The Association of Rehabilitation Nurses (ARN) is proud to highlight Alexis Cardenas, BSN RN CRRN, as the recipient of the Mary Ann Mikulic Scholarship. The Mary Ann Mikulic Scholarship is an award presented by the Association of Rehabilitation Nurses (ARN) to support the professional development of rehabilitation nurses. It provides full hybrid registration coverage for first-time attendees of ARN's Rehabilitation Nursing Conference, enabling recipients to participate both in-person and virtually.
A Passion for Inpatient Rehabilitation
Since completing her residency in 2019, Alexis has exemplified dedication and leadership within inpatient rehabilitation. Her recent achievement of the Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse (CRRN®) certification, coupled with her active involvement in clinical ladder initiatives, underscores her passion for advancing the profession. She has played a pivotal role in enhancing patient care by streamlining the unit's onboarding process, ensuring that new nurses integrate seamlessly into the team.
Expanding Knowledge at the ARN's Rehab Nursing Conference
Attending the ARN Conference was an invaluable opportunity for Alexis to expand her knowledge and build connections within the rehabilitation nursing community. Reflecting on her experience, she expressed gratitude for participating both virtually and in person in San Antonio. "My conference experience was great! I am so glad I decided to do the Basic Hybrid option to participate both virtually and in person in San Antonio!" she shared. "There were so many things to take advantage of, from the large group sessions to wandering around the different exhibitor tables to see all the great products and services that may benefit our rehab patients."
She particularly enjoyed engaging with exhibitor tables and attending keynote sessions featuring Cody Byrns and Mark McEwen. Their powerful stories of overcoming life-changing events resonated deeply, reinforcing her appreciation for the critical role rehabilitation nurses play in patients' journeys toward recovery. "Both of them went through life-changing events and truly touched me as they shared their stories," Alexis said. "The people we take care of every day—whether in the hospital, clinic, their homes, or within our own families—have similar stories, and being part of their recovery is such an honor."
Alexis encourages fellow rehabilitation nurses to attend ARN conferences, emphasizing the importance of connecting with like-minded professionals. "It is so humbling to be around like-minded people who understand the unique challenges and rewards of working with rehab patients," she explained. "It's an important opportunity to connect with others in the field and grow professionally." As a member of ARN since 2022 and a dedicated inpatient rehabilitation nurse for over five years, she recognizes the significance of these gatherings in fostering professional growth.
Encouraging Others to Engage in ARN
Beyond her professional achievements, Alexis's journey into nursing is a testament to resilience and adaptability. Originally pursuing a career in speech-language pathology, she made the pivotal decision during her senior year to transition into nursing. After earning a BA in Communication Sciences & Disorders, she completed the necessary prerequisites and was accepted into the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) in Galveston, TX. Since joining UT Southwestern Medical Center in 2019, she has continued to grow as a nurse, serving as a preceptor, charge nurse, and an active member of various hospital committees, including the skin committee. Her recent accomplishment of reaching Clinical Ladder Level 1 and participating in the Aspiring Leaders Program further showcase her dedication to professional development.
Passions Beyond Nursing
Outside of her nursing career, Alexis enjoys spending time with her beloved chihuahuas, traveling with family and friends, and attending concerts and music festivals. With a servant's heart and a deep passion for nursing, she hopes to inspire the next generation of rehabilitation nurses. "I recently became a Board Member at Large within my chapter (shout out to Northeast Texas ARN) and love being involved in the various activities we've put together," she said. "I have a servant's heart and am looking into more volunteer opportunities in the coming months."
Congratulations to Alexis Cardenas on this well-deserved recognition and thank you for your commitment to excellence in rehabilitation nursing!
Q+A with Alexis Cardenas
Q&A with Alexis Cardenas
Q: What was your favorite part of attending the ARN Conference? A: My conference experience was great! I am so glad I decided to do the Basic Hybrid option to participate both virtually and in person in San Antonio! My first time was a ton of fun! There were so many things to take advantage of from the large group sessions to wandering around to the different exhibitor tables to see all the great products and services that may benefit our rehab patients. I really enjoyed hearing from the two keynote speakers, Cody Byrns and Mark McEwen. Both of them went through life-changing events and truly touched me as they shared their stories.
Q: What advice would you give to someone considering attending an ARN conference? A: I would tell them to seriously consider it! I have worked in inpatient rehabilitation for 5.5 years now, have been an ARN member since 2022, received my CRRN in December 2022, and have wanted to attend a conference for some time. When I found out the in-person conference would be in San Antonio in 2024, I knew I had to make every effort to attend! It is so humbling to be around like-minded people who understand the unique challenges and rewards of working with rehab patients. It's an important opportunity to connect with others in the field and grow professionally.
Q: What has been your favorite part of being an ARN member so far? A: Definitely the networking! Beyond UT Southwestern, I knew rehab nursing was a growing specialty, but I didn't realize just how many of us were in the Dallas-Fort Worth area! I recently became a Board Member at Large within my chapter (shout out to NETX ARN) and love being involved in the various activities we've put together. I have a servant's heart and am looking into more volunteer opportunities in the coming months.
Congratulations to Alexis Cardenas on this well-deserved recognition and thank you for your commitment to excellence in rehabilitation nursing!
Look for ARN awards and scholarships to open this May 1! Learn More
Attend ARN's 2025 Rehabilitation Nursing Conference
Earn your continuing education credits (CNE) from inspirational live sessions and on-demand recordings by attending in a hybrid format, with both virtual sessions (July 24-25) and in-person (July 31 - August 2) in Phoenix, Arizona. Early Registration pricing ends on March 23. Learn More