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CALL FOR STUDENT POSTERS

Deadline: October 9, 2024

In celebration of OADN’s 40th Anniversary, the Organization for Associate Degree Nursing (OADN) invites Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) students to submit poster abstracts for the OADN Annual Convention, October 31 – November 2, 2024, at the Marriott Water Street in Tampa, Florida.

 

Theme: Bridging the Past to Build the Future

OADN’s 40th Anniversary Convention theme recognizes the historic role of the associate degree pathway in our nation’s healthcare workforce and patients in every community. Nursing students have unique perspectives, spotlighting key areas that ADN programs are now addressing to better prepare new graduate nurses and build for a brighter future.

Poster presentations provide students with the opportunity to present original research, hone their evidence-based practice competencies, and develop their skills as public speakers. Top consideration will be given to poster abstracts that present well-designed research or demonstration projects, particularly those that are evidence-based and include data.

Poster Topics may include:

• Identifying existing barriers and proposing strategies to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in nursing education
• Quality and safety interventions to improve patient outcomes
• Fostering healthy working environments and nurse well-being
• Identifying innovative approaches to clinical learning experiences
• Simulation and virtual simulation
• Discussing strategies to build inclusive learning communities
• Developing clinical judgment
• Transition to practice initiatives
• Expanding access to education through creative academic progression and other strategies
• Promoting strategies to generate and support the development of nurses as leaders
• Leveraging the social mission of nursing education to achieve learning outcomes and advance health equity

 

OADN is pleased to acknowledge the generous support from Post University for sponsoring the student poster awards. Thanks to their generous support, the top three student posters will be awarded:

• First Prize: $750
• Second Prize: $500
• Third Prize: $250

 

Poster Session Information:

• Location: JW Marriott Tampa – 4^th Floor – Tampa Bay Ballroom Foyer
• Setup:   Thursday, Oct. 31, 12 pm – 7 pm Eastern Time
• Present:   Friday, Nov. 1, 2:20 pm – 4 pm ET
• Take down:  Friday, Nov. 1, 4 pm – 5 pm ET

Submissions do NOT include designed posters or graphics. Students who are informed of their poster’s acceptance and accept the opportunity to present at the OADN Convention should move forward with designing and producing a poster that fits within these dimensions. If your poster is accepted, please refer to this presentation for additional guidance on poster design and content.

For logistical and space reasons, a maximum of four student presenters will be considered with your poster abstract submission. All student presenters must register and pay a reduced Student Registration Attendee Rate ($165) for the OADN Convention. To register, please call the OADN office at 1-800-809-6260

Submissions due October 9, 2024.

Resources:

• Best Practices for Poster Presentations
• Poster dimensions

The 2024 call for faculty podium and poster abstracts has closed.

 

Accreditation, Regulation, and Advocacy: An Essential Intersection for All Nursing Programs

 

Dear OADN Members:

Recently, a North Dakota nursing program has been facing an unprecedented crisis that is impacting the whole university. The program’s entire full-time nursing faculty has resigned, citing untenable workloads and potential accreditation issues, leaving the institution without any full-time nursing faculty just weeks before the fall semester begins. While denying claims of accreditation risk, the administration is actively seeking solutions to address the faculty shortage in collaboration with the university system.  Complicating these challenges, the university’s president has unexpectedly resigned, citing the state board of nursing’s refusal to approve his new staffing plan as the cause for his departure, something that the board of nursing refutes.

Conversations with OADN program member schools and faculty members frequently provide valuable insights. During one such discussion with a program member from the Pacific Northwest, the dual role of nurse faculty was highlighted: producing competent and qualified nurse graduates and ensuring that nursing programs comply with educational requirements to maintain public safety and welfare.

Each commonwealth, jurisdiction, state, or territory must align the education of nurses with the governing Nurse Practice Act (NPA). While not all NPAs address education, most outline specific requirements for nurse educators. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) in their Model Act (2021) cites that within the registered nurse scope of practice related to education, nurses may:

1. Design and implement teaching plans based on patient needs or patient populations.
2. Teach the theory and practice of nursing.
3. Educate others as appropriate.

Nursing education standards are evidence-based criteria used to ensure the quality of nursing programs. Faculty and nurse administrators play a crucial role in monitoring these standards and intervening when necessary. Early intervention allows programs to make improvements before warning signs emerge and sanctions become necessary. These standards aim to ensure that graduates of nursing programs are prepared for safe and effective nursing practice.

Section 5 of NCSBN’s Model Act (2021) underscores the importance of the governing institution’s approval and ongoing support for the nursing program and the chief nurse administrative officer (program director, coordinator, dean, associate dean, etc.).

The Accreditation Commission on Education in Nursing’s (ACEN) Standards of Accreditation (2023), Standard 1, emphasize the importance of the administrative capacity and resources of the program. The mission and philosophy of the nursing program must align with the mission, goals, and values of the governing organization. Both the governing organization and the nursing program must have the capacity and resources to support effective program delivery. This ensures the achievement of end-of-program student learning outcomes and program outcomes for each nursing program type. Faculty freedom requires aligning evidence-based best regulatory practices with the ACEN’s Standards of Accreditation.

Faculty and program administrators’ advocacy for students, programs, and end-of-program outcomes is crucial. Much like OADN’s advocacy at the national level supports and advances evidence-based practices within the associate degree pathway and our OADN program members, this advocacy ensures that students receive a quality education that prepares them for successful nursing careers.

OADN members must lead advocacy efforts locally, regionally, and at the state level to advance the education and graduation of a nurse workforce ready to meet today’s practice demands and the complexity of care required by patients entrusted to their care. Local advocacy allows members to address specific community needs and adapt educational programs to local healthcare environments. Regional efforts foster collaboration between different institutions and help standardize best practices across broader areas. State-level advocacy is critical for influencing policy changes, securing funding, and ensuring that nursing education standards are maintained and improved. By taking a proactive stance in these advocacy efforts, OADN members can ensure that the nursing workforce is well-equipped to handle the dynamic challenges of modern healthcare, thereby safeguarding public health and enhancing the overall quality of care delivery.

 

 

 

 

Rick García, Ph.D., RN, CCM, FAAOHN, FAADN
Chief Executive Officer
OADN and OADN Foundation

 

 

References

Model Act, (2021), National Council State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). https://www.ncsbn.org/public-files/21_Model_Act.pdf

Standards of Accreditation, (2023), The Accreditation Commission on Education in Nursing (ACEN). https://resources.acenursing.org/space/SAC/1824227333/2023+Standards+and+Criteria

The Organization for Associate Degree Nursing Board of Directors is proud to announce the appointment of two distinguished Public Directors: Larissa Africa, MBA, BSN, FAONL, FAAN, and Marilyn McGhee, Ph.D.

“OADN is honored to welcome Larissa Africa and Dr. Marilyn McGhee to our Board of Directors. Larissa’s extensive experience as a nurse executive and her leadership at Versant Healthcare Competency Solutions will be invaluable to our mission. Dr. McGhee’s diverse background, spanning military service, academia, and development, brings a unique and rich perspective to our board. Their combined expertise will greatly enhance our efforts to advance associate degree nursing education and support the success of our students and programs.” – Dr. Karen LaMartina, President, OADN.

Larissa Africa brings over 20 years of exemplary experience as a nurse executive in the healthcare industry and within health systems to the OADN Board of Directors. Larisa is the President and Chief Executive Officer for Versant Healthcare Competency Solutions, showcasing her leadership and commitment to advancing healthcare competency.  Larissa’s term began on June 2024.

Dr. Marilyn McGhee contributes over 30 years of diverse experience and leadership to the OADN Board of Directors, stemming from her military service, various roles within the College of Nursing at Florida State University, and her recent position as Director of Development at Rutgers University Foundation. Dr. McGhee offers a unique and valuable perspective as a non-nurse in a nurse-centric educational focus area, enriching the board with her extensive expertise and innovative insights.  Dr. McGhee’s term will begin in January 2025.