April 27 - 2016 Education Summit

I have some very good news. Registration is open for the NLN 2016 Education Summit “Beyond Boundaries,” scheduled for September 21-23 in Orlando, Florida. We have planned a fantastic program, and all of us at the NLN are hoping to see you there.

This year’s Summit marks my tenth as NLN CEO. I began work at the NLN in February 2007, and that spring I watched as my new colleagues worked tirelessly on Summit preparations. I did not quite know what to expect when I found myself in Phoenix that September, presiding over one of the most exciting gatherings I could imagine. The theme that year was “Evolution or Revolution: Recreating Nursing Education," and I had an amazing time. The atmosphere was electric, and I loved having the opportunity as keynote speaker to introduce myself to our members.

Our keynote speaker in 2016 will take us well beyond boundaries and offer a look at global nursing education. Dr. Shelia Tlou, a professor of nursing and former member of Parliament and minister of health for Botswana, is now director of the UNAIDS Regional Support Team for Eastern and Southern Africa. In that role, she provides leadership in the response to HIV-AIDS and ensures technical support to United Nations teams in 21 countries across the region. I am eager to hear her presentation.

I always look forward to the annual Debra Spunt Lecture, endowed by Laerdal Medical, since my first Summit in 2007. Dr. Janice C. Palaganas, director of educational innovation and development and principal faculty in the Institute for Medical Simulation at the Center for Medical Simulation in the Greater Boston area, will present “Knowing Bounds to Know No Bounds: Simulation-Enhanced Interprofessional Education.” She has promised one interactive audience activity that will help us recognize that we are already capable of creating change beyond boundaries. Mmm … I wonder what that activity is. There will be something new at this year’s Summit. On Friday afternoon, we will be holding the Summit Honors Convocation, to announce and celebrate the NLN Centers of Excellence and the winners of the prestigious NLN Awards. We will also induct the 2016 Class of Fellows into the NLN Academy for Nursing Education at this wonderful event, and then we will toast all honorees at the President’s Reception, a festive conclusion to the 2016 Summit.

As always, there will be Pre-Summit Workshops on a variety of professional development topics, eligible for CEU credit; symposia; special sessions; meetings of all kinds; poster and podium presentations; our lively National Faculty Meeting; and fascinating forays into the Exhibit Hall. I urge you to take advantage of our best rates, offered through May, and register today. Over the years I have met many members who take part in the Summit each and every year, and many who attend for the very first time. If this is your first Summit, plan to arrive in time for “Navigating the Summit,” a special welcoming and orientation session on Wednesday afternoon, just before the official Opening Session and Keynote Address. And, of course, plan to spend some time with Minnie, Mickey, and the gang – we are meeting in Orlando, after all, where all things are possible and dreams come true.

Changing gears, colleagues, I need to offer a correction to my last Member Update. In writing about the late Dr. Sylvia Hart, I gave some incorrect information. Sylvia was dean of the College of Nursing at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville – not the University of Texas. My apologies.

And a final word – we will be concluding Nurses Week when my next Member Update is published on May 11. Let me take this opportunity now to wish you all a satisfying, meaningful celebration. We have so much to be proud of, colleagues. What an honor it is – and what a challenge it is - to educate nurses for a future health care system: nurses who embrace innovation and lifelong learning; nurses who think critically and provide culturally sensitive health care to underserved patient populations; and nurses who embody the NLN core values of caring, integrity, diversity, and excellence. These are the nurses we want to care for ourselves and our loved ones, the nurses we want to be.

Don’t forget to continue tweeting and communicating with all our colleagues to continue the excitement. In closing: The NLN will be offering a special Nurses Week video in May. You won’t be disappointed.

Next Issue of the NLN Member Update: Wednesday, May 11, 2016. View previous issues of NLN Member Update »