The Power of Gathering at the OADN Convention

As we soak in the brightness of the summer months, I hope you are finding time to rest, reflect, and reconnect with what inspires your journey as an educator, advocate, and leader. While summer offers space to recharge, it also gives us a moment to look forward, and I, for one, am eagerly anticipating the 2025 OADN Convention at the Renaissance Nashville this fall.

As a Public Director on the OADN Board of Directors and someone with a deep commitment to community-driven, equity-focused work in higher education, I believe there is no substitute for the power of gathering. The OADN Convention brings together colleagues from across the country, nurse educators, program leaders, students, and communities of interest, united in their dedication to the associate degree nursing (ADN) pathway. There is nothing quite like the energy of being in a room filled with people who share your values and your vision for nursing education.

This year’s venue, the Renaissance Nashville, offers more than a beautiful setting; it provides a space for robust networking, spontaneous collaboration, and deep professional connections. Whether you are an early-career educator or a long-time leader, the Convention is your place to learn, share, and grow.

Dynamic Speakers in Nashville

We are especially excited about the lineup of general session speakers who will inspire, inform, and ignite action across our community. Rebecca Love will explore the future of nursing innovation and AI, while Dr. Danielle McCamey will emphasize the power of mentorship in expanding the faculty pipeline. Rear Admiral (Ret.) Aisha Brooks will reflect on the impact of ADN-prepared nurses in public health. Dr. Cherie Rebar and Dr. Nicole Heimgartner will return to address the vital issue of practice readiness. Beth Toner will lead a powerful panel on allyship in nursing and education.

We’ll also hear from Dr. Tina Loarte-Rodriguez on the importance of resilience and trust within our community and from Dr. Nicole Williams of NCSBN, who will provide key updates on the NCLEX and its future direction.

At its heart, the Convention is a celebration of our shared mission of supporting students, advancing the ADN pathway, and amplifying the voices of those with limited representation in nursing. I can’t wait to be in community with each of you—to listen, to learn, and to continue shaping a future where opportunity, excellence, and equity are the cornerstones of nursing education.

I wish you a joyful summer and look forward to seeing you in Nashville.

Marilyn McGhee, Ph.D.
Public Director
OADN Board of Directors