Upcoming Urology Conference 2009

For those of you who are interested: Urologic Nurses To Discover Latest Clinical Practice Advances At Annual Conference

A specialty as diverse as urologic nursing requires comprehensive educational offerings that keep nurses up to date in the varied practice areas. The Society of Urologic Nurses and Associates (SUNA) will continue to show its commitment to excellence in clinical practice by hosting its 40th Annual Conference, October 2-5, 2009, at the Hyatt Regency Chicago, in Chicago, IL.

The conference is ideal for nurses, physician's assistants, technicians, medical assistants, office personnel, industry representatives and physicians. Educational sessions are organized in specialized tracks, and attendees will be able to concentrate on their special interest or practice area. Tracks include advanced practice, continence/urodynamics, ESWL/OR/Cysto, general urologic care, outpatient care, inpatient care, pediatrics and professional development.

New for 2009 - SUNA is going paperless in Chicago with its new Online Library. Attendees will have online access to session handouts, presentations and conference evaluations through the SUNA Online Library prior to the conference. A new free benefit for attendees, the SUNA Online Library provides access to audio recordings of the education sessions and accompanying materials for one full year. A free continuing nursing education (CNE) opportunity, "Summary of Current Policy to Address Urinary Incontinence" is now available in the library.

Participants will also earn CNE contact hours, network with colleagues, participate in Special Interest Group (SIG) meetings, visit the exhibit hall and attend special events. More information and a complete registration brochure are available on SUNA"s Web site, http://www.suna.org.

Four preconference workshops will be offered on Friday, October 2, including a Urologic Nursing Certification Review Course (a study session for the certification exam); an Advanced Practice Workshop (topics include an in-depth review of urinary elements and implications, treating UTIs in the presence of antibiotic resistance, pharmacology, and advanced practice nursing roles and issues); a Basic Urology Workshop for those new to the specialty; and Sacral Nerve Stimulation: Putting the Puzzle Together/Setting the Stage for Success (a workshop designed to help clinicians to start a sacral nerve stimulation program in their practice).

On Saturday, October 3, Patti Digh, MA, will present the Keynote Address, "Life is a Verb." In October 2003, Digh's stepfather was diagnosed with lung cancer, and he died 37 days later. The experience had a tremendous impact on her life. She says, "Life takes action, not wishful thinking. It takes slowing down and saying yes and being generous and being amazed and loving more." Digh will challenge attendees to be more intentional about what they do with their time.

Also on Saturday, Jane Hokanson Hawks, PhD, RN, BC, will present the general session, "Quality: A Core Competency for Nurses." Hawks will describe several key developments in quality improvement and identify measures nurses can take to improve health care and patient outcomes.

Concurrent sessions will begin later Saturday afternoon and run through Monday, October 5. Topics include:

- Female sexual dysfunction: Causes and possible treatment options
- Treating pelvic prolapse with robotic assisted laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy
- Preventing osteoporosis in men receiving androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer
- Types of urologic trauma
- Benefits and risks of urinary catheterization
- Managing fecal incontinence with the mace and chait catheter

The SUNA Foundation will host a Silent Auction on Saturday, October 3, during the SUNA party. Money raised will help the Foundation fund research projects related to urologic disease or treatment and award SUNA members with scholarships for advanced education or specialized training.

On Sunday, October 4, Connie Curran, RN, EdD, FAAN, will present the general session, "Legislativ/Economic/Political Issues: What Difference Does It Make?" Curran served as an advisor on health care issues to the Obama presidential campaign. She will share her impressions of that work as well as the impact of the economy on nurses.

Closing the conference on Monday, October 5, and back by popular demand, is the "Ask the Experts" panel discussion. Four experts will offer brief presentations and answer questions from attendees: Incontinence - Diane Newman, MSN, RNC, CRNP, FAAN; Erectile Dysfunction - Jeffrey A. Albaugh, PhD, APRN, CUCNS; Case Studies in Urodynamics - Cheryl LeCroy, MSN, RN; and Kidney Cancer - Monish Aron, MD, MCh, FRCS.

Source
The Society of Urologic Nurses and Associates