August 7, 2019 | NLN CEO Update on Upcoming Offerings

Let me begin with a moment of silence. The recent tragedies in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio, touch my soul with painful fingers of sadness and disbelief. I know of the heroism that was evident from the police, first responders, and even mothers sheltering their children from bullets. There's been little talk, however, of the nurses who responded, those who came in from their own homes and left what they were doing to make sure there was adequate staffing to care for the injured. My warmest thoughts and support go to all of the providers of care, from those who maintain the cleanliness of the hospitals to those assisting and performing the surgeries.

This war must stop. This is not our beloved America. Everyone deserves better. We are better. While the remainder of this Member Update concerns the NLN and our usual August preparations, we must not forget those who are struggling to live and the families whose lives will never be the same.

Colleagues, it is already August, halfway through the summer — what we used to call the "dog days," with all thoughts directed to the beach or simply a hammock in the yard. Sadly, however, today's academic schedule calls for summer schedules and a fall semester that seems to start much too early. So, it is time to plan for the classroom and the sim lab and give thought to how best to achieve excellence in our teaching and scholarship and all aspects of nursing education. And that, of course, is where the NLN comes in.

In case you missed our announcements, or figured, "That's not for now but for some time in the future," we offer two highly successful programs that are personalized just for you. If you recently completed a research study — for example, your dissertation — or an innovative project but have not yet submitted an article for publication, consider applying for a place in our next Scholarly Writing Retreat, to take place here at the NLN November 9–10. Applications are due August 16 for this career enhancing yearlong mentorship program, which takes you through the entire publication process, from selecting the right journal, to crafting a draft, to refining and submitting your finished manuscript, and to making revisions through peer review. Dr. Leslie Nicoll, editor of CIN: Computers, Informatics and Nursing and Nurse Author & Editor will be your guide.

Or, perhaps you are facing a challenge in developing your leadership skills and could benefit from mentorship. The NLN Leadership Institute brings together experienced professionals, a world-class faculty, and dynamic curricula to provide experiential learning opportunities for leaders across all career trajectories. We have three tracks — LEAD, Simulation, and Executive — that enhance and maximize leadership skills for faculty, deans, directors, and associate deans as well as nurse administrators in practice. We have created a wonderful video that will help you decide whether this program is for you. I bet it is — I wish that all nurse faculty could take part! The application period is open through October 7.

And then there is the NLN Education Summit, our comprehensive three-day conference that opens so many doors for nurse educators with opportunities for collaboration, professional development, innovation, scholarship, and service — and undoubtedly the best networking a nurse educator could ask for. For this year's Summit — the NLN North Star: Purpose, Power, and Passion, September 26–28 in the Greater Washington, DC area — you can count on more than 100 posters, concurrent sessions, and exhibitors, and a superb array of speakers. I have mentioned some of them in previous Member Updates so let me call your attention now to our website for more biographical details.

The Summit opens on Thursday with concurrent sessions preceding the Opening Ceremony and Welcome Reception in the Exhibit Hall, but the day starts much earlier with some extraordinary pre-Summit Workshops featuring giants in nursing education. Drs. Diane Billings and Desiree Hensel will help you integrate the NCSBN Nursing Clinical Judgment Model into your curriculum in a workshop titled "Teaching and Testing Nursing Clinical Judgment: Preparing Students to Make Safe Clinical Decisions." And Dr. Judith Halstead, executive director of the NLN Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (CNEA) — recently recommended by the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity (NACIQI) for recognition by the Department of Education — will help you develop systematic evaluation plans for CNEA accreditation and prepare your program for the accreditation journey.

Also, before the Summit officially begins is an opportunity that's free of change but requires an RSVP. NLN Testing Services will conduct an NLN Mini Live Review with guest speakers from NSNA. The NLN Live Review Mini Course is based on prototype SimScenarios or case studies that center on the basic concepts tested on the NCLEX in a way that is relevant for the care of many different types of clients who vary in age, etiology, symptoms, treatment, and nursing implications. You will also be able to speak with representatives from NLN Testing Services throughout the Summit and learn about all our excellent testing products.

In addition to these pre-Summit activities, there is one designed for first-time attendees — Navigating the Summit at 1 p.m. We definitely recommend it as our Summits can be a bit overwhelming. So, colleagues, plan to arrive early on Thursday, September 26, and be prepared for a wonderful couple of days. We hope that you will allot enough time to visit our hometown of Washington, DC. The conference venue, National Harbor, is just outside the District and an exciting destination with numerous attractions.

See you at the Summit, colleagues, and enjoy your summer.

NLN Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (CNEA) Earns Recommendation for U.S. Department of Education Recognition, Read More. National League for Nursing Welcomes New Fellows Class into the Academy of Nursing Education, Read More.

Even off the clock, these everyday superheroes are saving lives! These acts of strength, bravery, and selflessness show the power of nursing! Read More. Nurses share 6 things people don't know about the nursing community. What can you add to the list? Learn More. The #registerednurse demand continues to increase as nurse baby boomers retire. With a nursing shortage on the rise, learn how #nurseeducators and #nurseleaders can help with recruitment and retention, Read More.

Next Issue of the NLN Member Update: Wednesday, August 21, 2019. View previous issues of NLN Member Update »