Combined flight, emergency and neonatal nurses' conference a success.

As a follow up from the initial combined flight and emergency nurses' conference in 2003, the next venture included neonatal nurses. The result was a very successful combined conference of three NZNO sections in Christchurch in September. Around 190 delegates, including some from the United States (US), Australia and Malaysia, as well as from all over New Zealand, attended. The three nursing specialities were all welt represented at the conference.

The theme "New Beginnings" was most appropriate, with many delegates taking the opportunity to visit the recently-opened Christchurch Women's Hospital. A strong message to emerge from the conference was that obtaining knowledge can be fun, that we all have similar problems, just in different places, and that the challenges nurses will face in the next ten years will not be solved without collaboration.

A solid vein of evidence-based practice and research emerged from the presentations. We were fortunate with the quality of all the presentations, from "seasoned campaigners", right through to first-time presenters. Although initial planning was for three keynote speakers, we were privileged to obtain five internationally renowned speakers who were happy to have the opportunity to present at the combined conference in Otautahi.

Professor at the emergency department at Chirstchurch Hospital Mike Ardagh gave two presentations. The first was "Evidence-based practice--when is enough enough?" and the second was "Emergency department overcrowding--can we fix it"? Both these topics were well-received and reflected current practice and thinking in New Zealand emergency departments. His dry humour was a joy to hear.

'Hollywood style and humour'

Chicago nurse consultant Scott de Boer was another keynote presenter. His specialty focus is flight nursing, in particular paediatrics. His presentations were titled, "Bloodletting, barbers and bugs, the unbelievable history of medicine" and "Tattoos, tongues and trauma, emergency implications of body modification". These sessions were delivered with Hollywood style and humour, which was not totally unexpected as de Boer has starred alongside George Clooney in the hit US television drama ER.

The chair of neonatal nursing research at the University of Melbourne, Professor Linda Johnston gave two presentations: "The contribution of nursing to neonatal research" and "What constitutes research in neonatal nursing practice?" Once again, a serious message was leavened with humour. Johnston has an extensive knowledge base and her enthusiasm for her topics was infectious.

Another keynote presenter was the Dean of Oklahoma College of Nursing, Professor Carole Kenner. She is widely respected in international neonatal circles and is a prolific author. Her two presentations were an overview of the newly formed Council of International Neonatal Nurses (of which the New Zealand Association of Neonatal Nurses is a member) and "End-of-Life nursing education". It was a great privilege to have her attend our conference.

The fifth keynote presenter was emergency nurse consultant from Ireland, Brian Dolan. He, too, could claim theatrical connections with his previous consultative work with the BBC television drama "Holby City". His presentations, "How to sell a pencil to someone who already has one: Lessons on influencing leadership and culture" and "Fixing overcrowding in emergency departments", were delivered from a foundation of knowledge and experience and with a touch of blarney. The conference organising committee was senior neonatal staff nurse at Christchurch Women's Hospital, Sue Moore; clinical co-ordinator at Christhcurch Hospital's intensive care unit, Garry Robinson; transport liaison nurse at Christchurch Hospital, Shane McKerrow; clinical nurse specialist at Christchurch Hospital's emergency department, Roxanne McKerras; and myself, the clinical nurse educator with the neonatal service at Christchurch Women's Hospital. Combining three groups of nurses into one conferrence presented the committee with several challenges, not least providing a balanced programme that offered something for everybody, while at the same time broadening our collective nursing horizons. We believe we were successful in achieving this and that the common denominator and essential catalyst required was humour!

The conference was a financial success for all three groups of nurses, due to the support from the 60 trade displays. The organisers worked extremely hard to obtain the financial support needed to keep registration fees down and to make the conference a financial success. Delegates overwhelmingly supported the idea of a combined conference every three to four years.

Conference report by conference convenor and chair of the New Zealand Association of Neonatal Nurses, Michael McIlhone