AACN - Conferences

The Doctoral Education Conference is designed for deans, associate deans for research, directors of doctoral programs, and other faculty interested in the issues concerning this unique level of nursing education. This popular conference offers thoughtful program sessions and affords generous opportunities for optional sessions and other informal discussion among colleagues. Throughout, participants are encouraged to share perspectives, ideas, concerns, and successful strategies. The conference includes breakout sessions that differentiate between the concerns of research and practice doctoral programs, an approach affirmed by previous participants. The Research Leadership Network offers a special afternoon session for Network members and guests. Bring a team of faculty as well as family to combine conference activities and enjoy a beautiful recreational setting. Resort casual attire is recommended.

7:00-7:50 a.m.
Optional Discussion: The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Executive Nurse Fellows Program
Learn more about this advanced leadership program for nurses in senior executive roles who are aspiring to lead and shape the US health care system of the future.
Panel: Jane M. Kirschling, DNS, Dean, College of Nursing, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY; Lucy N. Marion, PhD, Dean, School of Nursing, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA; and Alexia Green, PhD, Dean, School of Nursing, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX

8:00-9:15 a.m.
Welcome and Introductions
Opening Program Session
A Futuristic View of Health Care
Invited to return after last year’s extremely popular session, a respected health professional
offers observations about our complex and changing health care system, and the role nursing plays in it. In particular, consider the challenges faced by doctorally prepared nurses, and ways we all must think differently to succeed in the future.
Speaker: Edward O'Neil, PhD, Director, Center for the Health Professions, School of Nursing, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA

9:45 – 10:45 a.m.
Program Session
A Futuristic View of Graduate Nursing Education
Changes in nursing education seem to be occurring at lightening speed to keep pace with changes in the health care system. Consider important forces in nursing education such as interdisciplinary degrees and majors, changes in research funding, internationalization, and new competencies of graduates framed in terms of complexity science. How does doctoral education prepare nurses for changes in the health care system?
Speaker: Michael Bleich, PhD, Associate Dean and Professor, Clinical and Community Affairs, School of Nursing, University of Kansas and Executive Director/Chief Operating Officer, KU HealthPartners, Inc., Kansas City, KS

11:15 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Program Session
Reaction Panel: Planning for the Future
How is nursing practice evolving, and how does nursing education best prepare graduates, especially doctorally prepared nurses, for the complexities of health care? Explore the future of nursing practice and education with two respected leaders.
Speakers: Janet D. Allan, PhD, Dean, School of Nursing, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD and Member, Board of Directors, AACN; and Linda Q. Everett, PhD, RN, Executive Vice President and Chief Nursing Executive, Clarian Health, Indianapolis, IN and President, American Organization of Nurse Executives

12:30 - 1:00 p.m.
Box Lunch
Welcome and Opening Remarks
Linda Wilson, PhD, Chair, Research Leadership Network Steering Committee, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA.

1:00 - 2:15 p.m.
Program Session
DNP/DrNP/PhD Program Characteristics: Opportunities for Research Collaboration
Consider research across curricula including culminating projects and experiences for students, activities of current graduates, and faculty roles.
Speakers: H. Michael Dreher, DNSc, Director of Doctoral Nursing Programs, College of Nursing & Health Professions, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA; Donna Hathaway, PhD, Dean and Professor, College of Nursing, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN; Pamela G. Reed, PhD, Professor, College of Nursing, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ and Sally J. Reel, PhD, Associate Dean, Academic Practice and Clinical Professor, College of Nursing, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ.

2:30 - 3:30 p.m.
Business Meeting
This meeting is open to RLN members and guests

7:30-8:20 a.m.
Optional Discussion:
Revision of CCNE Accreditation Standards
The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) Standards for Accreditation of Baccalaureate and Graduate Nursing Programs (amended October 2003) is being revised for the accreditation of baccalaureate, master's, and Doctor of Nursing Practice programs. Learn about the standards revisions process and proposed changes, and take advantage of the opportunity to provide feedback to the CCNE Standards Committee.
Panel: Jennifer Butlin, EdD, Director, Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, Washington, DC; Harriet R. Feldman, PhD, Chair, CCNE Board of Commissioners; Susan L. Woods, PhD, Member, CCNE Standards Committee

8:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Concurrent Sessions – Participants may attend two of these repeating topics held 8:30-10:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m., separated by a 30-minute break

Federal Funding Updates
Learn more about federal funding sources important to doctoral faculty and students.
Speakers: Deborah Kenny, PhD, Lieutenant Colonel, US Army Nurse Corps, Executive Director, TriService Nursing Research Program, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD; Annette Debisette, DNSc, Director, Division of Nursing, Bureau of Health Professions, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Rockville, MD; and Patricia Grady, PhD, Director, National Institute of Nursing Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD (invited)

Securing Resources for Doctoral Education
Benefit from the experiences and pragmatic advice of colleagues who have been particularly successful in this area.
Speaker: Julie Cowan Novak, DNSc, Head, School of Nursing, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN and Kathleen Ann Long, PhD, Dean and Professor, College of Nursing, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL

Distance Learning in Doctoral Education: Best Practices
Use Appreciative Inquiry as a method to discern the most effective teaching, learning, and research mentoring practices in distance education doctoral programs.
Speakers: Daniel J. Pesut, PhD, Associate Dean for Graduate Programs, and Marion E. Broome, PhD, University Dean, School of Nursing, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN

Partnering in International Doctoral Education
Explore exciting possibilities in expanding the reach of your doctoral program.
Speaker: Martha Hill, PhD, Dean and Professor, School of Nursing, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD and Co-Principal Investigator, Peking Union Medical College University-Johns Hopkins University Nursing PhD Program

Interprofessional Collaboration in Doctoral Education
This national imperative is easier said than done. Join colleagues for an animated discussion about how interprofessional collaboration can be realized in nursing doctoral education.
Speakers: Dorrie Fontaine, PhD, Associate Dean, Academic Programs, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA and Madeline H. Schmitt, PhD, Professor Emeritus, School of Nursing, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY

NEXus Consortium: Updates and Future Directions
Hear how four Western Institute of Nursing institutions have facilitated access to doctoral courses across three states. Since student enthusiasm has encouraged the original partners to seek additional funding and expand the consortium, learn how your school might become involved in this type of initiative.
Speakers: Debra Leners, PhD, Director and Professor, School of Nursing, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO and Paula A. McNeil, MS, Executive Director, Western Institute of Nursing, School of Nursing, Oregon Health Science University, Portland, OR

12:00-2:15 p.m.
Special Lunch Session
Lunch is available for advance purchase as a convenience, but you may attend this session without purchasing lunch.
RWJF Nurse Faculty Scholars Program
Learn details of an important new program to develop academic nursing leaders through individual professional development plans, research and leadership training, and mentorship.
Speaker: Jacquelyn C. Campbell, PhD, Anna D. Wolf Chair and Professor, School of Nursing, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD

Saturday, January 26

7:30-8:20 a.m.
Optional Discussions (select one)
Take your breakfast to one of two discussions:

10:30-12:00 p.m.
Closing Program Session
Fostering Evidence-Based Research and Translating the Results Into Practice
Nurses prepared at the doctoral level for both research and practice roles are concerned with research, but the emphasis may differ according to the type of educational preparation. Consider research priorities and contributions of all doctorally prepared nurses.
Speaker: Ronda G. Hughes, PhD, Senior Health Scientist Administrator, Center for Primary Care, Prevention, and Clinical Partnerships, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD

Join AACN for the 2008 Doctoral Education Conference in the natural beauty of Captiva Island in sunny Southwest Florida.

Registration
The registration fee is $389 for members/ $489 for non-members. The deadline for early registration is January 2, 2008. The registration fee after January 2 is $459 for members/ $559 for non-members. For AACN member schools, there is a $30 discount for each additional registrant from the same school. Email messages confirming registration will be sent to all participants.

Hotel Information
A block of rooms has been reserved at the South Seas Island Resort, 5400 Plantation Road, Captiva Island, Florida 33924. Please use the enclosed hotel reservation form when making reservations. The cutoff date is December 19, 2007. Please make your reservations early as the hotel fills quickly. You may also make your reservations by phone by calling 1-888-707-7888. Please refer to the group as American Association of Colleges of Nursing and group number 58G5IR. Reservations made after December 19 will be on a space availability basis only.

Transportation
Transportation to and from the South Seas Island Resort is via rental car, shuttle van, or taxi. South Seas Island Resort is located approximately one hour from Southwest Florida International Airport and a shuttle is approximately $80 one-way. Most participants find renting a car facilitates transportation to and from the island. For additional information on ground transportation and airlines serving the Southwest Florida International Airport, please visit www.flylcpa.com/rsw/

Continuing Education Credit
Continuing education contact hours will be provided by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing to all conference participants at no additional cost. CE Certificates will be provided in your conference packet.

Refund and Cancellation Policy
Registrations that are cancelled up to one week before the meeting will be refunded minus a $50 administrative fee. Cancellations received with less than one week’s notice will be refunded minus a $150 administrative fee. There will be no refunds for no-shows.

AACN reserves the right to cancel this conference and any group activity that does not meet minimal group requirements. Non-refundable airline tickets are the responsibility of the registrant.

Additional Information
For more information, contact AACN, One Dupont Circle, Suite 530, Washington, DC 20036; (202) 463-6930. If you require any special access in order to take part in this meeting, please contact Meghan DeFord at AACN or by email at mdeford@aacn.nche.edu. The South Seas Island Resort is in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Information about this and other AACN conferences is available at the AACN website: www.aacn.nche.edu/conferences