Join nurse leaders from across the country to exchange ideas, explore new approaches, and advance the strategies shaping the future of nursing. Together, we can build stronger teams, inspire innovation, and drive meaningful change in healthcare.
Submit a poster to share your research or highlight your successes. Accepted poster presenters receive 50% off their Summit registration fee!
The challenges facing nurse leaders demand new approaches to workforce stability, team development, innovation, and care delivery. The 3rd Annual Nurse Leaders Summit brings nursing professionals together to examine practical strategies, exchange ideas, and strengthen the leadership skills needed to move their organizations forward.
From workforce shortages and turnover to growing demands on healthcare organizations, nurse leaders face complex challenges that require more than short-term solutions. Understanding the scope of these challenges is the first step toward building more sustainable teams, strengthening organizations, and improving the future of care.
Nursing leadership conferences have become a career-defining investment for frontline nurse leaders facing mounting staffing pressures. The right event connects you with peers who understand the daily realities of managing clinical teams during workforce shortages, retention…
Continue Reading →
Nursing leadership summits in 2026 offer a focused opportunity to connect with peers who understand the realities of leading clinical teams during ongoing workforce challenges. These events bring together CNOs, Directors of Nursing, and VPs of Nursing to share practical…
Continue Reading → Finding the right healthcare conferences can feel overwhelming when you're a busy executive trying to maximize your limited time away from the organization. Chief nursing officers, hospital executives, and healthcare leaders need events that deliver actionable insights,…
Continue Reading →Registration for the main conference is not required if you attended the AI Forum and already have a badge.
This session dives deep into the forces propelling nursing to the forefront of healthcare innovation. We’ll explore how nurses are leveraging technology, leading research, and redefining patient care in ways that were once unimaginable. This transformation moves beyond simply using digital tools; it involves changing how care is delivered and experienced.
In this panel, nurse leaders share their personal career paths, current organizational insights, and the realities of modern nursing leadership. This moderated session will dive into the pivotal “a-ha” moments and missteps that shaped their careers, offering practical, actionable advice for overcoming barriers. Participants will leave with a clear roadmap for their own professional growth and a deeper understanding of the future of nursing leadership.
This session equips nurse leaders with practical, real-world strategies to integrate technology in ways that strengthen clinical decision-making, streamline workflows, and elevate patient experience. Participants will explore how tech-enabled solutions — from AI-supported documentation to virtual care models — can reduce burden, improve care coordination, and translate directly to better outcomes for patients and staff. Leaders will leave with actionable tools to assess readiness, improve adoption, and sustain impact.
Workplace violence is a universal challenge in healthcare, but the pediatric environment faces distinct risks shaped by family dynamics, fear, and high-emotion moments. This fireside chat will focus on real-world tactics that help keep staff safer in order to achieve measurable success.
This panel discussion will highlight the universal steps in the policy change process while exploring how unique institutional differences can shape the approach. Panelists will offer tangible guidance on navigating policy change efficiently and effectively. You’ll walk away with actionable strategies to implement meaningful policy reforms.
In this uplifting talk, Greta Rosler details the typical emotions and barriers that nurse leaders face when it comes to performance management. Though many nurse leaders struggle with holding their team to certain standards, Rosler details the common pitfalls that we face and what to do about them, as she tells the story of Nancy, a staff member who helped her realize what kind of nurse leader she was … and who she needed to become.
There exists a crucial link between financial stability and mental health that is often overlooked in healthcare professional development. Financial stress is among the leading causes of anxiety, burnout, and reduced job performance. This session will explore the connection between personal financial wellness and professional resilience and provide a framework to alleviate financial burden.
Burnout and turnover are no longer workforce challenges; they are strategic imperatives shaping the future of care delivery. This session reveals an evidence-based empathic leadership model born out of Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School and now used by healthcare leaders across the country. Attendees will learn practical, high-impact techniques that enhance staff well-being, strengthen retention, and foster a culture where clinicians feel valued, supported, and equipped to thrive.
Despite exceptional qualifications, many nurse leaders struggle with self-doubt and imposter syndrome that keep them from translating clinical expertise into organizational influence — challenges that disproportionately affect women in healthcare leadership. This session addresses the hidden barriers — fraudulent feelings of inadequacy, confidence gaps, and strategic positioning challenges — that prevent talented nurses from securing their seat at the decision-making table. Discover how to dismantle self-limiting beliefs, build authentic leadership credibility, and strategically position yourself for influential roles where healthcare’s most critical decisions are made.
Healthcare professionals face relentless pressures that can lead to burnout, compassion fatigue, and tragically, increased risk of suicide. This session explores the latest research and evidence-based interventions to protect the mental health of nurses and healthcare workers. Participants will learn cutting-edge strategies to recognize warning signs, cultivate resilience, and implement systemic changes that create a culture of psychological safety. Nurse leaders will leave with actionable tools to reduce stigma, foster well-being, and support their teams before crises arise.
Equitable nurse staffing is foundational to quality care, workforce sustainability, and patient safety, yet persistent gaps continue to undermine outcomes for nurses and those they serve. This session examines how staffing models, policies, and resource allocation can unintentionally create inequities across settings, roles, and populations. Participants will explore evidence-informed approaches to aligning staffing with patient acuity, community needs, and nurse well-being. Real-world examples will highlight how equitable staffing drives measurable improvements in quality, safety, and experience. Attendees will leave with actionable strategies to advocate for and implement staffing practices that support both high-quality outputs and equitable outcomes.
Explore how radical empathy can transform patient experience and strengthen team culture. Drawing from experience leading a fast-paced academic urgent care center, Casey Micheil shares practical strategies to build trust, reduce emotional harm, and create human-centered care that lasts. You will leave with actionable tools to model empathy under pressure and lead teams that deliver exceptional patient experiences.
In today’s connected world, social media is a powerful tool for nurse leaders to connect, educate, and influence beyond traditional settings. This session explores strategies to build a professional online presence, share credible information, and foster community engagement. Attendees will learn how to leverage digital platforms to amplify their leadership voice, advance nursing priorities, and drive positive change in healthcare.
Kim Brown Sims is a nationally recognized healthcare executive and nurse leader with more than 40 years of experience driving systemic transformation, advancing health equity, and aligning care delivery with fiscal stewardship.
She has served in senior leadership roles at UCSF Health, Providence St. Joseph Health, Tenet Health, and Kaiser Permanente, as well as founding Firelight Nursing Innovations, Inc., a consulting firm dedicated to leadership development, workforce strategy, and operational improvement.
Her board and advisory service include President of Mentis, Napa’s mental health services board, and leadership roles with California Association of Healthcare Leaders (ACHE affiliate), Women in Healthcare International, and ANA/ANA-California task forces on racism in healthcare, veterans’ access, and LGBTQIA+ equity.
Dr. Susan Deane is a nationally recognized nurse educator, consultant, and thought leader in artificial intelligence and technology integration in nursing education and practice. With more than 25 years in nursing education, she previously served as Dean and Professor of the School of Nursing at SUNY Delhi, where she led innovative academic-practice partnerships and advanced virtual and technology-enhanced learning initiatives.
Dr. Deane specializes in AI competency development, faculty preparation, curriculum innovation, and nurse leadership in AI governance. She holds an AI Educator Certification from Auburn University and San Diego State University and a post-master’s certificate in Healthcare Informatics. Her work focuses on ensuring artificial intelligence enhances clinical judgment, while promoting ethical integrity, equity, and human-centered care.
A frequent national speaker and consultant, Dr. Deane is co-founder of Nurses for AI™ and creator of The Digital Stethoscope™, platforms dedicated to advancing AI literacy and leadership in nursing. She is committed to positioning nurses at the decision-making table as healthcare systems integrate AI into practice, education, and policy.
Ama Mathewos is a Certified Coach and Board Certified Advanced Nurse Executive with 20 years of industry experience. One of her proudest moments was leading a team, post-merger, with many opportunities for improvement into a cohesive team that demonstrated clinical excellence and ultimately became Magnet designated. Mathewos was able to accomplish Magnet designation and many other accolades by being an emotionally intelligent leader. She champions the belief that the answers reside within, awaiting discovery through introspection and action. Guiding leaders with warmth and accountability, she fosters an environment where leadership strengths are nurtured. Through strategic relationship-building and tailored action plans, Mathewos empowers leaders and their teams for success.
Greta Rosler is a Registered Nurse and healthcare leader with nearly 30 years of experience caring for humans, with 15 years spent in nursing & patient experience leadership. Previously, Rosler was a nurse leader, patient experience executive, and system lead for the Emerging Nurse Leader professional development program within the Geisinger Health System. Following her dynamic role at Geisinger, she served as Director of Program Strategy, a Relationship-Centered Communication © facilitator and coach, and leader of the patient engagement and patient partnership infrastructure for the Academy of Communication in Healthcare (ACH). Through Radius Leaders, Rosler and her team of expert facilitators and coaches — each of whom have advanced credentials coupled with dynamic clinical experience — support operational leaders in healthcare to build or refine specific competencies.
Kelly George is a healthcare leader with a passion for improving the experiences of both patients and the professionals who care for them. As Patient Experience Manager at University of Maryland Shore Regional Health, she partners with clinical teams and organizational leaders to strengthen patient-centered communication, advance quality improvement initiatives, and foster a culture of compassion, collaboration, and accountability.
With a background in clinical laboratory operations and leadership, George brings a unique perspective to the challenges facing frontline healthcare teams. She is a Certified Patient Experience Professional (CPXP) and Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ), combining expertise in patient experience, organizational performance, and sustainable process improvement.
Currently pursuing a Doctor of Science in Integrative Medicine, George is particularly interested in the connection between leadership, caregiver well-being, organizational culture, and patient outcomes. Her approach emphasizes empowering frontline teams, removing barriers to exceptional care, and creating environments where both patients and healthcare professionals can thrive.
Erin Kelley is a frontline nurse manager with a strong clinical and shared governance background. With nearly 20 years of nursing excellence at various levels and specialties, she brings a unique take on what captures employees’ attention and gains buy-in. A proven leader in employee engagement and multi-generational leadership, Kelley made a name for herself as an Emerging Nurse Leader for Pennsylvania Organization and Nurse Leaders. She has received accolades such as the Daisy Nurse Leader Award, and The Office of the Secretary of Defense Patriotic Employer Designation. Kelley led her unit to recover from a 67% turnover rate in 2021, to under 15% in three years utilizing a leadership model that values transformative and servant leadership styles. She is a busy mom of two active teens and credits them with her ability to communicate effectively across the generational divide.
Kevin Langkiet has given more than four decades to healthcare and over 30 years to nursing leadership, much of it inside large, complex health systems, and he still leads from the floor rather than from behind a desk. He has guided systemwide efforts to earn and sustain Magnet designation, built shared governance structures that give staff nurses real authority over unit-based practice, and worked with chief medical officers and quality teams to close gaps in falls, infections, and readmissions. He has managed nursing budgets above $40 million and held the line on staffing ratios through a national nursing shortage. Within the Kaiser Permanente system, he has repeatedly been called on to serve as interim Chief Nursing Officer. Today he is the founder of the Executive Nurse Leadership Institute™, where he builds the next generation of nurse executives through mentorship and coaching.
Adrianna Muñoz, MSN RN CNL, is an emergency nurse, experienced nurse leader, leadership educator, and founder of Ogden Peak. She holds a Master of Science in Nursing with a focus in nurse leadership and is a multi-award-winning storyteller and speaker. Muñoz has partnered with organizations like LinkedIn and national nursing organizations to bring practical, tactical skills to frontline leaders who need them. Drawing on her frontline and leadership experience, audience engagement, and humorous storytelling, she helps teams build psychological safety, navigate conflict, and communicate with clarity, courage, and connection on their next shift.
Susan Richwine, MSN, RN, NE-BC, CCRN, CAVRN, is a nurse leader, educator, and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) candidate with more than three decades of experience advancing nursing practice, healthcare operations, and patient-centered innovation. As Systems Manager for Virtually Integrated Care Operational Excellence at CommonSpirit Health, she leads initiatives that integrate virtual nursing and technology-enabled care models across a national health system.
Richwine is deeply passionate about the future of virtual nursing and its potential to transform healthcare delivery. She believes virtual nursing creates meaningful opportunities to support and retain experienced nurses, extend clinical expertise beyond traditional bedside roles, and reduce the administrative and cognitive burdens placed on direct care nurses. Her work focuses on designing sustainable care models that allow nurses to practice at the top of their license while enhancing patient outcomes, caregiver engagement, and workforce resilience.
Throughout her career, she has served in executive, operational, regulatory, and educational leadership roles, including Chief Nursing Officer, Nurse Manager, Clinical Practice Leader, and Professional Development Specialist. Her expertise spans quality and safety, accreditation, workforce development, nursing leadership, evidence-based practice, and healthcare technology integration.
In addition to her healthcare leadership role, Richwine serves as adjunct nursing faculty at Millersville University, where she mentors future nurse leaders and promotes innovation in nursing practice through facilitating the courses of Advanced Telehealth, leadership, and informatics. She also is the founder and director of the PA Capitol Region Nurse Honor Guard, a nonprofit organization dedicated to honoring the legacy of nursing.
She is a frequent speaker on virtual nursing, nursing leadership, professional resilience, and healthcare innovation. Her mission is to help healthcare organizations build care delivery models that elevate the nursing profession, improve patient experiences, and create fulfilling career pathways for nurses at every stage of practice.
Register 3 delegates from the same organization together, and one registration will be free!
For larger group discounts, please email us at info@icdevents.com
Paying By Check?
Please make checks payable to: International Conference Development (or ICD) and remit to:
ICD
PO Box 651,
Moody, ME 04054
Cancellation Policy
Should you be unable to attend for any reason, please inform us IN WRITING, prior to February 6, 2026, and a full refund will be provided; After February 6, 2026, a credit voucher for the full amount will be issued. No credit vouchers will be given for cancellations received on or after February 27, 2026. Registration cancellations are subject to a $200 administrative and cancellation fee. Substitutions of enrolled delegates may be made at any time. Program content and speakers are subject to change without notice.
Photography and Video Notice
ICD may take photographs and/or videos during this event for various marketing purposes. By registering and attending, you consent to capturing and using your image.
The Nurse Leaders Summit convenes the nation’s most passionate and forward-thinking leaders to share ideas, strengthen community, and inspire change. As a sponsor, you’ll join an influential network committed to advancing nurse leadership, workforce wellness, and patient-centered care—while aligning your brand with progress, purpose, and impact.
The Nurse Leaders Summit unites influential voices from across the country to share strategies, build meaningful connections, and explore innovative solutions. As a sponsor, you’ll have a unique opportunity to engage directly with decision-makers shaping the future of nursing leadership and workforce wellness.
From exclusive receptions to branded networking spaces, ICD’s sponsorship packages are built to connect your organization with senior nurse leaders and decision-makers driving workforce transformation. We’ll tailor a package that aligns with your strategic goals maximizing visibility, engagement, and return on investment.
Ways to Engage:
• Showcase your solutions with a Tabletop Exhibit
• Host an Opening Reception or Leadership Luncheon
• Spark conversation as a Networking Break Sponsor
• Sponsor Conference Registration and Scholarships
56% of attendees are Director level and above, giving sponsors direct access to senior nursing leaders and decision-makers
We’re thrilled to host our upcoming healthcare event at Northeastern University’s Charlotte campus—a modern, vibrant hub for health innovation. As Charlotte’s only R1 research university and home to the Center for Health Sciences, Northeastern offers the ideal setting for leaders shaping the future of care.
Charlotte brims with energy, culture, and possibilities—the kind of city where “Charlotte’s Got a Lot” isn’t just a slogan, it’s reality. As you explore, South End stands out: a dynamic mix of historic charm and modern vision. From hip eateries and craft breweries along bustling streets to public art, greenways, and boutique shops, it’s a neighborhood that pulses with creativity.
The 3rd Annual Nurse Leaders Summit invites nursing professionals to showcase innovative programs, research, quality improvement projects, and leadership initiatives that are making a measurable difference in healthcare. Whether you’ve developed a new approach to workforce retention, strengthened team engagement, improved patient outcomes, or introduced an innovative care model, we want to hear what’s working in your organization.
We welcome poster submissions addressing topics such as:
Share your accomplishments with nurse leaders from across the country, gain recognition for your team’s work, exchange practical strategies with peers, and contribute to advancing nursing leadership.
You don’t need a formal research study to participate. We welcome evidence-based initiatives, quality improvement projects, and practical innovations that demonstrate meaningful results or valuable lessons learned.
Your Success Could Inspire the Next Great Idea in Nursing Leadership.
Guidelines
Submission deadline and presentation guidelines to be announced.
Industry Participation
Industry representatives interested in showcasing solutions, exhibiting, sponsoring, or exploring speaking opportunities are invited to contact info@icdevents.com.
Thanks to the generous support of our industry partners, a limited number of scholarships are available to help broaden access to this event. These awards are designed to support individuals committed to advancing their work and impact. We invite you to apply for consideration.
©2025 International Conference Development, LLC. All rights reserved. ICD is an independent, purpose-driven producer of national events and symposia. All conference programs, speakers, and schedules are subject to change without notice. For sponsorship or speaking opportunities, please contact info@icdevents.com. View our Privacy Policy.
