Hawai'i Nurse - May 2022

May, June, July 2022 Hawaiʻi Nurse • Page 5
Student Nurses Page - 2
My Review of the 8th Annual HISNA Conference
Matthew Abe
Kapiolani Community College ADN Student
On March 5, 2022, I had the opportunity to attend the
8th Annual HISNA Conference at Chaminade University
of Hawaii. As this was my first HISNA Conference,
I did not know what to expect. Upon arrival, I was
admittedly impressed by the level of professionalism and
organization. HISNA members dressed in business suits
greeted each attendee with a smile, a personalized name
tag, and a raffle ticket. Did someone say raffle ticket? As
I made my way into the auditorium, I thought to myself
that with a prepaid bento and an hourly raffle, this event
was already trending in the right direction!
Once inside the auditorium, we were greeted by more
friendly HISNA representatives that ushered us to the
seats while vendor booths and health care organization
booths lined the surrounding walls. As the attendees
filed in, the auditorium quickly reached maximum
capacity. I recall looking around the auditorium as the
keynote speaker (Dr. Jill Green, CEO of Queens Medical
Center) took the stage and noted that it was standingroom-only!
Dr. Green spoke about the status of healthcare in
Hawaii and more specifically, the role of the nurse in
Hawaii’s healthcare system. She thanked each attendee
for considering a career in nursing while stating the
devotion and commitment of nurses have afforded
Hawaii one of the lowest Covid-19 mortality rates in the
nation. Dr. Green’s speech drew a raucous applause from
the audience. The atmosphere in the auditorium was
electric. I cannot explain what it was like to be sitting in a
room with other nurses and nurses-to-be. It just felt right
to know that each person in the room was as excited as
I was to help and provide care to the Hawaii community.
Shortly after Dr. Green’s introduction, the HISNA
members broke us up into groups where we had the
opportunity to listen to presentations from Dr. Kelly
Johnson, Cathy Parkes RN (of the YouTube channel Level
Up RN), and HISNA RN speakers Rey Sagayaga RN and
Oscar Thomas RN.
Dr. Johnson outlined the history of Queens Hospital
and briefly touched on the direction that Queens Hospital
intends to take. It was especially encouraging to hear
that nurses are anticipated to have an important role in
shaping the future of healthcare in Hawaii. Dr. Johnson
cited examples of nurses participating in interdisciplinary
teams with doctors and healthcare executives to
reevaluate processes to better meet the needs of their
patients. Upon the completion of Dr. Johnson’s speech,
the HISNA conference organizers pulled raffle numbers
and gave away a Littmann stethoscope!
In the next breakout room, Cathy Parkes RN of the
YouTube channel Level Up RN shared her inspiring
personal account of changing careers and earning her
BSN later in life. Ms. Parkes also shared study tips and
advice that she said had helped her along her nursing
school journey. And when her presentation came to an
end, the HISNA raffled a Level Up RN flashcards package
valued at $400!
In the last breakout room, Rey Sagayaga RN and
Oscar Thomas RN shared their heartwarming stories of
volunteering their medical services to underprivileged
residents in 3rd world countries. Both gentlemen
shared that they had resided in Hawaii but wanted the
opportunity to expand their horizons while impacting the
lives of residents abroad. It was humbling to hear that
these gentlemen had spent their hard-earned money
and vacation hours, to fly to underdeveloped countries
and provide basic healthcare needs (such as screenings,
etc) to residents less fortunate.
Prior to attending the 8th Annual HISNA Conference,
I did not know what to expect. I recall my professor
suggesting that our class attend the event and stressing
that we would not regret it. Having attended the 8th
Annual HISNA Conference, I have to say that she was
right. I would strongly recommend that any nursing
student or prospective nursing student attend the next
HISNA conference!
Kapiolani Community College ADN Students with
Dr. Robin Zachary, their instructor, while they
attended the HISNA Conference.