Keeping it educational

My final blog of this congress and last taste of Brisbane will impart knowledge about something I have enjoyed tasting—in moderation, of course—the local beers. And no, I won't be telling you about the balance and body of my favorites. Research congresses are supposed to be educational. So here is your Brisbane beer education.

Draft beer comes in pots, pints and jugs. A “pot,” for my English friends, is what the polite ladies drink, “a half.” For my Yank friends, it’s what we would call a “short.” A pot for you quantitative types is 285 milliliters. Now, in my travels, I have found that a pint is like mathematics. It is the universal in the measure and language of beer. There are two pots in a pint, making a pint 570 ml. Now, a “jug” is what we would call a pitcher in the States. So, to finish out the quantitative portion of this education session, there are four pots or two pints in a jug. That makes the volume of a jug 1,140 ml.

I know my qualitative friends may be feeling left out or befuddled by all the quantitative talk. Do not despair! The important lesson here is qualitative. Do not confuse your pots, pints and jugs, or you will wind up “piss,” as my Aussie friends put it. That would be drunk.

My final theme is inspiration. Over the last few days, I have been inspired by all of the nurses I have met who are humbly carrying out their work to make the world a better place. I have been inspired by the diversity that has been expressed in unity for our profession and those we serve. I have been inspired by the continuum of nurses that I have met—from novice to expert—attending this congress. I have been inspired by those inducted into the International Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame, not only by the stories they shared during their amazing session but by the way they role model for and support the next generation of nurse scientists.

Pamela R. Jeffries, PhD, RN, FAAN, ANEF,
one of 14 inducted into the International Nurse
Researcher Hall of Fame.

And, I have been inspired by the people of Australia to go home and show the kindness and compassion they have shown this Yank during his stay as a guest in their amazing land. And yes, I have been treated like the most important guest I would welcome into my home.

I know that we all get busy with our daily lives, our research and our passions. But, it’s important to keep in mind that others may not view the world through the frame we do. They may not understand how busy we are. They may not share the same research interest we do. They may not be as passionate about the things we are passionate about. We cannot let our forests get in the way of their trees. For they have their lives, research and passions. It is our duty to keep our eyes and minds open for the opportunity to inspire others, even if it is just by showing a simple act of kindness, as my new Aussie mates have done for me.

I would be remiss if I did not take just a moment to thank those who make these congresses so special. Thank you, Dr. Prevost, for your vision in guiding our society toward attaining Vision 2020. Thank you, Dr. Thompson, for taking the vision of Dr. Prevost and the board and making it happen. Thank you to our unsung heroes—the onsite staff of the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International—who left families behind and traveled halfway around the globe (east to west and north to south) to make this congress a success.

A twofer: Calling attention to the unsung heroes who did so much
to make this congress a success while promoting the next
International Nursing Research Congress, to be held in Prague.

And a special thanks to my go-to guy behind the scenes who helped make this blog the success that many of you took the time to tell me it has been. You know who you are and your kind words have been greatly appreciated.

I leave this congress renewed, refreshed and inspired. I hope all of you who attended feel the same. I am inspired to see you again next year in Prague!

P.S. Thanks to the Fat Yak for the occasional inspiration. CHEERS!

Ken Dion, reporting from Brisbane, Australia.

For Reflections on Nursing Leadership (RNL), published by the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International.

The people who keep on giving

Each day of the congress, there has been a theme for this blog. You might think I spend a fair amount of time looking for that theme. I do not. It finds me, in spite of me. Today's theme is giving.

The people of Australia are among the most kind and giving I have had the pleasure of spending time with. I cannot count the number of times since I have been here that, while standing on the corner looking at my map, at least three different locals have asked if they could give me directions. And I'm not talking about telling me where to go! :)

The Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI) is blessed with a wonderful staff that works tirelessly behind the scenes to make sure the events we attend are as close to flawless as humanly possible. We are also blessed to have an amazing group of volunteers that, without whom, events like this congress would not be possible. I would like to share with you the story of one of those volunteers.

Kathy Wooldridge is not an STTI member. However, she has been volunteering at the congress very day, giving her time to make sure attendees have the experience of a lifetime. She is quick to share her local insights, including information about the indigenous people of this fantastic land, so that visitors to Australia can truly experience the country. It is my understanding that she and her husband spend their time volunteering with the aboriginal people. I came by this tidbit of information through one of our STTI staff members.

I know you are asking yourself, "And how did they come to know this?" After several long days of volunteering at this congress, Kathy opened her home and gave our onsite staffers a wonderful evening that included regional dishes, history of the land and a parting gift of original aboriginal artwork. This exemplifies the giving nature of the Australian people. Thank you, Kathy, for your service and for taking care of the people behind the scenes who take care of us!

There is a gift around every corner in Brisbane. You just need to pay attention. Sometimes, this means looking up. As you know by now, I have loved getting around by ferry. Last night, as I boarded a ferry to meet some new friends, I received the gift of an awesome fireworks display. I don’t know the reason for the fireworks. Maybe it was because the moon was full. Maybe it was someone's birthday. No matter what the reason, I am grateful for the amazing display that made my full-moon ferry ride even more special. This memory will be with me long after these pixels fade.

Nursing as a profession is known for its giving nature. We give tirelessly to our patients and their families. Sadly, we are not as well known for giving to each other. I would like to share with you two other stories of giving I personally witnessed at this congress.

I was speaking with our CEO, Patricia Thompson, who gives above and beyond the call of duty to our society. As Pat and I stood conversing, Miaofen Yen politely approached us. Miaofen will be inducted into the American Academy of Nursing in December. As she does each year, Pat had sent a handwritten note to each of the inductees, and Miaofen was among those who had received a note from Pat. In appreciation for Pat’s simple act of giving respect, Miaofen carried from her home in Taiwan to this congress a business card wallet with the principles of her school of nursing proudly displayed on its face. I am hopeful that, as professionals, we can raise our game to give each other this level of respect daily.

Pat Thompson and Miaofen Yen

Back in the day, as they say, I was a fireman-paramedic. There was a saying at the fire service, "Give a guy a white shirt and they forget where they came from." Loosely translated, as soon as someone becomes management, they forget the little people from whence they came. I promised myself I was not going to be "That guy."

Today, I spent time with colleagues who will also never be "That guy." Those colleagues are the Virginia Henderson Fellows. Virginia Henderson Fellows support the activities of the STTI Foundation for Nursing through a structured giving program. I can guarantee you, from the stories I heard, that, as nursing students or young nurses, each of these fellows benefited from philanthropy that allowed them to advance their nursing career. They now give back by being a Virginia Henderson Fellow. I am honored to welcome to this group of nurse philanthropists our newest fellows: Julie Novak (USA), Christa van der Walt (South Africa) and Cindy Ford (USA). By the way, the two "Yanks," Julie and Cindy, are Texans like me! Anyone hear a challenge to the rest of our American members?

Yours Truly pinning new Virginia Henderson Fellow Julie Novak.

So, class, our lesson for today was about giving. Let's do our best to remember to give, not only to our patients but also to ourselves, by taking time to look around and appreciate those experiences that renew us; and to show each other, through respect and appreciation, that we can continue to give to our patients and our honored giving profession.

For Reflections on Nursing Leadership (RNL), published by the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International.

Keeping left

The word for today is disorientation. And no, I’m not talking about disorientation due to time-zone difference and jet lag. I’m talking about keeping left. As Sigma Theta Tau International moves to embrace its global nature, reflected in both its name and mission, American members like me, who have traditionally comprised the majority, must learn to embrace the cultures and traditions of our global membership. In my case, that means embracing the norms of the wonderful country that is my host for this research congress.

When I say, “Keep left,” I am not speaking politically. I mean, literally, KEEP LEFT! My Australian mates don’t drive on the wrong side of the road, they drive on the other side of the road. I dare not drive here for fear of putting my life and the lives of my wonderful hosts at risk. This left-sided tendency is not restricted to driving. It holds true for just about anything. The “up” escalator is on the left, not the right, as we “Yanks” are used to. Slow traffic on the walking and bike trails around our host city of Brisbane, and the rest of the country for that matter, needs to move left. So, for those of you I have walked into or just confused, I extend my sincere apologies. I promise that I am working on staying left. And one last note for my friends from the Northern Hemisphere:—Yes, the water really does spin the other way as it goes down the drain. To the left!

I knew from looking at the program prior to my arrival that the sessions were organized into tracks or themes. Little did I know that the theme I was interested in—nurse residency and new nurse turnover—would permeate my entire day. During the opening plenary session, Rhonda Griffiths, AM, RN, RM, Bed, MSc (Hons), DrPH, reminded us that policy must be based on valid and reliable evidence, not just the latest research article dragged onto the nursing unit, and that consensus that evidence is truly valid and reliable must be reached before that evidence can inform policy. The limited scholarly research in my area of interest confirmed for me that more study is required before policy can be generated in this area.

Following the morning plenary, I visited the poster presentations. Just as there are presentation tracks at this congress that are relevant and timely, so, too, is the diversity of posters. I have no doubt there was at least one poster in the session that any attendee could relate to his or her area of research. My theme for this day—nurse residency and new nurse turnover—continued in the poster session. I found work that aligned with my research interest and confirmed that my interest is of global importance.

One of the many and diverse posters

I had the honor of moderating a session sponsored by the Sigma Theta Tau International Foundation for Nursing. During this session, I learned about fantastic work being done by nurse scholars that found its genesis in a small research grant funded by the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI), as well as research that received continued funding through STTI, which increased its validity and reliability. The thread continued to weave its way through my day.

I am proud to serve on the foundation’s board. One of the most rewarding parts of that service is meeting nurse scholars and future nurse scholars who have benefited from a foundation Leadership Education Grant. These grants allow members who might not otherwise be able to attend events, such as this congress, to come learn, network and, above all, contribute to nursing scholarship. The first-ever networking event for recipients of these grants was held at this congress. This event allowed not only me but also the sponsors of these grants to meet these truly deserving recipients.

Recipients of Leadership Education Grants

Although they were each outstanding in their own right, one stands out. Stacy Pua, who recently graduated with a BSN in California, moved to Midland, Texas, USA, to work in a hospital with a nurse residency program, so she would experience a transition to practice that would keep her engaged in the profession and allow her to gain experience while remaining on the path to becoming a nurse researcher. And my thread continued.

I would like to thank the leadership of Phi Delta Chapter for sponsoring the networking event at the end of the day. The beautiful views of the Brisbane skyline at night were eclipsed only by the brilliance of the colleagues I met for the first time. 

Leaders of Phi Delta Chapter

Debra Cerasa, chief executive officer of Royal College of
Nursing, Australia, and  Patricia Thompson, chief executive
officer of Sigma Theta Tau International

Two of them are new nurses, members seeking a career of excellence and scholarship. My transition-to-practice thread continued beyond the bounds of the convention center.

Claire Stewart, third-year student at Queensland University
of Technology, soon to be inducted into the honor society.
See video below.

Marissa Walker, member from Tasmania

I have no doubt that other attendees experienced similar threads. I am confident that, for each of us, our threads will continue for the rest of this conference. I am hopeful that we can each use these threads to remain connected to colleagues met and friends made at this congress long after we have returned home.

And to my new mates—you know who you are—thank you so much for the conversation and libation. I “kept it left” on the way home!

For Reflections on Nursing Leadership (RNL), published by the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International. 

Coffee, chocolate and good friends

Well, my American friends, Seattle—the birthplace of Starbucks and the modern coffee house—has nothing on Brisbane. My Aussie mates love their coffee. It comes in all the styles you might be familiar with—cappuccino, latte, etc. But if you want just a good old “cup of joe,” you need to ask for a "long black."

The second national obsession after coffee is chocolate. That's right, my chocolate-loving friends, they have chocolaterias. All I can say is, I am grateful for the walking to and from the hotel, conference and sights, or I would not fit in my airline seat on the way home. While you wipe that bad visual from your mind, we'll move on to my personal highlights of the conference for today.

In the opening plenary, Tracey McDonald, AM, PhD, RN, RM, MSc(Hons), BHA, DipEd, reminded me that power is more than a personal trait; it is the ability to muster resources and organize people to get things done. Nursing must use its various sources of power to shift the balance of power away from the management of nurses to empowering nurses to effect structural changes in health care across the globe. However, to gain access to power in the organization, nursing has the responsibility to learn the language of business. We need to use our power to influence and, more importantly, drive policy that affects nursing and patient care. And, conversely, evidence from practice-driven research should drive policy. Policy imposed without input from those affected leaves those affected by policy powerless.

While attending a session on the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI) and the United Nations, I learned about the work STTI is doing with the UN in relation to Vision 2020. To learn more about Vision 2020, visit the STTI website. Additionally, I gained a clearer understanding of the type of organization STTI is in the eyes of the United Nations. Look for an exciting announcement on STTI's UN status in the very near future.

One of the best parts of attending the Research Congress is networking. I made new friends with many nurses from Taiwan.

Friends from Taiwan

I had the honor of witnessing colleagues from around the globe being inducted as members during the International Induction Ceremony.

President Prevost (fifth from left) with international inductees.

The reception held for the newly inducted members sponsored by the University of Queensland was well attended and enjoyed by all.

The wonderful event provided the opportunity to make new friends and catch up with old. 

Karen Minnie, President-Elect Hester Klopper
and Christa Van der Walt

Not only did the reception give the attendees and me an opportunity to network, it provided an additional opportunity to visit with exhibitors who help to support this fantastic conference.

Visiting with exhibitors

One image that will be indelibly embedded in my mind from the congress is that of E.S. Kim, who was inducted into STTI in South Korea last year. She attended the reception in her traditional attire. We should all remain as proud as she is to be part of this internationally recognized and respected organization.

E.S. Kim

For Reflections on Nursing Leadership (RNL), published by the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International.

“Good day!” from Brisbane

Although the flight from Austin, Texas, USA, to Brisbane, Queensland, Australia was a little on the long side, it was worth every minute of it. I was greeted with a warm “Good day!” the moment I stepped off the plane. I can already say that I haven’t met an Aussie I didn’t like. The people of Brisbane are warm and welcoming. Having documents in hand and incoming visitor forms completed made passage through passport control very easy, andthe kindness of the locals made transit from the Brisbane airport to the city center, a.k.a. the Central Business District (CBD), a breeze.


The weather in Brisbane is glorious! The locals are saying it’s a little on the cool side. Keep in mind, it is winter Down Under. Having left 100-plus degree temperatures (Fahrenheit) in Texas, the 75-degree day that greeted me on arrival was a welcome reprieve. (In Australia, meteorologists report temperatures in Celsius.) I immediately dropped my bags at the hotel and headed out for a walkabout.


I quickly made my way to the South Bank. This lively district consists of restaurants, shops and an amazing riverside park with public pools, picnic areas and sculptures. A stroll through the park along the Brisbane River provides one with access to many cultural sites and museums, as well as a breathtaking view of the Brisbane skyline.

Walking about on the South Bank

I also learned about one of the best ways to get around Brisbane—ferries. Purchase of a “Go Card” allows for easy hopping on and off ferries, which are not only a great way to get around but also provide stunning views of the city and its bridges.

Brisbane from the ferry

I then made my way over to the Brisbane Convention Center. This beautiful venue is definitely in keeping with the standards of excellence that Sigma Theta Tau International is known for. 

Wish you were here!

The signage made it easy for me to find my way directly to the first-time attendee session. Although I have attended the Research Congress in the past, the session provided me with many great reminders of how to make the most of my conference attendance. Marilyn Klakovich, DNSc, RN, CNAA, clinical instructor and director of continuing education at Azusa Pacific University, Azusa, California, definitely fired up the group about the exciting days ahead, as well as providing insights on seeing Brisbane, as well as tips on safety. I look forward to getting to know the first-timers I met at this session better over the course of the conference!


For Reflections on Nursing Leadership (RNL), published by the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International.