academic nursing leadership conference

Program Agenda

Program subject to change.

November 1

12:00 p.m.-5:30 p.m.	Registration Open

12:30-1:15 p.m.	First-Time Attendee Meet & Greet Hosted by the AACN Program Committee

1:30-2:30 p.m.	Opening Plenary Integrating AI and Innovation: Uncovering the Critical Issues Academic and practice leaders will share their thoughts on how artificial intelligence and innovation are driving innovation in nursing pedagogy and practice. The panel will consider issues and opportunities connected to using AI and innovation to augment student learning, enhance faculty effectiveness, and improve the overall quality of healthcare services.

3:00-4:00 p.m.	Plenary Communicating the Value of Nursing Science to the Public and Policymakers Join a distinguished panel of thought leaders as they share their insights and expertise on communicating the value and impact of nursing science on shaping public policy and practice. This event will explore the Vision for American Science and Technology (VAST). Report framework and its role in informing both short and long-term policy discussions. Learn how these influential leaders use the VAST framework and other approaches to advance nursing science and its implications across academic programs.

4:30-5:30 p.m.	Rounds with AACN Leadership Join AACN leadership for updates on the association’s priorities, strategic initiatives, and new developments. Ask questions and learn more about how these initiatives can impact and elevate your school of nursing.

5:45-6:30 p.m.	New Member Orientation and Wine&Cheese Social Hosted by AACN’s Board of Directors and Membership Committee

6:45 p.m.	Optional Networking Dinners A great opportunity for you to connect with other participants and expand your network while enjoying the local cuisine!

November 2

6:30-7:30 a.m.	Running and Walking Groups Meet with other early risers at the hotel entrance on Pennsylvania Avenue for a 30-minute run or 60-minute morning walk.

7:30 a.m.-9:00 a.m.	Breakfast with Exhibitors

7:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.	Exhibitor Showcase Open Connect with exhibitors showcasing innovative products, services, and solutions of value to your school of nursing. Take time throughout the day to visit the vendor booths and identify strategic partners to help

8:30-9:30 a.m.	Solution Circles AI's Role in Nursing Education Assessments Sponsored and presented by NurseAchieve This presentation reveals groundbreaking research from NurseAchieve on the role of AI in nursing education. The session will explore nurse educators' ability to discern between AI and human-generated NCLEX-style questions, compare the perceived quality of each, and quantify the significant efficiency gains possible with AI. Attendees will enjoy a live demonstration of NurseAchieve’s AI Item Generator, a revolutionary new tool that automatically creates high-quality NCLEX-style questions and detailed rationales in minutes, empowering educators to build robust assessments and custom question banks with unprecedented speed. From Gaps to Gains \| Using Technology to Transform Nursing Competency Alignment Sponsored and presented by iDesign Nursing programs nationwide are striving to implement and align with the AACN Essentials while advancing a shift toward competency-based education. Although the advantages of this transition are well recognized, progress is frequently hindered by faculty workload demands, variability in curricular mapping practices, and constrained institutional resources. This collaborative discussion will highlight shared challenges across institutions, surface innovative solutions, and give participants a tangible action plan to take back to their teams.

8:30-9:30 a.m.	Coffee & Connect Volunteer Opportunities at AACN Join colleagues to explore volunteer opportunities and member engagement with AACN. Access, Connection, and Engagement Opportunities at AACN Join colleagues to explore access, connection, and engagement opportunities through ACE programs, networking, and resources with AACN. Leadership Development Opportunities at AACN Join colleagues to explore leadership development opportunities through LEADS programs, networking, and resources with AACN.

10:00-12:00 p.m.	Conversation Café

12:00-1:30 p.m.	Lunch (on your own) & Visit Exhibitor Showcase

12:15-1:15 p.m.	NursingCAS Luncheon A Demonstration of the Student Application and Admissions Management Portal Discover NursingCAS, AACN’s free student application service that provides member colleges with an online platform to efficiently manage all aspects of the admission process. Using this service, schools are able streamline their recruitment operations, gain access to powerful enrollment management software, expand their customer service capacity, and reach a national applicant pool. Learn why nearly 300 colleges of nursing used NursingCAS during the last enrollment cycle to process more than 115,000 nursing school applications. Pre-registration required here. Limited seating. Those who register after 10/22 may not have special dietary requests honored.

12:15-1:15 p.m.	Solution Circle From Data to Decisions: How Nursing Programs Use Benchworks to Drive Results Sponsored and presented by Benchworks by Elentra Collecting survey data is the easy part. Using it to tell a story that proves results, guides curriculum decisions, and supports accreditation is where Benchworks makes the difference. This session features real examples of nursing programs tracking progress over multiple years, making informed changes, and producing clear evidence of success. You’ll learn how programs are finding more value in their data—because they’re using Benchworks, not just running surveys.

1:30-2:30 p.m.	Conversation Café Outcomes

3:00-4:00 p.m.	Plenary Bridging the Gap: Leadership in Academic Nursing and Higher Education This session delves into the dynamic landscape of higher education, emphasizing unique challenges and trends affecting leadership in higher education. Drawing from their extensive experience, Dr. Susan Resneck Pierce and Lee Gardner will discuss key issues and emerging trends in the field. Attendees will gain valuable insights into strategies for fostering resilience, adaptability, and excellence in nursing education and leadership roles.

4:30-5:30 p.m.	John P. McGovern Lectureship Award Grand Ballroom This award honors John P. McGovern for his noted clinical practice and research, and distinguished record of scholarship, skill, and service. Join us to honor the 2025 McGovern Lectureship Award recipient, Mary K. Wakefield, PhD, RN Advancing Health Through Public Policy: Lessons Learned from a Nurse’s Career Join one of nursing’s most impactful advocates who will recount meaningful experiences in nursing education and practice that guided her toward a career in public policy. Dr. Wakefield will touch on the importance of nursing expertise in the high-stakes health policy arena, along with current opportunities and challenges in public policy engagement.

5:30-6:30 p.m.	Networking Reception

November 3

6:30-7:30 a.m.	Running and Walking Groups

7:00-9:00 a.m.	Continental Breakfast

7:30-8:30 a.m.	Coffee & Connect Come ask your questions, connect with peers, and embrace the unique opportunity to engage in thought-provoking in-person conversation. Associate and Assistant Dean Dialogue Associate and Assistant Deans are invited to this informal dialogue to discuss current and relevant issues unique to the role. Experienced Dean Dialogue Experienced deans are invited to this informal dialogue to collect and discuss current and relevant issues informed by the experienced leader. New Dean Dialogue New deans are invited to this informal dialogue to hear about the AACN resources helping you boost your leadership journey.

8:45-9:45 a.m.	AACN Membership Meeting & Award Recognitions

10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.	Preparing for Today's Capitol Hill Visits: Tips and Tools for Effective Advocacy Join us for practical information, insights, and guidance in preparation for your Monday afternoon Capitol Hill Visits with Members of Congress and their staff. Attendees will be seated with their state delegations. This session is facilitated by AACN Government Affairs and Policy Staff and our partners at Soapbox.

1:00-4:30 p.m.	Caucus and Connect Location: TBD Enjoy light refreshments and snacks in-between your Capitol Hill Visits at Caucus and Connect.

1:00-5:00 p.m.	Capitol Hill Visits Join academic nursing leadership and advocate for the top issues impacting nursing education on Capitol Hill. Bus service to Capitol Hill begins at 12:00 p.m. from the JW Marriott (Pennsylvania Avenue entrance) with continuous loops until 4:30 p.m.

5:00-6:00 p.m.	AACN Congressional Reception Location: TBD Celebrate a productive and impactful day on Capitol Hill with members of Congress and their staff. Select bus service is available and the last bus to the JW Marriott Hotel leaves Capitol Hill at 6:15 p.m.

Continuing Education

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

For questions, contact the AACN Conference Team today!

Phone: 202-463-6930 | Email: conferences@aacnnursing.org | Website: www.aacnnursing.org/conferences