The Professional Me

Its NBNA Conference Time !! 

I’m going to take it back for this post, because… well I’m a tired night nurse and am just getting around to it. BUT it’s here ! 

I am apart of a phenomenal organization, National Black Nurses Association (NBNA), and the end of July was conference time. I always love the annual conferences because it gives me the extra, and much needed motivation to keep doing what I’m doing and aspiring growth. This year was special though. It was my first conference post-grad and it just so happened to be in my home city of NEW ORLEANS !!  My previous two conferences consisted of me being inducted into the National Board of Directors as the student representative, and welcoming the new student representative to take over the position. Both conferences consisted of a lot of work and meetings, but this year I was able to experience more of the conference.

(I’ll probably make a separate blog post about that experience, but lets continue… )

I find it difficult to put into words the feeling and experience that I get from these conferences. As much as it is informational, and nurses are able to continue their education with various seminars covering a multitude of topics and specialties, it is embracing, it is uplifting, it is inspiring, and it is love. I previously wrote about the haters I recently experienced, but it was this organization that delayed me from seeing that so soon. This organization is filled with so many of my mentors who probably don’t even know that they are the people who teach me, help me, and throw me into positions that challenge me. I might not think I am ready for theee positions, but these mentors see something in me that allows me to grow. 

It is empowering to see people who look like you at the head of their tables, and are trailblazers in their fields. To see black women and men continuously beating the odds that were against them and demanding the respect they deserve only increases my drive, and the drive of the other professionals in attendance. Not only is it emotionally rewarding, but it is -also professionally rewarding in a “it's not what you know, but who you know “ kind of way. I can get a job in essentially any state I chose due to the relationships formed from this organization. These relationships are strengthened during conference time. It’s amazing because catch this….THEY WANT TO HELP YOU SUCCEED !

The days at the conference are long filled with workshops, seminars, recruitment events , health fairs, galas, fundraisers, and other impromptu celebrations. Since the conference was held in the city, it was important to show the culture of New Orleans. This was represented by second line band and Indians representing portions of our culture. Now I CANNOT , I repeat CANNOT second line but I do try to do a little something. BUT its a national conference and most people in attendance have no clue what really goes down during a second line since they are from other parts of the country. I’m just a moving and looking crazy and they just a bucking me all the way up. I couldn’t take it, but anyways y’all can catch me at the next second line f***ing it all the way up thanks to the support and encouragement from the entire NBNA during our 2019 national conference. 

Check the pictures out below. They probably say it better than me.

If anybody wants more info on the NBNA and what we do in the community year round, comment, DM, email, etc .