Embracing the Power of Nurses™
Virtual | Live, April 22-23 | On-Demand thru July 31, 2026
The Virginia Nurses Association and Foundation's 2026 Spring Conference, Embracing the Power of Nurses™, will bring together nursing leaders, frontline clinicians, educators, and nursing students from across Virginia to explore how nurses are shaping the future of healthcare and redefining the public image of nursing. Participants will gain practical strategies to strengthen leadership capacity, amplify their professional voice, and translate inspiration into meaningful action.
What Our Participants Say
I got more value out of this virtual exhibit hall than I have in previous face-to-face formats! I was able to take my time on the virtual sites and click on the various links that interested me. I viewed various videos and learned
a lot about the schools and healthcare organizations!"
"The content was on-point and valuable to me and my workplace!"
"I had reservations about the virtual format, but loved it and felt like I was able to retain more and interact with the speakers more!"
Pricing
Discounted Pricing for Hospitals & Schools of Nursing
- Hospitals and Health Systems can register ALL nurses that work at their organization for one great price by visiting our Health System Registration Form below.
- Schools of Nursing can register ALL of their students and faculty for one great price by visiting our School of Nursing Registration Form below.
- If you have questions, please email Ashley Henry at ahenry@virginianurses.com!
Cancellations & Refunds
Requests for cancellations must be made via email with the subject line "Cancellation" sent to lmckay@virginianurses.com no
later than 5 p.m. on April 5, 2026. Refunds are subject to a $25 administrative fee.
Substitutions
Substitutions are encouraged. Please make the request via email with the subject line "Substitution Spring Conference Registration" to lmckay@virginianurses.com and
include the name of the registered party and the name of the replacement attendee.
schools of nursing
register all
students & faculty
health systems
register all
organization nurses
Agenda
Join the conference!
Come to the conference page and say hi in the live chat.
A Welcome from the VNA President
VNA President Kathy Baker, PhD, RN, NE-BC, FAAN
Keynote Address - Empowering the Profession: Necessary Attributes for Effective Impact
Tim Porter-O'Grady, DM, EdD, ScD(h), APRN, FAAN, FACCWS, GCNS-BC, CWCN, CFCN
Empowerment is not a gift bestowed—it is a professional obligation claimed. This dynamic session explores the essential attributes that move nursing from aspiration to action, examining how ownership, accountability, and structural engagement converge to create meaningful and sustainable professional impact. Participants will confront the critical interplay between personal agency and systemic design, discovering that true empowerment demands not only individual commitment but the structural foundations that make it real. Prepare to challenge assumptions, reclaim professional identity, and leave with a renewed framework for translating empowerment from rhetoric into practice.
Blink by Blink
Jake Haendel, Podcaster & Professional Speaker
Once believed to be in a vegetative state and unable to move or speak due to locked-in syndrome, Jake Haendel spent more than three years hospitalized—fully conscious, yet unable to communicate. In this powerful and deeply
moving session, Jake shares his lived experience of trauma, resilience, and survival, offering a rare and profound patient-side perspective. His story highlights the extraordinary capacity of the human spirit to endure
and adapt, while providing nurses with meaningful insights into patient experience, presence, and advocacy.
Rapid Fire Best Practice Series
Explore rapid-fire and virtual poster presentations that highlight nurses' commitment to advancing the profession across various healthcare settings.
Closing Remarks
VNA President Kathy Baker, PhD, RN, NE-BC, FAAN
A Welcome from VNF President
VNF President Mesha Jones, MSN, RN, NEA-BC
Keynote Address: The Power of Nurses During Challenging Times
Ernest Grant, PhD, RN, FAANI
More info to come!
The Future of Nursing: Thriving in an AI-Enabled Healthcare World
Amy McCarthy K. McCarthy, DNP, RNC-MNN, NE-BC, CENP
This session explores the evolving role of nursing in the age of artificial intelligence, highlighting how clinicians can leverage emerging technologies to enhance patient care. Amy will discuss practical strategies for nurses
to remain resilient and empowered as they lead the charge in an increasingly digital healthcare landscape.
Rapid Fire Best Practice Series
Explore rapid-fire and virtual poster presentations that highlight nurses' commitment to advancing the profession across various healthcare settings.
Bridging the Gap: How Leading Multigenerational Teams Shapes Culture in Healthcare
Priscilla Meyers, APRN, MSN, NNP-BC, ANLC-N, ACC
Today’s healthcare workforce spans four generations—each with its own values, expectations, and communication styles. When leaders fail to recognize and adapt to these generational dynamics, trust erodes, silos form, and workplace
culture suffers. This session gives leaders the tools to bridge generational gaps, reduce friction, and build an inclusive, psychologically safe culture where all team members feel valued and engaged.
Closing Session
More info to come!
Closing Remarks
VNF President Mesha Jones, MSN, RN, NEA-BC
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 VNA/VNF 2026 Spring Conference: Embracing the Power of Nurses™ can earn up to 12.0 contact hours. Credit will be awarded commensurate with participation in the program and with the completion of an evaluation. This activity is being jointly provided by the Virginia Nurses Association and Virginia Nurses Foundation.
Sponsor & Exhibit
Bonus promotions and new marketing perks are available!
Click the portfolio on the left to view the sponsor & exhibitor options for each of our 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.
Whether it's by celebrating with us and 530+ nurses at our annual Gala or showing up for important conversations during our conferences and summits, there are a variety of sponsorship options to fit your organization's needs! Top sponsoring organizations are also highlighted in Virginia Nurses Today (circulation 140,000) 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!
For sponsor and exhibitor questions, please contact VNA's Sponsor Engagement & Office Manager, Linda McKay, at lmckay@virginianurses.com.
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