Critical Care Nurses do DC

I was blessed enough to be chosen to attend the Critical Care Nurses Convention put on by National Teaching Institute. This year the conference was in Washington DC. I have been to DC a couple of times but its always neat to be able to go back and be able to attend such a GREAT conference. I was surrounded by 7000 + other Critical Care nurses (quite a humbling experience) and each day I was able to choose several sessions to attend on various topics concerning Critical Care. I was overwhelmingly inspired and am SO proud to be a nurse!

This is us in the "Super Sessions" held for everyone each morning...

We never knew what to expect! One morning we were greeted by Indians representing several different tribes and they shared a inter-tribal dance with us. It was amazing!...

And another morning we were greeted by a marching band...

Each afternoon we finished up with classes around 5 so we were able to do a little exploring. This is China Town (DC style) and of course we ate Chinese for dinner...

And we just had to go to Union Station...

On Wednesday we has what was called "nurses night out" sponsored by the exhibitors that came to the conference. From 6:30-10:30 three of the Smithsonian were open just to us nurses! We started out with a yummy dinner right in the middle of downtown...

It was so cool having it all to ourselves!...

I had to wipe the drool off of my lips as I took in all of the exquisite jewelery...It was breathtaking, especially for a jewelry lover like myself. The pictures just don't do them justice...



And this is the Hope Diamond!!!...

Just an example of each section of gems...these are Topaz...

There were also some other really beautiful natural stones in these rocks...



Julia Child's Kitchen...


The first ladies exhibit had all kinds of neat things including jewelry, china, and dresses...

Fonzie's Jacket...Heeeeey...

Apolo Ohno's speed skates from the Olympics this year...

Kermit the Frog here...

At one of the booths you could turn yourself into a neanderthal...so...this is what I would look like...

A REAL mummy! It was completed with such care and precision....

This reminded me of Night at the Museum so I just had to share. Can't you just see them coming to life after hours =)...

We had so much fun and I am SO thankful I was able to attend!