11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Registration and Networking Lounge Open
12:00-5:00 p.m.
Exhibitor Showcase Open
12:15-1:00 p.m.
First Time Attendee Meet & Greet
Hosted by the AACN Program Committee
1:00-2:00 p.m.
Emerging Solutions
Deep-dive learning opportunities designed to explore and illustrate practical tips through a fusion of lecture-based instruction, case studies, peer learning, and interaction.
- Academic-Practice Partnerships: A Showcase of Excellence
Hear from the 2022 award winners on strategies to develop and enhance exemplary academic-practice partnerships.
- Grand Valley State University Kirkhof College of Nursing and McLaren Health Care
Speakers: Katherine Moran, DNP, RN, Acting Dean, College of Nursing, Grand Valley State University, Allendale, MI, Lisa Zajac, DNP, RN, Corporate Director, Clinical Informatics, McLaren Health Care, Livonia, MI
- Illinois State University Mennonite College of Nursing and Community Health Care Clinic
Speakers: Judy Neubrander, EdD, APRN, Dean, Mennonite College of Nursing, Illinois State University, Normal, IL, Susan Watkins, PhD, RN, Assistant Professor, Mennonite College of Nursing, Illinois State University, Normal, IL
- Rush University College of Nursing and CommunityHealth
Speakers: Margaret Bavis, DNP, RN, Assistant Professor, College of Nursing, Rush University, Chicago IL, Emily Hendel, MSN, APRN, Director of Clinical Services, CommunityHealth, Chicago, IL
- Leading Implementation of the Essentials: Insights and Lessons Learned Along the Way
Implementing the 2021 Essentials provides a unique opportunity for academic nursing leaders to reassess how best to prepare tomorrow’s nursing workforce and impact the future of health care. Join a panel of nursing deans who will share key insights and lessons learned along the journey to implementing the new standards. Come ready to discover insider tips and ask questions related to your school’s implementation efforts.
Speakers: Bimbola Akintade, PhD, APRN, Dean, College of Nursing, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, Robin Newhouse, PhD, RN, Dean, Professor, School of Nursing, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, Danny Willis, DNS, APRN, Dean, Professor, School of Nursing, Saint Louis University, Saint Louis, MO
- Recruitment and Retention of Underrepresented Minority Faculty
Underrepresented minority faculty contribute diverse perspective and experience to the academic setting, enriching the learning experience for academic leaders, faculty peers, and students. Hear from academic leaders the most current and evidence-based strategies to both recruit and retain diverse faculty. Join this session prepared to gain insight into how best to enrich nursing’s academic environment through recruitment and retention of diverse faculty.
Speakers: Teri A. Murray, PhD, RN, Professor, Dean Emerita, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, Saint Louis University, Saint Louis, MO, and Debra Barksdale, PhD, APRN, Dean, University of North Carolina, Greensboro, NC
2:00-2:30 p.m.
Networking Break & Visit Exhibitor Showcase
2:30-3:30 p.m.
Emerging Solutions (Repeated from above)
Deep-dive learning opportunities designed to explore and illustrate practical tips through a fusion of lecture-based instruction, case studies, peer learning, and interaction.
3:30-4:00 p.m.
Networking Break & Visit Exhibitor Showcase
4:00-5:00 p.m.
Welcome and Here to Serve: Rounds with AACN Leadership
Join AACN leadership for updates on the association’s priorities, strategic initiatives, and new developments. AACN Board Chair Cynthia McCurren and President/CEO Deborah Trautman provide an overview of the association’s work to transform academic nursing and serve our members. Ask questions and learn more about how these initiatives can impact and elevate your school of nursing.
Speakers: Cynthia McCurren, PhD, RN, Chair, AACN Board of Directors, and Dean and Professor, School of Nursing, University of Michigan-Flint, Flint, MI, and Deborah Trautman, PhD, RN, President and Chief Executive Officer, American Association of Colleges of Nursing, Washington, DC
5:15-6:00 p.m.
New Member Orientation
Hosted by AACN’s Board of Directors and Membership Committee
6:30 p.m.
Networking Dinners (optional)
A great opportunity for you to connect with other participants and expand your network while enjoying the local cuisine! Simply choose from our pre-selected restaurants posted near the registration desk and sign-up. Participants are responsible for their own tabs and share transportations costs (if any). The dinners are scheduled for 6:30 p.m. – participants meet at 6:15 p.m. at the concierge desk in the hotel lobby.
6:30-7:30 a.m.
Running and Walking Groups
7:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
Registration Open
7:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m.
Networking Lounge Open
7:30-9:00 a.m.
Light Continental Breakfast
8:00-9:00 a.m.
Solution Circles (Vendor Sponsored Sessions)
Join industry experts to examine current challenges in the field of academic nursing. In a collaborative and educational format, vendors will engage in interactive discussions to foster peer-to-peer dialogue and share innovative solutions.
AACN has not been involved with the planning of the content for the Solution Circles, nor does it endorse presented products or services. Provided content is the sole responsibility of the presenting sponsor.
- Resources for Supporting APRN Students and Faculty
Sponsored and presented by American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)
As APRN Faculty, you are committed to ensuring that your students achieve their academic objectives. Obtaining certification represents a commitment to lifelong learning. Discover the resources that the ANCC has developed to aid faculty and students in their pursuit of continuous professional development.
Speakers: Tara Myers, PhD, Director, Measurement Services at the American Nurses Credentialing Center, Silver Spring, MD; Sean DeGarmo, PhD, RN, ACNS-BC, FNP-BC, ENP-BC, Director, Advanced Practice Initiatives and Certification Outreach at the American Nurses Credentialing Center, Silver Spring, MD
- Ensuring Evidence-based Practice Competency in your Students: The Secret Sauce for Ensuring Healthcare Quality and Safety
Sponsored and presented by Wolters Kluwer
This presentation will describe how faculty can best ensure evidence-based practice competency (EBP) in their students. The current state of EBP will be discussed and key strategies for integrating EBP across the curriculum for bachelor’s, master’s and DNP programs will be highlighted.
Speakers: Bernadette Mazurek Melnyk, PhD, APRN-CNP
- Preparing for the Transition to the New AACN Essentials
Sponsored and presented by WGU Labs
Join WGU Labs for an interactive discussion with veteran nursing educators from diverse programs who will discuss strategies to help you and your faculty prepare for the transition to competency-based education and the new AACN Essentials.
Speakers: Shelley Johnson, EdD, RN, Professor and Dean of the School of Nursing, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU); Andrea Raines, DNP, MSN, Assistant Professor of Nursing and RN to BSN Program Coordinator, Anderson University; Mary Lawson Carney, DNP, MSN, Clinical Site Development Administrator, Michael O. Leavitt School of Health, Western Governors University
Moderator: Jessica Cornell, Senior Solutions Consultant, WGU Labs
9:00-10:00 a.m.
Plenary
Addressing the Ongoing Overdose Epidemic: A Deeper Look into the National Drug Control Strategy
From rural areas to urban centers, overdose deaths are having a deep impact on individuals, families, and communities. Hear from Dr. Rahul Gupta, Director of National Drug Control Policy, on our nation’s strategy to address this ongoing epidemic and ways we can help increase access to substance use treatment. Join peers to learn specific evidence informed actions and how academic nursing can be part of the solution.
Speaker: Rahul Gupta, MD, Director of National Drug Control Policy at the Executive Office of the United States President
10:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.
Exhibitor Showcase Open
Access high-profile exhibitors and sponsors showcasing innovative and forward-thinking products and services.
10:00-10:30 a.m.
Networking Break & Visit Exhibitor Showcase
10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Like-Schools Focused Discussions
Join colleagues and collaborate on vital topics important to your institution.
- Small/Liberal Arts Colleges
- Academic Health Centers
- Private Colleges/Universities
- Public Colleges/Universities
12:00-2:00 p.m.
Lunch (on your own) & Visit Exhibitor Showcase
12:30-1:30 p.m.
NursingCAS Overview: A Demonstration of the Student Application and Admissions Management Portal
Learn about AACN’s Nursing Centralized Application Service (NursingCAS). NursingCAS provides colleges a FREE student application and admissions platform to efficiently manage data-driven reviews in a cloud-based software. Learn why 290 colleges of nursing and 115,000 student applicants used NursingCAS to manage their nursing school applications last cycle. Limited seating is available. Registration is required by October 17, 11:59 pm EST. Lunch will be provided for those who RSVP in advance.
2:00-3:00 p.m.
Keynote Plenary
Breaking Barriers: An Astronaut’s Inspiring & Winding Road to Space
Hear the inspiring story of the power of seizing opportunities, a strong work ethic, and never giving up, which made Joan Higginbotham become the third-ever African American female in space. Captivating audiences by taking them aboard her STS-116 space shuttle mission to the International Space Station (ISS), Higginbotham reveals how preparation, passion, and perseverance were key to her successful voyage into space and how the lessons she learned during this journey blur the lines between Earth and space.
Speaker: Joan Higginbotham, Retired NASA Astronaut, Rocket Scientist, Electrical Engineer, & Third African American Woman in Space
3:00-3:30 p.m.
Networking Break & Visit Exhibitor Showcase
3:30-4:30 p.m.
Leadership Plenary
A Call to Action for Human Experience: A Cornerstone for the Future of Academic Nursing
Providing compassionate, human-centered care is a key concept threaded throughout the 2021 AACN Essentials. Join a panel of academic and practice leaders who will reflect on the human experience in healthcare and explore how nurse educators can influence the next generation of nurses to provide person-centered care. Hear the latest evidence, and critical takeaways from their work to transform care delivery using innovative and collaborative strategies.
Speakers: Karen Grimley, PhD, RN, Assistant Dean, Chief Nursing Executive, University of California, Los Angeles, Health, Los Angeles, CA; Jason A. Wolf, PhD, President and Chief Executive Officer, The Beryl Institute, Nashville, TN; and Laura J. Wood, DNP, RN, Executive Vice President Patient Care Operations, System Chief Nursing Officer, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA
4:30-5:00 p.m.
Networking Break & Visit Exhibitor Showcase
5:00-6:00 p.m.
John P. McGovern Lectureship Award Plenary
Disasters, Pandemics & Climate Change: Reflections on the Power of Academic Nursing to Advance National Preparedness
In this presentation Dr. Tener Veenema will share her journey in disaster nursing and public health preparedness prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and how these experiences positioned her to provide national leadership and support to multiple organizations and federal agencies throughout the pandemic. Dr. Veenema will discuss the power of academic nursing in advancing national preparedness by ensuring that all nurses have the knowledge, skills and abilities-and willingness they will need to respond to these and future events in a timely, effective and appropriate manner. In all disasters and large-scale public health emergencies, there is opportunity to apply lessons learned and to inspire us to build and support a strong, protected and resilient workforce.
Speaker: Tener Goodwin Veenema, PhD RN, Professor, School of Nursing, Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore MD
6:00-7:00 p.m.
AACN Welcome Reception
6:30-7:30 a.m.
Running and Walking Groups
7:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Registration and Networking Lounge Open
7:00-9:00 a.m.
Light Continental Breakfast
7:30-8:15 a.m.
Breakfast Session
Calling Nurse Scientists to the All of Us Research Hub
Discover how the NIH's All of Us Research Program is working to promote the engagement of nurse researchers in historically underrepresented communities in biomedical research. AACN and NIH are moving in a new direction affording grant opportunities for nurse scientists. The session will delve into how researchers can access the National data set in the Research Hub and utilize the platform to answer their communities research questions.
7:30-8:15 a.m.
Coffee & Conversations
- Associate/Assistant Dean Dialogue
- Deans of Minority Serving Nursing Schools
- Leadership Development Opportunities at AACN
- New Dean Dialogue
8:30-9:15 a.m.
CCNE Forum on Revision of the Accreditation Standards
Join the co-chairs of the newly formed CCNE Standards Committee for an important dialogue about CCNE’s accreditation standards review and revision process. Take advantage of this opportunity to offer comments and ask questions about CCNE’s 2018 Standards for Accreditation of Baccalaureate and Graduate Nursing Programs. Do the current accreditation standards adequately assess nursing program quality and effectiveness at the baccalaureate and graduate levels? Do any of the standards and key elements need clarification? What opportunities are there for the CCNE community of interest to participate in the standards revision process? What is the timeline for the revision process and how might my program be impacted?
Presenters: CCNE Standards Committee co-chairs Anne Hirsch, PhD, APRN, School of Nursing, University of Washington, Seattle, WA and Pamela B. Simmons, PhD, APRN, Senior Director Emeritus, Professor, College of Nursing, Northwestern State University, Natchitoches, LA
Facilitated by Jennifer Butlin, EdD, Executive Director, Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, Washington, DC
9:30-10:30 a.m.
Plenary
Think BIG: Overcoming Obstacles with Optimism
Think Big is the inspirational guide for dreaming big, setting goals, and the steps you need to take to get there. Dr Arnold will share heartwarming anecdotes full of grace, humor, and wit plus a never-before-seen look inside her personal and professional life. She has plenty of stories to tell with a unique approach to encountering life's greatest difficulties will inspire a call to action in all of us.
Speaker: Jennifer Arnold, MD, Program Director, Immersive Design Systems, Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical Center, Boston, MA
10:30 a.m.-11:00 a.m.
Networking Break
11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
AACN Membership Meeting