You may already know the value of ONS conferences, but make sure your supervisor recognizes all of the
benefits, too. Here are some tips to get them on the same page.
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Explain the value of attending. Not only will you personally gain by attending, but make it clear that you
will share your knowledge with fellow staff members to make the investment go further.
Be a team player. Offer to give a presentation to your colleagues upon your return, where you can give
an overview of your findings and answer questions.
Show the relevance. Review the schedule and give your supervisor examples of how the sessions would
be beneficial to your institution.
Consider status. If your institution has or is trying to achieve Magnet status, remind your supervisor of
the importance of continuing education in both initial designation and redesignation.
Be prepared. Go to your supervisor with a plan of who will cover your shifts while you’re out.
Buddy up. If you’re staying overnight at a hotel, offer to share a room with a colleague to cut costs.
Customize the letter below to share with your supervisor.
Dear [SUPERVISOR],
In an effort to enhance my pharmacology knowledge, I am requesting to attend Pharmacology Updates in
Oncology Practice. The one-day conference, held on September 26, 2015, in Memphis, TN, will feature the latest
information on newly FDA-approved drugs, safe handling, immunology, and more. I will also have the
opportunity to network with nursing professionals and learn best practices from other intuitions.
The conference will allow me to earn up to 6.5 continuing nursing education contact hours in just a single day,
making it both an efficient use of our continuing education budget and time away from work. In addition, I will
be able to bring back the knowledge I gain and share it with colleagues to benefit the institution as a whole.
Please review the detailed breakdown of attendance costs:
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Conference fee: $_____
Roundtrip airfare: $_____
Transportation: $_____
Hotel: $_____
The total approximate costs associated with attending Pharmacology Updates in Oncology Practice are: $_____.
I would be happy to review the conference schedule with you. I have identified some topics of interest that I feel
would be especially beneficial for our nursing staff.
Attending this event will allow me to grow professionally and learn how to better meet the needs of our
patients. I believe it is a great opportunity to learn what other nurses are doing and see how we can implement
change at our institution. Thank you for your consideration of this request.
Sincerely,
[INSERT NAME]