World Congress Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery (WCPCCS) – Nursing

Nursing representation and participation at the WCPCCS was a huge success, with nearly 1,000 nurses attending the conference. This was the biggest gathering of pediatric cardiac nurses to date. The Interdisciplinary Chair of the organizing committee, Ms. Katie Dodds RN, MS, CPNP, sought to ensure nursing faculty representation on all tracks throughout the congress. Ms. Dodds, Cecilia Hyslop, and Dr. Sandy Staveski were co-chairs of the nursing track and collaborated with an interdisciplinary team that consisted of nurses, perfusionists, advanced practice providers (APPs), and other disciplines from Australia, Norway, the US, UK, India, Belgium, Sweden, and Malaysia.

Each of the seven nursing track sessions were planned by this robust interprofessional team. Sessions included (but were not limited to): two oral abstract sessions (with 18 independent oral abstracts and many hundreds more nursing posters), two robust plenary sessions, and an international nursing giants’ session with participants from Belgium, Sweden, Australia, and the US. Plenary sessions included topics on resilience for patients, parents, and ourselves, and interprofessional care throughout the heart center care continuum.

The international nursing giants’ session was well attended despite its early timing and Patricia Hickey, Martha Curley, Eva Goosens, Nancy Pike, Sandy Staveski, Jean Connor, Karen Uzark, and Kathy Mussatto spoke. Each speaker told their nursing story and what, if anything, they would change. Overwhelmingly, the consensus was to consider starting doctoral studies earlier in ones’ career. It was a very inspiring session for early career nurses. Additionally, there were case studies from around the world. Nursing sessions were supported by the Society of Pediatric Cardiovascular Nurses (SPCN), Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Society (PCICS), Children’s HeartLink (CHL), and the Northeastern Pediatric Cardiac Nurses Association (NPCNA).

Finally, there was an amazing turnout at the nursing reception. The nursing reception was co-sponsored by 15 hospitals and SPCN. There were close to 500 nurses, interdisciplinary colleagues, and APPs at the nursing reception during which Ms. Dodds was celebrated for her important and significant contributions to the 2023 World Congress. Based on the accomplishments of WCPCCS 2023, we are looking forward to the next nursing track at WCPCCS 2025.

Please use the QR codes below to participate in the following studies:

1. P-POD Parent Perception of Delirium

2. PCINES Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Nursing Education Study

Dr. Staveski is currently conducting a global pCICU nurse education and training study (anyone interested in participation reach out to her at sandra.staveski@ucsf.edu).