The Calling Within: A Day of Courage, Competence and Compassion

On October 3, 2026, SORNG and PANGS came together to host The Calling Within: Courage, Competence and Compassion, a perioperative nursing conference in Regina, Saskatchewan.

The event marked an exciting milestone for SORNG as The Calling Within was the first conference hosted outside of the hospital setting. Moving beyond the walls of the operating room created an opportunity to bring nurses, students, educators, industry partners, and community organizations together in a space dedicated to learning, connection, and reflection.

And what a day it was.

A successful gathering of our nursing community

The conference welcomed 66 attendees, creating a room filled with nurses and colleagues who share a commitment to perioperative practice and to one another. The event was made possible through the incredible support of our sponsors and community partners, including:

• 17 medical vendor sponsors

  • 1 Gold Sponsor

  • 1 Silver Sponsor

  • 15 Bronze Sponsors

• 1 community grant

• 4 community vendors

• 31 community sponsors

This support not only helped make the conference possible but demonstrated the strength of the relationships that exist between perioperative nursing, industry, and our broader community.

Courage. Competence. Compassion.

The theme of the conference - Courage, Competence, and Compassion - reflected many of the qualities that define perioperative nursing.

Our speakers challenged us to think about what it means to have the courage to speak up, the competence to provide safe and knowledgeable care, and the compassion to recognize the human being behind every procedure.

The day featured compelling speakers who inspired reflection, challenged perspectives, and shared meaningful experiences from their own professional journeys. But perhaps one of the most memorable moments of the day came from our nursing panel.

When nurses share their stories

The nursing panel brought together voices from different points in the perioperative journey and created space for honest conversation about nursing, the operating room, and the experiences that shape us.

The discussion was emotional, relatable, and, at times, deeply personal.

Panellists spoke about finding their place in the OR, navigating hierarchy, speaking up, staying when things become difficult, and questioning whether to leave. They reflected on the experiences that shaped them and the moments that reminded them why they became nurses in the first place.

These conversations reminded us that behind our titles, specialties, and years of experience are people who have also experienced uncertainty, vulnerability, growth, and change. Sometimes, we need to hear someone else's story to recognize a little bit of our own.

A day of learning, innovation and connection

While education was at the heart of the conference, The Calling Within was about more than learning new information.

It was a day of learning, innovation, and connection.

It was an opportunity to step away from the pace of the operating room, reconnect with colleagues, meet new people, share experiences, and consider what continues to call us to this profession.

Hosting the conference outside of the hospital helped create a different kind of space, one where we could pause, reflect, celebrate our profession, and connect with one another beyond our usual clinical environment.

Looking within

Nursing is a profession built on knowledge and skill, but it is also built on relationships, advocacy, courage, and compassion.

The Calling Within invited us to look beyond what we do and consider why we do it.

What gives us the courage to speak up?

What drives us to continually build our competence?

What reminds us to lead with compassion?

And perhaps most importantly - what continues to call us to nursing?

The success of this first SORNG conference outside of the hospital is a testament to what can happen when our nursing community comes together.

To our attendees, speakers, panellists, sponsors, vendors, community partners, volunteers, and everyone who contributed to making the day possible: thank you for being part of The Calling Within. Thank you for being you.

The conversations may have ended when the conference did, but hopefully the reflection, connection, and inspiration continue long after we left the room.

Courage. Competence. Compassion.

This is who we are.

This is what we bring to the OR.

And this is The Calling Within.