CALL FOR ABSTRACTS

The Call for Abstracts for the Society of Pediatric Nurses (SPN) 36th Annual Conference, taking place in Orlando, Florida, from April 27-29, 2026, closed on Friday, October 3, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. CT.

 

Timeline

  • SPN 36th Annual Conference Call for Abstracts Opens: Tuesday, June 17, 2025
  • SPN 36th Annual Conference Call for Abstracts Closes: 11:59 p.m. CT on Friday, October 3, 2025
    • There are no late-breaking round of abstracts this year. All abstracts, both podium and poster, are due no later than Friday, October 3, 2025
  • Applicants notified of status: Wednesday, November 26, 2025

Submission Tracks

Pre-licensure nursing students

Pre-licensure nursing students will be judged under a separate student track. At least one of the offered tracks will still need to be applicable to the submission. Licensed nurses can be included with pre-licensure nursing students in the submission.

Clinical Practice

This track describes new approaches to care, unusual cases, patient and/or family education, or literature reviews of best practices with a summary of the evidence.

Education

This track describes innovative strategies used in educating nurses in either academia or the practice setting.

Evidence-based Practice (EBP)

This track describes the process and outcomes resulting from the critical appraisal and use or translation of the best and most relevant research evidence related to a clinical question that directly influences pediatric nursing practice.

Quality Improvement (QI)

This track describes the process improvements and clinical quality outcomes resulting from the use of improvement science methodology that directly influences pediatric nursing practice.

Research

This track describes innovative projects or initiatives related to management of nursing staff or transformational leadership at all levels of nursing.

Leadership and Management

This track describes innovative projects/initiatives related to management of nursing staff or transformational leadership at all levels of nursing.

Information Technology

This track describes the application of systems for storing, retrieving, and sending information as applied to pediatric nursing.

Advocacy

This track describes new approaches to promote and improve health and healthcare for all children and their families through advocacy.

Submission Resources

Tips for Writing a Successful Abstract:

Despite appearing intuitive, these guidelines address common issues observed.

  1. Familiarize yourself with the specific criteria outlined in the provided rubric.
  2. Follow all the provided instructions.
  3. Avoid identifying specific organizations; instead, use terms like “organization” or “medical center” whatever term describes your setting. 
  4. Ensure that all scored areas are addressed in your abstract. If a specific area is unavailable, address it.
  5. Allow adequate time to carefully proofread your abstract and consider having it reviewed.
  6. Spell out abbreviations, acronyms or initials with first use.
  7. While a study may be in progress at the time of abstract submission, it must be complete prior to podium presentation at the SPN conference. For posters, data analysis must be complete by February 1, 2026, in order for findings to be placed on poster prior to the submission deadline.

Review the webinar Abstract Writing and Movie Trailers: What Hollywood Can Teach You About Writing Successful Abstracts in the SPN Learning Center. The webinar provides the opportunity to learn key components of a successful abstract, how to avoid common mistakes and leave the abstract reviewers wanting to learn more.

[pdf]  Abstract Criteria
[EXCEL] Abstract Reviewer Grading Rubric
Example Abstract
[Recorded Webinar] How to Submit a Successful Abstract