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    Call for Abstracts

    The Conference Planning Committee invites the submission of abstracts showcasing excellence, innovation, scholarship, and best practices in nursing education. Faculty, students, clinicians, researchers, and academic leaders are encouraged to submit abstracts that advance nursing education and contribute to the preparation of the nursing workforce. This may include research studies, project/best practice presentations, or theory development/concept analysis.

     

  • *Abstracts submitted from August 2026 through October 1, 2026 will be considered for acceptance to our 2027 Conference on February 17-19, 2027 at Westin Rancho Mirage in the Palm Desert.

     

    Abstract Categories

    Abstracts should align with one of the following categories:

    1. BSN RN and APRN Transition to Practice
      Example topics: residency programs, onboarding, preceptor development, academic-practice partnerships, and practice readiness initiatives
    2. Competency-Based Education and Assessment
      Example topics: competency frameworks, competency assessment strategies, entrustable professional activities, mastery learning, and programmatic assessment
    3. Teaching and Learning Innovations
      • Didactic Teaching Strategies
      • Clinical Teaching Strategies
      • Simulation and Virtual Learning
    4. Educational Technology, Artificial Intelligence, and Innovation
      Example topics: artificial intelligence, virtual reality, educational technologies, learning analytics, digital tools, and innovative educational approaches
    5. Leadership Development
      Example topics: faculty development, mentorship, leadership preparation, succession planning, and student leadership initiatives
    6. Policy, Advocacy, and Health Equity
      Example topics: legislative advocacy, workforce policy, diversity and inclusion initiatives, social determinants of health, and health equity
    7. Quality Improvement, Evidence-Based Practice, and Scholarship
      Example topics: quality improvement projects, evidence-based practice initiatives, program evaluation, educational outcomes, and scholarship of teaching and learning

     

    • Abstract Evaluation Criteria 

    • Abstracts will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

      • Internal consistency between purpose, aims, methods, and outcomes
      • Clarity and organization of the presentation
      • Significance and relevance to nursing education and nursing practice
      • Innovation and contribution to the discipline
      • Applicability to educational, clinical, leadership, or policy settings
    • Abstract Requirements 

    • Requirements

      • Abstracts Word Count: 500 words.
      • Abstract titles and abstract content must be blinded. Do not include author names, institutional affiliations, healthcare facilities, or identifying information within the abstract body.
      • Abstracts submitted after October 1st or incomplete submissions will not be considered for the 2027 Conference.
      • Abstracts should represent completed work with outcomes available for reporting.
      • Student submissions may include completed or in-progress scholarly work to facilitate dissemination and peer learning.
      • Do not include acronyms, tables, graphs, figures, or references within the abstract body.
      • Follow the content and formatting requirements listed below.

       

    • Abstract Content & Format 

    • Organization Based on Type of Work

      Authors should organize abstracts according to the type of work being presented.

      Research Studies

      Research papers, instrument development studies, methodological studies, and research-based best practices should include:

      1. Purpose/Aims
      2. Rationale, Conceptual Basis, or Background
      3. Methods
      4. Results
      5. Implications

      Project or Best Practice Presentations

      Quality improvement, educational innovation, and evidence-based practice projects should include:

      1. Purpose/Aims
      2. Rationale or Background
      3. Description of the Project or Best Practice
      4. Approach
      5. Methods
      6. Processes Used
      7. Outcomes Achieved
      8. Conclusions and Implications for Clinical or Educational Practice
      9. Recommendations for Future Research or Initiatives

      Theory Development or Concept Analysis

      Theory development and concept analysis papers should include:

      1. Purpose/Aims
      2. Description of the Theory or Concept
      3. Concept Analysis or Theory Development Process
      4. Internal Consistency of the Theory
      5. Relationship of the Theory or Concept to Nursing Practice or Research
      6. Conclusions and Utility for Nursing Practice, Education, or Research

      Funding Disclosure

      If the project or study received full or partial funding support, include a funding statement at the end of the abstract.

      e.g. This project was supported in part by the ABC Nursing Education Grant Program.

      References

      References are discouraged. If references are included, they must:

      • Be limited to essential citations only.
      • Follow current APA formatting guidelines.

      Paper Format Style

      Title

      • Center the title.
      • Use ALL CAPITAL LETTERS.

      Margins

      • Top: 1 inch
      • Bottom: 1 inch
      • Left: 1 inch
      • Right: 1 inch

      Font

      • Use a 12-point font.
      • Recommended fonts include Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri.

      Length

      • Abstracts should be no more than one page, single-spaced, in portrait orientation (8.5" × 11").
      • If author information requires additional space, a second page may be used.
      • The abstract body may not exceed 500 words.
         
    • General Acceptance Criteria 
      • You may choose which presentation categories you would like to be considered for on the submission form (select all that apply)
        • Podium Presentation
        • Concurrent Session
        • Poster Presentation
        • Student Poster Presentation
      • You must complete all red asterik (*) items to submit your abstract. Once submitted you will not be able to edit your submission until after the initial review.
      • Abstract scoring and selection is conducted by blind peer review. 

      If your Abstract is accepted:

      • You will receive notice before or by November 15th.
      • Presenters assume costs associated with registration, travel and accommodations for the conference.
      • Authors of abstracts accepted for presentation at the conference are required to respond with their intent by the designated date on their acceptance invitation and register for the conference. If you are using an institution email please make sure your IT department whitelists the domain @cacn.org. Failure to respond or register will cancel the presentation from the conference program. 
      • If you accept you must complete all required elements of the speaker acceptance form emailed to you for CE compliance by the deadlines stated in acceptance invitation.
      • Final version of your electronic presentation and handouts are due by the date listed in acceptance invitation. Last minute uploads may not be accommodated.

  • Author Information

  • Author Information Instructions

    • All individuals who contributed substantially to the project or study are to be included below as authors in listed order.
    • Student submissions to include the faculty mentor as the second author.
    • Do not include academic credentials or certifications with author names.
    • You will identify separately, the submitting author/primary presenter.

     

  • Primary Presenter Information

    Please complete the below information with the primary presenters information.
  • Please select all options that apply to you, the primary presenter:
  • Expiration Date
     - -

  • Abstract Submission

  • Which presentation formats would you like to be considered for with this submission? Please select all that apply. If you do not select an option you will not be considered for that type.*

  • Please identify the type, category, and sub-category that best matches your submission.

  • Type*
  • Main Category*
  • Sub-category*

  • All fields and submitted information in this section must be blinded. Do not include author names, institutional affiliations, healthcare facilities, or identifying information in any field in this section.

    Name your blinded abstract pdf file as follows.

    blindedabstract + Abstract Title First Word + Second Word + First Initial + Last Initial

    Example:

    Name: Lucy Mare

    Abstract Title: BUILDING COMPETENCY IN CHALLENGING ENVIRONMENTS

    File Name: blindedabstractbuildingcompetencylm

     *part of our evaluation process considers if formating guidelines were followed*

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  • IMPORTANT: Your abstract submission is NOT complete until you hit the green "Submit" button below. You will then be directed to a final acceptance page. If you don't see this 'thank you' page your abstract has NOT been submitted.

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