Finally, remember our logo-wear is now available and has its own page on our website. Time to check out the vests and long-sleeve t-shirts!

I could not be more proud to belong to an organization of incredible and dedicated nurses such as yourselves. Thank you for being you and for being a part of GB AACN. : )