One of the most valuable aspects of being an AMSN member and attending the annual convention is connection. From networking during celebrations in the exhibit hall to making a new friend in a session and even the occasional elevator or hallway chat, medical-surgical nurses are always eager and open to creating new personal and professional connections that last a lifetime.

Throughout #AMSN2025, Digital Content Committee and Podcast Subcommittee members made so many connections, old and new. Get to know the members they met, what matters most to them, and why they return to AMSN again and again.

AMSN Board of Directors and Digital Content Committee member Julie Ann Poblete, RN, BSN, CMSRN, connected with Natasha Banks, clinical coordinator at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Illinois. Julie asked Natasha if she’s met anyone new, and Natasha’s response emphasized the value of networking.

“It's about community, and that's what I see. This is like when you buy a house and you're in your neighborhood. It's about everyone who surrounds you. How can we look out for you? How can we help you? And that's what nursing is. It's about a community. Coming here is about experiencing community. How do you build up your community? How do you add to it? And that's essentially what we want to do as nurses. We want to give back to our community, to our patients. So, in order to feed that, you come here to get the information to expand, and then you branch out.”

Natasha also spoke about the value of professional development:

“When I saw that this convention was being offered. I was like, ‘I want to go there. I want to network. I want to see what else is out there. I want to speak with other med-surg nurses to see what do they do. How do they do it in their state, in their cities?’ And it's all about bringing things back home and how do we develop, how do we improve, how do we make this better for us, for nurses, for patients, which is going to benefit everyone. I think if everyone took the time to come along and come to conventions together to absorb all the information, it would make us so much better.”

Med-Surg Moments Podcast Co-Host Maritess Quinto met and snapped a photo of two poster presenters.

“Natasha and Anna from Salinas Valley Health are poster presenters this year. They shared this is not their first time attending, but they keep coming back to share their knowledge to this community. It is always great to be here to learn and meet.”

Natasha and Anna. 

Deltra Muoki, PhD, APRN, AGNP-C, CMSRN, CNE, NE-BC, met a new friend in Daryl N. during convention orientation:

“Daryl N. was so willing to help me win the AMSN bingo that he immediately offered to take a picture with me so I could post it on social media, and he could sign that square on my bingo card. Nurses are always helping others no matter where we are!”

Daryl N. and Deltra.

Dr. Mark Lee, DNP, MS, BSN, RN-BC; and Dr. Trish West, DNP, MSN, CMSRN, PCCN, CEN, NEA-BC, FAMSN, connected with Jorey Mize, from Topeka, Kansas, who is at #AMSN2025 to fill her professional development cup.

“I'm just looking for something to fill my professional development cup. I started at my employer about two years ago, and I'm just getting used to all of the leadership opportunities there and being a representative for and champion of medical-surgical nurses as a specialty area.”

Jorey Mize.

AMSN Digital Content Committee Chair Blaine Jumper, MSN, RN, CMSRN, made some new friends in one of the most classic convention ways — in the elevator!

Elevator conversations are the best conversations! 

Dr. Trish West, DNP, MSN, CMSRN, PCCN, CEN, NEA-BC, FAMSN, connected with a special new friend during the Rodeo Reception. Look forward to hearing more from Trish and Hayley Sweetser soon.

“I met Hayley in person last night. She was amazing. She brings light and laughter to conversations.”

Anthodith Garganera, MSN, MHA, RN, CNL, CMSRN, met many new connections even on day one of convention.

“Today, I met old and new friends at the AMSN Convention. The networking bingo was fun as I got to know med-surg nurses from other states. My new friend, Joanna from Oklahoma, has the same goals as me going into the AMSN Convention: Learn new ideas in patient care and meet new friends. My friend Sharmaine from New York City liked the exhibit and topics on legislation.”

What new connections did you make this week? Tell us about your new friends in the Huddle, and if you haven’t yet joined AMSN, what are you waiting for? Become a member today to stay connected to your new network all year around.

AMSN Digital Content Committee and Podcast Subcommittee.