The School of Nursing first held the National Leadership Conference in New Orleans in 2004. This is the first year since Katrina that the conference has been held in New Orleans, and they hope to once again make it a biannual event.
Loyola’s School of Nursing along with Health Care Systems Management and the New Orleans Area Organization of Nursing Executives will put on hold the 2009 Leadership Conference, “What Works in the Work Environment,” at the Maison Dupuy Hotel on Nov. 5 and Nov. 6.
Gail Tumulty, head of the School of Nursing, says said that she expects between 100 and 150 attendees at the conference this year.
The theme of this year’s conference, “What Works in the Work Environment,” focuses on bringing nurses, especially in New Orleans, the latest developments to improving their work environment and work care for patients.
“Nurses in the New Orleans area have given a lot to the community, and now we want to give something to them,” Tumulty said.
Loyola is not seeking a profit from the conference, and Tumulty said they only want to break even. A federal grant will fund the conference. The $215,530 grant was awarded to the School of Nursing three-years ago, and 2009 will be its final year.
“It is very satisfying to see this conference come to life, and to be able to implement the things that we envision with the grant,” Tumulty said.
Tumulty and Jessica Kinnison, an administrative assistant and planner of the conference, said they are especially excited about the guest speaker, Dr. Linda Aiken, the director of the Center for Health Outcomes and Policy Research at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Nursing. Her presentation, “The Pursuit of Quality in the Work Environment,” will focus on social and emotional intelligence in the workplace.
“It will be helpful to the faculty because they will get the opportunity and pleasure to meet and dialogue with Aiken, who is such an influence in so many things they’ve learned,” Tumulty said.
Tumulty said the program would both benefit nurses in New Orleans and give the rest of the city a chance to see what they do.
“It’s always nice to highlight our program and the work we do at Loyola,” Tumulty said. “It’s amazing that we’re able to bring something here to benefit the whole community and that it gives a high profile to the nursing communities. We do a lot, and we don’t always get to talk about it.”
Allison Baznik can be reached at [email protected]