Ambulatory Care Nursing Conference To Focus On Leadership, Technology And Telehealth Innovations

Main Category: Nursing / Midwifery
Article Date: 21 Dec 2007 - 2:00 PDT

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Nurses who work in ambulatory care and telehealth settings are constantly challenged by advances in practice and technology. To help them stay up-to-date, the American Academy of Ambulatory Care Nursing (AAACN) will offer a comprehensive slate of education sessions at its 33rd Annual Conference, April 17-20, 2008, in Chicago, IL.

The conference, which will be held at the Hyatt Regency Downtown, is designed for RNs, LPNs, LVNs, administrators, clinicians, directors, managers, educators, nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialists. It is also perfect for nurses who practice in military settings and for those seeking to hone their leadership skills.

The nation's top experts will speak on a broad range of topics, from effective leadership and management techniques to new treatments for diseases. Attendees will earn continuing education credits, attend special events, network with colleagues and meet with vendors in the exhibit hall.

The complete registration brochure and full details about the conference are available at http://www.aaacn.org.

Program

Two pre-conference sessions will be offered Thursday, April 17. One session, Engaged Leadership: Making Progress Out of Chaos, will focus on ways leaders can use effective behaviors and strategies to boost the success of their organization while motivating employees.

The Ambulatory Care Nursing Certification Review Course will also be offered that day. It is designed to help RNs prepare for the Ambulatory Care Nursing Certification Exam being offered on Sunday, April 20. The course will provide an overview of the specialty and present topics in a problem-solving format so attendees may refresh their knowledge and pinpoint areas to strengthen for the exam.

On Friday, April 18, the conference will officially open with an address by AAACN President Charlene Williams, MBA, BSN, RNC, BC, and an awards presentation. Immediately after, Connie Curran, EdD, RN, FAAN, one of the country's most prominent experts on nursing and health care leadership, will present the keynote address "Reflection or Reinvention? Nursing Leadership." Curran will explore the key issues facing ambulatory care nurses today and the skills required for leaders to succeed.

Concurrent sessions will run from April 18-20. Topics include:

- Ambulatory care nursing in the digital age - understanding and using today's technology
- Ethics and mentoring - approaches to resolving conflict in clinical situations
- Immunization updates - review of recommendations for new and old vaccines
- Health in the workplace - improving employee health and wellness
- Telehealth nursing across state lines - examining regulatory issues and concerns
- Pediatric obesity and Type 2 Diabetes - the disease, its comorbities and treatments
- Research in ambulatory care nursing - implementing research findings and evidence-based practice

AAACN Past President E. Mary Johnson, BSN, RN, CNA, will deliver the closing session, Silver Linings Inside Leadership, on Sunday, April 20. Johnson, one of AAACN's most respected and beloved leaders, will examine how career twists and turns can have silver linings that enhance nurses' lives personally and professionally.

Special Interest Groups

AAACN's Special Interest Groups (SIGs) will also meet during the conference. Participants interested in a subspecialty within ambulatory care may attend SIG meetings representing Tri-Service Military, Pediatrics, Telehealth, Staff Education, Veterans Affairs, Leadership and Patient Education. In addition, there will be two full-day military pre-conferences: Wednesday, April 16, a Tri-Service Military seminar will examine military nursing issues and the varied roles of the military ambulatory care nurse; on Thursday, April 17, an Air Force Health Care Integrators pre-conference will focus on the challenges affecting delivery of health care to Air Force beneficiaries as well as the role of Air Force nursing in the future.

Special Events

On Thursday, April 17, AAACN will host a session to welcome new members and explain how they can get the most out of their membership. The welcome session will be followed by the Opening Reception and Silent Auction. Money raised at the Silent Auction will benefit AAACN's Scholarship Program.

Certification

The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) will administer the Ambulatory Care Nursing Certification Exam on Sunday, April 20, 2008. A separate application and registration fee are required for the exam. To download an application, visit www.aaacn.org and click on "Certification." The application deadline is February 20, 2008.

Continuing Education

Participants may earn up to 16.5 contact hours during the three day-conference, and additional hours will be awarded for poster sessions and the pre-conference workshops. This conference is co-provided with Anthony J. Jannetti, Inc. (AJJ).

AJJ is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.

AAACN is a provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number CEP5366.

Registration
Complete conference information is available on AAACN's Web site, http://www.aaacn.org. For additional registration information, contact the AAACN National Office, East Holly Avenue Box 56, Pitman, NJ 08071-0056; phone: 1-800-AMB-NURS; fax: 856-589-7463; e-mail: aaacn@ajj.com.

Conference CDs

Audio CDs of individual sessions, a full conference CD-ROM, and an on-line library will be available following the conference at http://www.prolibraries.com.

The American Academy of Ambulatory Care Nursing (AAACN) is an association of registered nurses and other health care professionals who identify ambulatory care practice as essential to the continuum of high quality, cost-effective health care. As the premier nursing organization for this specialty, AAACN is devoted to advancing the art and science of ambulatory care nursing.

American Academy of Ambulatory Care Nursing