Agenda

Coming soon!

While the full agenda and continuing education hours are still being finalized through our call for abstracts, you can count on a rich lineup of dynamic speakers, timely topics, and engaging sessions designed to strengthen your practice. The conference will offer multiple opportunities to earn continuing education credits, connect with colleagues, and be inspired by the latest in nursing leadership, innovation, and professional development.

Abstracts: Reviewers and Submitters Needed!

Call for Abstracts for the 2027 Annual Conference: Navigating New Horizons in Nursing

We’re looking for nurses, educators, leaders, researchers, students, and healthcare professionals with experiences, innovations, and ideas that can help nurses grow, lead, and thrive across the profession.

Abstract submissions will align with five broad areas:

• Clinical Excellence & Innovation
• Healthy Work Environments & Ethical Practice
• Leadership, Advocacy & Professional Influence
• Workforce Growth & Development
• Journey to Practice (NEW for 2027!)

Whether you have an innovative practice to share, lessons learned from a successful initiative, emerging research, or practical strategies your nursing colleagues can put into action, we want to hear from you.

Call for Abstracts Opens: September 1st

Start thinking now: What have you learned that could help another nurse navigate what’s next?

Learn More Here

Interested in serving as an abstract reviewer?

Help shape the educational experience of the 2027 Texas Nurses Association Annual Conference! TNA is seeking volunteer abstract reviewers to assist in the peer review of submissions for the 2027 Annual Conference, Navigating New Horizons in Nursing. Volunteer reviewers play an important role in helping TNA identify relevant, high-quality educational content that reflects the diverse needs, experiences, and opportunities of nurses across the profession.

Click Here to Apply

Get Your Conference T-Shirt Here!

Show your nursing pride with our limited-edition Strength in Unity, Excellence in Action t-shirt, commemorating our 2026 annual conference! The shirts are only available to order until Sunday, May 24, and can be picked up at the conference in June. Shirts will not be sold on site.

GET YOURS HERE!

2026 TNA Annual Preconference

Jumpstart your conference experience and earn 4.0 CE by joining us for our preconference, Nurses in Action: Making the Invisible Visible in Media.

Despite being the most trusted profession, nurses are significantly underrepresented in the media, appearing in only a fraction of health news stories. This hands-on pre-conference session is designed to equip nurses with the skills and confidence to become visible, credible voices in health journalism and public discourse. Participants will engage in interactive media training learning labs, including interview practice, message development, and social media strategies. Learn how to share your expertise effectively, shape public narratives, and become a go-to source for accurate, front-line health perspectives.

This event has limited seating, so early registration is encouraged. Join us from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on June 10 at the Gaylord Texas Resort and Convention Center in Grapevine, TX!

Click here to learn more and register.

2026 Texas Nurses Foundation Gala

Texas Nurses Foundation is excited to announce that our annual Gala will be held the evening of Thursday, June 11, 2026, at the Gaylord Resort & Convention Center in Grapevine, TX benefitting the Texas Nurses Foundation 501(c)3 charitable foundation.

Join us on this special evening as we celebrate recipients of the TNF Leaders & Legends Awards, a ceremonious tribute to honor the exceptional contributions of remarkable members within the Texas Nurses Association, and TNA’s Outstanding 25 Texas Nurses, recognizing the contributions of 25 Texas registered nurses who have made a difference in the lives of others. See this year's Leaders & Legends honorees here!

You won't want to miss this! Register here.

Also, serve as a Gala sponsor and show your support for Texas nurses! Reception, program and table sponsor packages available. Download the prospectus.

Meet the Speakers

 

Renee Thompson, DNP, RN, FAONL, FAAN, CSP

HealthyWorkforce Institute 

As an international speaker and consultant, Dr. Renee Thompson tackles the professional challenges facing healthcare leaders today. With 30 years as a clinical nurse, nurse educator, and nurse executive, Dr. Thompson is an internationally recognized expert on creating a healthy workforce by eradicating workplace bullying & incivility. As the CEO & Founder of the HealthyWorkforce Institute, she works with healthcare organizations to cultivate a professional workforce by addressing bullying, and incivility. Renee has authored several books including, “Do No Harm” Applies to Nurses Too! and Enough! Eradicate Bullying & Incivility in Healthcare: Strategies for Front Line Leaders.

Dr. Thompson's keynote is titled, "Breaking the Cycle: Empowering Nurses to Address Bullying and Incivility." In this relevant and timely keynote presentation, nurses will walk away with evidence-based, practical strategies to finally break the cycle of workplace bullying and incivility.

 

 

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Bob Dent, DNP, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, ACC, FACHE, FAAN, FAONL

Texas Center for Nursing Workforce Studies

Dr. Bob Dent is a nurse, executive, coach, and speaker with more than 35 years of experience helping leaders and organizations transform.

From the bedside in rural hospitals to the C-suite of large academic health systems, he has seen the weight leaders carry: the pressure to perform, the burden of perfectionism, and the silent struggles that often go unseen.

In a raw, hopeful keynote that challenges the myth of invincibility in leadership, Dr. Bob will share his personal journey through depression and recovery, helping leaders confront hidden struggles and build workplaces that protect both performance and mental well-being.

 

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Hotel

Get ready for an unforgettable event at the Omni Corpus Christi! Take advantage of a special event rate and book your stay today!

Click Here to Access Your Special Conference Rate!

 

Sponsors/Exhibitors

The Texas Nurses Association is a professional membership organization of 16,000 nurses dedicated to advancing the profession and advocating for the 100,000 nurses across Texas.

Each year, nurses, educators, leaders, and students of all specialties unite to inspire, connect, and empower the profession. Being an exhibitor or sponsor at TNA's annual conference positions your company as a valued partner in advancing nursing practice, education, leadership, and workforce well-being.

It’s a big opportunity to put your brand in front of a targeted audience and provides you with direct access to leaders in the healthcare community.

Click here to learn more about sponsorships and get started!

Conference Justification Letter

Attending a professional conference is one of the most valuable ways nurses can strengthen their practice, stay current with evidence-based trends, and bring meaningful innovation back to their organizations. Yet, securing employer support, particularly financial assistance, often requires a clear and well-organized justification. The TNA Annual Conference Justification Worksheet is designed to help attendees articulate the return on investment in a way that aligns their professional goals with organizational priorities. While no tool can guarantee approval, using this worksheet strategically can significantly strengthen your request.

Click here to download the form!