The Western Institute of Nursing (WIN) recently held its annual research conference in Tucson, Arizona, April 19-22, 2023. This conference is a leading voice in the advancement of nursing science, bringing together individual researchers, clinicians, educators, students, academic institutions, and healthcare organizations to share knowledge and expertise. Attending this year’s conference was several College of Nursing faculty from Washington State University (WSU), who were excited to take part in the various sessions and presentations.
One of the highlights of the conference was the State of the Science Address in Research, delivered by Roschelle “Shelly” Fritz, Associate Professor at WSU. Her presentation focused on the role of nursing research in advancing health equity in the era of artificial intelligence. This is an important topic, as advancements in technology are rapidly changing the healthcare landscape. By incorporating AI in healthcare, we can improve patient outcomes and increase efficiency in healthcare delivery. However, it is essential to ensure that AI is used in an ethical and equitable manner, and this is where nursing research plays a crucial role.
Another session at the conference focused on palliative care, a crucial aspect of healthcare for patients with serious illnesses. Mary Koithan, Dean and Professor at WSU College of Nursing, moderated this session. Palliative care aims to provide relief from symptoms, pain, and stress of a serious illness, with the goal of improving quality of life for patients and their families. As the population ages, palliative care is becoming an increasingly important area of healthcare and nursing research.
The conference also included a special interest group on integrative health, which was moderated by Dean Koithan as well. Integrative health is a holistic approach to healthcare that incorporates both traditional and complementary therapies to improve overall health and wellbeing. This approach draws on a variety of practitioners and modalities, with the goal of providing the best possible care for the patient. The session was an opportunity for members with an interest in integrative health to discuss how to support its presence at future research conferences through posters, presentations, and symposiums.
Attending seminars like the WIN research conference is an excellent opportunity for nursing professionals to stay up-to-date with the latest research and advancements in healthcare. It provides a platform for networking and sharing knowledge, ultimately leading to improved patient outcomes. The WSU College of Nursing was delighted to take part in this year’s conference and look forward to attending again next year in Salt Lake City, Utah April 17-20, 2024.
View the complete schedule of WSU College of Nursing research posters and lectures, WIN 2023 (PDF).
WSU College of Nursing 
Stacey Williams 
Angela Brittain, Vicki Denson 
Ross Bindler 
Dr. Shelly Fritz 
Dr. Shelly Fritz 
Angela Brittain 
Fionnuala Brown 
Cassie Hummel
