Join us for this inspiring two-day virtual event designed to celebrate, empower, and elevate the nursing profession. The Virginia Nurses Association and Foundation’s annual Spring Conference brings together nursing leaders, frontline clinicians, and educators from across Virginia to explore how nurses are shaping the future of healthcare and redefining the public image of nursing.

We invite you to submit an abstract for consideration as a rapid-fire presentation or virtual poster presentation. Abstracts should highlight innovation, leadership, education, research, or advocacy efforts that amplify the voice of nurses, elevate the profession, and demonstrate nursing’s meaningful impact on communities.

Presentation Formats:

• Rapid-Fire Presentation (15 minutes): Share key insights, best practices, or innovative projects in a concise, engaging format.
• Virtual Poster Presentation: Showcase your work in a visual format accessible to all participants throughout the conference.

We’re Seeking Abstracts That: 

• Amplify the voices of Virginia nurses
  
• Elevate the nursing profession through innovation and leadership
  
• Redefine the public image of nursing
  
• Showcase meaningful community and patient impact

Submission Requirements:

Share your presentation and/or poster idea by January 23, 2026 by completing our Rapid-Fire Presenter Application form. Your submission should include:

• A description of your best practice
  
• How the practice transforms the nursing work environment and/or improves practice
  
• Outcomes or expected outcomes
  
• Lessons learned, what did not work and what would you change to improve the practice
  
• Guidance for how other organizations can implement this practice or idea 

The Spring Conference Review Team will review all submissions and notify accepted presenters by Friday, February 13th. The abstracts will be evaluated on the following criteria:

• Relevance to Conference Theme
  
• Clarity of Best Practice
  
• Innovation/Originality
  
• Impact on Nursing Practice/Patient Outcomes
  
• Transferability
  
• Organization and Structure
  
• Grammar and Writing Quality
  
• Alignment with Abstract Guidelines

Who Can Submit:
Individuals or interprofessional teams committed to advancing nursing practice and culture are encouraged to submit! Nurses in all practice environments, at all levels, and nursing students are welcome. Submissions promoting commercial products or services or unrelated to the conference theme will not be considered. This is your opportunity to contribute to a statewide movement that celebrates the power of nurses. We look forward to highlighting your work at the 2026 Spring Conference!

Rapid Fire Presenter Guidelines:
Selected presenters will prepare a 15-minute recorded presentation to be shared during the conference and will also join a live Q&A with attendees. Final PowerPoint slides and recordings are due by April 3, 2026.

Rapid fire presenters will be required to submit all necessary forms by the deadlines provided in the acceptance letter. Acceptance as a presenter will be contingent upon an assessment for relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies. VNA reserves the right to rescind the acceptance of an abstract due to any relevant financial relationships that cannot be mitigated.

If not selected to present a rapid-fire presentation, individuals may be offered the opportunity to submit an electronic poster. An electronic poster is a digital version of a traditional poster.

Presenters are responsible for all costs associated with registering for the conference and can register here. Selected Presenters who do not register by March 20, 2026 will be removed from the event schedule. Presenters must register and submit payment to be included in the final schedule.

Important Dates: 

• Rapid Fire Application Submission Deadline: January 23, 2026
  
• Notification of Acceptance: February 13, 2026
  
• Conference Registration Due: March 20, 2026
  
• Recorded Presentations or Virtual Poster Due: April 3, 2026
  
• Conference Date: April 23 & 24, 2026