2026 UCLA Nursing Science and Innovation Conference
Friday, May 29, 2026, 7:45 AM - 5:00 PM
A nurse-led future shaped by nursing intelligence in the age of AI.
Abstract submissions are now open. Conference registration will open soon.
This conference brings together nurses from across roles, specialties, and practice settings to explore how nursing science, evidence-based practice, and innovation are shaping the future of care in a rapidly evolving, AI-enabled health care environment. The UCLA Nursing Science and Innovation Conference is a space for curiosity, connection, and shared learning—where the intelligence of nursing leads meaningful change.
Through nurse-led research, leadership, and dialogue, participants will gain practical insights to improve outcomes for patients, families, and communities, strengthen health systems, and influence policy. Whether advancing practice at the bedside, leading teams, or shaping the next generation of nurses, this conference offers inspiration and tools to lead with confidence, purpose, and impact. Save the Date (add the flyer)
Who Should Attend
This activity is designed for registered nurses, advanced practice nurses, nurse faculty, and nursing students across UCLA Health and affiliated academic entities who practice or teach in acute care, ambulatory, perioperative, critical care, outpatient, community-based, academic, and administrative settings. The conference is appropriate for individuals engaged in clinical practice, nursing education, research, quality improvement, innovation, leadership, and professional development who seek to advance their knowledge of nursing science, evidence-based practice, and nurse-led innovation influencing health outcomes, health systems, and health policy.
Why Attend This Year
As artificial intelligence rapidly reshapes health care, this conference offers nurses a critical space to lead, question, and shape how innovation is applied in practice.
Call for Abstracts
Share your nursing science, innovation, and leadership—and contribute to a nurse-led future.
We invite abstracts that showcase nursing science, evidence-based practice, and nurse-led innovation addressing contemporary challenges in an AI-enabled health care environment. Submissions may highlight research, education, quality improvement, innovation, or leadership initiatives that advance health outcomes, strengthen health systems, or inform health policy.
This conference provides a national forum for disseminating scholarly and practice-based work relevant to diverse roles and settings.
Abstract submissions are now open.
Learner Outcomes
- Discuss nursing science, evidence-based practice, and innovation that address contemporary issues across diverse roles and practice settings.
- Examine nurse-led approaches to improving health outcomes for individuals, families, and communities, including implementation and sustainability strategies.
- Describe the influence of nursing research, leadership, and advocacy on health systems and health policy.
Keynote Speaker
Maxim (Max) Topaz PhD, RN, MA, FAAN, FACMI, FIAHSI Elizabeth Standish Gill Associate Professor of Nursing, Columbia University Medical Center, Columbia University Data Science Institute, New York, USA; Senior Research Scientist, VNS
Dr. Maxim (Max) Topaz is a pioneer in applying natural language processing to nursing documentation, his research leverages AI, text mining, and automated speech and video processing to improve healthcare delivery. He has secured over $25 million in federal funding and published more than 200 articles focused on AI solutions that predict patient deterioration from nursing notes, enhance clinical decision-making, and reduce the documentation burden for frontline nurses.
Conference Location
Carnesale Commons, 251 Charles E. Young Drive, West Los Angeles, CA, 90095
Guest Parking: Structure SV
(estimated cost $25 day)
UCLA Staff Parking: Structure SV | Bruin E-Permit (estimated cost $10)
What Attendees Shared
Many of last year’s attendees described the conference as a valuable platform for sharing work, shaping dialogue, and influencing practice.
“I feel more confident having a voice in decisions related to AI and nursing.”
— UCLA RN
“The content was highly relevant and immediately applicable to current clinical challenges.”
— SON Research Assistant
“This conference prepared me to lead innovation and bring new ideas back to my organization.”
— UCLA RN