Nursing conferences can be an eye-opening experience filled with knowledge, networking opportunities, and a chance to get acquainted with local and national leaders. If you’re still new to the business, these conferences can help you learn from the experiences of other nurses, and establish relationships that will help transition from a regular job to an administrative position in nursing.

On an article featured on nurse.org, they interviewed with Anna Dermenchyan, MSN, RN, CCRN-K, who, while studying to earn her BSN, attended her first nurses’ convention, the National Student Nurses’ Association annual convention in Dallas. Currently, Dermenchyan works as a senior clinical quality specialist in the Department of Medicine at UCLA Health. She is also currently studying to earn her Ph.D. at the UCLA School of Nursing.

In 2010, Dermenchyan founded a UCLA chapter of the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) and hosted an annual Leadership Symposium for nurses and nurse students within the local community. This endeavor taught her valuable lessons in skills vital for leading an organization. She said, “This process helped me learn all about program planning, project management, advertising/messaging, writing speaker agreements and contracts with facilities and vendors.”

The UCLA chapter has been steadily growing and hosting numerous local events. The national association also holds a yearly conference that attracts thousands of nurses from across the country, as well as hundreds of exhibitors each year. The staff at nurse.org sat down with Dermenchyan and asked her about the most important things to consider when attending one of these conferences.

However, before getting into what you can gain from attending a conference, you have to identify the hosting organization. For instance, in an AACN convention, many people and organizations gather to show off the latest tech and standards for specific procedures, as well as exchange stories to foster companionship and to help coworkers and peers from around the country to bond with each other. Marissa Labate, BNS, RN, CCRN, PHN, a surgical ICU nurse and nurse blogger in San Diego, stated that, “They allow you to stock up on a bunch of CEUs, check out new equipment at vendor booths, stay up to date with the latest research and bond with your co-workers as well as the new friends you’ve made.”

Next, when it comes to preparing for a conference, Labate suggests always to book a hotel near the conference center. She always tries to book a room in a hotel next or near to the venue, so that she can go to and fro on foot, and quickly go back during the day if she ever needs anything from her room. However, if booking near the venue is not a possibility, she suggests researching for transportation options available, such as shuttle buses near the hotel, or public transportation that would close to your destination. To avoid unnecessary hassle from an uncharged device, such as a laptop or phone, always keep extra batteries or a power pack on hand to keep them always in the green and to never lose a single beat in the presentations. Lastly, it is always recommended to load up on business cards with your current title and position to hand out to new people that you meet.

When arriving at the venue, there are several things you’ll need to do before mingling. Specifically, Dermenchyan says, you should always register at the main desk to receive your badge and all the relevant conference material, such as the schedule, venue map, and so on. In some conferences, you might need to download a specific app to receive your agenda, as well as access to a plethora of information downloaded directly to your phone. After registering with the attendant at the main desk, feel free to walk around and become familiarized with the layout of the venue. Take note of any important stalls and booths that you’ll want to come back to on your downtime, as well as the location of the closest hospital in case of an emergency. Lastly, make sure to pinpoint the location of the food court so you can recharge after a lengthy presentation.

When it comes to conference etiquette, Dermenchyan recommends to always be on your best behavior and act respectful and kind towards your peers. Also, when it comes to attending a specific presentation, always try to arrive 15 minutes before it starts, which will give you plenty of time to find a seat and network with any of your peers. In addition, remember to silence your phone, and leave the room if you need to place or take a call. Lastly, if you attend a conference, but it doesn’t meet your expectations, don’t worry. It’s very acceptable to leave and attend a different session.