More than a presentation: Why I said 'yes' to Sigma’s International Nursing Research Congress

When I found out I’d be presenting at Sigma’s International Nursing Research Congress, I was honestly stunned. My colleague had submitted our abstract on artificial intelligence in the prediction and management of Type 2 diabetes, and I assumed it was a long shot. We were still students, navigating clinicals, classes, and everything in between, so getting accepted felt both surreal and incredibly validating.

A few months later, I was inducted into Sigma. While the timing wasn’t connected, it felt like a meaningful nod to the work I had put in and the future I’m building as a nurse leader.

I haven’t attended congress yet, but as I prepare to present for the first time, I’ve realized it’s not just about standing next to a poster. It’s a moment to grow, connect, and be seen in ways that textbooks, clinical hours, and even coursework just can’t offer.

As a Family Nurse Practitioner candidate, my day-to-day thinking is often grounded in clinical problem-solving, differentials, medication management, and patient education. The world of academic research can feel like something happening in parallel, not something I necessarily saw myself fully stepping into. However, preparing for Sigma’s congress has started to shift that mindset. I’m beginning to see research not just as a scholarly activity, but as a way to improve the care I deliver and scale that impacts beyond one-on-one interactions. It’s about stepping into something larger, a global network of professionals who are shaping the future of healthcare through research, innovation, and leadership.

I’ve already started to experience how preparing for congress is shaping my career. It’s forced me to refine my message, know my "why," and think critically about how my work fits into the broader nursing landscape. Our poster on AI and Type 2 diabetes is more than a research summary. It’s a reflection of the kind of nurse I want to be: curious, solutions-driven, and willing to ask how technology can meet patients where they are.

My passion for artificial intelligence comes from a place of hope—hope that we can use emerging technology to close gaps in care, identify risks earlier, and support underserved communities in ways we never could before. My interest in AI is rooted in equity. I believe emerging tech has the potential to detect disease earlier, personalize treatment, and improve outcomes if we design it intentionally and ethically.

Our poster focuses on AI in the prediction and management of Type 2 diabetes, a condition that disproportionately affects the communities I come from and care deeply about. Preparing this research for an international audience has pushed me to consider not just the technology, but the ethics, accessibility, real-world impact, and whether it’s helping the right people at the right time.

As a student in the Office of Artificial Intelligence at Columbia University School of Nursing, I’ve had the opportunity to explore how we bring AI into clinical workflows as a tool for better outcomes. I’m also interested in how we bridge the gap between academia and practice by reimagining how we teach, train, and integrate AI into everyday nursing.

One of the most encouraging parts of this experience has been discovering how deeply supportive the Sigma network is. I’ve started connecting with other student members, past presenters, and nurse leaders—people who genuinely want to see one another grow.

I’m learning that Sigma is full of nurses who want to lift each other up, who look at your abstract and say, “That’s interesting. Let’s talk more about it.”

I don’t just want to attend congress. I want to find my people there—the ones who are just as excited about nursing innovation, social justice, and tech in healthcare as I am. The ones who ask thoughtful questions after my presentation and maybe even stay in touch after the conference ends. I’m excited to meet others who are thinking about the same big questions. How do we use innovation responsibly? How do we ensure digital tools actually serve patients, not just systems? How do we train the next generation of nurses to embrace change while staying grounded in compassion?

What I hope to take away from congress goes far beyond feedback on a poster. I want to grow. I want to learn from work that excites and challenges me. I want to meet nurses who are doing work I can’t stop thinking about. I want to walk away with new ideas, deeper clarity, and a stronger sense of where I can contribute.

Most of all, I want to step into this next chapter of my nursing career with boldness. I don’t have all the answers, but I’m willing to ask questions and follow where they lead.

Presenting at Sigma’s International Nursing Research Congress isn’t just a milestone. It’s the start of something much bigger.

I haven’t walked into that congress hotel just yet. I haven’t unrolled my poster, answered my first audience question, or made that first connection over coffee. But I know this already: Sigma is helping me see myself not just as a nurse, but as a nurse leader. And that’s something no resume bullet point can fully capture.

To anyone else standing where I am, on the edge of something new, know this: congress isn’t just a presentation. It’s a launchpad. Your voice matters. And there’s a community waiting to welcome you.