Practice Tip of the Week | TNA's Annual Conference: Texas Nurses Driving Change

Every year, the Texas Nurses Association’s Annual Conference focuses on amplifying nurse voices and tackling topics faced by nurses in all areas of the profession. Last year, hundreds of nurses gathered in Houston to hear from speakers that championed innovation, explored the changing landscape of nursing, and discussed staffing, wellness, safety, and other highly relevant nursing concerns.

This year, "Gaining Traction: Nurses Driving Change," focuses on ways that nurses can positively impact the healthcare system and engage in much-needed changes. The keynote speakers, panel discussions, poster, and podium presentations will center around nursing priorities identified through work completed in February 2023 by the Partners for Nurse Staffing Think Tank. This think tank was made up of a coalition of nurses representing the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses, American Nurses Association, American Organization for Nursing Leadership, Healthcare Financial Management Association, and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement. These five professional organizations came together to determine recommendation areas for the nurse staffing shortage, and identified six key areas or pillars for focus:

1. Healthy work environments
2. Diversity, equity, and inclusion
3. Work schedule flexibility
4. Stress injury continuum
5. Innovative care delivery models
6. Total compensation

Nurses across Texas are engaged in great work for their communities, organizations, and the populations they serve. While there are no easy fixes, TNA has called for abstracts for the 2024 Annual Conference to highlight the work being done that reflects the above pillars, for presentation May 31 to June 1 in San Antonio, TX. What nursing-related projects, practice, innovation, or other work have you engaged in? We would love to hear about it! The deadline for submission is Dec. 15, 2023.

General guidelines for submissions should align with the conference theme of “Gaining Traction: Nurses Driving Change” and one of the subthemes listed above. The submissions criteria include the following:

• Completed work or projects may be submitted for a poster or a podium presentation.
• Projects in progress may be submitted as poster presentations only.
• Abstracts highlighting original research, quality improvement projects, evidence-based practice, or programmatic innovations.

Abstracts may have been presented elsewhere or published within the past 12 months but must be updated to relate specifically to this conference. If the idea of writing an “abstract” sounds overwhelming, TNA volunteers and staff are available to help.

Abstract selection will be made through blinded peer review with interrater reliability built into the selection process by the TNA Nursing Professional Development committee comprised of members who graciously volunteer their time and expertise. Conference attendees look forward to learning about the work being done by nurses across Texas—this is a great opportunity to create an impact on an even broader level!

We look forward to seeing you in San Antonio, Texas for the opportunity to learn, collaborate, present your work, and continue to build a strong network of nurses across the state and beyond.