Adiós

Alexander Graham Bell said, “When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us.”

The doors have closed on both the 22nd International Nursing Research Congress and the 2nd World Academy of Nursing Science (WANS) conference, events that were more successful and engaging than I imagined. And in this tropical paradise, I expect there are those who regret that the Congress and conference are over. Not me, however, nor the people with me. We're excited about the 23rd International Nursing Research Congress to be held in Brisbane, Australia next summer, and the 3rd WANS conference to be held in Seoul, Korea in the fall of 2013.

The WANS closing ceremony featured Karen Morin, DSN, RN, ANEF, president of the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI); Hiroko Minami, DNSc, MPH, RN, president of the World Academy of Nursing Science; and Myoung-Ae Choe, PhD, RN, president of the Korean Academy of Nursing Science.

At the WANS closing ceremony: Iris Meyenburg-Altwarg, Hiroko
Minami, Myoung-Ae Choe and Karen Morin.

As we say goodbye to a wonderful week of learning and networking with our colleagues from around the globe, we also close the door of the conference center at The Moon Palace in Cancun for the last time, with hugs and promises to greet each other again soon, either at the STTI Biennial Convention in Grapevine, Texas this fall, or at the STTI International Nursing Research Congress in Brisbane, Australia next year, or both. And I close the door on this blog, with best wishes to you all.

Moon Palace front grounds.

The beach at Moon Palace.

Nighttime view of Moon Palace from my balcony.

Cynthia Vlasich, MBA, BSN, RN

Director, Education and Leadership

For Reflections on Nursing Leadership (RNL), published by the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International.

A day of hellos and goodbyes

Congress ended today—Thursday—with the induction of 15 nurse leaders into STTI’s International Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame, 12 of whom were able to join us for the ceremony. After their induction, they provided a moderated panel presentation talking about how they were able to translate their research into practice, how their interest in research—and their specific areas of expertise—began and the advice they would give to others interested in launching a research career. They also shared fun stories about things that happened while conducting various studies. It was so much fun to hear these icons in nursing research talk about staying up until the middle of the night to submit proposals on time, needing to be drawn back on target for their research focus, having a lifelong sense of curiosity and wonderful mentors along the way.

Photo of inductees, left to right: Jacqueline Campbell, PhD, RN, FAAN; Chung-Hey Chen, PhD, MSN, BSN; Inge Corless, PhD, RN, FAAN; Julie Fairman, PhD, RN, FAAN; Fannie Gaston-Johansson, PhD, RN, FAAN; Wipada Kunaviktikul, DSN, RN; Moderator, Suzanne Prevost, RN, PhD, COI; Bernadette Melnyk, PhD, RN, CPNP/PMHNP, FNAP, FAAN; Merle Mishel, PhD, RN, FAAN; Ida (Ki) Moore, DNSc, RN, FAAN; Debra Moser, DNSc, RN, FAAN; Mary Nies, PhD, RN, FAAN, FAAHB; May Wykle, PhD, RN, FAAN, FGSA.

International Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame award

In closing the 22nd International Nursing Research Congress, we were invited by the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International and the Royal College of Nursing, Australia, to attend the 23rd International Nursing Research Congress, which will be held next July in Brisbane, Australia. Time to start planning a summer vacation next year “down under”!   

Come on down!

The opening ceremony of the World Academy of Nursing Science (WANS) started mid-afternoon with the presidential address from Hiroko Minami, DNSc, MPH, RN, past president of the International Council of Nurses. The WANS opening plenary was presented by Iris Meyenburg-Altwarg, managing director of nursing and director of OTA School, Medizinische Hochschule, Hanover, Germany, who discussed various aspects of collaboration between nursing science and nursing leadership.

Hiroko Minami, president, WANS

Iris Meyenburg-Altwarg, WANS plenary speaker

The day ended with viewing posters from our WANS colleagues.  The WANS conference is a day and a half, so will close late tomorrow afternoon. But, between now and then, there will be some great sessions, and some great weather to enjoy here in Cancún.

Cynthia Vlasich, MBA, BSN, RN

Director, Education and Leadership

For Reflections on Nursing Leadership (RNL), published by the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International.

Nine pictures, worth nine thousand words

It’s hard to know what to write about. Do I tell you about the fabulous sessions today, or the people frolicking in the ocean? The great networking lunch with a room full of different “table groups” focused on various topics, or the excellent dinner with amazingly accomplished colleagues and friends? Shopping at the STTI Marketplace or playing in the pool? Perhaps pictures and captions tell the story best:

On the pathway to the Universal Expo (conference) Center this a.m.

Past president May Wykle, PhD, RN, FAAN, FGSA, chats with past
president and current CEO of STTI, Pat Thompson, EdD, RN, FAAN.

Flags flying at hotel are reminiscent of nurses from 33 countries at
the 22nd International Nursing Research Congress.

Leigh Small, PhD, RN, CPNP, and STTI President Karen Morin, DSN,
RN, ANEF, were session presenters.

A coatimundi playing on the hotel grounds.

One of the many sessions offered.

The view from the beach. Note the kayak and sailboard.

Some of the mechandise at the STTI Marketplace.

Enjoying dinner (from left): 2011 STTI Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame
inductee Wipada Kunaviktikul, DSN, RN; Joanne McGlown, RN, PhD,
FACHE; and Gwen Sherwood, PhD, RN, FAAN.

Tomorrow the 22nd International Nursing Research Congress will culminate with the induction of fifteen leaders from around the world into the Sigma Theta Tau International Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame. I can't wait to tell you about it.

Cynthia Vlasich, MBA, BSN, RN

Director, Education and Leadership

For Reflections on Nursing Leadership (RNL), published by the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International.

Tuesday at Congress

People are enjoying both the Congress and the setting. Many of the nurses here brought their families and are attending the educational sessions, while their family members enjoy the pool, golf course, spa or beach.

A number of the sessions are proving to be quite popular. I dropped in at the “sim lab” during a break between the special sessions on simulation, and people were having fun with some “hands on” learning. As I walked by and peeked into other sessions, I heard laughter. There’s some excellent content being provided here. It’s all in English but in a variety of accents.

The Moon Palace is offering a very special reward to guests staying here for the week—coupons for free tickets to a Shakira concert Friday night! Wow! I’ve heard her music, of course, and just learned tonight that she's also a generous philanthropist. Photos aren’t allowed at the concert, but here’s a picture of the coupons I received that will be exchanged for the free tickets!

It was a special treat for me today to greet a colleague I met last summer, Hiroko Minami, DNSc, MPH, RN, past president of the International Council of Nurses, who will be giving the World Academy of Nursing Science presidential address on Thursday. A few weeks ago, in Thailand, I met Wipada Kunaviktikul, DSN, RN, professor and director of the Nursing Policy and Outcome Center (NPOC) at Chiang Mai University Faculty of Nursing in that country. She is one of the nurse scientists who will be inducted into the International Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame this week. Our profession is blessed to have amazing leaders like these and many others who are here from around the globe.

The pool is a popular venue at the Congress.

The "sim lab" and special sessions on simulation are popular.

Hands-on learning taking place in the "sim lab."

Coupons—the next best thing to a photo of a Shakira concert.

The crowd is gone, posters remain.

Cynthia Vlasich, MBA, BSN, RN
Director, Education and Leadership


For Reflections on Nursing Leadership (RNL), published by the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International.

So much to do, and it was fun!

Today was the first full day of the Congress, and there was so much to do! STTI President Karen Morin, DSN, RN, ANEF, gave a warm welcome at the opening plenary, which was followed by a very thought-provoking presentation by Patricia Mary Davidson, RN, BA, MEd, PhD, FRCNA, from Australia’s University of Technology Sydney, regarding integration of policy, practice and research. The special sessions, symposia, exhibits, oral and poster presentations all launched today, as well. We were busy, but it was fun, interesting and diverse.

Late in the afternoon, there was a special induction ceremony for many of our very accomplished nurse colleagues from around the world, and it included the induction of an honorary member, Gladys McGarey, a primary care physician who is considered the “mother of holistic medicine.” After the induction ceremony, everyone seemed to enjoy relaxing with food and drink, friends and colleagues at a Welcome to Cancún reception and, for the inductees, a Welcome to STTI reception.

After such a full day, it was time to enjoy a walk along the ocean front with the soft evening breeze, as some of our new friends did, or just sit with your feet in the warm water of the pool, enjoying the distant sounds of laughter and fun at the nearby cabana. Ah ...  

President Karen Morin welcomes Congress attendees.

Patricia Mary Davidson speaks at opening plenary.

Enjoying the poster sessions

More poster sessions

International induction ceremony

Gladys McGarey, "mother of holistic medicine," is

inducted as an honorary member of STTI.

After the induction, attendees relax at receptions.

Enjoying the Caribbean's soft evening breezes.

Relaxing at the pool at the end of a busy day.

Cynthia Vlasich, MBA, BSN, RN
Director, Education and Leadership


For Reflections on Nursing Leadership (RNL), published by the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International.

Sunday in paradise

The view from the balcony of my room is spectacular! You can see the resort grounds, with the ocean in the background. What a wonderful way to enjoy a Sunday, meeting friends and colleagues from all over the world. Nurses from 33 countries will be attending the International Nursing Research Congress in Cancún this week. Many of our colleagues arrived yesterday or early today and have already registered. And today, there was a pre-Congress workshop hosted by the Caring International Research Collaborative (CIRC).

To expedite the resort check-in process, the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI) has arranged for a special resort registration area for new STTI and WANS participants arriving at The Moon Palace Resort. , Once you are escorted to your room and drop your luggage off, you are welcome to explore, enjoy the wonderful sights and, of course, the STTI staff is ready in the convention center to register you for your Congress and/or WANS attendance. The relaxed mood today was evident. Some, tossing cover-ups over the swimsuits, took a break from the pool or lazy river to pick up registration materials. Nice swimming break.

Pre-Congress workshop sponsored by CIRC

Tonight, we took a resort bus to the Brazilian restaurant in the next lobby. There are three lobby areas on site. At this restaurant, you start with a salad buffet and then are served meat after meat after meat, until you turn up a red card near your plate indicating you can eat no more. And then, of course, you have dessert. Homemade coconut ice cream was the dessert of choice at our table. And, since this is an all-inclusive resort, the bus and everything else was included in our reservation. I didn’t even take my wallet.

Tomorrow is a big day. It starts with the opening plenary, "Integrating Policy, Practice and Research: An Important Strategy for Improving Global Health," followed by special sessions, symposia, concurrent sessions, poster presentations and exhibits! Late tomorrow afternoon, we’ll celebrate with the International Induction Ceremony, followed by a special "Welcome to Cancún" reception.

Cynthia Vlasich, MBA, BSN, RN

Director, Education and Leadership

For Reflections on Nursing Leadership (RNL), published by the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International.

Arrival Cancún

After a great flight into Cancún, we were met on the jetway by an official, just making sure we had all the proper documents completed to enter Mexico. There are two documents—one for immigration and one for customs— that are given to the passengers during the flight by the flight attendants, to complete prior to arrival. You need them and your passport to enter Mexico, if you’re from outside the country. It’s best to keep them handy.

The airport was easy to navigate, and we breezed through immigration and customs, with a stop in-between to pick up our luggage. When you’ve passed through those checkpoints, be prepared to be bombarded by people who want to offer you a ride, a tour, or both. However, we quickly saw Rodrigo, who was holding the STTI/WANS conference placard. He verified our reservations for the shuttle bus straight to the Moon Palace Resort, where the International Nursing Research Congress is being held. After a few minutes’ wait for the shuttle, we were driving through lovely countryside.

STTI's crackerjack events team: Machelle Fisher,
program specialist, Scott Kerr, meeting and convention 

planner, Shannon Stroud, events manager

The Moon Palace Resort is lush, green, with wonderful views of the ocean! We were met at the Sunrise lobby of the resort, brought to the check-in area and greeted with a lobby full of excitement, people, laughter, and a mariachi band. Since this resort is “all inclusive,” you can go to any of the restaurants on site and your food, beverages and gratuity are included in the room rate; you only need to give the restaurant hostess your last name and room number. Due to demand, there are some restaurants you may want to make dinner reservations for, however. To find out which ones they are, check at the front desk.

It should be a wonderful week, with rich pre-Congress sessions, a robust Congress schedule, and an outstanding WANS (World Academy of Nursing Science) conference to follow. I’m looking forward to meeting and greeting the many nursing colleagues who will be joining us here.

Cynthia Vlasich, MBA, BSN, RN

Director, Education and Leadership




For Reflections on Nursing Leadership (RNL), published by the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International.