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| Ibitayo with Jackie Michael. |
How better to celebrate the global focus of nursing than at STTI’s International Nursing Research Congress in Dublin, where, within a few minutes, you can meet nurses from around the world! I really enjoy the sharing of our expertise and stories where our cultural differences enrich our nursing practice.
I love learning new things, and yesterday I laughed aloud in pleasure when I heard the Irish phrase, “Take a wander.” This is exploring, taking a jaunt—wandering. As nurse researchers and leaders, I think we all benefit from stepping away, even if momentarily, from the task at hand to gain fresh perspective and reenergize by reconnecting with others and life’s simple wonders.
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| Ancient monastery at Glendalough. |
In research, it’s about identifying a gap and proceeding from there in research design. Discovering that gap and tracing one pathway after another can be quite a wander. The journey can feel very lonely, especially for new researchers, so while the discovery process itself is exciting, having a support network is essential.
In Saturday’s session on the Nurse Faculty Leadership Academy, Jackie Michael, PhD, RN, highlighted the importance of relationships and the triad mentoring between scholar, mentor, and faculty adviser. She said it is important to be “intentional about encouraging someone’s heart.” The scholar learns from the mentor’s role-playing. Indeed, we need not be alone or wander fruitlessly, but gain from our interactions with others, whether the mentoring relationship is formal or informal.
I took a tour yesterday into the countryside outside of Dublin, taking time to reflect on where I want to be in nursing, how I can best match my talents and desires in the service of global nursing. Conferences with their learning and networking opportunities are essential for our profession. So, take a wander, engage with others, and you may very well come away with new insights or a confirmation of your life’s journey.
