2026 Nursing Science and Innovation Conference Recap

Conference attendees gained valuable insights from distinguished keynote speakers Maxim (Max) Topaz, PhD, RN, FAAN, FIAHSI, FACMI, and Olga Kagan, PhD, RN, FAAN, as well as podium presenters who explored emerging trends in nursing science, artificial intelligence, clinical innovation, education, and evidence-based practice. Together, these presentations fostered meaningful dialogue, encouraged interdisciplinary collaboration, and inspired innovative approaches to advancing patient care and professional nursing practice.

Selected by conference participants, the People's Choice Award was presented to Ofonime Bassey, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, ENP-C, Ram Srinivasan, MD, PhD, and Faith Caube, OTR/L, MMA, for their presentation of Advancing Nursing Clinical Judgment: Leveraging Artificial Intelligence for Interactive Radiology Education in Nurse Practitioner Programs. The project demonstrated the innovative application of artificial intelligence to strengthen clinical judgment, enhance diagnostic reasoning, and enrich educational experiences within nurse practitioner programs.

Poster presentations showcased scholarly work across the categories of Evidence-Based Practice, Innovation, Literature Review, Methodology or Theory/Conceptual Development, and Quality Improvement. Attendees engaged directly with presenters to explore innovative solutions, emerging research findings, and evidence-informed strategies designed to advance healthcare outcomes, strengthen professional practice, and improve patient care.

Conference participants selected Centralizing Nursing Professional Development Through an Institutional Learning Management System to Standardize Onboarding and Competency Management in Care Coordination, presented by Zealouie Hey M. De Guzman, DNP, MSNed, RN, NPD-BC, CMGT-BC, PCCN, MEDSURG-BC, CV-BC, and Sarai Puga, as the People's Choice Award – Poster Presentation recipient. The project highlighted an innovative approach to streamlining professional development, standardizing onboarding processes, and enhancing competency management across care coordination settings.

The Best Student Poster Award was presented to Yousef T. Radwan, Charles J. Sedlock, Paul M. Macey, and Lauren H. Furtick for AI-Driven Immersive Simulation to Strengthen Clinical Judgment and Decision-Making in Pre-Licensure Nursing Education. This groundbreaking project demonstrated the potential of immersive artificial intelligence technologies to enhance nursing education, strengthen clinical judgment, and support the development of future nurses through innovative simulation-based learning experiences.

Interactive sessions provided opportunities for attendees to engage in collaborative discussions, share experiences, and explore practical applications of emerging evidence and technologies. These sessions encouraged active learning and the exchange of ideas across disciplines and practice settings.

The Nursing Science and Innovation Conference provided valuable opportunities for attendees to connect, collaborate, and exchange ideas with colleagues, presenters, researchers, educators, and industry partners. Throughout the day, participants engaged in meaningful conversations that fostered professional connections, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the sharing of innovative approaches to healthcare challenges.

Conference sponsors played an important role in supporting the event and enhancing the attendee experience. Through exhibit displays and conversations with participants, sponsors shared resources, technologies, and solutions that support professional development, patient care, and healthcare innovation.

We extend our sincere appreciation to our conference sponsors for their partnership and commitment to advancing nursing science, education, and innovation. Their support helped create a dynamic environment for learning, collaboration, and the exchange of ideas.