Presenting an Abstract at the ABS Conference

Caroline Tweedie, experienced clinical nurse specialist and cancer rehabilitation practitioner, shares her experience of presenting her research at the ABS Conference 2024.

Submitting an abstract to the ABS and presenting at the conference is a great opportunity for nurses to showcase their research and expertise. It allows them to reach a wider audience and highlight important findings. It is imperative that we maintain visibility and serve as advocates for our patients.

To maintain our relevance and showcase the significance of our role, it is imperative for us as nurses to remain visible and continuously demonstrate the value we bring to our patients. By doing so, we not only validate our profession, but also highlight the essential contributions we make to the healthcare system. Through our expertise, compassion, and dedication, we play a vital role in ensuring the wellbeing and recovery of our patients.

It is also worth noting the ABS can offer financial support if your abstract is accepted. I successfully applied for this nursing bursary. This bursary provided me with funding to travel to Belfast and covered some of the expenses during my stay. The availability of this bursary is currently not widely known, making it an underutilised service. The additional financial support I received was greatly appreciated and allowed us to showcase the work at Gateshead Health FT without having to seek additional funding.

I really feel it is important as nurses to engage actively in activities that promote our visibility, such as participating in professional organisations such as the ABS, advocating for our profession, and actively seeking opportunities to educate and inform others about the importance of nursing in healthcare. By consistently demonstrating our value, we can effectively contribute to the advancement and recognition of nursing as a critical component of patient care.

Through our active presence, we can work towards enhancing the quality of care provided and promoting positive patient outcomes. In my case, I wanted to emphasize the role of regular exercise and weight maintenance in increasing overall survival for breast cancer patients. Shockingly, less than 20% of NHS breast cancer patients are informed of this. The conference was a platform to emphasise the significance of lifestyle choices in improving survival rates. By adopting healthier habits, individuals can potentially enhance their chances of survival. Presenting this research has also led to valuable networking opportunities.

Showcasing our research as nurses on this national platform has led to significant recognition and impact. Our work at Gateshead Health Foundation Trust has been disseminated to a wider audience, enabling us to contribute to the advancement of nursing knowledge and practice. Through this platform, we have been able to share our findings, methodologies, and insights with fellow researchers and healthcare professionals across the country.

The national platform has provided us with a valuable opportunity to highlight the importance of our research in addressing pressing healthcare challenges. By presenting our work in a clear and concise manner, we have been able to communicate the significance of our findings and their potential implications for improving patient outcomes. This exposure has also allowed us to establish collaborations with other researchers and institutions, fostering a culture of knowledge exchange and innovation.

Furthermore, showcasing our research on a national platform has enhanced our professional reputation and credibility within the nursing community. Our contributions have been recognised and acknowledged by peers, which has further motivated us to continue our pursuit of excellence in nursing research. We are grateful for the opportunity to share our work on this platform and look forward to further contributing to the field of nursing through our ongoing research endeavours.