Dermatology Nurses' Association (DNA) national educational conventions are well known for offering exceptional education to healthcare professionals from around the world. The conventions are an extension of the DNA's knowledge and expertise in dermatology care, which are seen throughout the year in their wide variety of high-quality educational resources including their premiere journal, core textbooks, advocacy initiatives, international conferences, Web-based offerings, and online tools. DNA serves as a content expert, with educators, advisors, collaborators, and leaders who seek to inform their members of the latest evidence-based treatments, interventions, technologies, and advancements. The annual convention is the place that brings it all together.
The DNA will be offering their 36th Annual Convention in San Diego, California, on February 14-17, 2018, at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel and Marina. Their conference will emphasize patient outcomes, evidence-based practice, and networking for an inclusive audience, which will include dermatologic nurse practitioners, registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, medical assistants, and other support staff as well as healthcare professionals from other disciplines seeking excellent dermatologic knowledge and insight.
The theme for this year's DNA convention is "evolution," recognizing that dermatologic care is ever changing, "Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow." The DNA recognized that, when there are advancements in research, treatments, and patient care, such evolution contributes continually to improved patient outcomes. We learn from and build on the past, embrace the knowledge of today, and seek for more knowledge aimed toward the future. By educating dermatology professionals on the most current care evidence-based guidelines and offering expert knowledge and experience and new skills, the DNA offers its attendees the opportunity to provide the best dermatologic care in a healthcare environment that is bound by change. This education coincides with providing venues for networking and sharing of ideas.
Offerings for education include concurrent sessions with the most in-demand topics including biologics, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, dermatopathology, dermoscopy, autoimmune disorders, immunology and function of the skin, and other evolving and advancing topics. There are also exceptional comprehensive workshops including dermatologic surgery, essentials of dermatology, and cosmetic dermatology. There are opportunities to learn about the newest products, indications, medications, and therapies, which are rapidly evolving in the specialty.
The DNA's core purpose has always been to promote excellence in dermatologic care with a focus on each individual's unique needs, inclusive of their dermatologic health as well as their social, financial, and emotional needs. The convention will ensure that all of these very important factors are integrated into the educational offerings.
The convention also offers several days of exhibits, several hundred attendees, sponsorship opportunities for educational programs, opportunities for volunteerism and mentoring, and the chance for professionals to network in a fun atmosphere with their peers. As well, the DNA conventions offer generous continuing education credits, accredited by the AANP and AANC for the sessions and workshops.
Since the inception of the Nurse Practitioner Society of the DNA in 2005, one of its primary goals has been to provide exceptional education. The high-quality Nurse Practitioner Forum during the convention consistently offers an outstanding program. The advanced curriculum of this program allows nurse practitioners to be reassured that they can access new education in a comprehensive manner as well as be provided the opportunity to network with others who are in practice within this shared specialty. The caliber of educators in the forum never fails to be superb and excels in the realm of nurse practitioner continuing education resources available.
We hope to see all of you at the convention this year; it is certain to be not only a fantastic and comprehensive learning experience but also filled with fun and newly discovered friends. For more information, visit https://www.dnanurse.org/dnaeducation/annual-convention/.
See you in San Diego!
Heather Onoday, RN, BSN, FNP-C
Department of Dermatology
Oregon Health and Science University
Portland, OR