Background Research productivity is a major indicator of higher educational institutions’ (HEI) academic performance. The increasing focus on research productivity is resulting in an expectation that academics publish their research initiatives, ideas and developments in their scope of work or area of interest. It can influence academic status and compel nursing academics to undertake higher degrees, including PhDs or other doctoral studies.

Aim To articulate a nurse academic’s reflection on presenting her doctoral thesis at an international conference and to encourage students to embrace the dissemination of research.

Discussion In HEIs, academic work and research compete with each other. For the academic who is also a doctoral student, attending research conferences for knowledge and dissemination can be challenging and emotionally labouring.

Conclusion It is important that doctoral students from the nursing professions engage in research dissemination at local and international level. This can improve their confidence, appreciation of research in terms of methodologies, findings, interventions and presenting styles. It can also help to develop confidence in articulating their own research epistemology and ontology while networking.

Implications for practice Attendance at conferences contributes to the development of the doctoral student’s confidence, knowledge, research capability, ability to identify good research practice and to engage in peer review.