The Bold Brief - Don't Be a Tourist

Welcome to The Bold Brief—

You are a member of this community of expert nurses and healthcare professionals redefining what it means to lead with authenticity, balance, and meaningful challenge—driving forward with confidence.

We do not follow traditional career paths. We build them intentionally with strategy, systems, and clarity. So, don’t be a tourist!

Tourism and Traps

This fall, 1000’s of expert nurses will attend conferences and conventions around the world. Yes we will all travel! But to maximize your time and resources, you need to know how to navigate national conventions like a strategist, not a tourist.

You may be going to Palm Springs for AMSN, or Phoenix for ENA, or ANCC Magnet in Chicago. For me, I am attending my favorite national conference, AMSN 2026 in Palm Springs, CA. This week, about 1000 of medical-surgical nurses and leaders will arrive in Palm Springs for the annual national convention. I am only one of these nurses.

Many conference attendees will approach the week passively: They will sit in the back of session halls, gather mandatory continuing education contact hours, collect branded pens in the exhibit hall, and head home to the exact same routine next Monday.

Amongst all of you attending fall conferences and conventions - only a distinct 5% will navigate the exhibits, posters, and sessions with intention.

This distinct 5% recognizes that a national gathering in a core specialty like adult health and medical-surgical care is not an escape from work. This is your live laboratory for career leverage!

The Strategies for the BOLD Nurse