Clinicals, Competencies, and Compensation Spotlighted as NLN 2009 Education Summit Focuses on Clinical Education
"Ease on Down the Road: Exploring Pathways to Excellence in Clinical Education"
Wednesday, September 23 - Saturday, September 26
Pennsylvania Convention Center/Philadelphia Marriott Downtown
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
New York, NY — August 21, 2009 — Challenging members to seek fresh insights, new directions, and creative, evidence-based innovations in clinical education, the National League for Nursing will open its Annual Education Summit in Philadelphia by focusing specifically on three phenomena of significance to all nurse educators: clinicals, competencies, and compensation. A roster of renowned and well-respected speakers will address these key themes in panel discussions, plenary sessions, workshops, and symposia throughout the conventions four-day gathering at the Pennsylvania Convention Center and the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, September 23 - 26.
"This is an unparalleled opportunity for colleagues from across the US and abroad to network and share ideas and information and come away inspired for the important transformative work they will do in the year ahead to advance excellence in nursing education to build a strong and diverse nursing workforce," said NLN CEO Beverly Malone, PhD, RN, FAAN, noting, "Thats why we design the Summit to be appropriate for nurse educators and administrators in nursing programs of all types along the academic spectrum, from licensed practical nurse and associate degree programs to those offering masters and doctoral degrees. We all learn from one another."
Wednesdays opening session will feature special guest, Mary Wakefield, PhD, RN, director of the Health Resources and Services Administration. "Nurse, educator, health care advocate, public policy and workforce issues expert, I could go on and on: Its such an honor to bestow the Presidents Award on this exemplary role model," said NLN president Dr. Elaine Tagliareni. Keynote Speaker Roswyn Hakesley-Brown, CBE, a celebrated nurse educator, researcher, and past president of the Royal College of Nursing UK, will share insights on Western European perspectives on clinical nursing education, including the Bologna Agreement.
At Thursdays plenary session, Dr. Pamela Ironside will report on the NLN National Survey on Clinical Education in Nursing, leading a panel drawn from the Nursing Education Advisory Council (NEAC) to discuss strategies for improving competencies across the spectrum in nursing education. Also that day, 500 Philadelphia-area nursing students will be at the Summit, attending three sessions designed for them: NCLEX test prep; a private hour tour of the exhibits; and a Q&A with Dr. Malone and outgoing NLN president M. Elaine Tagliareni, EdD, RN, CNE.
Fridays full schedule includes the CEO Summit Address and National Faculty Meeting, featuring presentations and dialogue on compensation, and the Centers of Excellence and research award presentations in the morning; an afternoon of concurrent and special sessions, and a final chance to check out the posters and exhibits; and "American Bandstand," a festive evening dance party, complete with the time-honored karaoke contest, sponsored by the NLN Foundation for Nursing Education.
On Saturday, the Annual Business Meeting will include the installation of Cathleen M. Shultz, PhD, RN, CNE, FAAN as president of the NLN for the 2009-11 term. Dr. Shultz, who will deliver the inaugural Presidents Address, succeeds M. Elaine Tagliareni, EdD, RN, CNE. Saturdays expanded (due to popular demand) Town Meeting follows the third annual, Laerdal-funded, Debra L. Spunt Lecture, focusing on information technology. The 2009 Spunt Lecture recipient is Sharon Decker, PhD, CCRN, ACNS-BC, ANEF, professor at the Anita Thigpen Perry School of Nursing of Texas Tech University in Lubbock and director of clinical simulation. Dr. Decker holds the universitys Covenant Health System Endowed Chair in Simulation and Nursing Education.
The Summit grand finale, following tradition, will occur Saturday evening with the Presidents Reception and annual celebratory banquet featuring the NLN Awards and the induction ceremony of the 2009 Academy of Nursing Education fellows. Twenty-one new fellows are to be inducted this year.
Complete information on the 2009 Education Summit, including exciting new rewards for online registration and for making hotel reservations, may be found on the NLN website at www.nln.org/Summit/index.htm.
Editors and reporters: For interview opportunities, if you would like to receive a complete Summit schedule, a program book containing all abstracts, or if you would like to attend, please contact NLN chief communications officer Karen R. Klestzick at 212-812-0376, kklestzick@nln.org.
###
Dedicated to excellence in nursing, the National League for Nursing is the premier organization for nurse faculty and leaders in nursing education offering faculty development, networking opportunities, testing and assessment, nursing research grants, and public policy initiatives to its 30,000 individual and 1,200 institutional members.