On Thursday, May 25, BWH's Second Annual Neuroscience Conference, “Entering the Mind Zone: Neuro Emergencies,” was held. This popular conference featured presentations by physicians and nurses from BWH’s Neurosurgical and Neuroscience departments, including a panel discussion that featured four Neuroscience ICU nurses. That panel discussion, entitled “When Brains Bounce Back: Two Case Studies,” featured Shaun Golden, RN, BSN, nurse-in-charge, Sandra Mahanes, RN, BSN, staff nurse, Katherine Murphy, RN, BSN, staff nurse, and Catherine McKay, RN, BSN, staff nurse.
“The presentation centered on two patients,” said Mary Pennington, RN, BSN, CCRN, staff educator, Neuroscience, who moderated the panel discussion. “Because of the great neuro skills on 10CD, the patients’ problems were picked up right away. The nurses saved their patients’ lives and avoided the development of any long-term neurological problems. In fact, one of the patients came to the conference. At the end of the presentation, the
presenters posed the question, ‘Where is he now?’ about the patient, who stood up as everyone applauded. It was a great demonstration of how devastating neurological injuries can recover well.”
Said Golden, “Being a part of the panel discussion was an honor. The entire conference was a very positive experience. The feedback I've gotten from nurses was that it was one of the best conferences they've ever attended. We had tremendous speakers, and the topics they discussed
were focused on issues that our nurses deal with every day.”
“One of the big draws for this conference is the participation of both nurses and physicians,” added Pennington. “It was intellectually stimulating, with BWH speakers that people fly all over the country to hear. The conference is also a great way to recruit nurses to BWH. The nurses were able to really showcase our specialty areas and attract talent.”