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Present like the pros: Tips for a successful nursing presentation

Nurse Leader Weekly, September 28, 2005

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Professional nursing presentations are a great way to distribute and gain information about healthcare-related topics.

For presenters, the preparation leading up to the presentation, as well as the presentation itself, may seem like a lot of work, but with proper planning, it's easy to make your presentation a success.

Joan Walker, MSN, RN, BC, CNS, and Shannon Graham, MSN, RN, CNS, AOCN, both from the University of Alabama-Birmingham Hospital, recently spoke about this topic in their presentation titled "The Nuts and Bolts of a Professional Nursing Presentation," given during the National Nursing Staff Development Organization's annual conference, held in New Orleans in July.

The first step in the presentation process is planning and preparation, said Walker and Graham.

Start with an idea that meets the needs of the intended audience and begin researching. Write down on paper the objectives of your presentation, general notes, and a content outline.

Once your outline is in place, add examples, such as personal stories or case studies, to help the audience relate to the topic.

A good way to test your presentation is to practice in front of a limited audience, said Walker and Graham. By doing so, you can see what points work best and what may need to be reviewed or revised.

When you've finished planning and preparing, focus on the physical aspect of the presentation. This includes preparing the presentation room to meet your needs, fine-tuning your public-speaking skills, and practicing relaxation techniques such as deep breathing to ensure that your presentation runs smoothly.

When it's time to present, don't be afraid to let your personality shine through, said Walker and Graham.

To be most effective, maintain eye contact with your audience and make sure that everyone can hear you without having to strain.

If you plan on including an audiovisual element in your presentation, make sure it is visually appealing and educationally sound, said Walker and Graham.

For example, when creating a PowerPoint presentation, don't overload the slides with information. Instead, keep the content, colors, and font simple so your slides emphasize the key points rather than take away from them.

Here are some additional tips that Walker and Graham suggested to make your presentation a winner:

• Practice at least once with the equipment you will use
• Use limited notes
• Involve your audience
• Avoid talking too fast or too slow
• Plan ahead for questions and answers

Source: This article is adapted from Competency Management Advisor, September 2005, HCPro, Inc.

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