| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 9, 2013 |
Pitman, NJ – An outstanding education program drew over 700 nurses to the American Academy of Ambulatory Care Nursing (AAACN) 38th Annual Conference, April 23-26, 2013, in Las Vegas, NV.
Attendees advanced their practice and leadership skills with clinical, management, and leadership sessions. Hot topics this year included the latest on care coordination and patient-centered medical homes. See the program.
Another important aspect of the conference was addressed at the very popular Town Hall meeting: patient and nurse wellness. Attendees learned about wellness in the ambulatory care setting and shared their thoughts and initiatives on taking care of both their patients and themselves.
The pre- and post-conference workshops and education opportunities were also a hit with attendees. Nurses explored the work and workflows in ambulatory practice, learned how to write for publication, prepared for certification with the Ambulatory Care Nursing Certification Review Course, and polished their telehealth skills with the Telehealth Nursing Practice Core Course (TNPCC).
Conference Highlights
Susan M. Paschke, MSN, RN-BC, NEA-BC, was inducted as the 2013-2014 AAACN President at the conference.
Attendees raved about “Why Courage?”, the keynote address by Virginia R. Beeson, MSN, NEA-BC. Beeson explored courage as a leadership skill and provided several suggestions on how to become a more courageous leader.
Attendees networked with colleagues, met with vendors in the packed exhibit hall, and viewed 75 poster presentations. Finally, the AAACN Silent Auction on Tuesday, April 23, raised over $4,600 for the scholarship and research grant program.
Awards and Scholarships
The following awards were presented on Tuesday, April 23, during the Opening Ceremonies:
- President’s Above and Beyond Award (highest award, given to an individual who exceeds the expectations of a volunteer role): Margarita Gore, MBA, BSN, RN-BC; Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ.
- Excellence Awards (sponsored by the Anthony J. Jannetti, Inc. Nursing Economic$ Foundation, given to AAACN members who personify administrative and clinical excellence in ambulatory care):
- Administrative Excellence Award: Sharon Holland, RN-BC; Scott and White Healthcare, Temple, TX.
- Clinical Excellence Award: Beth Ann McMurtry, RN-BC, CDE, HC; Scott and White Healthcare, Temple, TX.
- 2012 ViewPoint Writer’s Award (given for the outstanding article published in the association’s official newsletter, ViewPoint): Sarah Muegge, MSN, RN-BC; Cox Health, Springfield, MO, was recognized for her article, “Practice the Right ‘Rights:’ A Strategy Promoting Effective Immunization Delivery,” published in the September/October 2012 issue.
- Conference Scholarships (two presented to provide financial assistance to attend the AAACN conference):
- Diane Lapars, LPN; Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH.
- Kathleen Martinez, BSN, RN, CPN; Children’s Hospital, Aurora, CO
- New! Perpetual Certification Scholarship Named for Candia Baker Laughlin: A $1,000 Certification Scholarship will be instituted in Baker Laughlin’s honor and will be awarded annually to a nurse member seeking certification. The scholarship will cover the exam fee, study materials, and other expenses related to achieving certification. Members who wish to apply for this new scholarship can download the application form here. The deadline for all award and scholarship applications is November 15, 2013.
Online Library
Full conference attendees have indefinite online access to conference recordings and handouts in the AAACN Online Library. In addition, conference registration for each attendee includes Online Library access for two colleagues. Nurses who were unable to attend the conference can purchase access to the full conference in the Online Library or they can purchase individual sessions at the end of June. For more information about accessing conference content, visit www.prolibraries.com/aaacn .
2014 Conference
The AAACN 39th Annual Conference will be held May 19-22, 2014, at the Marriott New Orleans in New Orleans, LA. Poster abstracts are now being accepted.
About the American Academy of Ambulatory Care Nursing
The American Academy of Ambulatory Care Nursing (AAACN) is a welcoming, unifying community for registered nurses in all ambulatory care settings. As the premier nursing organization for this specialty, AAACN is devoted to advancing the art and science of ambulatory care nursing. For more information, about AAACN, visit the AAACN Website ; call: 1-800-AMB-NURS (6877); fax: 856-589-7463, or email us at aaacn@aaacn.org.
