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• ABNS Fall 2026 Virtual Conference - Friday, October 9

  • When
    9 Oct 2026
  •  
    9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
  • Location
    Zoom

  Register

  
  

  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 with ABNS President Bresney A. Fanning, MSN, Med-MESA, NNP-BC, C-NNIC, E-ELBW
  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 Differential Item Functioning (DIF) Analysis Panelists: Adele Foerster, MSN, RN, APRN, CPNP-PC/AC, ICE-CCP, Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB) Chad Reilly, MBA, CAE, Hospice & Palliative Credentialing Center (HPCC) Moderator: Holly Saraullo, Data Recognition Corporation A panel discussion with two nursing boards, HPCC — Hospice and Palliative Credentialing Center and PNCB – Pediatric Nursing Certification Board, to understand their journey conducting a DIF analysis. Discussion will include: The Decision to Conduct a DIF Analysis,  Preparing for and Conducting the Analysis,  Outcomes and Impact from the Analysis, and  Lessons Learned.	1.00
  12:00 PM	Break
  12:30 PM	Evidence to Action: Strengthening the Value and Shaping the Future of Specialty Nursing Certification Part 1, 12:30-1:00 pm Speakers: Kevin Letz, DNP, MBA, RN, CNE-Ret, FNP-C, ANP-BC, PPCNP-BC, ENP-C, FAANP, American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (NPCB) Pamela Ing, PhD, ICE-CCP, American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (NPCB) Part 2, 1:00-1:30 pm Speakers: Heidi L. McNeely, PhD, RN, PCNS-BC, NEA-BC, American Nurses Credentialing Center Kathryn A. Connell, PhD, RN, CCRN, FCCM, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing This moderated discussion will explore current research on the value of specialty nursing certification, focusing on the motivators and barriers influencing nurses’ decisions to pursue certification. Drawing on findings from the recent ABNS "Value of Specialty Nursing Certification" research project and the ABNS "Annotated Bibliography," the discussion will examine factors that influence nurses' decisions to pursue certification, the impact of certification on nurses, patients, organizations, and the profession, and opportunities to strengthen support for certification. The session will conclude by identifying research gaps and future directions for advancing the evidence base and demonstrating the ongoing value of specialty nursing certification.	1.0
  1:30 PM	Updates from the Professional Certification Coalition (PCC) Speakers: Julia Judish, Esq., Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP This presentation will cover major federal and state legislative and regulatory developments that the PCC has engaged with over the past year that affect the nursing certification community.	1.0
  2:30 PM	What Works? Case Examples of Certificant Engagement Strategies Speakers: Chad Reilly, MBA, CAE, Hospice & Palliative Credentialing Center (HPCC) 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	Conference Wrap-up with ABNS President Bresney A. Fanning, MSN, Med-MESA, NNP-BC, C-NNIC, E-ELBW
  3:35 PM	Encore Session: Navigating ADA Considerations Speakers: Erin Convery, MPA, MBA, NBME Beverly Antonio, PSI Marianne Horahan, MBA, MPH, RN, CPHQ, NEA-BC, CAE, American Nurses Credentialing Center This session will bring together diverse perspectives from organizations at the forefront of certification and assessment. Attendees will gain valuable insights from experts who work directly with the policies, processes, and practices that help ensure fair and accessible testing experiences.	1.0
  4:30 PM	Adjourn

  

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• ABNS Fall 2026 Virtual Conference - SPONSORSHIP

  • When
    9 Oct 2026
  •  
    9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
  • Location
    Virtual Conference Platform

  Register

  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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