We hope that all NNSDO members are planning to attend the NNSDO Convention on July 27-30, 2006, at the Hilton in the Walt Disney World Resort. 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.
If you have never been to an NNSDO convention before, make 2006's convention your first.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF ATTENDING?
The annual NNSDO convention will include the following:
* Top-level, national speakers. 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. Opportunity to 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 fields.
* New and innovative ideas for application in a variety of staff development settings.
WHO WILL BENEFIT BY ATTENDING?
* 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.
* 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 Dixie Schneider, Martha Griffin, and Ann Weeks.
OPENING SESSION
Dixie Schneider, BSN, RN, PHN, is a registered nurse, professional speaker, trainer, and seminar leader. As a long-time health advocate, Dixie presents with humor and substance. As a wellness consultant, she believes "mirth is good medicine." Dixie understands the stresses and changes found in the business and within the home. Listening and laughing with Dixie help us all learn upbeat ways to meet the challenges of our busy lives.
KEYNOTE SESSION
Martha Griffin, PhD, RN, Program Manager of the Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, speaks on a variety of "sensitive topics." Martha is a founder of an organization that advocated for insurance coverage for infertility under the family healthcare insurance plans. Much of her early speaking was to legislative bodies and public testimony.
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 scheduled into the following tracks:
* Advanced
* Technology
* Leadership
* Recruitment/Retention
* Staff Development
* Preceptor
* Potpourri
Presenters for the convention's forty-eight 90-minute concurrent sessions are selected from more than 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 more than 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 2006 Convention will be held at the Hilton Walt Disney World Resort. The Hilton is located inside Walt Disney World Resort, next to the downtown Disney Resort area. With 23,000 m of meeting and banquet space, it is a great choice as a venue for a memorable event. Guests can take advantage of the "Extra Magic Hour," which allows entry into certain Walt Disney World theme parks an hour before official opening. There is free transport to the theme parks, and the hotel is within walking distance of the Disney Marketplace, Pleasure Island, and Disney's West Side. This Four Diamond Resort offers seven restaurants and lounges, three pools, and a deluxe fitness center, plus 99 holes of Walt Disney World Golf.
To make reservations, contact the Hilton as follows:
1751 Hotel Plaza Boulevard, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830; telephone: (407)-827-4000; fax: (407)-827-3890; or toll-free number: (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 2006 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.