Attending the GIN conference has always been a highlight in my professional calendar, but this year came with a twist: I finally stepped up to present. Not going to lie, it felt a bit like moving from being comfortably in the audience to suddenly being on stage wondering what to do with your hands.

I had the chance to present my project on engaging gastroenterology nurses in research, alongside colleagues from the Gastro RCN Forum. Presenting as a group made all the difference. Each of us brought a different specialty within gastroenterology, which meant our session had a bit of everything, proof that gastro nursing is far from one-size-fits-all. It also showed just how relevant (and needed) research engagement is across the board.

My project focuses on something that sounds simple but is surprisingly tricky in practice: getting more gastro nurses involved in research. Nurses are at the heart of patient care and have a wealth of insight, yet research can often feel like something happening somewhere else, by someone else. Between busy shifts, competing priorities, and the occasional lack of confidence, it’s not hard to see why.

During the presentation, I shared some practical ideas to help bridge that gap: things like building supportive networks, making research opportunities more accessible, and shifting the mindset so research becomes part of everyday practice.

While there were no questions during the session itself, the overall response was really positive, which was both reassuring and motivating. 

One of the best parts of the experience was presenting alongside my Gastro RCN Forum colleagues from different specialties. It brought a real sense of collaboration and reminded me that we’re all working towards the same goal, just from slightly different angles. Plus, it’s always comforting to know you’re not the only one feeling a bit nervous behind the scenes.

Presenting at GIN for the first time was definitely a step outside my comfort zone, but a worthwhile one. It’s given me a boost in confidence, a few stories to tell, and a renewed drive to keep pushing this work forward. And next time? I might even know what to do with my hands.