Research Leadership Network (RLN) Program

Leading Discovery, Impacting Nursing Science: Challenges, Creativity, Collaboration, and Culture

January 12, 2027

This preconference explores how nursing scientists can lead discovery and drive meaningful impact in an increasingly complex and evolving scientific landscape. Centered on the intersections of challenge, creativity, collaboration, and culture, the session will examine how nurses in academia, industry, and clinical settings can strengthen research capacity, foster innovative and interdisciplinary scholarship, and build connected academic communities. Emphasis will be placed on developing sustainable, compassionate, and high‑impact research environments that prepare nurse scholars to navigate future demands while advancing research.

At the conclusion of this preconference, participants will be able to:

  1. Analyze key challenges shaping the future of doctoral nursing education and research
    Evaluate emerging barriers and opportunities influencing discovery, funding, and impact in nursing science, including evolving expectations for innovation, interdisciplinarity, and data‑driven research.
  2. Apply creative and collaborative strategies to advance impactful scholarship
    Integrate approaches that foster innovation, strengthen research partnerships, and enhance engagement within communities of research to accelerate translation and scalability.
  3. Develop cultures that sustain scholarly excellence, compassion, and capacity
    Implement leadership and mentorship practices that cultivate supportive, inclusive, and resilient academic environments promoting well‑being, faculty development, and long‑term research productivity.

Conference Venue

Hotel del Coronado
1500 Orange Ave.
Coronado, CA 92118

See Hotel & Travel page for details.

Who Should Attend

Nurse leaders and aspiring leaders across academia and practice who are interested in advancing nursing science, promoting collaboration, supporting mentorship, and creating environments where research and scholarship can thrive. RLN members receive a discounted registration rate.

Agenda

7:30–8:00 a.m. Breakfast Buffet & Poster Viewing* 
*Posters must be displayed by 7:30; opportunity to speak with poster presenters during the 10:20 a.m. poster break
   
8:00–8:15 a.m. Welcome and Opening Remarks
   
8:15–9:05 a.m. Strategies to Enhance Nursing Research Capacity and Impact Over the next 3 to 5 years 
Panelists: Catie Chung, PhD RN CNE, Professor & Director, School of Nursing, Touro University Nevada, Henderson, NV, Abiola O. Keller, PhD, MPH, PA-C, Associate Professor and Associate Dean for Research, Marquette University College of Nursing, Wisconsin, WI, and Tammy Sadighi, DNP, APRN-FNP, MBA, CHSE, Professor, Florida Gulf Coast University, Fort Myers, FL

By the end of this panel session, participants will be able to:

  1. Identify high‑impact “stop, start, scale” actions
    Determine strategies to discontinue ineffective practices, initiate innovative approaches, and expand successful models to enhance research capacity and impact.
  2. Apply collaborative and creative approaches to address key challenges
    Explore how interdisciplinary partnerships, communities of research, and innovative thinking can accelerate discovery and translation in nursing science.
  3. Strengthen cultures that sustain scholarship and well‑being
    Recognize leadership strategies that promote compassionate, inclusive, and productive environments supporting faculty, student, and clinical scholar success.

A Panel focused on concrete “stop, start, scale” actions

  1. Assess their organizations research readiness for the next 3–5 years of research and apply leadership approaches to new research opportunities including AI and data‑enabled research
  2. Identify strategies to strengthen and retain research‑active nurses
  3. Strengthen partnerships that support funded, scalable research
   
9:10–9:50 a.m. Keynote Speaker: Dr. Cathy Maxwell - From Social Determinants to Cellular Consequences: A Translational Framework for the Future of Nursing Science
   
9:50–10:50 a.m. Break & Poster Engagement/Awards voting
   
10:50–11:50 a.m. Funding and Nursing Science
Panelists: Carly Paterson, PhD, MPH, RN, Senior Advisor, Comparative Clinical Effectiveness Research, Office of the Chief of CER, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI), Washington, DC
   
11:50 a.m.–12:00 p.m. RLN Key Takeaways, Closing Remarks and Awards


Speakers

More details coming soon.

 

Registration Fees

RLN Program Early
Ends Dec. 12		 Standard
Starts Dec. 13
RLN Member $129 $149
AACN Member $149 $169
AACN Non-Member $249 $269

Pre-Conferences

  • You may substitute your registration to another individual within your organization. This must be done by contacting the AACN Conference Department via email at conferences@aacnnursing.org
  • If a substitution is not possible, your cancellation request must be received in writing and confirmed by AACN; otherwise, it cannot be honored. The following refund arrangements will then apply:
    • Cancellation requests received by December 31, 2026, will be refunded minus a non-refundable administrative fee of $30.
    • No refunds will be given after December 31, 2026, nor will refunds be given for no-shows.
    • No-show registrations with an open balance will be charged the non-refundable administrative fee as outlined above after the event.
  • Your cancellation request must be submitted in writing to conferences@aacnnursing.org and confirmed by AACN.

Please note: AACN will issue refunds within a 2-week time period of receipt of written cancellation notice.

Event Cancellation by AACN

AACN reserves the right to modify, postpone/reschedule or cancel this conference and any related group activity for any circumstance beyond AACN's control, including but not limited to emergency, acts of God, government regulations, disaster, strike, and non-fulfilment of minimum group requirements. If AACN cancels an event, every attempt will be made to reschedule or provide a modified virtual offering, and registration fees will be applied to the rescheduled/virtual event. If a cancelled event cannot be rescheduled, AACN will issue a full refund of the registration fee(s). Any travel, lodging, or incidental expenses incurred related to a cancelled/postponed event cannot be refunded under any circumstances as AACN resumes no responsibility for such expenses.

Pre-Conference Experience

Research Leadership Network (RLN) Program

Designed for doctoral nursing leaders to engage, share expertise, and strengthen leadership across academic nursing.

Register Now

 

Call for Speakers: 2027 RLN Preconference

The 2027 RLN Preconference—Leading Discovery, Impacting Nursing Science: Challenges, Creativity, Collaboration, and Culture—invites proposals from nurse scholars across all roles, settings, and career stages.

Speaker Submission Deadline: July 16

Submit Your Proposal

About Research Leadership Network

Stay connected all year long by joining the Research Leadership Network! RLN members benefit from year-round networking and opportunities to foster professional growth and development and participate in information sharing, communication, and discussion of key issues among fellow nursing faculty who have leadership roles facilitating research within their nursing programs at AACN member institutions. Program fees for RLN Network members are discounted. 

Join RLN

For questions, contact the AACN Membership Manager, Peri Beckerman

Phone: 202-463-6930 ext. 308   |  Email: pbeckerman@aacnnursing.org | Website: www.aacnnursing.org/conferences