We hope that all National Nursing Staff Development Organization (NNSDO) members are making plans to attend the NNSDO Convention on July 26-29, 2007, at the Sheraton Atlanta Hotel in Atlanta, GA. The Planning Committee has worked hard to develop a program that will appeal to and be useful for staff development educators in a variety of settings and at various levels of experience. With the numerous and rapid changes occurring in healthcare, the convention is a great resource for ideas on how to meet changing regulatory requirements.
If you have never been to an NNSDO convention before, make 2007's convention your first. Even if you have attended one in the past, the 2007 convention promises to be even better as the Planning Committee has carefully reviewed past evaluation comments to ensure that participants' feedback is addressed.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF ATTENDING?
The annual NNSDO convention will include the following:
* Top-level, national speakers[horizontal ellipsis]As always, the opening, keynote, and closing sessions feature proven professionals who will inform and inspire.
* An information-packed program book for reference during the convention. And it is a great resource for the workplace! A CD-ROM of the program book is available as well.
* Endless opportunities for networking. Meet influential staff development leaders.
* Opportunities to develop new friendships with other staff development professionals.
* Participation in the annual business meeting. Make a difference in the future of the organization!
* Peer-reviewed concurrent session presentations by top professionals in the field.
* New and innovative ideas for application in a variety of staff development settings.
WHO WILL BENEFIT BY ATTENDING?
You will benefit from attending if you are a
* staff development specialist or director of nursing education/staff development;
* patient educator in any setting, including acute care, long-term care, and home care;
* human resources manager with continuing education responsibilities;
* staff nurse with responsibility for staff development, education of unit personnel, or both;
* consultant in the field of staff development, patient education, or both;
* nursing faculty member with education and research responsibilities in the areas of patient education and staff development;
* novice or beginner in the field of staff development;
* provider of products and services for continuing education and staff development; or
* graduate or undergraduate student in nursing or education with a specialization in nursing education, staff development, or patient education.
This year's invited speakers are Diane Sieg, Bernice Buresh, and Ann Weeks.
OPENING SESSION
Diane Sieg, RN, CLC, is the founder of Personal Balance, member of the American Association of Lifestyle Counselors and the National Speakers Association, and an author. In her humorous and high-energy way, Diane uses her firsthand experience as a lifestyle counselor and nurse to illustrate easy-to-remember self-care strategies to put your life on a saner, healthier track. Challenging audiences to take Universal Precautions, she shows you how to "Get Gloved, Gowned, and Goggled" to create a life with less stress and more meaning. Most importantly, you will walk away feeling empowered to eliminate energy drainers, overcome obstacles, and change unhealthy behavior patterns that keep you from living the fullest life possible.
KEYNOTE SESSION
Bernice Buresh is a journalist, international lecturer, and coauthor of the award-winning book From Silence to Voice: What Nurses Know and Must Communicate to the Public (2nd ed.; 2006; Cornell University Press). Her presentations are designed to help nurses communicate more effectively about their work to increase public support for nursing. Ms. Buresh has been a reporter for the Milwaukee Sentinel, a correspondent and bureau chief for Newsweek, and a professor of journalism at Boston University. She is chair of the Board of the Center for Nursing Advocacy, which monitors the depiction of nursing in the news and entertainment media.
CLOSING SESSION
Ann Weeks, DNS, RN, is a nationally known speaker, specializing in everyday strategies to deal with the stresses of life's passages. She is the author of 11 publications and numerous short stories. Ann is a nurse family therapist in a private practice working with individuals, couples, and families dealing with stress.
CONCURRENT SESSIONS
The NNSDO convention's concurrent sessions are broken down into the following tracks:
* Advanced
* Leadership
* General Staff Development
* Recruitment/Retention
* Technology
* Potpourri
Presenters for the convention's forty-eight 90-minute concurrent sessions are selected from over 200 submitted proposals with the Planning Committee's most highly rated topics chosen. The Planning Committee works to ensure that the program has something for everybody by considering sessions for varying levels of experience, relevance of topic to current challenges in staff development/patient education, and feasibility of application to a variety of settings.
POSTERS
In addition to the podium presentations, there are over 50 posters presented annually at each NNSDO convention. Poster presenters staff their posters during established times to allow for one-on-one communication between poster presenters and participants. Contact hours for poster presentations review are available.
EXHIBITS
One group of professionals with which to cultivate relationships is exhibitors. Representatives from a variety of companies will be on hand to answer your questions and demonstrate their products. You will learn about the latest products and services for staff development, and your practice will benefit from having a productive relationship with industry representatives who can keep you informed of the latest developments in technology, pharmaceuticals, software, publications, and other products and services for staff development professionals.
HOTEL INFORMATION
The Sheraton Atlanta Hotel, unlike any other luxury hotel in Atlanta, is located directly in the center of lively downtown, minutes from exciting shopping, sports, dining, and entertainment. The fabulous location and elegant surroundings are only matched by the beautifully renovated 760 luxurious guest rooms, including 22 incredible suites. All feature a spacious desk area with task lighting, telephones with data ports, and a host of personal comforts.
When it is time to unwind, you will not find any other Atlanta lodging that offers the wide range of relaxing possibilities that you will find at the Sheraton Atlanta Hotel. The indoor/outdoor swimming pool has spacious seating areas and a poolside bar, the perfect place to relax with a cocktail. Or, if your idea of relaxing is a bit more strenuous, the fitness center at this Atlanta luxury hotel is open 24 hours and is newly renovated, featuring the latest in high-technology equipment. And there is always your in-room, remote-controlled television with Nintendo for those looking for some quiet time alone.
The Sheraton offers a full-service business center, valet and self-parking, a fully stocked gift shop, and a professional concierge ready to assist. The Sheraton also features the following:
* Sheraton Sweet Sleeper Bed
* Starbucks coffee onsite
* Wireless Internet throughout the hotel
* UPS Store-print, copy, and ship from one convenient location
To make reservations, contact the Sheraton as follows:
Sheraton Atlanta Hotel, 165 Courtland Street, Atlanta, GA 30303; telephone: 404-659-6500; fax: 404-524-1259; 407-827-3890; or toll-free: (800) HILTONS. Room rates of $139.00 for single and $149.00 for double are available until June 24, 2006, or until the room block is filled.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
For a complete copy of the NNSDO 2007 convention registration brochure, contact the NNSDO National Office at 800-489-1995 or 850-474-0995 or visit the NNSDO Web site at http://www.nnsdo.org.