Faculty Leadership Network (FLN) Program

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Faculty Leadership Network (FLN) Program

Advancing Excellence in Nursing Education: Innovation, Leadership, and Well-Being
December 3, 2026

This half-day program, held prior to Transform, is hosted by AACN’s Faculty Leadership Network (FLN), a network specifically created for faculty whose primary focus is teaching didactic and clinical courses. It provides opportunities to explore real world issues, pose pedagogical questions, and exchange ideas related to teaching and curriculum in professional nursing education.

Conference Venue

JW Marriott Indianapolis
10 S West Street
Indianapolis, IN 46204

See Hotel & Travel page for details.

Who Should Attend

Faculty whose main focus is teaching didactic and clinical courses in baccalaureate and graduate nursing programs. FLN Members receive a discount.

Agenda

December 3

7:30 a.m.	Registration, Poster Presentations & Breakfast Buffet

8–8:10 a.m.	Opening Remarks

8:10–8:20 a.m.	Overview of the Agenda

8:20–9:05 a.m.	Speaker Session From Consumer to Critical Thinker: Teaching Nursing Students to Use Artificial Intelligence Responsibly Joanne Minnick, DNP, APRN, Assistant Clinical Professor, University of California-Davis

9:05–9:20 a.m.	Table Reflection and Discussion

9:20–9:45 a.m.	Poster Presentations & Break

9:45–10:30 a.m.	Teaching Empathy in the Age of AI: A Faculty Development Model for Nursing Education Bobby Bellflower, DNSc, Executive Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, University of Tennessee Health Science Center

10:30–10:45 a.m.	Table Reflection and Discussion

10:45–11:45 a.m.	Designing Nursing Education 2030: The Faculty Playbook What will nursing education look like in 2030, and how can faculty leaders begin preparing today? Through collaborative discussion and strategic planning, participants will explore emerging trends, leadership opportunities, and innovative practices while co-creating a practical playbook to guide the future of nursing education.

11:45 a.m.–12:00 p.m.	Report Takeaways and Closing

Speakers

Bobby Bellflower, DNSc, NNP-BC, FAANP, FNAP, FAAN

Executive Associate Dean of Academic Affairs
University of Tennessee Health Science Center

Bobby B. Bellflower is Professor and Executive Associate Dean of Academic Affairs at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Nursing. A neonatal nurse practitioner and experienced nurse educator, she brings decades of clinical practice and academic leadership to faculty development and nursing education. Her current work focuses on helping faculty integrate artificial intelligence into teaching while…

Bobby B. Bellflower is Professor and Executive Associate Dean of Academic Affairs at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Nursing. A neonatal nurse practitioner and experienced nurse educator, she brings decades of clinical practice and academic leadership to faculty development and nursing education. Her current work focuses on helping faculty integrate artificial intelligence into teaching while strengthening empathy, clinical judgment, and human connection. She leads a regional collaboration of nursing leaders exploring how to prepare nurses to use AI thoughtfully and responsibly in practice.
Joanne Minnick, DNP, APRN, ACNP-BC, FNP-BC

Assistant Clinical Professor
University of California-Davis

Dr. Joanne "Jody" Minnick is an Assistant Clinical Professor and DNP Coordinator at the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing at the University of California, Davis. As a doctorally prepared nurse educator and scholar, her work advances Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) education through innovative curriculum design, evidence-based scholarship, faculty mentorship, and the responsible integration of artificial intelligence (A…

Dr. Joanne "Jody" Minnick is an Assistant Clinical Professor and DNP Coordinator at the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing at the University of California, Davis. As a doctorally prepared nurse educator and scholar, her work advances Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) education through innovative curriculum design, evidence-based scholarship, faculty mentorship, and the responsible integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into nursing education. Her scholarly platform focuses on DNP education, hospice and palliative care, dementia care, and AI literacy, with an emphasis on preparing advanced practice nurses to critically evaluate emerging technologies while delivering evidence-based, compassionate, person-centered care. Dr. Minnick presents nationally and internationally on AI in nursing education, end-of-life communication, serious illness conversations, and translating evidence into advanced nursing practice.

Registration Fees

FLN Program	Early Ends Nov 3	Standard Starts Nov 4
FLN Member	$129	$149
AACN Members	$149	$169
AACN Non-Members	$249	$269

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, you can cancel your attendance up until November 19, 2026 to obtain a refund minus a $30 non-refundable administrative fee.
No refunds will be given after November 19, 2026 nor will refunds be given for no-shows.
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