This post was written by Ashley Kever, MSN, RN, CMSRN, Nursing Professional Development Practitioner, Parkview Health.
From creative contributor to confident presenter, Ashley’s journey through the Parkview Nursing Research Symposium is one of growth, courage and finding your voice. Whether you’re a nurse, a student, a leader or someone who loves seeing innovation in action, Ashley’s story is a reminder that inspiration can lead to empowerment. And that sometimes, the first step is as simple as showing up. Read how one experience sparked two impactful projects and a new level of professional confidence.
When I attended my very first Parkview Nursing Research Symposium in 2023, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. I was on the planning committee, helping with décor, which, as someone with a passion for creativity, was right up my alley. I was excited to help bring the event to life visually, but I had no idea how much the experience would open my eyes and my mind.
That day changed everything for me. I sat in on presentations, walked through the posters and listened to stories that left me inspired and filled with awe. The dedication of Parkview nurses to improve not only patient outcomes but also the well-being of their fellow nurses was incredible. They were asking big questions and doing important work, and it got my wheels turning.
As a Nursing Professional Development (NPD) practitioner, I spend a lot of time in education. That day, it hit me: So much of what I do could easily be translated into a quality improvement or evidence-based practice (EBP) project. On top of that, I was wrapping up my master’s degree (MSN) in 2024 and needed to complete an EBP project. It all came together.
Putting it into practice
I teamed up with our amazing Pulmonology team to create a chest tube troubleshooting checklist. Our goal was to give nurses a clear, accessible tool to reference during those tricky, high-stress situations involving chest tubes. The checklist was designed to boost confidence, offer quick reminders and ultimately improve patient outcomes by helping nurses respond quickly and efficiently.
I submitted an abstract for that project, and to my excitement, it was accepted as a poster presentation at the 2024 symposium!
I also began an EBP project for my MSN, focused on a topic close to my heart: lateral violence in nursing. I wanted to empower nurses by helping them recognize lateral violence behaviors, understand how to respond and most importantly, find their voice. My hope was that my work would help them advocate not just for others, but for themselves. That project was accepted as a breakout session presentation, and let me tell you, I was nervous.
Sharing the work
I’ve spoken in front of classes many times as an educator and NPD practitioner, but this felt different. A room full of professionals, all eyes on me—my heart was racing.
When I finished, the support was overwhelming. My incredible Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) and Nursing Professional Development (NPD) teams cheered me on throughout the entire process, and the encouragement from attendees afterward made all the nerves worth it.
Looking forward
This year, I’m proud to say I’m serving as co-chair and creative director (décor) of the planning committee for the 2025 Parkview Nursing Research Symposium. I am excited to see all the amazing projects our nurses and students have been working on. The growth I’ve experienced since my first symposium—decor and all—has been incredible, and I hope to help others feel just as empowered as I have.
If you’re working on a project and feeling unsure about submitting an idea, an abstract, creating a poster or presenting, remember, you can do hard things. Take your idea and run with it. You are not alone. There’s an entire network of support at Parkview and your peers. We’re all cheering you on and ready to help guide you through the process. Trust me, once you do it, you’ll want to do it again.
If you’re a nursing professional and have never been to a Parkview Nursing Research Symposium before, make this the year! Bring an open mind, be ready to learn and prepare to be inspired. It’s truly a window into the heart and brilliance of nursing at Parkview—and it’s something you won’t want to miss.
Stay empowered. Stay curious.
Join us
Another fantastic way to learn about the latest intriguing research is by attending the 6th Annual Parkview Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice Symposium. Our theme this year is “From Paper to Practice: The Art of Implementation Science,” and it’s scheduled for Thursday, November 13, at the Parkview Mirro Center for Research and Innovation.
Not only will you see examples of the fascinating research being done by talented Parkview nurses who will be there to share their insights, but there’s also a guest keynote speaker, poster and podium presentations, breakout sessions and an interactive workshop. We encourage nurses who feel inspired to turn an idea into an exciting and engaging research project!
