2008 Spring Annual Meeting
Nursing Higher Education:  External Impact – Policy, Politics, and the Community

March 29-April 1, 2008
The Fairmont Washington
Washington, DC

Saturday, March 29 

Pre-Conference Sessions  

11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Registration

12:00-1:20 p.m.
Committee Meetings

1:30-3:00 p.m.            
Concurrent Sessions

• Program Evaluation Using AACN/EBI Nursing Assessment Data
  Learn more about how one large university has developed a Total Program Evaluation in support of their CCNE accreditation efforts utilizing their AACN/EBI Nursing Assessment results, and how this approach could be utilized at your school.
  Speakers: Nelda C. Martinez, PhD, Associate Professor, School of Nursing, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX and Darlena Jones, PhD, Director of Research and Development, Educational Benchmarking, Inc.,Springfield, MO

• Federal Funding Update
  Discuss current information about federal funding sources important to professional nursing faculty and students.
  Speakers: 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

• Designing Simulation Facilities
  Focus on the exciting possibilities of clinical simulation technology and how they can support your curriculum and enhance instruction.  The unique architectural planning requirements for simulation labs and equipment are discussed with the goal of helping you make clinical simulation the distinguishing feature of your facility.
  Speaker: Jonathan Fishman, AIA, RCG Architects, Baltimore, MD

• Technology 101
  With help from an academic technology expert, become more knowledgeable about devices and approaches used ubiquitously by today’s younger students such as TRIO, Blackberry, iPhone, and others.  
  Speaker: Brian A. Young, Vice-President for Information Technology, Creighton University, Omaha, NE

• Working With A University Lobbyist
  Consider how to optimize your relationship with the university lobbyist to ensure that issues important to nursing education are raised and managed to their best advantage.
  Sponsored by the Government Affairs Committee

3:00-3:30 p.m.
Break

3:30-5:00 p.m.
Special Program Session
Diversity and Nursing Advancement
Sponsored by the Nursing Advancement Professionals
Learn how to access and communicate with different age and ethnic groups, and tailor messages for marketing and fundraising to these diverse groups while considering the changing face of health care. Generational fundraising is highlighted, as well as building a case to a diverse population (including nurses), and fundraising from the health care sector.
Speaker: Robert Henry, Executive Director of Emerging Constituencies, Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), Washington, DC

5:00-6:00 p.m.
Orientation for New Members, New Deans, and Prospective Members
Sponsored by the Membership Committee
Confer with leaders of the association to learn more about the association, how it can benefit you and your school, and how you can become active within it.

6:00-7:00 p.m.
New Dean Mentoring Program Wine and Cheese Social
Members of the AACN mentor/mentee program are invited to meet with each other in an informal social setting to discuss specific goals and strategies to maximize this development opportunity for new deans. 
Facilitator: Lynne Pearcey, PhD, New Dean Mentoring Program

Sunday, March 30

9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Registration

9:30 – 10:30 a.m.
Task Force Updates

10:45 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Like-Schools Informal Discussions
Join colleagues from like-schools to discuss issues of interest and importance to each group.

• Small/Liberal Arts Schools
• Academic Health Centers (AHC)
• Private Colleges/Universities without an AHC
• Public Colleges/Universities without an AHC

11:00 a.m.-7:30 p.m.
Exhibits open

12:00-1:30 p.m.
Lunch (on your own) and Visit Exhibits

1:30-3:00 p.m.
Welcome and Opening Program Session
Maximizing Your Message
From legislators to regulators to opinion-makers, they all turn to you - and rely upon you - to help them understand and shape public policies that affect nursing.  This lively session offers role-playing opportunities and practical tips on how to communicate nursing's message effectively. This becomes increasingly important in a national election year when health care is an important and highly visible issue about which deans/directors may be called on to speak. Learn from a pro – a successful media consultant invited back by popular demand – about how to best represent your school and the profession and maximize your message. 
Speaker: Patricia A. Clark, Private Consultant in Media Training, Speech Coaching, and Message Development, Ogden Dunes, IN
 
3:00-3:30 p.m.
Break and Visit Exhibits

3:30-5:00 p.m.
Program Session
Sponsored by the Government Affairs Committee

5:00-5:30 p.m.
Break and Visit Exhibits

5:30-6:45 p.m.
Nursing Spectrum/Gannett Foundation Award

6:45-7:30 p.m.
Reception and Exhibits
Cash Bar

Monday, March 31

7:15-8:00 a.m.
Continental Breakfast

8:00-9:00 a.m.
Issues Forum and Like-School Reports

9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Business Meeting

1:00 p.m.
Lunch and Capitol Hill Visits (on your own)

Meetings with your federal legislators are a priority during AACN meetings.  Although they may not occur on Monday afternoon during the allotted time, we encourage you to schedule congressional appointments in advance for your time in Washington.  Legislative advocacy is an essential role of the dean, and the AACN Government Affairs staff stands ready to help you prepare for your Hill visit.

Tuesday, April 1

7:15-8:30 a.m.
Light Continental Breakfast

7:30-8:20 a.m.
Be a Leader Among Leaders
Those who would like to explore becoming more active in the work and issues of the association are invited to join this informal discussion about leadership opportunities.
Facilitator: C. Fay Raines, President-Elect, AACN

8:30-10:00 a.m.
Program Session
A Kaleidoscopic View of Quality and Safety Education: Similar Values, Different Patterns and Pedagogies
Since it began in 2005, the Quality and Safety Education in Nursing (QSEN) Project has worked to reshape professional identity formation in nursing to include commitment to quality and safety competencies recommended by the Institute of Medicine (IOM). Much has been accomplished that has direct impact on how quality and safety competencies are taught in pre-licensure programs.  Consider ideas that are emerging within the QSEN Pilot School Collaborative regarding how to guide student attainment of knowledge, skills, and attitudes in the essential areas of quality and safety.
Speaker: Linda Cronenwett, PhD, Dean and Professor, University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill and Principal Investigator, QSEN

10:00-10:30 a.m.
Break

10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Closing Program Session
Using the IOM Reports for Quality Nursing Education
The Institute of Medicine (IOM) reports have generated much discussion in nursing education over the past several years, with many educators calling for pragmatic ideas about how to turn the recommendations into educational realities.  The 2007 book Teaching IOM: Implications of IOM Reports for Nursing Education offers this guidance.  Based on a synthesis of 12 IOM reports, the book suggests how to use report results in nursing curricula and their impact on nursing education programs and faculty issues.  Join the book’s authors to explore ways to advance quality in nursing education and practice according to these influential reports.  
Speakers: Anita Finkelman, MSN, Assistant Professor and Carole Kenner, DNS, Dean, College of Nursing, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK ; co-authors of Teaching IOM: Implications of IOM Reports for Nursing Education

General Information

Registration
The registration fee for the 2008 Spring Annual Meeting is $389. The deadline for early registration is Friday, February 29, 2008. The registration fee after February 29 is $459.  E-mail messages confirming registration for this meeting will be sent to all participants. Please note that the Spring Annual Meeting is open only to the dean/chair/director of AACN member institutions. 

Hotel Information
A block of rooms has been reserved at The Fairmont Washington, 2401 M Street, NW, Washington, DC 20037; (202) 429-2400 or (877) 222-2266. The room rate is $215 single/double. The cutoff date for hotel reservations is February 25, 2008. To make reservations, please call the hotel directly and request the group rate for the American Association of Colleges of Nursing.  Reservations made after February 25 will be on a space and rate available basis only. Please make your reservations early as space fills quickly at the hotel. NOTE: The AACN block of rooms at The Fairmont has been SOLD OUT.

An overflow block of rooms is available at The Westin Grand, located at 2350 M Street, NW, Washington, DC 20037 (across the street from The Fairmont Washington). The Westin has a room rate of $239 single/double. Call the hotel directly at (202) 429-0100 or (800) 937-8461 to make your room reservations. Alternatively, you may use this Web site for hotel reservations: http://www.starwoodmeeting.com/StarGroupsWeb/res?id=0712054187&key=60B57
The cutoff date for hotel reservations is March 12, 2008.

Sign up for Fairmont President's Club. Members of the Fairmont President's Club can enjoy complimentary high speed internet access in your guest room and free health club access along with other benefits. To sign up for Fairmont President's club go to www.fairmont.com. When prompted for a "Hotel Invitation" select the Fairmont Washington, D.C. You will be issued an FPC number immediately. In order to take advantage of the complimentary services you must sign up for Fairmont President's Club prior to your arrival.

The following hotels are within walking distance of The Fairmont Washington and may have availability over the meeting dates:

Best Western Georgetown Hotel and Suites
1121 New Hampshire Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20037
1800/762-3777
202/457-0565
www.bestwesternwashingtondc.com

Embassy Suites Washington
1250 22nd Street, NW
Washington, DC 20037
202/857-3388
www.embassysuites.com

Transportation
Reagan National Airport (DCA) is located approximately 15 minutes from The Fairmont Hotel and is metro accessible. The closest metro stop to the hotel is the GWU/Foggy Bottom stop on the Orange/Blue line, 3 blocks away from The Fairmont. Dulles International Airport (IAD) is approximately 45 minutes from the hotel.  Baltimore/Washington Airport (BWI) is approximately one hour from the hotel. Taxis are recommended from Reagan National and Dulles Airports; Super Shuttle is available for ground transportation from BWI (approximate cost is $35 each way), BWI (approximate cost is $12 each way), and IAD (approximate cost is $27 each way).

Continuing Education
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 canceled 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 e-mail at mdeford@aacn.nche.edu. The Fairmont Washington Hotel is in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. 

Information about this and other AACN conferences is available at the AACN Web site, www.aacn.nche.edu