In a recent conversation with a nurse colleague in Iraq, Abdullah, we were discussing all the conferences that are out there and how to know what reputable and what ones is are fake or are a scam. I came across this website that listed conferences in 2024. Before I go more in depth on this topic, lets talk about what phishing is in the first place.

Phishing can be defined as, “the fraudulent practice of sending emails or other messages purporting to be from reputable companies in order to induce individuals to reveal personal information, such as passwords and credit card numbers.”

I, myself, have been targeted by groups pretending to be conference coordinators, asking me to present. They have gone so far as to email and message multiple times a day. Even when I say I am not interested, they still push and push, like a salesman (no disrespect).

There are websites that look and are legit and they “accept” whatever abstract you propose. I once submitted a terrible abstract just to see if they would accept it and I received a response soon after saying it is accepted! Either the bar is set very low, or these companies are trying to take advantage of nurses.

What are things we can do to support nurses to ensure that they are not getting scammed by asking to present at a conference where they take their information and make them pay for everything? This is especially important for my international nursing friends. Agencies try to take advantage of them to make them think that they are missing out if they don’t “act now.”

What are clues that you look for or ways that you check to make sure the conference is legit? Remember, not every country is used to nursing specific conferences. Plus, the opportunity to present in the USA is such a prestige!

My call to action is asking you all to think about what we can do to support our nurses in other countries.

#adventureswithnursejamla