Bringing students to the table: The value of student involvement in midwest nursing research society

摘要

We remember clearly our first experience with the Midwest Nursing Research Society (MNRS)—gathering at the welcoming reception for the Annual Meeting. As the lobby filled, we quickly came to notice the interactions of other attendees, including well-regarded nurse leaders, who seemed to know each other very well. As undergraduate nursing students, we were not entirely sure what to expect from this crowd. Although professorial in appearance and aura, many had an ease of demeanor that signaled they were either happy to be away from work for a couple of days or excited to be around peers they hadn't seen in some time. We recall our first conversations with fellow society members, and the great sense of gratitude we felt when we were welcomed by other student and faculty members. As the conference proceeded, individuals absorbed in one-to-one discussions replaced the dynamic small groups. Topics transitioned to the goals of ones' program of research and opportunities for future collaboration.