NURSECON AT SEA RECAP
FREEDOM OF THE SEAS
Bahamas, April 24-28, 2023
2023 WAS A BUSY YEAR for NurseCon at Sea with TWO Ultimate Nursing Conferences! The first sailing in February went to the Dominican Republic. One month later, nurses and guests hopped aboard Royal Caribbean’s Freedom of the Seas ship and enjoyed a four-day trip from Miami to The Bahamas.
I had the incredible opportunity to experience the Bahamas cruise firsthand. I must say, I felt pretty spoiled for my first cruise experience — no kids running around, shows and entertainment designed for nurses, and no typical stresses that arise from a family vacation. It's not like any other cruising experience out there. Nurses are a unique breed, and it's so fun to hang out with a bunch of people in your cohort.
Many of the guests were repeat sailors, and it’s easy to understand why. Where else can you acquire continuing nursing education (CNE) credits while combining an unforgettable vacation on a funfilled cruise with like-minded colleagues?
There are numerous insightful CNE courses to choose from and endless activities, parties, and shows, all with a backdrop of the beautiful blue-green water of the Atlantic Ocean. Hop off the ship for an adventurous excursion or simply lounge on the beach all day. Make the most of your well-deserved getaway while enriching your nursing career in the most unforgettable way possible!
Nurses enjoying beverages and sunshine.
THE MEETUPS
Are you traveling alone? No worries. The first day includes unmissable meetups. Join other nurses and healthcare professionals from all over the world who work in your specialty and create long-lasting connections. Students, veterans, LGBTQ+, educators, BIPOC, and even family and friends have their own meetups.
Amanda Walker, a neonatal intensive care nurse (NICU) in Peoria, Illinois, said, “I loved attending the NICU meetup and having the opportunity to talk to other NICU RNs from all over the country.” Over fifty NICU nurses attended the meetup at the Schooner Bar.
“It’s also nice to meet NICU-specific nurses because our jobs are so different from other areas of the hospital, so they know the specific struggles we go through. It gave me a chance to meet people I could hang out with the rest of the week,” added Amanda.
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit nurses Quynh, K., Miwa B., Amanda W., Anne L., & Alisa L. at the Schooner Bar NICU Meetup.
And it’s not just about the education credits. “NurseCon at Sea was such a unique experience you won’t find anywhere else. It’s the perfect mix between fun and education. There was so much to do on the ship, so it was almost hard to fit in everything that I wanted to do! It was really cool to see Nurse Blake out and about on the ship. He was so nice and approachable,” Amanda stated.
THEME NIGHTS
Do you enjoy adding a little dress-up and flare to your wardrobe? Theme nights are a fantastic way to vamp up any party — and the parties onboard NurseCon at Sea are beyond epic! Even if you don’t enjoy partaking in the theme nights, seeing Nurse Blake and everyone else all decked out is super fun.
Guests sported their 1920s attire and accessories for the Great Gatsby Party. Flapper dresses, fedora hats, long gloves, and sequences were some of the fun ways cruisers embellished their wardrobe. To kick off the party, Nurse Blake and his dance crew put on an amazing show in the Royal Promenade, followed by a dazzling balloon drop.
The Great Gatsby Balloon Drop in the Royal Promenade.
Guests dressed up in their 1920s attire for the Great Gatsby theme night.
Are you all about dressing down and getting cozy? Nothing screams cozy and carefree like partying in your favorite pajamas. Late-night music, dancing, and drinking at the pajama pool party were the perfect ending to day three.
There was a dazzling ‘Glow Me Away’ costume contest and a glow party on the pool deck. Guests put on their brightest neon colors, glow sticks, flashing lights, and even tutus. It was a luminous theme night finale!
NURSES GOT TALENT
We all know that nurses are nothing short of amazing! Some of them are blessed with unbelievable gifts and weren’t holding back at the talent show. The singing, dancing, and guitar-playing nurses took to the stage in the ultimate battle to be number one.
Although each performance was astounding, one nurse touched the hearts of the audience with her stellar performance, singing “Hopelessly Devoted to You” by Olivia Newton-John. Lee Millward, a nurse from Australia, sang her heart out and ultimately took home the enormous winning trophy.
Lee Millward took home the 1st place trophy. Who will be next year's winner?
Travius Keandric showing off his skills!
Lee has been a singer for many years and used to sing in clubs around Sydney. Nowadays, she serenades the residents in the nursing home where she works. “I’m absolutely amazed that I won. It’s unbelievable. The crowd was just amazing,” recalled Lee. Singing is her passion, and she definitely deserved the win.
NURSE FEUD
We all know the age-old playful feud between day shift and night shift. Let’s face it, night shift always has the best potlucks! So imagine a room full of nurses, a stage step up just like a game show, and two teams of day shifters versus night shifters showing off their knowledge of the nursing world.
The enthusiasm was palpable and the crowd was at the edge of their seats. The audience was shouting, laughing, and even booing. Not everyone agreed on the correct answers, which made the crowd boom. It was pure chaotic fun, and night shift ultimately triumphed!
Some of the winners laughed about how frustrating it could be to know the answer but not be able to spit it out, referring to it as “a total brain fart!” They appreciated the audience yelling out answers to them when they drew blanks. Although it was “nerve-wracking” for them, they had a blast!
Think you know nursing? Test your knowledge at Nurse Feud.
THE CNE COURSES
The Bahamas cruise offered 35 different CNE courses to choose from. Some examples included the Code Sepsis Escape Room and Recognizing Suicide Risk in Nursing. Experts in the field teach each course.
Dr. Luna Hodges, DNP, RN, and Christine Young, BSN, RN, taught the Transgender Health in the Pediatric Population course. It was their first time presenting at NurseCon at Sea, and they couldn't have been happier with the experience. They, too, were able to connect with so many like-minded colleagues while also enjoying an amazing cruise experience.
“It’s a fun environment. It’s all nurses and their plus ones. We’re here to work towards the same goals – to be better healthcare providers, but we also get to learn while on vacation,” said Christine. Many of the courses are also interesting for non-nursing cruisers.
“I love the question and answers. There are some really good questions that people have, and I end up learning from others while I’m here,” commented Luna. The Q&As allow for audience engagement and thoughtful discussions.
What’s unique about this nursing conference is that you get to pick and choose which courses to attend, and learning is not obligatory, so if you’d rather spend your time at the pool, you can certainly skip the courses. But, we highly recommend cruisers partake in the CNEs. There are so many interesting and informative topics offered.
THE DRAG QUEENS
"Drag is one way we can dress up our problems, put them out there for everyone to see, and then have a deep, meaningful conversation about fixing the world."
The oh-so-fabulous drag queens Miz Cracker, Ginger Minj, and Kerri Colby delighted guests with their witty humor, beautiful personalities, and elaborate wardrobes. The lovely ladies, along with Scott Nichol, singer and entertainment specialist, performed a phenomenal show!
Miz Cracker, from New York City, has been performing drag for 12 years. She has competed in RuPaul’s Drag Race, tours worldwide, and has the comedy special “Here I Stand.” She has written for publications like GQ and has lectured at universities. When asked why she enjoys doing drag, Miz Cracker stated, “I love making people happy. I always say people should attend a drag show because it gives them a break from the grind of life, and then they can rejuvenate themselves and do what they have to do tomorrow. Drag is like self-care.”
For all of those “Hocus Pocus” fans out there, you may have recognized Ginger Minj, who had a cameo in the recent “Hocus Pocus 2” movie. She even performed alongside Jennifer Aniston in the movie “Dumplin’.” From Orlando, Florida, Ginger has been performing drag for over 20 years. She too competed in RuPaul’s Drag Race. In 2016, she released the album “Sweet T” and has an exciting new book called “Southern Fried Sass.”
Ginger had a blast hosting bingo and performing onstage for a cruise ship full of nurses. She stated, “The nurses get turned up — harder than any drag club I’ve ever worked at. It’s been so much fun, and everyone has been so nice.” Ginger added, “Drag is one way we can dress up our problems, put them out there for everyone to see, and then have a deep, meaningful conversation about fixing the world.”
The glamorous, sparkling goddess Kerri Colby wowed the audience with her rockin’ body and sheer, sequined gown. Performing since 2019, Kerri lives in Los Angeles, California, and is an inspiring multicultural trans actress, model, and performer.
When it comes to NurseCon at Sea, Kerri said, “I love all audiences, but it’s so fun to give an escape for nurses who work so hard. I am so appreciative of the opportunity to perform on NurseCon at Sea, and not only to have drag representation but also trans representation and to feel included. I have felt so welcomed on this cruise.”
THE EXCURSIONS
It’s not uncommon for cruisers to start their vacay as soon as they arrive in Miami. Between the beautiful beaches, phenomenal Cuban fare, and exciting nightlife, there’s plenty to experience before boarding the ship.
The cruise made two stops in The Bahamas — Coco Cay and Nassau. Both destinations boast white, sandy beaches, crystal blue-green water, and plenty of thirst-quenching cocktails adorned with fruit and mini umbrellas.
If you enjoy adventure, sign up for a Jeep tour, swimming with dolphins, snorkeling, ziplining, water park admission, etc. Nassau has the infamous straw market for anyone looking to buy souvenirs and handmade Bahamian goods.
There’s literally something for everyone. Relax all day at the beach or set out on an exciting adventure. Those who want to skip the excursions can stay back on the ship and enjoy the pool, activities, shops, restaurants, and bars. But hey, if you’re in the mood for a peaceful retreat, relish in some well-deserved tranquility, grab your book, and enjoy your stateroom’s private balcony.
NURSE BLAKE LIVE
One of the perks of attending NurseCon at Sea is seeing the hilarious Nurse Blake Live show. We all know how funny Blake is. He can find humor in any icky or serious healthcare topic! Whether it’s purewick cooter canoe jokes or calling out pharmacists for putting us on hold for so long, Blake will have you laughing out loud!
Get ready to laugh at Nurse Blake Live!
And when he’s not on stage, you can find Blake right in the heart of the action, in the audience and mingling with guests. There were several opportunities for a meet and greet to say hello and snap a selfie with him. He introduced cruisers to his new wine, “14th Hour,” at a wine tasting. You could even have your copy of “I Want to Be a Nurse When I Grow Up” signed by Blake at his book signing event.
This recap only scratched the surface of the incredible NurseCon at Sea Ultimate Nursing Conference. There were epic silent discos, hilarious karaoke, Ultimate Skills Checkoff, movie nights, nurse trivia showdowns, bonding moments around the campfire, and so much more. Mark your calendars and save the date for April 9-14th, 2024, as we set sail to Mexico for another sensational NurseCon at Sea!