I am always amazed with how quickly time passes when you pay it no mind. I hit the road with Zulu (my dog) and spent the past week in New Orleans for the AONL nurse leader conference. Of course, I added on a couple of days to dine and visit with family and friends. If you’ve never been to NOLA, this is the best time of year. Festivals, seafood is plentiful, and the weather isn’t your enemy yet.

I love the networking of professional conferences. I have met some pretty outstanding people from across the country, and the conference gives us time to connect in person. The keynote speakers are always amazing! I most enjoyed Keller Rinaudo Cliffton, CEO of Zipline and journalist/host John Quiñones. One thing that has stuck in the back of my brain is a question asked by Mary Beth Kingston, EVP, Chief Nursing Officer of Advocate Health. She asked the audience if they are in the role they need to be to influence healthcare. I believe many nurse leaders hold the belief they can do more and their impact may actually be stifled by their organization. I think that’s why I recognize this next move for me is critical. Honestly, I’m just not the meet expectations type. I need to be challenged and stretched. That’s something I’ll be thinking about during my job search this week.

I also had the opportunity to hang with my high school sophomore, basketball playing niece, catch up with my favorite Asian, have my favorite eggplant dish, indulge in a daily order of beignets from Cafe du Monde, and celebrate my great-nephew’s third birthday. It was a good trip. On the spiritual front, everything is chill. So, I’ll just “wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and I wait for His word.” Psalms 130:5 NASB 2020.