As the Association for Nursing Professional Development (ANPD) plans for 2021, we want all nursing professional development (NPD) practitioners to mark the dates of our annual convention: August 3-6, 2021. This year the convention is at the Sheraton Grand Chicago, with the theme of Aspire to Inclusivity (ANPD, 2020).
Aspire to Inclusivity is planned as a hybrid event, with in-person and online experiences. With a positive outlook, we hope members will be able to join the conference in person in beautiful Chicago on the shores of Lake Michigan. For those attending in person, there are lots of activities and places to visit while in Chicago. From taking a shoreline sightseeing tour to eating at a fabulous restaurant or visiting the Navy Pier, Chicago has so much to offer. To learn more about what will be happening in Chicago in August, please visit Choose Chicago (n.d.)!
For those who wish to participate remotely, ANPD is working hard to ensure a high-tech and engaging online experience! We will be using a new platform to deliver this year's online experience. Key features include networking spaces, a virtual exhibit hall, poster viewing, and options for live-streamed and asynchronous sessions. Both the in-person and online formats will provide an engaging atmosphere and high-quality experience!
Regardless of which option you choose, ANPD has an exciting slate of keynote speakers and concurrent sessions. The convention kicks off on Tuesday evening, August 3, with a presentation from the NPD Scope and Standards Workgroup. This group is reviewing and updating the NPD scope and standards, which is scheduled to be released at the convention. On Wednesday, we will jump right in with former ANPD board member, Dr. Launette Woolforde, EdD, DNP, RN, NPD-BC, FAAN. As a multisite NPD leader in New York with broad experience, Dr. Woolforde served as the Board Liaison for the ANPD Diversity Task Force. On Wednesday afternoon, Sarah Thomas, the first female official for the National Football League, shares her story of inclusion in a male-dominated field. On Thursday, we are excited to welcome Dr. James Pogue, PhD, founder and president of JP Enterprises. Dr. Pogue is an engaging researcher and coach in areas of diversity and inclusion, unconscious bias, and multigenerational intelligence whose message includes seeking "the 'right' kind of uncomfortable" (Pogue, 2020). Our time together will close with a bang on Friday, as we hear from an exciting special guest!
At Aspire to Inclusivity, concurrent session tracks include the usual: orientation and onboarding, competency management, education, role development, collaborative partnerships, and research/evidence-based practice/quality improvement. In addition, healthy work environment and diversity and inclusion educational tracks will stimulate your practice-and we mean that in every sense of the word! Learn how we, as NPD specialists, can ensure we are inclusive of different disciplines, uncommon nursing roles, and various healthcare settings, as well as diverse cultures and backgrounds.
Whether you choose the in-person or online experience, we know you will leave our time together energized and ready to implement new and exciting ideas. We look forward to "seeing" you in August as we Aspire to Inclusivity. Please visit the ANPD's website for more information on the convention, and registration and hotel information (ANPD, 2020). See you in Chicago!
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