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.