7:00am - 8:30am | Continental Breakfast
8:00am - 8:15am | Day 1 Opening Remarks

8:15am - 9:30am | Leadership Intensive
Becoming Emotionally Intelligent
Dennis McIntee, CEO & Co-Founder, Leadership Development Group

Tired of team members reacting out of the emotion instead of responding logically? They just can't seem to see the forest through the trees. Or maybe you're overwhelmed by everything that needs to get done and you just don't have the time. We get this! It's because when you care so much and get into the emotion, your focus becomes fuzzy.

What if you could learn how to harness the power of emotion for your benefit instead of letting it derail projects and those around you? When you learn the 3 skills of Emotionally Intelligent^TM you'll eliminate the fatigue, overwhelm and burn out that plagues so many.

Outcomes:

1. Utilize The Trigger Identifier^TM to quickly de-escalate and change your behavior and the actions of those around you. All behavior is for a reason and we'll show you the tool to uncover why people do what they do.
2. Learn how to think strategically, not reactively through The Intention Clarifier^TM. It's the people with the strongest intention that win and we'll show you how to increase your intention to get everyone on the same page.
3. Increase your resiliency and creativity by utilizing The Emotional Regulator^TM. When people over-respond it is never about the present event, but it is about an event. You'll learn the 3-word question that allows you to regulate the emotions of everyone around you.

Luminary Keynote: Strengthening the Current and Future Post-Pandemic RN Workforce: Leadership, Data, and Avoiding Untimely Distractions

Peter I. Buerhaus, PhD, RN, FAAN, FAANP(h)

Dr. Peter Buerhaus will provide a fast-paced overview of the current and future RN workforce and implications for nursing leaders, managers, clinicians, policy makers and educators. He will briefly review the last major national nursing shortage in the United States (1998-2002) and how nursing leaders, the private sector, and federal and state governments, guided by timely data and research, came together to overcome the shortage and strengthen the nursing workforce significantly up until the beginning of the COVID pandemic. Next, he will discuss the economic impacts of the pandemic on the nurse workforce, including the shift of RNs working in non-hospital settings, and then describe his team’s recently published forecast of a growing RN workforce through 2035. Dr. Buerhaus will then focus on challenges facing nursing leaders concerned with lack of financing RNs' effort to address SDOH, efforts to mandate patient-to-nurse staffing ratios, and what he believes to be “the ill-thought-out idea of directly reimbursing RNs”. The presentation will conclude with recommendations on how to use the growing RN workforce wisely in the years ahead.

Work Environment Spotlight: Cultivating a Healthy Work Culture: Strategies to Eradicate Workplace Bullying and Incivility

Renee Thompson, DNP, RN, FAAN, CSP

Bullying leaves nasty fingerprints on individuals, healthcare organizations, the nursing profession, and patients. Its mark is damaging and long-lasting. Leaders, therefore, have a responsibility to do their part to stop the cycle of bullying and incivility. 

In this presentation, participants will learn practical tools and strategies they can immediately implement to address bullying and incivility within the care environment. When nurses are equipped to address disruptive behaviors, employees stay, and patients achieve better outcomes.

12:30pm - 1:30pm | Lunch Break
1:30pm - 2:30pm | Dessert with Exhibitors

Enjoy lunch then visit the Exhibit Hall to chat with our exhibitors and sponsors!

The Human Capital Approach to Nursing’s Economic Value and Payment

Olga Yakusheva, PhD, MSE, FAAN, Economic Advisor, American Nurses Association Enterprise, Professor, Johns Hopkins School of Nursing

Join us for a presentation on the American Nurses Association's efforts to reimagine the economic value of nursing. Learn how a paradigm shift could position nurses as revenue-generators and strategic assets in healthcare, not just labor costs. Explore insights from the recent summit and ANA's 2-year Economic Value of Nursing Research Project, which highlights nursing's critical role in improving patient outcomes and financial sustainability.

The Virginia Nurses Foundation 2024 Nurse Leadership Academy Rapid Fire Series

Join us for the Nurse Leadership Academy Rapid Fire Series—a dynamic and engaging session where Virginia Nurses Foundation 2024 Fellows will showcase their leadership projects in a fast-paced, 5-minute format! This lively series offers a unique glimpse into the innovative work being done by emerging nurse leaders, highlighting their contributions to advancing the profession. Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to be inspired by the next generation of nurse leaders as they share their achievements in a fun and rapid-fire style!

A Celebration of Leadership Reception

Join us to celebrate and honor VNA President, Dr. Sherri Wilson, VNF President, Dr. Phyllis Whitehead, and Retired Virginia Board of Nursing Executive Director, Mrs. Jay Douglas for their leadership and service! 
*This is a members-only networking event.

Movie Screening - Everybody’s Work: Healing What Hurts Us All

“Everybody’s Work” uncovers the pervasive issue of racism in healthcare, revealing its harmful effects on patients and nurses alike. Through the courageous stories of nurses and patients of color across the country, this documentary challenges the belief that racism only exists if personally experienced. It urges us to confront the reality that it impacts us all. 

Join us for a movie screening that will illuminate how racism impacts our communities and our work environments. On Day 2 of the conference, we will dive deeper into this important topic through a Fireside Chat with nurses from the film and our community!

Watch the movie trailer on the SHIFT Nursing YouTube channel here:

Watch the Trailer Here!

7:00am - 8:30am | Continental Breakfast & Visit the Exhibit Hall
8:00am | Opening Remarks

8:05am | Nurse Staffing Keynote: Sustainable Staffing Solutions in Nursing

Katie Boston-Leary, PHD, MBA, MHA, RN, NEA-BC, FADLN, Senior Vice President of Equity & Engagement, American Nurses Association

The nurse staffing shortage continues to impact nurses, patient care and population health.  The time is now to implement solutions using a "tribrid" approach, strategic partnering and human centered thinking to build healthy work environments for optimal outcomes to be attained for nurses and patients. It is high time to create a world where nurses are practicing in an ideal caring environment and patients feel valued and optimally cared for. 

Strengthening Nurse Staffing in Virginia: Advocacy and Best Practices

Join us for an in-depth panel discussion on the critical work being done to improve nurse staffing in Virginia. Leaders from the Virginia Nurses Association will share their advocacy efforts for implementing Nurse Staffing Committees across healthcare organizations. The session will also feature short presentations from several healthcare organizations, highlighting best practices, successes, and ongoing challenges in staffing. Gain valuable insights and practical strategies to enhance nurse staffing in your own organization.

Presentations:

• VNA & VHHA Nurse Staffing Committees Framework
  • Sherri Wilson, DNP, MPA, RN, CDP, FAAN, VNA President
    
    
• Nurse Staffing Committee Toolkit
  • Kathy Baker, PhD, RN, NE-BC, FAAN, VNF Vice President, Chief Nursing Officer, UVA Health, University Medical Center 
    
    
• UVA Health University Medical Center Staffing Best Practices
  • Rebekah Melan, MSN, RN, Nurse Manager, UVA Health Orthopedics/Trauma, Urology, & Plastics
  • Lisa Schafer, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, Director, UVA Health Nursing Business Operations
  • Matthew Houston, BSN, RN, Nurse Manager, UVA Health Staffing Resource Office
     
• Home Care Nurse Residency Program
  • Lisa Sprinkel, MSN, RN, Senior Director, Home Care and Hospice, Carilion Clinic
     
    
• HRSA Resources for the Nursing Workforce
  • Christine Woolslayer, MEd, Public Health Analyst, Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) 

10:45am - 11:45am | Visit the Exhibit Hall
11:45am - 12:45pm | Lunch & Installation of Newly Elected Leaders
12:15pm - 12:30pm | Recognition of Nurse Leadership Academy and Next Level Leadership Graduates

Fireside Chat - Confronting Racism in Healthcare: A Panel Discussion on “Everybody’s Work”

Moderator:

• Mesha Jones, MSN, RN, CCRN, CWON
  Nurse Manager, UVA Health

Speakers:

• Katie Boston-Leary, PHD, MBA, MHA, RN, NEA-BC, FADLN
  Senior Vice President of Equity & Engagement, American Nurses Association
• Jennifer Shepherd, DNP, MHA, RN, NEA-BC, NPD-BC, CHPN
  Director, Nursing Education & Product Management, American Nurses Association
• Yesenia Nunez, MSN, FNP-BC
  Treasurer, National Association of Hispanic Nurses Association 
• Reynaldo Capucao, PhD, RN, CNL
  Mellon Race, Place, and Equity Postdoctoral Research Associate 

Dive into a powerful conversation following the screening of “Everybody’s Work,” a compelling documentary that exposes the deep-seated issue of racism within healthcare. This panel will bring together voices from the film and nurses in our community to reflect on the film's compelling stories, challenge preconceived notions about personal experiences of racism, and explore collective responsibilities in addressing these systemic issues.

Rapid Fire Podium Presentation Session

Get ready for a fast-paced, high-energy session where Virginia nurses share their insights in just 5 minutes! Our Rapid-Fire Presentation Series highlights best practices across critical areas including staffing, workforce development, workplace culture, recruitment, retention, and fostering equitable environments. Each presenter will deliver focused, impactful strategies that you can take back to your organization. Don't miss this opportunity to gain a wealth of knowledge in record time!

Presentations:

• The Clinical Faculty and Preceptor Academy: Benefits to Academia and Healthcare Institutions to Increase the Nursing Workforce
  • Gretchen Wiersma, DNP, RN, CNE, CHSE, Associate Professor, University of Virginia
  • Linda Cassar, DNP, RNC-OB, CNE, Associate Professor, George Washington University School of Nursing 
    
    
• Peer to Peer Mentoring In Academia for RN to BSN students: Supporting Academics, Transition to Practice and Professional Growth
  • Gretchen Wiersma, DNP, RN, CNE, CHSE, Associate Professor, University of Virginia
  • Crystal Toll, EdD, MSN, RN, CCRN-K, PCCN, Assistant Professor, University of Virginia 
    
    
• Relationship-based Leadership: Yeah, it's a thing!
  • Julieanne George, MSN, MBA, CNML, NEA-BC, NC-BC, PCCN-K, CCRN-K, Service Chief, Neuroscience, Behavioral Health, and Pediatrics, National Institutes of Health, Clinical Center 
    
    
• Fostering inclusion and allyship: A Recruitment and Retention initiative
  • Holly Wirth, DNP, RN, NE-BC, SCRN, CNE, Clinical Nurse Educator, Inova Health
    
    
• Sustaining the Culture of Excellence
  • Aileen Cassada, DNP, RN, NRP, Director Nursing Excellence, Centra Health
    
    
• Reducing Turnover in APRNs
  • Morgan McDowell, DNP, APRN, WHNP-BC, AGPCNP-BC, Director of APP Education, Centra Health
  • Robbie Price, MSN, FNP-C, MBA, Director of APP Operations, Centra Health 
    
    
• Earn While You Learn as a Pipeline to increase staffing in hard-to-fill healthcare roles
  • Nicole Henley, MSN, RN, CCRN, NI-BC, Nursing Professional Development Generalist
  • Beth Mehring, MSN, RN, Nurse Manager, UVA Health 
    
    
• Building Schedules with AI tools that Maximize Flexibility and Minimize Last-Minute Scrambles
  • Sergey Vasilenko, CCRN, MPH, MHA, RN, Founder & CNO, In-House Health
  • Ari Brenner, Founder and CEO, In-House Health
    
    
• New Graduate RN Transition to Practice in the Float Pool as Part of the Nurse Residency Program (NRP)
  • Nicole Henley, MSN, RN, CCRN, NI-BC
  • Mariah Rogers, MSN, RN, CCRN, Nurse Manager, UVA Health
    
    
• Revolutionizing Nursing Practice: Strategies to Overcome the RN Case Manager Staffing Crisis
  • Kiana Kimber, BSN, RN-BC, RN Case Manager

Closing Session - Engage, Empower, Excel: How nurse leaders are shaping the human experience in healthcare 

Jeff Doucette, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, FACHE, FAAN, Chief Nursing Officer, Press Ganey

Join Press Ganey Thought Leader and Chief Nursing Officer, Dr. Jeff Doucette in this session, "Engage, Empower, Excel: How nurse leaders are shaping the human experience in healthcare." Discover how nurse leaders are revolutionizing healthcare by prioritizing employee engagement at the intersection of safety, quality, reliability, and service. Learn the latest national data on nursing engagement and the impact of highly engaged nurse leaders on quality outcomes. You’ll leave the session with a fresh perspective and a deep understanding of the latest best practices to achieve the next level of performance in your organization.  
 
Objectives: 
1. Discuss the latest national level data on the state of the nursing workforce 
2. Discuss evidenced-based strategies for improving patient and workforce engagement  
3. Explore innovative strategies for building trust and respect – foundational elements for a positive practice environment 

Nursing Continuing Professional Development Disclosures

• The Virginia Nurses Association is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.
• Participants in the Nurse Staffing Summit 2024 can earn up to 12.5 contact hours. Credit will be awarded commensurate with participation in the program with the completion of an evaluation.
• This conference is jointly provided by the Virginia Nurses Association and Virginia Nurses Foundation.