NurseCon at Sea Named Best Nursing Event by Nurse.org
If you're a nurse, you've probably heard of the nursing event of the season, NurseCon at Sea. NurseCon is a floating conference at sea, hosted on a literal cruise ship. Attendees can earn over 50 continuing education credits (CEUs) while cruising the ocean and exploring tropical destinations like Jamaica and the Bahamas.
Nurse.org is excited to name NurseCon at Sea the 2025 Nurse Event of the Year in this year's Best of Nursing Awards. We interviewed Alexandra Barclay, Director of Guest Relations & Partnerships for NurseCon at Sea, to learn more about what goes into creating a floating conference for nurses.
Making Connections
Perhaps ironically or rather fittingly, Barclay joined NurseCon at Sea as a result of her connection with Nurse Blake (@nurse.blake), whom she explains she has known for almost 20 years.
In a career path that's "been anything but traditional," London-born Barclay earned a psychology degree from the University of Central Florida and began working in a residential rehab facility in Southern California. "That experience deepened my admiration for healthcare workers, but I quickly realized I wasn’t built for direct patient care," she says.
From there, Barclay pivoted to own and operate a shipping and logistics business before returning to London. While in the UK, she joined a sustainability tech startup and thrived in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment. "We were making a real impact, and that sense of purpose was incredibly motivating," Barclay says.
When she moved back to the U.S., she knew she wanted to work somewhere with that same energy and impact, so "fate stepped in," Barclay notes. NurseCon needed fresh eyes to help scale the business and expand the reach, so when Blake reached out to her, things "just clicked. Now, I get to help grow a platform that truly supports and celebrates nurses, and I couldn’t be more grateful!"
The Making of NurseCon at Sea
A connection with Nurse Blake turned into the ultimate connection event for nurses. But how exactly did NurseCon at Sea get its start?
From Idea to Execution
Barclay explains that it all started with Blake’s experience as a nursing student. As President of the Florida Nursing Student Association (FNSA), he attended several nursing conferences and quickly realized they weren’t exactly fun or engaging.
Nurses deserve better, and he had a crazy idea: What if we did this... on a cruise ship? Barclay recalls, "He called up Royal Caribbean, made it happen, and the rest is history."
Today, NurseCon at Sea is a floating conference that provides nursing continuing education and professional development accredited by the American Credential Center’s Commision on Accreditation. More than 11,000 nurses have set sail with NurseCon at Sea since its first cruise departed in 2022.
"We’ve created the ultimate nursing experience, where nurses from around the world come together for ANCC-accredited education, inspiring speakers, and a one-of-a-kind community—all while sailing to beautiful destinations," notes Barclay.
The Perfect Blend of Work and Play
While professionalism is central to the conference, Barclay notes that the event also focuses on pouring back into the nurses who work so hard.
"Nurses are overworked, underappreciated, and often burned out," she says. "Our goal is to create a space where they can learn, connect, relax, and recharge. From top-tier education to unforgettable themed events, we are here to uplift, recognize, and celebrate the real heroes of healthcare—nurses."
NurseCon has continued to grow and evolve, and this year, it launched a brand-new event for nurses: Camp NurseCon. The adult summer camp is taking place August 18 –21 and will connect nurses to the great outdoors with activities like hiking, water sports, archery, and lots of time to recharge and unplug.
Bringing NurseCon to Life
Today, as NurseCon's Director of Guest Relations and Partnerships, Barclay's role centers on enhancing the guest experience and fostering meaningful partnerships that add value for attendees.
"Every day looks different," she explains. "There are a lot of emails, calls, and meetings to keep all moving parts aligned. But the best part? I get to interact with some of the most insightful, inspiring people every day. It’s truly a privilege!"
Running a floating conference isn't always easy, but Barclay takes inspiration from the nurses she serves. "Whenever I think I’m having a rough day, I remind myself: 'At least I’m not charting or working a 12-hour shift in the ER! '" Barclay says with sincerity. "The things that nurses deal with every single day are unbelievable. If they can handle that, the very least I can do is show up and do my job to make these events the best they can be."
Barclay also shares that the entire NurseCon at Sea team is grateful to be recognized for the award, as it validates what the team is trying to accomplish, blending fun and high-quality education to co-exist in the same space.
"We sometimes battle the misconception that we’re 'just a big party,' but NurseCon is so much more," says Barclay. "It’s community, mental health support, professional growth, and a well-deserved break all wrapped into one."
Registration for NurseCon at Sea (setting sail April 7-11, 2025, and Ap27- May 1, 2026) is now open, with staterooms starting at $1,184.
🤔Nurses, does an event like NurseCon at Sea appeal to you? Share how you’d take advantage of this exciting nursing conference in the comments below!
If you have a nursing news story that deserves to be heard, we want to amplify it to our massive community of millions of nurses! Get your story in front of Nurse.org Editors now - click here to fill out our quick submission form today!
