On a sunny and mild December day, over 500 nurses gathered at the 6th annual RNLMI Nursing Symposium, “A Blueprint for the Future of Nursing: New Roles and Opportunities.” Presenters challenged participants to consider the impact of emerging technologies and expanding work sites, while participating hospitals prepared poster boards that illustrated recent projects and accomplishments.
Norma Amsterdam, Executive Vice President of the RN Division for 1199SEIU, discussed the importance of nurses providing quality care for their patients. “I want to express gratitude for your commitment and passion for healthcare,” she said. “Remember the oath that we have taken to care for our patients.”
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Some speakers explored ways that technology can improve or expedite nursing care. Chief Nursing Officer Judy Murphy of IBM Healthcare Global Business Services talked about how nurses can be innovative by incorporating technology into their daily work. Jeffrey A. Sachs, president of Sachs Policy Group, encouraged attendees to embrace changes in healthcare and discover how young technology companies are creating healthcare products to help nurses perform better during their daily routines.
Breakout session topics included the impact of data on nursing, using meditation for stress reduction, community health and maintaining staff budgets. During one session, a seasoned nurse discussed the importance of being both receptive to learning from younger nurses and willing to assist them on the job.
Nursing teams representing New York City hospitals were honored for creating poster boards highlighting the exceptional work that they do on a daily basis by providing quality healthcare in their communities.
Bernadette Braddy, Assistant Director of the RN Labor Management Initiative, talked about how much nursing has changed over the years and encouraged attendees to continue to adapt to new changes. “You have always been flexible. What we are saying is: continue to be creative and innovative,” she said.
The symposium was hosted by 1199SEIU’s Registered Nurse Labor Management Initiative (RNLMI).