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| Fall Conference |
 2026 Fall ConferenceThe Nursing Impact Summit | November 20 & 21, 2026Join the Virginia Nurses Association and Foundation on November 20 and 21 in Short Pump, Virginia, for an inspiring two‑day, in‑person summit that brings together nursing leaders, frontline clinicians, educators, students, and nurse changemakers from across the Commonwealth. The 2026 Nursing Impact Summit is dedicated to celebrating the nursing profession, strengthening the nursing workforce, and elevating the voices of nurses who are driving innovation, advancing workforce solutions, and shaping the future of healthcare. Registration is open!
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Address
12042 W Broad St, Richmond, VA 23233
Group Registration for Hospitals & Health Systems
Hospitals and Health Systems can register 5 or more registrants
that work at their organization for one great price and save $445.00! If you have questions or would like to utilize this registration option, please email Sally Dudley
at
sdudley@virginianurses.org!
Cancellations & Refunds
Requests for cancellations must be made via email with the subject line "Cancellation" sent to sdudley@virginianurses.org no
later than 11:69p.m. on November 10, 2026. Refunds are subject to review.
Substitutions
Substitutions are encouraged. Please make the request via email with the subject line "Substitution" to sdudley@virginanurses.org and include
the name of the registered party and the name of the replacement attendee.
The deadline to register is 11:59pm Wednesday, November 12. Same day on-site registration will be available at the conference location.
7:00am - 8:30am | Continental Breakfast & Exhibit Hall Opening
8:00am - 8:15am | Day 1 Opening Remarks
Keynote Address | Creating Cultures Nurses Choose: Human-Centered Leadership for a Sustainable Workforce
Kay Kennedy, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, CPHQ, FAAN
Book Signing 9:45am - 10:15am
This session introduces the core principles of the Human-Centered Leadership in Healthcare (HCL-HC) model and explores why this leadership approach is especially critical in today’s healthcare environment. Participants will examine how leadership practices grounded in trust, empathy, psychological safety, and meaningful connection contribute to measurable improvements in nurse retention, staffing stability, and long-term workforce sustainability. Through discussion of evidence-based leadership behaviors, attendees will learn how to create workplace cultures where nurses feel valued, supported, and committed to delivering high-quality care. The session will also provide practical, immediately actionable strategies that leaders can implement to strengthen team engagement, enhance well-being, and reduce avoidable turnover, helping build a more resilient and thriving healthcare workforce.
Yetty Shobo, PhD, Virginia Department of Health Professions Healthcare Workforce Data Center, Director
This session will present a data-driven overview of Virginia’s nursing workforce, highlighting current workforce supply, demographic trends, geographic distribution, and employment patterns across the Commonwealth. Attendees will gain insight into the latest workforce data, including trends in workforce participation, educational preparation, regional variations, and pipeline indicators. The presentation will examine where Virginia stands today and identifies key workforce challenges and opportunities revealed through the data.
Yvette Dorsey, DNP, RN, Virginia Nursing Workforce Center, Director
Building on the workforce data presented in the previous session, this discussion will focus on strategies and initiatives to strengthen Virginia’s nursing workforce for the future. Attendees will learn about the mission and priorities of the Virginia Nursing Workforce Center, current efforts to address workforce challenges, and strategic approaches to support recruitment, retention, education capacity, and workforce development. The session will also highlight opportunities for collaboration and stakeholder engagement to advance a sustainable and prepared nursing workforce across Virginia.
Enjoy lunch then visit the Exhibit Hall to chat with our exhibitors and sponsors!
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*This is a members-only networking event.
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Emotional Intelligence 2.0: Lead Smarter. Inspire More
Dr. Mitchell Kusy, HWI Consultant and Organizational Psychologist
Book Signing 9:45am - 10:15am
Last year, Dr. Mitch Kusy’s keynote address engaged nurse leaders with groundbreaking research and practical strategies for leveraging Emotional Intelligence (EI) to elevate leadership effectiveness. This year, we're taking the conversation to the next level. Join us for an interactive deep dive into how EI transforms the moments that matter most in nursing leadership. Through compelling research, real-world examples, and actionable tools, you'll discover how EI can strengthen relationships, inspire teams, and create healthier, higher performing work environments. Together, we'll explore how EI can elevate four essential leadership arenas:
Every nurse is a leader. Whether you're caring for patients, educating future clinicians, advancing science, shaping policy, or guiding teams, you'll leave with practical, evidence-based strategies to increase your influence, strengthen collaboration, and create meaningful impact through the transformative power of EI 2.0.
The Central Virginia Nurses Honor Guard and the Nurse Honor Guard of Southeastern Virginia
Join the Central Virginia Nurses Honor Guard and the Nurse Honor Guard of Southeastern Virginia or a moving tribute in remembrance of nurses we have lost. This special ceremony honors their life of service, devotion to the profession, and the compassionate care they provided throughout their careers. Through this presentation, we celebrate their legacy and pay respect to the enduring impact they have left on the nursing community
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Sponsor or Exhibit in Just a Few Clicks!
Click the portfolio on the left to view the sponsor &
exhibitor options for our 2026 events!
As a sponsor, we offer the opportunity to showcase your corporate social responsibility, increase brand awareness, and build a positive image within your community. With your sponsorship contribution, we can continue to fund critical
programs and services, as well as raise awareness of our mission and impact.
There are a variety of sponsorship options to fit your organization's needs! Top sponsoring organizations are also highlighted in Virginia Nurses Today (circulation 171,000+) and VNA's members-only News Brief. These two publications boast an open rate of greater than 50%! Certain sponsorships are limited to a single organization so don't wait!
Sponsor & Exhibitor Questions?
CONTACT
Sally Dudley, Sponsor Engagement & Executive Operations Coordinator
Virginia Nurses Association & Foundation
sdudley@virginianurses.org
Diamond Sponsor
Bronze Sponsors
(Hover over each image to read their bios!)
Join the Virginia Nurses Association and Foundation on November 20 and 21 in Short Pump, Virginia, for an inspiring, two-day, in-person Nursing Impact Summit. Recognizing every nurse as a changemaker, this dynamic gathering brings together nursing leaders, frontline clinicians, educators, students, and nurses from across the Commonwealth to celebrate the profession, strengthen the workforce, and elevate the voices shaping the future of healthcare. The 2026 Nursing Impact Summit is dedicated to celebrating the nursing profession, strengthening the nursing workforce, and elevating the voices of nurses who are driving innovation, advancing workforce solutions, and shaping the future of healthcare.
The Virginia Nurses Association and Foundation invite you to share your work and your voice. Submissions should highlight how nurses use their expertise, leadership, and advocacy to advance the profession and create meaningful change. Abstracts should demonstrate impact on patients, communities, and the nursing workforce, and reflect nursing’s vital role as a catalyst for innovation and progress. Whether you lead change at the bedside, in the boardroom, the classroom, or the community, your expertise, perspective, and work matters. Join us in person to share your insights, connect with fellow nurse changemakers, and help shape the future of nursing in Virginia.
Presentation Formats:
Submission Requirements:
Share your presentation and/or poster idea by August 14 by completing the application form. Your submission
should include:
9/16/2026
2026 Member Webinar - 2 of 2
9/24/2026
2026 VNA Legislative Summit