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Nursecon At Sea: The Story Behind The Ultimate Nursing Conference
By Nurse Blake
Nursecon At Sea The Story Behind The Ultimate Nursing Conference
WHEN I WAS IN NURSING SCHOOL from 2012 to 2014, I was President of the Florida Nursing Student Association (FNSA), and I attended a lot of nursing conferences around the country. I noticed they were boring and not at all engaging or fun. I knew then that I wanted to shake up the nursing conference space someday! Nurses deserve the most exciting and fun conferences.
I wondered how nurses could come together in one place to truly connect on a level that we usually can’t. Well, what better venue than to do it on a cruise ship?!? So I called up Royal Caribbean. They were totally on board with the idea and led me through the steps of starting NurseCon at Sea.
It wasn’t easy to get it up and running, but with a lot of hard work and collaboration, NurseCon at Sea is now pretty much smooth sailing. We now have 10 full-time employees and about 80 contractors — nursing educators, dancers, drag queens, etc. NurseCon at Sea is truly a team effort, and I’m so grateful to work with such a wonderful group of people.
The true purpose behind NurseCon at Sea isn’t just the awesome accredited continuing nursing education (CNE) courses; it’s the incredible community built around it. I could plan the most epic conference ever, but if no one attends, it would be for nothing. That’s why I’m so thankful for everyone who comes and makes it an unforgettable experience. We get to connect with each other on a deeper level in a safe space where nurses can be themselves and learn from one another. It’s truly a one-of-a-kind event!
The first cruise launched in 2022 and went from Miami to the Bahamas. It sold out really fast, so we decided to do two this year! We had one cruise in February that went to the Dominican Republic and one in April to the Bahamas.
After each cruise, we always want to hear feedback from the guests, so we survey them on what they liked most, what we can do better, and any suggestions they have. After all, NurseCon at Sea is for all of you! You are the ones who make the cruise amazing!
Each cruise is unique with the CNEs offered and the different activities onboard. Theme nights are the best, and I like to go all out! We had a Masquerade Night, a Boots & Bling party, and an 80s Night on the Dominican Republic cruise. Everyone got dressed up, and we partied all night. It’s so fun to see everyone in their costumes.
The drag queens really upped the vibe, and Nurse Feud was EPIC! It felt like a real TV game show. Between the night shift vs. day shift team and the crowd going crazy — it was incredible! The energy was amazing! We laughed our asses off!
It’s a lot of work being on the cruise, but when I get some downtime, you will definitely find me having fun with all the guests at the parties, watching the shows, or hanging out by the pool. I love meeting guests and truly connecting with them.
If you’re worried about going on a cruise alone, let me tell you, you’ll have the opportunity to meet tons of new friends! The Nurse Meet-Ups are especially fantastic for mingling with other nurses in your field, and you’ll be surprised at how many connections you can make. I’ve even heard stories of people who became friends on the first cruise and reunited on the next one.
Our CNE educators are seriously the best! They put in so much effort to create top-notch content for the courses. They’re not just experts in their fields; they’re constantly learning and staying up to date too. At NurseCon at Sea, we believe every nurse has something valuable to share and learn from one another, no matter what your experience or background is. It’s not about your credentials or how long you’ve been a nurse; it’s about being a lifelong learner and growing together.
My tip for future cruisers is to have fun — go to as many activities as possible. Or if you just want to relax and chill, do it! Create your own experience. Whether you want all the CNEs or just want to vacation, tailor your trip to you and your journey. Just make sure you try my favorite drink, the Miami Vice! It is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! It’s a strawberry daiquiri mixed with a piña colada. Trust me; you won’t be disappointed!
Big shoutout to all of you who have been a part of NurseCon at Sea, from the team to the participants, because you all contribute to making it what it is — The Ultimate Nursing Conference that’s both a fun and safe place to learn. We are grateful to have such an awesome community and appreciate you!
Hope to see all of you at the next one!
Love
