Magnet Conference attracts thousands to Orlando
Illustrating the power of a “Magnet,” more than 10,000 nurses and other health care stakeholders are being drawn to Orlando, FL, to immerse themselves in a wide range of educational and innovative sessions, celebratory events, and networking opportunities at the 2019 ANCC National Magnet Conference®, which runs from Oct. 10-12. At the high-energy conference opening, attendees already were treated to performances by Opera Orlando, gained insights from speaker Gretchen Rubin on understanding personality tendencies to create better work environments, and learned firsthand about the 2020 “Year of the Nurse.”
Magnet Conference opening session.
Welcoming attendees and laying out the upcoming days’ events were ANA Enterprise Chief Executive Officer Loressa Cole, DNP, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, FACHE, and Rebecca Graystone, MS, MBA, RN, NE-BC, American Nurses Credentialing Center vice president of the Magnet Recognition Program® and Pathway to Excellence®.
In his remarks, ANA President Ernest Grant, PhD, RN, FAAN, shared his excitement at being at the conference to celebrate with all attendees, as well as to recognize their dedication to nursing excellence.
ANA President Ernest Grant.
Year of the Nurse 2020
He also announced another important celebration that is taking place in 2020.
“In recognition of the 200th anniversary of the birth of Florence Nightingale, the World Health Assembly officially designated 2020 as the “Year of the Nurse and Midwife,” Grant said. “In support, ANA Enterprise will celebrate the ‘Year of the Nurse’ and we encourage all nurses to engage in activities [held throughout the year].”
As part of this initiative, the ANA Enterprise plans to highlight and promote nursing excellence, infuse nursing leadership across the spectrum of health and health care, and foster, stimulate and diffuse nursing innovation to benefit patients and communities.
“I promise you, it will be an unforgettable year,” Grant said.
Shared vision
ANCC President Patricia Reid Ponte, DNSc, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, noted the shared vision and common goals of the ANA Enterprise, Magnet and Pathway organizations, and nurses who work in those facilities. Among those goals are to advance outstanding care by developing the highest evidence-based standards; implement a culture of innovation, quality and safety; and support practice environments of collaboration, autonomy, scholarship, and other important factors.
“There’s a reason that even in these pressure-packed, rapidly changing times, nursing is the number one most trusted profession in America,” Reid Ponte said. “And that reason is you.”
Working happier, healthier
In her opening presentation, best-selling author and happiness expert Rubin shared her “Four Tendencies” framework, which looks at how people respond to a request or an order. She then detailed the four tendencies – “upholder,” “questioner,” “obliger” and “rebel” – noting each tendency’s strengths and weaknesses.
“When we know ourselves and each other better, we can become happier, healthier and more productive,” Rubin said.
Recognition and activities
The Magnet conference -- which embodies the theme “Educate. Innovate. Celebrate.” -- is offering more than 70 educational and innovative sessions, inspiring speakers at three general sessions, and 150-plus poster sessions highlighting the work of nurse colleagues.
The ANCC Magnet Prize, Magnet Nurse of the Year Award-winners, the HRH Princess Muna Al-Hussein Award and the Margretta Madden Styles President’s Award will be announced and celebrated.
Attendees also can visit an exhibit hall filled with the latest developments and technologies and participate in numerous organized and informal networking and entertainment-focused events.
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