Sixth Annual Center for Excellence in Nursing Practice Conference
This February, the Center for Excellence in Nursing Practice sponsored a Neuro-Cardiac conference in Palm Beach, Fla. Nurses from Maine to Florida attended, including many of our own BWH staff.
The conference was unique in several aspects. For one, this was the first time that a Nursing conference was given collaboratively with the Pharmacy Department, both working together to come up with a program attractive to both the pharmacy and nursing staff members (see page 3 for “Pharmacy Spotlight”). Diane Hanley, RN, MS and Bill Churchill were key participants in developing a successful program that emphasized current innovations in neurology and cardiology. Topics included the use of Propofol for intracranial hypertension and the treatment of acute coronary syndrome.
One of the highlights of the conference was the talk “Care of the Brain Tumor Patient,” given by Judy Hudson, RN. Hudson has worked as a staff nurse at the BWH for nearly thirty years, caring for brain tumor patients. Recently, she accepted a position with neurosurgeon Peter Black, MD, bridging the outpatient and inpatient care of the brain tumor population. During her first experience as a public speaker, Hudson engaged the conference audience with memorable stories of her patients focusing on their courage and the impact hope and love had on their recovery. Her message was clear; the trajectory of brain tumor patients depends on emotional support, in concert with their medical care.
Hudson also spoke to the surgical and radiological strides made by BWH in treating patients with brain tumors. She discussed the superior neuroimaging and neurosurgery performed via magnetic resonance therapy and summarized the current research and therapies being conducted at BWH. For much of the audience, Hudson’s presentation provided fresh and exciting information.
—submitted by Mary Pennington, RN, BSN, CCRN