The 2020 AAACN Annual Conference is Going Virtual!

We hope this message reaches you in the best of health. It is important during this pandemic that you don't forget to care for yourself as you care for others. Like you, we’ve been navigating the daily changes brought about by COVID-19, and monitoring what’s best for our members, conference attendees, speakers, exhibitors, staff, and patients.

Due to the unprecedented COVID-19 outbreak, the AAACN Board of Directors has decided to take the 2020 Annual Conference to a virtual platform instead of hosting the in-person event, previously scheduled for July 29 – August 1 in Chicago.

We are in the process of ironing out the details of a virtual conference and will update you as soon as we finalize the plan. We ask for your patience as we work through the logistics. Rest assured, we’ll lead you through every step and keep you fully informed.

What We’re Doing Right Now
For those who are registered for the in-person July 2020 conference, we’ll keep your registration active for the virtual conference. You may also let us know if you would prefer to cancel your registration, defer your registration until 2021, or donate a portion of your registration fee to the AAACN Education and Scholarship Fund. All requests must be emailed to aaacn@aaacn.org. We’re glad to fulfill your requests, however we hope many of you will be able to join your AAACN community for the virtual conference!

Please note, individuals are responsible for cancelling travel and flight arrangements directly. If you’ve booked a room at the Hilton Chicago in the AAACN Conference room block, you’ll receive an automatic cancellation email from the Hilton shortly. Please follow up with the Hilton directly if you do not receive an email cancellation.

Adaptability is a hallmark of nurses, and we know it is the key to our shared success during these times.

WELCOME

Whether you’re enjoying Chicago’s dazzling personality, listening to an amazing speaker, or connecting with friends, you’ll be moved by the music of your conference experience.

Don't miss this once-a-year event!

  • Make career-changing connections
  • Learn the latest innovations from inspiring speakers
  • Earn up to 15.75 contact hours
Register Today!

Chicago Theatre

Here’s what’s in store

  • 4 Focused tracks. Care Coordination and Transition Management (CCTM), Leadership, Telehealth, and Clinical (new)!
  • 50 Inspiring speakers. They’re the top experts in the industry and they have the information you’ve been looking for.
  • 6 Rapid Fire sessions.You’ll see topics from every angle and come away with a deeper understanding.
  • 15.75 Contact hours. The education you need to take your practice to the next level.

    • Chicago Bean

So much to explore

Chicago Garden

Networking events and celebrations are the hallmark of the AAACN conference. Enjoy time with trusted friends and make new connections.

Special Interest Group (SIG) sessions help you dive deeper into the areas that interest you most.

The interactive exhibit hall introduces you to industry representatives, publications, and resources for your practice.

Poster presentations are always a favorite. Chat with your colleagues about their innovations and new nursing initiatives.

The Town Hall is your platform to speak and your moment to listen, as attendees step up to the mic and share their challenges, successes, and advice.

Leadership and volunteer opportunities that will help you advance your career.

Jazzed culture. Chicago, on Lake Michigan in Illinois, is among the largest cities in the U.S. famed for its bold architecture, amazing skylines, museums, art, and music. You’ll have
time to explore all that the city has to offer!

Ambulatory care nursing is one of the most vibrant and evolving nursing specialties in health care today. For this year’s conference, our AAACN experts thoughtfully curated a program that addresses the many challenges you face. You’ll enjoy top speakers in the industry who will give you relevant, practical information you can use immediately.

Attendees

What you’ll take home

  • Stronger leadership skills and confidence in your abilities.
  • Knowledge of best practices being implemented today.
  • A broader view of clinical, management, leadership, CCTM, and telehealth practice.
  • Awareness of emerging trends and breakthroughs, and how you can use them.

Added value

  • AAACN believes in giving you the most education value possible for your conference investment.
  • Networking lunch session with tables reserved for first-time attendees.
  • Access to the 2020 conference sessions in the AAACN Online Library after you leave. You can listen any time so you don’t miss a thing! (No additional cost to attendees.)
  • Earn five bonus contact hours in the AAACN Online Library (Available after the conference to full conference registrants.).
    (Available with full main conference registration only.)

Who you’ll see there

This is the premier conference for ambulatory care, telehealth, and CCTM nurses. Attendees include managers, supervisors, administrators, directors, staff nurses, care coordinators, educators, consultants, advanced practice nurses, and researchers who practice in such settings as:

  • Hospital-based outpatient clinics/centers
  • Solo/group medical practices
  • Telehealth call centers
  • University hospitals
  • Community hospitals
  • Military and VA settings
  • Managed care/HMOs/PPOs
  • College/educational institutes

Featured speakers

Ron Culberson

Ron Culberson, MSW, CSP

Keynote Speaker, Frisday, July 31

“Do It Well, Make It Fun”

He’ll make you laugh. He’ll make you believe in yourself. He’ll teach you how to achieve excellence in your career, and go home happy about your day. Ron Culberson is a speaker, author, and humorist whose mission is to change the workplace culture by boosting productivity and staff happiness. His clients include NASA, Johns Hopkins University, and the U.S. Senate. Enjoy this lively presentation as the perfect kick-off to your conference experience.

Shelly Schwedhelm

Shelly Schwedhelm, MSN, RN, NEA-BC

Opening Keynote Speaker, Wednesday, July 20

“COVI-19, Ebola, MERS, Measles: Not in My Clinic!”

Shelly Schwedhelm is the Executive Director of Emergency Management and Biopreparedness at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. In this session, she will discuss the current infectious disease landscape and what clinical nurses and nurse leaders need to know to be prepared. You’ll leave her session with a deeper understanding of the services and operations critically needed to prepare for the global threat of infectious diseases.

Debra Cox

Debra Cox, MS, RN

Town Hall Facilitator, Thursday, July 30

"Ambulatory Care Is the Future of Nursing”

Debra Cox is the Nurse Administrator for E-Health at Mayo Clinic. She will lead the year’s Town Hall discussion on how the passion, resources, and evidence-based knowledge of ambulatory care nurses will impact the future of nursing. Ms. Cox will present her insights and knowledge on e-health practices for health care teams and encourage attendees to take the mic and share their own experiences with their colleagues.