Conference Highlights

The vast majority of academic workplaces are characterized by positive, collegial relationships and a concerted effort to advance innovative and responsive educational programs.  However, most faculty members can identify at least one “difficult person” in their midst, and face the constant dilemma of how to interact with this person.  The challenge of difficult people and difficult situations is not unique to nursing education.  However, the intense pace and serious nature of the nursing academic enterprise can make difficult people even more problematic for co-workers, the organization, and the academic mission.  This year's summer session focuses on increasing your ability to deal positively with difficult people, difficult situations, and difficult messages, regardless of their source or context.   Each day is devoted to a different aspect of the topic:

• Monday:          The Art and Practice of Dialogue
             
• Tuesday:          Establishing Coaching Relationships
             
• Wednesday:    Building a Supportive Infrastructure

The conference is for academic leaders and faculty interested in the topic.  The program includes ample opportunity for reflection and discussion.  Participants are encouraged to share perspectives, ideas, concerns, and successful strategies. The format provides time for both learning and leisure.  Bring your colleagues, families, and friends and enjoy the scenery and recreational activities of this beautiful part of the country.  Casual attire is encouraged. 

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Conference Schedule

Sunday, July 22

4:00-6:00 p.m.
Registration

6:00-7:30 p.m.
Reception (cash bar)

Monday, July 23

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

8:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. (including break)
Welcome and Opening Remarks
Program Session
Managing Difficult People: The Art and Practice of Dialogue
The first day introduces a model for managing difficult people through the use of a realistic case study, which is studied throughout the conference. We then explore what makes people and situations “difficult” and the challenges this poses for administrators, colleagues, subordinates, and liaisons in the nursing field and community. Through an interactive pairing exercise, participants immediately experience the “language of dialogue.” This form of interaction goes beyond discussion and creates a space for managing difficult conversations and behaviors. Through further practice with a “dialogue deck” and job aids, participants begin to use this new language in practical applications.    

Tuesday, July 24

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

8:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. (including break)
Program Session
Managing Difficult People: Establishing Coaching Relationships
Building on previous content, participants begin to apply refined dialogue skills as they work on the more in-depth practice of coaching.  A clear distinction is made between general performance management and the kind of coaching needed for managing difficult people. Participants discover the advantages of establishing a coaching environment and analyze their own coaching strengths through the use of an inventory. The COACH Process Model is shared to guide more appropriate behavior, create a forum for successful interactions, establish a system for continuous improvement, and design a set of ground rules to manage difficult people. Inherent in this model is gathering pertinent data, giving feedback, discovering and learning, developing field assignments, making agreements, and engaging in continuous improvement. Just a few of the powerful techniques covered are truth-telling, forwarding the action, bottom-lining, reframing, balancing formula, and championing. Throughout this segment, action-oriented tools are shared that can be readily duplicated “back home.”

Wednesday, July 25

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

8:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. (including break)
Program Session
Managing Difficult People: Building a Supporting Infrastructure
Successfully managing difficult people requires more than good interpersonal relationships. It requires the implementation of tools, structures, and processes specifically designed to “manage” difficult people and reward positive behaviors. The notion of Emotional Intelligence is reviewed with an emphasis on environments that readily foster healthy interactions and fewer “difficult” situations. A variety of tools and structures are shared and discussed, including such techniques as peer classroom visits, learning contracts with agreed-upon consequences, “what have you done for the department lately?” updates, active hiring and orientation programs, development and agreement on department ground rules and competencies, continuous improvement portfolios, research/book discussion sessions with rotating chairs, periodic team building with outside facilitators, show and tell seminars, and colleague check-ups. Participants develop their own “take home” application plan for managing specific “difficult” people and situations back on the job.

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General Information

Register now to join AACN in Portland, Oregon for the 2007 Summer Seminar.

Registration
The registration fee is $389 for members, $489 for non-members.  The deadline for early registration is June 29, 2007.  The registration fee after June 29 is $459 for members and $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. 

Register online at http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Conferences

Hotel Information
A block of rooms has been reserved at the Marriott Portland City Center, 520 Southwest Broadway, Portland, OR 97205. The room rate is $149 single/double.  The cutoff date for room reservations is June 27, 2007.  For reservations, please call Marriott Worldwide reservation at 1-800-228-9290, ask for the Marriott Portland City Center, and reference the American Association of Colleges of Nursing or AACN. Reservations made after June 27 will be on a space and availability basis, so be sure to make your arrangements early.

Please note: The group block at the Marriott Portland City Center is currently full.The Vintage Plaza Hotel is across the street from the Marriott Portland City Center and may have availability: www.vintageplaza.com

AACN recommends visiting the following site: www.travelportland.com for other hotel options in the area. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Transportation
Portland International Airport (PDX) is approximately 9 miles (15 minutes) from the Marriott Portland City Center. The pickup area for taxis, town cars, long-haul shuttles, hotel vans and parking lot shuttle buses is located in the center section of the airport terminal's lower roadway on the baggage claim and departure level.  The Marriott Portland City Center offers an airport shuttle through Blue Star Transportation, Downtown-Airport Express. The shuttle arrives and departs from the hotel every half hour from 4:45 a.m. - 4:45 p.m. for $13 each way. For more information and exact schedule times call 1-800-247-2272 or go to www.bluestarbus.com.

Group Activities (individuals must register/pay in advance)
Monday, July 23, 2007: 
Willamette Wine Tours (www.willamettetours.com)- $100/person
5 hours- Depart 1:00 p.m. from Marriott Portland City Center
Tour price includes visits to four wineries, tasting fees at all scheduled wineries, transportation, and deli lunch.

Tuesday, July 24, 2007:
Duck Tours (www.portlandducks.com)- $25/person
2.5 hours- Depart 1:00 p.m. from Marriott Portland City Center
Price includes a driving tour through downtown Portland, as well as a leisurely boat ride down the Willamette River, all on a Hydra Terra amphibious tour vehicle (half bus/half boat).

Other Portland Tours:
www.oregonpeakadventures.com
www.seatosummit.net
www.portlandspirit.com
www.ecotours-of-oregon.com

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 Shana Cohen at AACN or by email at scohen@aacn.nche.edu. The Marriott Portland City Center 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.