ABNS Fall 2026 Virtual Conference - Friday, October 9 (9 Oct 2026)

Fri, 09 Oct 2026 13:30:00 GMT

Up to 6 hours of CE will be offered for attending the virtual conference.

Looking for sponsor details? Click here for the sponsor registration page!

Agenda (All times Eastern)

Time (ET)	Topic \| Speaker	CE/CAE Credits
9:30 AM	ABNS Update and Assembly Meeting Speaker: Bresney Fanning, ABNS President
10:00 AM	Keynote: Words Make All the Difference®: The Power of Encouragement for Ourselves and Others Speaker: Laura Schmidt, notes to self® As a nurse, you spend your days caring for, encouraging, and supporting others—often during some of the most challenging moments of their lives. But how often do you think about the words you say to yourself? In this uplifting and interactive session, Laura Schmidt, Founder and Chief Positive Person of notes to self®, explores the powerful role words can play in confidence, resilience, and well-being. Through personal stories, reflection, and practical examples, you’ll discover how becoming more intentional about the words you think, say, and share can make a meaningful difference in your own life and in the lives of those around you. You’ll leave with simple, practical ways to use positive self-talk, encourage yourself and others, and recognize opportunities to “breathe belief” into the people whose paths you cross.	1.00
11:00 AM	Panel: Discoveries Through a DIF Analysis *Panelists:* *Lillian "Adele" Foerster, MSN, RN, CPNP-PC/AC, ICE-CCP,* *Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB)* *Chad Reilly, MBA, CAE,* *Hospice & Palliative Nurses Association (HPNA)* *Moderator: Holly Saraullo, Data Recognition Corporation* The panel will discuss what led their organizations to a DIF analysis, "a ha!" moments throughout the process, and the outcomes for each of their organizations and lessons learned along the way.	1.00
12:00 PM	Break
12:30 PM	"Value of Certification" Research Data *Speakers:* *Kevin Letz, DNP, MBA, RN, CNE-RET, FNP-C, ANP-BC, PPCNP-BC, ENP-C, FAANP, American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB)* *Pamela Ing, PhD, ICE-CCP, Nurse Practitioner Certifiers' Group (NPCB)* Session description forthcoming	0.5
1:00 PM	2026 Annotated Certification Bibliography *Speakers:* *Heidi McNeely, PhD, RN, PCNS-BC, NEA-BC, American Nurses Credentialing Center* *Kathryn "Katie" Connell, PhD, RN, CCRN* Session description forthcoming	0.5
1:30 PM	Updates from the Professional Certification Coalition (PCC) *Speakers: Julia Juddish, JD, Pillsbury Law* Session description forthcoming	1.0
2:30 PM	What Works? Case Examples of Certificant Engagement Strategies *Speakers:* *Chad Reilly, MBA, CAE,* *Hospice & Palliative Nurses Association (HPNA)* *Janie Schumaker, MBA, BSN, RN, CEN, CPHQ, CENP, ICE-CCP, FABC, Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing* *Melissa R. Nosik, PhD, BCBA-D, ICE-CCP, SHRM-SCP, CAE, Competency & Credentialing Institute* How do certification organizations keep certificants engaged long after they earn their credential? Join leaders from three certification boards as they share real-world examples that strengthen engagement and deliver ongoing value. Attendees will gain practical ideas, lessons learned, and actionable approaches that can be adapted within their own organizations.	1.0
3:30 PM	ADA Session *Speakers:* *Erin Convery, MPA, MBA, NBME* *Beverly Antonio, PSI* *Marianne Horahan, MBA, MPH, RN, CPHQ, NEA-BC, CAE, American Nurses Credentialing Center* Session description forthcoming	1.0
4:30 PM	Adjourn

Thank You to our Virtual Conference Sponsors!

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ABNS Fall 2026 Virtual Conference - SPONSORSHIP (9 Oct 2026)

Fri, 09 Oct 2026 13:30:00 GMT

Sign on now as a Fall Conference Sponsor to support our mission and promote your organization and services to the leaders in nursing certification!

Sponsors will receive an attendee list, registration for the conference, advertising placement in the virtual conference program*, recognition in the welcome and closing remarks, and slide placement during conference breaks.

Sponsorship levels and specific benefits include:

Gold Sponsors receive up to 3 unique slides to play during conference breaks & a FULL page ad in the virtual program.
Silver Sponsors receive 1 unique slide to play during conference breaks & a HALF page ad in the online program.

*Advertisement content must be received by 10/2/2026 for inclusion in the final program. ABNS staff will work with sponsors to collect content.

Looking for standard conference Registration? CLICK HERE.

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ABNS Fall 2026 Virtual Conference - Friday, October 9 (9 Oct 2026)

ABNS Fall 2026 Virtual Conference - SPONSORSHIP (9 Oct 2026)