INA Conference: My Story

My first year as a nanny has been life changing. I lived in Washington State working as a lead Toddler teacher. However, I wanted to move to Colorado. I placed my resume online at a nanny job site, looking for my first nanny job.

I was elated when my current family flew me out for an interview, and two weeks later I became a live in nanny in Colorado. I was introduced to a Denver nanny group called DANA and that’s when I first heard about the International Nanny Association (INA). A fellow nanny friend encouraged me to ask my nanny family if they could help me go to the INA conference in KY. I was blown away when my employer paid for everything – my year membership, my flight, hotel and the 50% 1st time attendee price. I know that if they didn’t offer that I probably wouldn’t be able to go.

INA was very helpful finding me a roommate to help spilt the cost. I was amazed by how many nannies there were and the variety of their jobs and situations. I met travel nannies, newborn nannies, live in nannies and live out nannies. Some nannies were very new to the field like me, and others had worked professionally for 10, 20 or more years! Everyone was welcoming and the conference was a great sharing opportunity.

The educational programing was outstanding. Every class I took there I learned so much and it helped motivate me when I returned home and got back to work. It was at the INA conference that I was introduced to the idea of going to school and becoming a certified nanny. Now in a few months I will be attending Northwest Nanny Inc.

If it wasn’t for my amazing employers who helped me get to INA and if it weren’t for the INA itself, I wouldn’t be going after my passion and dreams of being a professional, certified nanny.

Is INA’s conference well worth the money? Yes, it will inspire and motivate you. The opportunity to be around people who understand you and your job in itself is priceless. When I heard the Nanny of the Year (NOTY) speech I cried because I was so moved by this profession and how it has helped, enriched and made such a difference in so many people’s lives.

I could never be a nurse, I get sick looking at blood, but I love helping and caring for people and the experience of the INA conference and the new friends and colleagues I have met has helped me take more pride in my career. I have met such amazing people! When you are a nanny it’s all about networking – we don’t have office mates and company cafeterias to meet other professionals who do what we do and understand the joys and challenges of being a nanny. The INA, and especially the INA conference, is the best way to help expand your professional opportunities, to keep you up to date with the latest teaching and practices and provide you opportunities explore a new areas and skills. I’m saving now for the 2014 INA Annual Conference (March 27 – 30 2014 in Los Angeles California) and I hope to make it a tradition to attend the INA conference every year!

Kayla is currently attending the Northwest Nanny School and plans to meet new colleagues and friends at the International Nanny Association’s 29th Annual Conference, March 27 – 30 in Los Angeles CA.