Behind the Scenes | Friday, February 1, 2019
Annual Course Session Sneak Peek: Presentation Skills, Employee Engagement Strategies
SGNA’s 46th Annual Course is quickly approaching. This year’s conference, held April 14-16 in Portland, Oregon, offers attendees the opportunity to earn up to 34.25 contact hours with more than 100 educational sessions spanning eight different tracks.
SGNA spoke with Kristi Seay, nurse manager of the endoscopy department at VCU Health in Richmond, Va., who will be presenting two sessions – “Presentation Power” and “Beyond Engagement,” to get a preview of what attendees can expect at the conference.
Seay, who has presented at past SGNA Annual Courses, enjoys sharing her passion for leadership and employee engagement, two areas her sessions will focus on. “It’s much easier to deliver a presentation about a subject which you are interested in learning more about,” she says.
“Presentation Power” will focus on best practices for delivering PowerPoint presentations and share tools for planning and delivery. “Have you ever sat through a miserable presentation? Scared to give one? Don’t know how to even get started planning a presentation?” Seay asks rhetorically, noting her presentation will help address these challenges.
Although Seay has presented at past conferences, she wasn’t always comfortable standing in front of a crowd. However, with time and practice it became easier. “I started doing presentations when I became the chair of the ‘Memorable Minute’ program at my previous hospital,” she explains. “I presented the employee of the month at each leadership meeting. It was an intimidating audience, but I was so passionate about the stories that I didn’t get nervous.”
“Have you ever sat through a miserable presentation? Scared to give one? Don’t know how to even get started planning a presentation?” Seay asks rhetorically, noting her presentation will help address these challenges.
“I get energized by sharing information that is close to my heart. I enjoy when the audience participates and is involved with the discussion so the audience learns from each other as well as the presentation,” Seay explains.
Strong presentation skills are key for GI nurses and associates, even if they don’t give presentations regularly. “Presentation Power will provide information that is useful to run any meeting, big or small. It is also helpful information to facilitate the organization of material to present a business proposal of any kind,” Seay says.
Seay’s second session, “Beyond Engagement,” will discuss strategies to retain employees. “Utilizing retention strategies to maintain a stable workforce is key to building a strong team,” Seay says. “Maintaining a stable work team is essential for many reasons. The cost to replace a nurse can be $37,700 to $58,400. Having a stable team creates a group that works more effectively together. Engaged employees are also happier, so this positively affects patient and physician satisfaction, as well.”
“Maintaining a stable work team is essential for many reasons. The cost to replace a nurse can be $37,700 to $58,400. Having a stable team creates a group that works more effectively together.”
When it comes to employee engagement, Seay uses “stay” interviews, which she describes as “a short meeting with a staff member to analyze how they are doing and determine any special or educational needs.” It’s an opportunity to connect with staff on an individual basis and a method that keeps communication open between staff and leadership.
Employee engagement and retention is a constant challenge hospitals and healthcare facilities face. Seay notes that if engagement is not a top priority, it can slip and decline quickly. “This is especially common when acquiring a new team. It takes time to change a culture, but is very possible,” she explains.
Kristi Seay is the nurse manager of the endoscopy department at VCU Health in Richmond, Va. She has been in the field of endoscopy for 29 years, and a member of Old Dominion SGNA (ODSGNA) for over 15 years. Currently, she serves as the ODSGNA secretary. In addition, she is on the Board of Directors for ABCGN. She also serves on a community, non-profit organization board called Hitting Cancer Below the Belt (HCB2).
Join your colleagues at the SGNA 46th Annual Course, held this year in Portland, Oregon, from April 14-16. Register by March 1, 2019 for early bird savings.
Want to hear more from Kristi? Check out her preview videos below.
“Beyond Engagement” | SGNA 46th Annual Course | Tuesday, April 16, 2019
“Presentation Power” | SGNA 46th Annual Course | Monday, April 15, 2019