The Western Institute of Nursing Research (WIN) is one of four regional nursing research organizations in the United States, and their annual WIN research conference is attended by hundreds of nurses in academia and practice and nursing students from across the region. Representatives from Boise State University’s School of Nursing have been attending and presenting at WIN for several years.
In April, 18 School of Nursing faculty members, eight undergraduate students and one graduate student traveled to Anaheim, CA, to attend the 2013 WIN conference, which showcased the latest in nursing research, practice and education. It was also a networking opportunity for attendees to meet other nursing professionals from across the region.
Faculty presentations covered a broad spectrum topics that included understanding how Somali Bantu refugee parents treat non-emergency illnesses and investigating the implications of simulation in nursing education.
Student researchers and their faculty mentors also participated in several poster presentations. School of Nursing student nurse and research assistant, Nicole Benskin, explained how exciting it was to attend the 2013 WIN conference: “I had a great time at WIN and I believe I was able to represent our team well,” said Benskin. “I learned a lot about nursing research and have become even more excited and about incorporating it into my future career.”
School of Nursing Director Pam Springer agreed that involvement in research is valuable for students: “These skills help our graduates be excellent critical thinkers and prepare them for practice or graduate school.”
Springer also observed a rise in attendance of both faculty members and students at the WIN research conferences: “Boise State is proud to be one of very few schools engaging our undergraduate students in research,” she said. “Our presence gets bigger each year as our involvement in research grows.”