Executive Development Series
Leveraging Resources Through Powerful Leadership Communication

March 13-14, 2009
The Fairmont Washington
Washington, DC

The popular Executive Development Series (EDS) is designed for new and aspiring deans as well as for faculty members who want to improve their leadership skills for a variety of positions within the nursing academic unit. This year’s theme emphasizes leadership communication with faculty and various community stakeholders. Topics include examining the shared governance model; improving communication between the sexes and various age groups; countering the disturbing phenomenon of incivility; developing and communicating a business plan using the input from and responding to various constituencies; and seeking resources based on important strategic relationships. The interactive nature of the conference offers opportunities for academic leaders to think about challenges in new ways and seek solutions with colleagues. The EDS and Spring Annual Meeting are held consecutively to enable Deans/directors to participate in both events, but anyone interested may attend EDS.

Friday, March 13  

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

8:30-10:00 a.m.
Welcome
Opening Program Session
Shared Governance: The Ultimate Exercise in Communication
Nursing faculty typically have input to curricular and instructional decisions, but how involved are faculty from your school in personnel decisions, budget preparation, and policy setting?  Learn more about shared governance, a model in which faculty and administrators work together.  Consider characteristics, benefits, and obstacles, and discuss the realities of implementation including lessons learned.  
Speaker: Kathleen Ann Long, PhD, RN, FAAN, Dean, College of Nursing and Associate Provost, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL

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

10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Program Session
Same Language, Different Voices:  Effective Communication Across and Within Gender Cultures   
Nurse educators are aware that conversations can be interpreted differently between men andwomen.Gender is often an invisible cultural context that can impact communication in the workplace. Strong leaders understand how to utilize different communication strategies in different situations. Learn how you can use specific communication strategies typical of each gender culture to lead more effectively.   
Speaker: Heidi Taylor, PhD, RN, Dean, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, West Texas A&M University, Canyon, TX

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

1:30-3:00 p.m.                                                                                                            
Program Session
Cultivating a Climate of Civility                                                                                       
The vast majority of students and colleagues present no problems, but the occasional difficult person can have a dramatic and adverse impact on the health and function of the nursing academic workplace. Learn more about the phenomenon and incidence of incivility as an escalating academic issue from a nurse educator who has made this an area of specialization.  Consider strategies that you as an academic leader can use to prevent, minimize, and respond to the problem.
Speaker:  Susan Luparell, PhD, CNS-BC, CNE, Assistant Professor, College of Nursing, Montana State University, Great Falls, MT

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

3:30-5:00 p.m.                                                                                                          
Program Session                                                                                                                 
Communication and Leadership: What Works?
Join colleagues in guided discussion using thoughts from previous sessions. What are nuances from your school? What works well and might be an exemplar for another school?  What could be better? Gain insights from this collegial discussion and identify how you might introduce change at your school.
Facilitated by members of the Executive Development Series Subcommittee

Saturday, March 14

8:00-8:30 a.m.                                                                                                          
Light Continental Breakfast                                                           

8:30-10:00 a.m.                                                                                                        
Program Session   
Developing and Communicating a Business Plan 
As the academic environment gets increasingly complex and competitive for resources, a business plan for the nursing academic unit is an absolute necessity. It enables nursing academic leaders to communicate priorities to various stakeholders, including the School/College Provost, Chancellor, or President, and to work more effectively toward identified goals. Gain insights into this essential tool including examples, formats, elements to include, and use of the plan to justify resources. Refine ideas to develop or improve your own school's business plan.
Speaker: Marcia C. Maurer, PhD, RN, Dean, School of Nursing, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Edwardsville, IL

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

10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.                                                                                                    
Closing Program Session
Relation$hip$ and Re$ource$
Successfully securing financial, human, and other resources often comes down to the quality of relationships, which in turn depend on thoughtful and positive communication. Gain practical advice on seeking resources derived from the business plan, capitalizing upon relationships built within the university and in the community. Consider how you can build a mosaic of support from multiple sources to ensure sustainability of programs.
Speaker: Julie Cowan Novak, DNSc, RN, CPNP, FAANP, Director of Doctor of Nursing Practice Program and Director, Purdue School of Nursing Clinics, School of Nursing, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN

General Information

Registration
The registration fee for the 2009 Spring Executive Development Series is $389. The deadline for early registration is Friday, February 20, 2009. The registration fee after February 20 is $459.  E-mail messages confirming registration for this meeting will be sent to all participants. 

Hotel Information
A block of rooms has been reserved at The Fairmont Washington, 2401 M Street, NW, Washington, DC 20037; (202) 429-2400 or 1(866) 540-4505. The room rate is $225 single/double. The cutoff date for hotel reservations is February 17, 2009. To make reservations, please call the hotel directly and request the group rate for AACN. Reservations made after February 17 will be on a space and rate available basis. Please make your reservations early as space fills quickly at the hotel.

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 Washington and is metro accessible.  The closest metro stop to the hotel is the GWU/Foggy Bottom stop on the Orange/Blue line, 3 blocks 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 (approximately $20 each way) and Dulles Airports (approximately $60 each way); Super Shuttle is available for ground transportation from BWI (approximately $35 each way), DCA (approximately $14 each way), and IAD (approximately $29 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 Erica Turner at AACN or by e-mail at eturner@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