Nursing Conferences: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
Conferences: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
Conferences—the mere word can elicit a range of emotions depending on who you ask. For some, it’s an exciting opportunity to network, learn, see old friends and colleagues, and showcase their expertise. For others, it’s a daunting prospect of long days, crowded rooms, endless rows of posters that bring a sense of Dé Jà Vu, and poorly managed conference apps. As someone who has attended more than my fair share of conferences over the years, I’ve seen the best and worst they have to offer. Here are my reflections on the good, the bad, and the downright ugly of conference culture.
FIRST the Good: Connection, Inspiration, and Growth
At their best, conferences have the potential to be a breeding ground for inspiration and connection. There’s nothing quite like being in a room full of people who share your passion and interests. Whether it’s nursing, research, education, or technology… the energy in the air is often palpable… (at a well-curated conference)
Networking Goldmine: Conferences are prime opportunities to meet people you’d never cross paths with otherwise. I’ve had chance conversations in hallways that led to collaborations and lifelong professional relationships. A shared talk and laugh over coffee or tea can be the beginning of something truly impactful. I have personally exponentially grown my network through conferences and actively recruit for my podcast.
Knowledge Buffet: Workshops, keynotes, and breakout sessions are the heart of any conference. The best ones leave you overflowing with ideas, scribbling furiously in your notebook, or typing notes on your phone or laptop. On multiple occasions, I’ve walked away from sessions with actionable insights that have changed how I approach my work.
Recognition: Presenting at a conference is a unique chance to share your expertise. Standing in front of peers and receiving genuine interest and thoughtful questions is immensely gratifying. It’s also a reminder of the value of your contributions to the field.
The Bad: Exhaustion and Overwhelm
As great as conferences can be, they’re not without their challenges. For every high point, there’s a low that makes you question why you signed up in the first place.
Burnout Central: Let’s be real, conferences can be exhausting. (especially if you’re an introvert!!!) Days often start early and end late, packed with back-to-back sessions and networking events. By the second or third day, even the most extroverted attendees can hit a wall.
Information Overload: With so many sessions, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. The fear of missing out (FOMO) is real. You might skip lunch to attend one more session or end up sitting in a talk that’s not as useful as you’d hoped (which happens a lot… titles of presentations are sometimes misleading), all while wondering what gems you’re missing elsewhere.
Sticker Shock: Let’s not forget the cost. Registration fees, travel expenses, and hotel stays add up quickly. Even with an employer footing the bill, the financial barrier can exclude many nursing colleagues and professionals from valuable opportunities.
The Ugly: Awkward Moments and Missteps
Then, there are the moments that make you cringe or shake your head in disbelief. The “ugly” side of conferences is often what makes them memorable—just not always for the right reasons.
Tech Fails: Few things are more excruciating than watching a presenter struggle with a stubborn projector or unresponsive microphone. Technology has a way of misbehaving at the worst possible time and is a universal pain point.
Networking Nightmares: Not every networking attempt lands. Whether it’s being cornered by someone pitching their product a little too aggressively or enduring painfully forced small talk, these moments can be draining.
Food Woes: Conference catering is hit-or-miss, and too often, it’s the latter. Mystery meat, bland cold pasta, or the ever-present platter of stale pastries leave much to be desired. AND don’t get me even started on conferences that book a whole day with minimal breaks AND don’t feed you!!! You know who you are!!!
The “Presenter / Panel” Problem: Poorly selected speakers, keynotes, and moderated panels are the bane of conference-goers. A single dominating speaker or a lack of meaningful talk or discussion can leave the audience frustrated, disengaged, and on their phones and laptops.
HOTELS: The hotels can be great, but some conferences forget their audience and book their conferences into luxury hotels, which can lead to the event becoming unaffordable: OR they book at a hotel and not reserve enough rooms; OR The hotels are poor choice with not enough space for the number of attendees, not conducive for breakout sessions… making the sessions seem overcrowded and claustrophobic!
Lessons Learned: Navigating the Conference Maze
Despite the challenges, conferences remain a cornerstone of professional growth. Over the years, I’ve learned to maximize the good while minimizing the bad and ugly.
Plan, but Stay Flexible: Map out your must-see sessions in advance, but don’t overcommit. Leave room for spontaneity—some of the best conversations happen when you least expect them.
Pace Yourself: Prioritize self-care. Take breaks, hydrate, and don’t feel guilty about skipping a session to recharge. A refreshed mind is more open to absorbing new ideas.
Follow Up: The business cards you collect are only as good as what you do with them. Send a quick follow-up email or connect on LinkedIn while the memory is fresh. AND make sure you have your business card available (I do both actual cards and also have a digital card for the more tech-savvy colleagues.)
Embrace the Awkward: Not every moment will go smoothly, and that’s okay. Laugh off the awkward encounters—they’re part of the experience.
Wing-man: If you can attend with a colleague you like and can stand to be with for a couple of days. It makes the event more fun and less awkward.
Conferences, like life, are a mix of highs and lows. For every subpar meal or botched presentation, there’s the potential for an inspiring conversation or a transformative idea. So, the next time you’re packing your bags for one, embrace it all—the good, the bad, and yes, even the ugly. After all, it’s often in those imperfect moments that the best stories and relationships are born.
