We are only days away from NANN's 33rd Annual Conference (http://nann.org/conference) on October 11-14 at the Rhode Island Convention Center. Approximately 800 neonatal nurses and neonatal nurse practitioners are signed up to network at what will surely be an information-packed event.
PRECONFERENCE: EVERY NICU IS A NEURO-NICU
Kathi Salley Randall, MSN, CNS, NNP-BC, will be guiding a preconference session on Wednesday, October 11 (7:30-11:30 AM). Ms Randall has been invited to conduct the preconference session following an overwhelmingly successful concurrent session presentation at the 2016 NANN Annual Conference. Ms Randall will describe strategies for providing neuroprotective care practices that support the "Four Pillars of Neuro-NICU."
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS FOCUSING ON PERSONAL GROWTH AND CULTURAL TRANSFORMATION
In keeping with the 2017 American Nurses Association's "Year of the Healthy Nurse" campaign, this year's keynote speakers have been selected for particular emphasis on helping NANN members create and maintain a balance of intellectual, social, personal, and professional well-being:
* On Thursday, October 12 (8-9:45 AM) at our opening general session, Joe Tye will present "The Florence Prescription for Building a Culture of Ownership." Mr Tye is an expert on values-based leadership and cultural transformation (https://www.valuescoachinc.com/theflorenceprescription). He will present personal strategies for becoming a more effective leader and organizational strategies for developing a culture of accountability.
* On Friday, October 13 (11 AM-noon) at the midconference general session, Kelley French will present "Telling Stories in the Dark: The Healing Forces of Attention, Instinct and Love." Ms French, a narrative journalist and author of the critically acclaimed memoir Juniper: The Girl Who Was Born Too Soon (http://juniperbook.com/), will guide listeners on the journey of 2 parents whose barely viable, 23-week gestation baby called into question the assumptions held about the meaning of life.
* Also on Friday, October 13 (5:30-6:30 PM), in a bonus general session, Marcus Davey, PhD, will present "Transforming Care for Extremely Premature Babies." In furthering discussion of infants born at the edge of viability, Dr Davey will present groundbreaking technology that is currently under investigation at the Center for Fetal Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (http://www.chop.edu/pages/center-fetal-research).
* Finally, on Saturday, October 14 (12:15-1:15 PM), at our closing general session, Pam Spivey, MS, APRN, CCNS, will present "Joyful Journey: The Life and Times of a Neonatal Nurse." Ms Spivey, who is a nurse leader and life coach (http://pamspiveyconsulting.com/), will be inspiring nurses to tap into their strengths and leverage their unique potentials to optimize personal and professional growth.
EXHIBIT HALL: VENDORS, VENDORS, VENDORS!
NANN's 2017 exhibit hall promises to showcase one of the most plentiful collections of neonatal-related companies and resources yet! More than 150 booths, staffed by hundreds of industry experts, will fill the centrally located Rhode Island Convention Center's state-of-the-art exhibit hall. In response to your requests, NANN's exhibit schedule has been streamlined and expanded to include 9 hours of noncompeting exhibit time. In addition, attendees will have numerous other opportunities to interact with the vendors, including a welcome reception in the exhibit hall (Wednesday, October 11, 4:30-7:30PM) and daily breaks and lunch in this area.
PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND: CELEBRATE ONE OF OUR COUNTRY'S OLDEST CITIES!
Providence was founded in 1636 by Roger Williams as a settlement for religious and political freedoms and has grown to become the third most populous city in New England. As Rhode Island's capital city, Providence is now home to 8 hospitals and 7 institutes of higher learning. The Rhode Island Convention Center is located in the heart of Providence's downtown, just footsteps from destination shopping and an assortment of dining and entertainment options. Consider experiencing a gondola trip along the Providence River, a historic walking tour or an evening at the Providence Performing Arts Center to see Motown legends The Temptations and The Four Tops.
We look forward to seeing you in Providence!