Call for Abstracts

We welcome abstracts that address the themes of civility, access, connection, engagement, and embracing diversity within the following five focus areas:

Focus Areas

1. Fostering Civility in Academic and Clinical Environments

This focus area highlights the importance of promoting civility and respectful communication in both academic and clinical settings. Abstracts may include strategies for cultivating environments where students, staff, and faculty feel supported, respected, and valued. Submissions could explore initiatives like conflict resolution training, policies to prevent incivility or bullying, peer support systems, and faculty development programs that reinforce a culture of civility.

2. Addressing Policy and Legislative Changes Impacting Access and Engagement

This focus area seeks to explore how local, state, and federal policies impact access, connection, and student engagement in academic nursing programs. We encourage abstracts that discuss the challenges and opportunities presented by evolving legislative frameworks, including the effects of policy changes on healthcare education, student enrollment, clinical placements, and academic program delivery. Innovative strategies to adapt to these changes and ensure continued student and faculty engagement are also welcome.

3. Embracing Differences to Enhance Academic Excellence and Health Outcomes

This focus area calls for abstracts focused on embracing and celebrating inclusive excellence within the academic and clinical nursing environments. Submissions could include strategies for integrating varying perspectives into curricula, developing inclusive clinical rotations, fostering cultural intelligence, and addressing health disparities. Creative teaching methods, mentorship programs, and initiatives with the overall goal to improve health outcomes are encouraged.

4. Strategies for Enhancing Faculty and Student Collaboration

This focus area emphasizes strategies that promote meaningful collaboration between students and faculty. Abstracts may include successful initiatives such as peer mentoring, community engagement, interprofessional education, and collaborative research projects that cultivate inclusive excellence and student leadership.

5. Creating Experiential Learning Opportunities for Addressing Health Disparities

This focus area includes experiential learning opportunities that expose students to health disparities and social determinants of health. Submissions could include case studies, clinical immersion experiences, service-learning projects, or interdisciplinary collaborations that equip students to identify and address systemic barriers to health equity. It involves engaging with communities and developing solutions to reduce healthcare inequities.

Abstracts closed February 17, 2025

Questions?

Contact Christine Downing, AACN Associate Director of Access and Engagement, at cdowning@aacnnursing.org.