Faculty Development Conference
Thriving as a Nurse Educator

February 12-14, 2009
Savannah Marriott Riverfront
Savannah, GA

Conference Highlights:
In response to the success of the previous two years’ conferences, AACN is pleased to host the third annual Faculty Development Conference.  Designed for early-career nurse educators, the event is aimed primarily at those new to the faculty role and those who would like to gain more self-confidence in teaching in baccalaureate and higher degree programs.  Sessions explore the academic environment, teaching strategies, clinical teaching, evaluation, and being successful in an academic career.  Three sets of concurrent sessions encourage participants to select topics according to their own needs and interests.  Several particularly popular topics are repeated from last year, and new topics are added, allowing both new and returning participants to pursue personally relevant topics.

Thursday, February 12

12:00-4:00 p.m.                                                                                            
Conference Registration

1:00-2:30 p.m.                                                                                                       
Welcome
Opening Program Session
50 Ways to Leave Your Lectern
Today’s students are busy, impatient, “experts” at multitasking, and they don’t always consider how to make strategic choices as learners.  Further, nursing faculty frequently teach as they were taught -- not always the most effective approach for modern learners. How can faculty influence the learning environment and help learners adapt to the academic rigor of nursing courses?  Join an expert in learning and in understanding today’s college students to explore the many ways nurse faculty can use teaching tools that help students focus, engage, and improve their thinking and learning processes.  
Speaker: Constance Staley, PhD, Professor, Department of Communication and Director, Freshman Seminar Program, University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, and author of 50 Ways to Leave Your Lectern and FOCUS on College Success

2:30-3:00 p.m.
Break

3:00-4:30 p.m.                                                                                                
Program Session
How Important is Scholarship to the Faculty Role?
What is scholarship in the academy, and how does it apply to individual faculty? This question is of interest to all faculty, particularly those new to the role.  Consider Boyer’s popular model of scholarship, how the university’s and school’s mission affects the definition of scholarship, expectations of faculty to demonstrate scholarship, and the many, varied types of activities that constitute scholarship in the academic setting so that newer faculty may be informed and more fully successful.
Speaker: Jane M. Kirschling, DNS, RN, Dean and Professor, College of Nursing, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY and Secretary, AACN Board of Directors

6:30 p.m.
Dinner (Dutch treat)
Join an experienced educator for dinner and engage in discussion on topics of mutual interest.    Small groups will be organized with a facilitator for each group.  Reservations arranged on site.

Friday, February 13

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

7:30-8:15 a.m.                                                                                                        
Informal Breakfast Discussion
Encouraging Civility: Responding To Students and Student Issues
Facilitated by the Faculty Development Conference Subcommittee
Bring your breakfast and join colleagues to share observations and solutions to the vexing problem of incivility and other challenging student issues. 

8:30-10:00 a.m.                                                                                                      
Program Session
Thriving in a Legalistic Environment
Today’s academic environment can be fraught with legal pitfalls, but thoughtful school policies and professional faculty behavior can reduce risks.  Recognize how faculty can prevent or intervene to reverse negative student behaviors.  Learn how to develop proactive policies that minimize legal challenges.  Consider federal guidelines that have educational implications.  Recognize the intersection of student rights and school rights. Gain practical insights that can be implemented at your school.
Speaker: Susan Sweat Gunby, PhD, RN, Dean and Professor, Georgia Baptist College of Nursing of Mercer University, Atlanta, GA

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

Note: Three sets of concurrent sessions are offered during the day on Friday, allowing each participant to select three of the 10 different topics.  Five topics repeat, as indicated by an asterisk*, and the other five are offered once. 

10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Concurrent Sessions I (select one)

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

1:30-3:00 p.m.                                                                                                      
Concurrent Sessions II (select one) 

3:00-3:30                                                                                            
Break

3:30-5:00 p.m.                                                                                                      
Concurrent Sessions III (select one)

Saturday, February 14

7:45-8:25 a.m.
Light Continental Breakfast

7:30-8:15 a.m.
Informal Breakfast Discussion
The Use of Standardized Tests
Facilitated by the Faculty Development Conference Subcommittee
Bring your breakfast to this discussion about current trends, issues, and questions about the use of standardized tests by nursing programs.

8:30-10:00 a.m.
Program Session
Cultural Aspects of Teaching
Beyond its criticality to patient care, cultural competence has implications in our teaching.  Thriving in the faculty role means meeting the needs of all students.  How can we improve nursing education to respond to culturally diverse learners?  How broadly should we define “culture” and “diversity” in order to be responsive to our students?  Consider how you can modify your educational practice to be more fully successful as a culturally competent teacher.
Speaker: Joyce Newman Giger, EdD, FAAN, Professor and Lulu Wolf Hassenplug Endowed Chair, School of Nursing, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 

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

10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Closing Program Session
Balancing Life and Work: An Integral Perspective
How to “do it all” has been a concern of faculty for decades, and the question escalates as professional and personal responsibilities seem to get more complex and demanding.  In the myriad challenges we face at work and at home, how can we establish priorities and find perspectives? Gain insights about our perspectives and how they affect our personal and professional growth, development, and success.
Speaker: Daniel J. Pesut,  PhD, RN, PMHCNS- BC, FAAN, Professor and Associate Dean, Graduate Programs, School of Nursing, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN

General Information

Join AACN in Savannah, Georgia for the 2009 Faculty Development Conference.

Registration
The registration fee for the 2009 Faculty Development Conference is $389 for members/ $489 for non-members. The deadline for early registration is January 29, 2009 (The registration fee after January 29 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. Graduate students (not current faculty) who are preparing for a teaching career may register at the graduate student rate of $339. Email messages confirming registration will be sent to all participants. 

Hotel Information
A block of rooms has been reserved at the Savannah Marriott Riverfront, 100 General McIntosh Boulevard, Savannah, Georgia, 31401. The room rate is $172.00 single/double and the cutoff date for hotel reservations has been extended to January 26, 2009. To make reservations, please call the hotel directly at 912-233-7722 or 1-800-285-0398. Reservations made after January 26, 2009 will be on a space and rate available basis.

Transportation
The Savannah Marriott Riverfront is 10 miles from the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport. Taxis may be pre-arranged or arranged at the airport. Taxi fare is approximately $25.00 each way. Parking is available at the hotel for $15.00 daily (self parking) and $20.00 daily (valet). Further information regarding transportation (including rental cars) can be found at: http://www.savannahairport.com/groundtransport.php.

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 special access in order to take part in this meeting, please contact Erica Turner at AACN or by e-mail at eturner@aacn.nche.edu. The Savannah Marriott Riverfront is in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.