CU Nursing Students Going to Washington for AACN Conference

All-expense-paid trips aren’t generally listed among the many benefits of pursuing an advanced degree at the University of Colorado College of Nursing. However, there are exceptions -- as Nylah Bass, RN, BSN and Charlotte Weiss, MSN, RN, ACNP, recently learned.

After submitting winning essays, Weiss and Bass will attend the AACN Graduate Student Leadership Conference in Washington, DC in August. Tailored for nursing students in graduate and doctoral programs, this year’s conference will focus on professional and leadership development, advanced nursing roles, political advocacy and nursing innovation.

CU College of Nursing Dean Eli Provencio-Vasquez, PhD, RN, FAAN, FAANP, will pay for registration and travel costs associated with the trip – demonstrating his commitment to the success of students and an investment in future nurse leadership.

Students show initiative

All graduate students were eligible for the contest which drew several entries that were evaluated by a faculty review panel which included Senior Assistant Dean of Academic Operations Peggy Jenkins, PhD, RN, CNE; Assistant Professor of Clinical Teaching Angela Pal, PhD, RN, ACNP-BC; Professor of Clinical Teaching Mona Pearl-Treyball, PhD, RN, CNS; and Associate Professor of Clinical Teaching Laura Rosenthal, DNP, ACNP, FAANP.

In the essays, students were asked to address why they wanted to go to the conference and how they planned to disseminate what they learned from the event.

Bass, who is pursuing a master’s degree and is currently enrolled in the Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP) program, said she hoped the conference would enhance her leadership skills and confidence to “inspire, influence and motivate other healthcare professionals to achieve their highest potential.” She plans to host lunch seminars, discussions and YouTube presentations to share her takeaways.

Weiss, who is a PhD candidate in Caring Science at CU College of Nursing, says the conference will provide “the space and time to network with other nurse scientists who have paved the way and can give me insight and new knowledge.” She plans to share her teachings by facilitating a student-led, post-conference seminar during fall 2022 intensives. She enrolled in the Caring Science program in 2019 and anticipates graduating between winter, 2022 and spring 2023.

Attitude of gratitude

Both winners are thrilled about the opportunity and are making plans to attend the event. They are also thankful that Dean Provencio-Vasquez made the opportunity possible.

"This conference will provide the space and time to network with expert nurse scientists who have paved the way and novice nurse scientists who, like me, are seeking to determine their next steps,” Weiss says.

Bass agrees that the conference will be a meaningful and worthwhile experience.

"I will increase my knowledge of available resources, add to my professional network and access information to support myself and my peers as we continue our journey towards improving healthcare,” she says. “It is my desire to mentor others and help my surrounding communities with innovative thoughts and practices.”