Objectives
Developing a Poster Presentation:
Keys to Success
Michele Prior, RN, MSN
Pediatric Advanced Practice
Nurse
Allegheny General
Hospital
Pittsburgh, PA
“Poster Poll”
• Have any of you ever presented a poster at a
conference?
• Did you attend a poster session at this
conference?
• What poster topics do you remember from the
poster session?
• Did you have a favorite poster?
Advantages of Being a
Poster Presenter
• Showcase your hard work at a professional
conference
• Gain confidence in writing and presenting
skills
• Make contacts and network with others who
possess similar interests
• Discuss criteria for clinical and research
poster abstract submissions
• Identify the five steps involved in
preparing a professional poster
• Describe methods for constructing a well
designed poster
Purposes of a Poster Presentation
• Disseminate preliminary or final research findings
• Describe clinical innovations or quality projects which have
improved patient care
• Network with nursing colleagues
• Collaborate between nursing and multi disciplinary
team members
• Share best practice
• Contribute to nursing scholarship and professional
development
Poster vs. Oral Presentations
• Traditionally, oral presentations receive
more attention and interest
• Although classically dismissed as of
“lesser” value, abstracts accepted for
poster presentations often have strict
criteria for acceptance
Poster vs. Oral Presentations
• Poster presentations:
– Still have an oral component
– May be less intimidating while allowing for
dissemination of information
– May reach more attendees than an oral presentation
– May be more interactive than an oral presentation
“Call for Abstracts”
• May be issued many months in advance of the conference
• Requests may be for podium presentations, posters or both
• When submitting your abstract, make sure that it focuses
on one topic that can be well presented in a poster format
• After deadline passes, committee reviews the submitted
abstracts and notifies authors who were accepted
Sample Criteria Used
for Abstract Acceptance
Conference Abstract
Submission Requirements
• Author name(s) and affiliation(s)-both blinded
and unblinded
• Abstract content as specified for both clinical
and research poster submissions
• Biographic data form
• Conflict of interest form
• Deadline date
• Word or character limit
Pediatric Nursing Conference
Call for Clinical Poster Abstracts
• Describe creative, practice-based projects related to Pediatric
nursing
• Address the purpose and/or objectives of the project, the
description of the project and the conclusions/implications for
nursing practice
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Explains the background and rationale for the project
States the specific objectives for the project
Describes the setting, location and relevant dates
Describes the data collection methods
Defines the outcomes
If a research study, identifies the statistical methods used
Formats the abstract so that it is clear, concise and focused
Pediatric Nursing Conference
Call for Research Poster Abstracts
• Summarize completed studies with sufficient
detail to identify the clinical problem, sample
population,methodolgy and expected or
known results
Pediatric Nursing Conference
Poster Abstract Selection Criteria
Timeline
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Uniqueness
Organization
Significance to quality patient care
Relevance to Pediatric or patient/staff
education
6-9 Months
– Determine date for abstract submission for conference of choice
– Formulate the purpose of the poster and decide on the authors and members of the
design team
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3 Months
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2 Months
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1 Month
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2 Weeks
– Create the draft and submit to design team for feedback and inclusion of graphics
– Finalize and proof the poster content based on feedback
– Decide on key points for discussion, practice, and have business cards made with
contact information
– Make copies of the poster PowerPoint for the audience
Five Steps to a Successful Poster
• Plan the poster topic and the design team
• Decide on the content for the key elements
and the “take home message”
• Format a well designed poster
• Seek advice and feedback
• Present the poster to your audience
The Design Team
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The principle investigators/authors
Content experts
Graphic designers
Media specialists
Health Sciences Librarian
Informational Technology expert
Step 1:The Poster Topic and
the Design Team
• Select your topic
• Identify your key points (no more than three)
and your “take home message”
• Decide who needs to be an author and who
needs to be involved on the design team
• Consider who will be in your audience
Step 2:The Key Elements
of the Poster
• Title and Header
• Background
• Objectives (help authors to focus, but optional
for inclusion on poster)
• Method
• Results
• Discussion
• References
Key Elements:
Title and Header
Key Elements:
Title and Header
• The title should accurately describe the
content of the poster
• Informational vs catchy title
• Authors and credentials (decide on the
order that the authors will be listed)
• Affiliations and logos
Informational Poster
Presentation Titles
• “Increasing the Utilization of the Rapid Response Team”
• “Shaping a Unit’s Culture Through Effective Nurse-Led
Quality Improvement”
• “Fall Prevention Through Role Changes for Nursing
Staff”
• “Investigating Nursing Bedside Report: Enhancing the
Perceptions of Care
Key Elements:
Introduction/Background
• Clearly define the topic
• Demonstrate what was studied, implemented and
why
• Limit it to two or three points of essential interest to
help the audience understand the topic
• Use bullet points
• Use references from key literature
“Catchy” Poster Presentation Titles
• Titles from posters presented at the 2013 Pediatric Nursing
Conference:
– “Creating a Caring Climate: Stay Don’t Go!”
– “NICU:The Road Home”
– “Not Missing a Beat: An Intervention Aimed at Improving
Cardiorespiratory Monitoring in the ED”
– “Feeling Good in Your Neighborhood: A Nurse-Led
Mobile Health Van Program”
– “Publishing 1-2-3,Writing for Publication”
Key Elements:
Introduction/Background
Key Elements: Objectives
Key Elements: Method
• Explain clearly what you did and how
you did it
• Use short bulleted points to describe
how the data was collected
• Use diagrams, illustrations or flow
charts
Key Elements: Method
Key Elements: Results
• Outlines what you found in your study
• If research, should include statistical
analysis
• Limit the amount of text in this section
• Utilize clear, self-explanatory tables,
graphs and figures
Key Elements: Results
Key Elements: Discussion
• Communicate the results, what they
mean and the implications
• How can the results benefit practice?
• What was the value of the study?
• Recommendations and limitations of the
study
Key Elements: Discussion
Key Elements: References
• Should have 3-5 references
• Ideally references are within the past
5 years
• Use APA or AMA style
Step 3:Format a Well
Designed Poster
A Storyboard of Information
• Should be easy to find the most important points
• Text should be easily viewed from a 3 foot
distance
• Content should flow from top to bottom and left
to right
• A good poster is a seamless combination of
science and art
• An attractive layout can contribute immensely
to communicating the science
• Short, bulleted phrases that highlight the
main points and graphics that illustrate the
results can be grasped easily
Layout of a Well-Designed
Poster
Follow the Rules for Good
Graphic Display
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Clear and focused title and contact information
Bullet points are used instead of text when possible
Left to right reading of text
Each section of text is 50 words or less
Strategically based pictures, tables, graphics and
visual elements
• Is visually attractive and is not cluttered
• Most common mistake is trying to communicate too
much information
• No matter what the topic, keep the words to a
minimum, the heart of the poster is the graphics
• Make the readers job easy
• Learn to love white space
• Identify text that is truly essential
• Check and double check
Template and Format
• PowerPoint (single sheets or one large
poster sheet)
• Pictures
• Graphics
• Tables
• Font
• Color
Font Size
• Main title-120 points, at least 4 cm high
• Subheadings-50 points, 1.5-2 cm high
• Body text-25 points, 0.5-1 cm high
Using Images
• Audience is drawn to photos of people
• Make sure that photos are in sharp focus
• Make sure that you have permission
forms from subjects in the pictures
• Space the pictures evenly on the posterdo not put them all on one side
Selecting Fonts and Using Text
• Fonts such as Times New Roman and Arial
are easy to read
• Do not use more than three fonts on your
poster
• Combine upper and lower case letters
• The title should be in all caps, bolded and
1 and ½ inches tall (120 points)
Colors
Color Schemes
• Black text on white has the highest visibility
and readability
• Use neutral or pastel colors for the
background rather than bright or bold colors
• Yellow on white, red on black, black on red
and blue on black can be difficult to read
• Using two or three related colors will give the
poster a cohesive look
• For color contrast, use a color directly across
on the color wheel
• Use bright colors sparingly
• Large amounts of red, yellow and orange can
be overpowering
Using Pediatric Code Blue Simulation to Improve
Nursing Performance During Resuscitation
Michele Prior, MSN, RN, Pediatric Advanced Practice Nurse
Co-Authors: Donamarie N-Wilfong, DNP, RN and Laura Daniel, PhD
Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA
Color Wheel
Introduction
Results
Early identification and treatment of respiratory failure and circulatory compromise in Pediatric patients can
greatly improve survival rates. Most Pediatric nurses have limited experience responding to
cardiopulmonary arrests. When an arrest or near arrest situation does occur, nurses may lack
knowledge and feel inadequate to deal with the critical situation. Structured simulation is a major
strategy that is being added to healthcare curriculum both nationally and internationally to give
learners the opportunity to practice and demonstrate skills in a low stress environment. Pediatric Code
Blue.
There was a statistically significant difference between students’ confidence levels in initiating the appropriate
first responder interventions (applying oxygen, calling the Rapid Response or Code Team, placing the
backboard, etc.) before and after the training, Z = -2.161, p = 0.031. Indeed, the median response before the
training was “agree” while after the training, it was “strongly agree.” See Figure 1. There was a statistically
significant difference between students’ confidence levels in utilizing and operating emergency equipment to
support the patient prior to the Rapid Response or Code Team arrival before and after the training, Z = 2.261, p = 0.024. Impressively, the median response before the training was “agree” while after the training,
it was “strongly agree.” See Figure 2.
Figure 1. Confidence in initiating interventions
Figure 2. Confidence in operating equipment
Objectives
1. Recognize the early manifestations of declining health status (respiratory failure and cardiac deterioration) in the
Pediatric patient.
2. Initiate the appropriate first responder interventions (e.g. applying oxygen, calling the Code Team).
3. Utilize and operate emergency equipment competently.
4. Improve the nurses’ level of confidence in responding to Pediatric Codes Blues.
Methods
A Pediatric Mock Code Blue that uses simulation is held bi-monthly on the Pediatric Unit. Participants are
asked to recognize and respond to a Pediatric arrest/near arrest situation. A Pediatric arrest cart and an
internally developed Pediatric Resuscitation Chart are available for the respondents. Examples of two
scenarios recently used include unstable supraventricular tachycardia and opioid induced bradycardia. A
Pediatrician is an integral part of the Mock Code Blues and is present to give orders during the Mock Code.
A debriefing is held after each session for discussion and feedback.
Participants’ confidence levels in responding to a code are measured both before and after the training
through a 10-item survey comprised of 5-point Likert scale items. The participants are also asked to evaluate
the learning experience after the simulation exercise through a 19-item survey comprised of both open and
close-ended items. The pre/posttest data was analyzed using Wilcoxon Signed Rank tests while the
evaluative data was analyzed descriptively.
Step 4:
Seek Advice/ Feedback
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Most of the participants (90.9%) agreed to a high degree with the statement, “The simulation training you
received provided you with new skills or improved existing skills.” These respondents chose a 6 or a 7 on a
7-point Likert scale of agreement where 7 represented “strongly agreed.”
Discussion
Data revealed that the simulation mock code increased participants’ feelings of confidence, particularly in
initiating appropriate first responder interventions and utilizing and operating emergency medical equipment
prior to the Rapid Response or Code Team arrival. Overall, the participants concurred that the training
experience was worthwhile as the majority indicated that they gained new skills or improved existing skills.
Poster Session
Gather input and feedback on the draft
Revise and proof
Prepare for printing on the poster
Obtain business/contact cards
Print copies of the poster as a handout
With so many to see, how do I catch people’s attention?
Photo: Poster Session SfN Chicago 2009, Pascal Wallisch
Step 5 : Present the Poster
• Must understand the format or the agenda of the conference
• Adhere to the guidelines regarding size and how it will be displayed
• Some conferences display the posters at definite times with the expectation
that the author(s) will be present
• These poster sessions are usually well attended and the participants
individually or as small groups are able to view and discuss the poster with
the authors
• Author(s) can explain and answer questions
• Have a synopsis of the poster available as well as your contact information
available
Poster Presentation Sessions
• Other conferences display the posters during
the entire length of the conference
• In these situations, the posters need to be
more comprehensive
• The author(s) should have their contact
information and a brief one page synopsis of
the content
Being Prepared
The Concurrent Poster Session
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Get the poster there in good condition-use rigid case that will not bend
Arrive early to put your poster up
Have securement devices
Have your handouts and contact information
Be ready to discuss your key points and take home message
Be prepared to stand by your poster during poster viewer times and
discuss it with those who show an interest
• Do not expect anyone to spend more than 3-5 minutes at your poster
• Presenter needs to know the expectations:
– The size of the poster board and if a table will be
present
– Where and when to hang the poster
– Any accessories needed
– The time of the poster sessions
– Author availability and how long to stay
– When to remove the poster
2013 Pediatric Nursing Conference
Clinical Poster Awards
The Art of Poster Presence
• Stand to the side of the poster so your back will not
be turned away from any of the audience
• Allow people the space and time to view your poster
and do not hoover
• Keep your commitments… if you tell a participant
that you will send them more information, do so as
soon as your return back to your institution
• Be PROUD!
2013 Pediatric Nursing Conference:
Research Poster Awards
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1st place
Poster: Dance for Health: Increasing Fitness and Fun in the Community
Presenters: Mariesa Buhl, Julia Rose Golden, Daniel Sultan
2nd place
Poster: Navigation of the Major Treatment Room: A Look at Performance Improvement
Presenter: William Kean
3rd place
Poster: A Comparison of Validity of Three Pediatric Falls Assessment Instruments:
Optimal Pediatric Fall Assessment Instruments in Korean Hospital
Environments.
Presenters: Yoon Chung Chung & Heeyoung Kim
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1st place
Poster: Outperforming the CLABSI Benchmark: A Multifactorial Approach to Changing the
Culture of a Pediatric Unit
Presenters: Angelina Luper & Jessica Yen
nd
2 place
Poster: Feeling Good in Your Neighborhood: A Nurse-Led Mobile Health Van Program
Presenter: Betty Boyle-Duke
3rd place
Poster: Would You Be Interested in Addressing Your Patient’s Weight at This Time? What
You Need to Know About Pediatric Obesity.
Presenter: Catherine Hill
What’s Next?
Publication of the Poster Abstract
• Authors of poster abstracts presented at
prestigious conferences should be encouraged
to submit their work for publication
• However publication of abstracts presented at
national meetings, ranges from only 23-55%
References
• Bindon, S. and Davenport, J. (2013).”Developing a Professional Poster.”
AACN Advanced Critical Care, Vol. 24 (2), 169-176.
• Lesley, D. et al.(2012). “Don’t Forget the Posters!” J Trauma, Vol. 72 (5),
1429-1434.
• Halligan, P. (2008). “Poster Presentations: Valuing all Forms of
Evidence”. Nurse Education in Practice, 8, 41-45.
• Mitrany, D. (2005). “Creating Effective Poster Presentations: The Editor’s
Role”. Science Editor, Vol. 28 (4), 114-116.
• Strong, D. (2005). “Designing Communications for a Poster Fair. "Penn
State University, www.personal.psu.edu/drs/18/postershow>.