General Sessions

Wednesday, April 30

1:00 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.
Caring Beyond Medicine: The Impact of Building Relationships and Providing Hope in Pediatric Nursing
Mr. Willie Spears, M.ED, BA
The session will illuminate the transformative influence of compassion, connection, and optimism in the healthcare journey of children and adolescents. Willie will share personal stories from his experience with pediatric nurses who helped his family. By the end of the presentation, participants will feel inspired, supported, and equipped to cultivate meaningful connections, offer a beacon of hope, and make a lasting impact on the lives of the children and families they serve. This session is not just about nursing; it's about embracing the human side of healthcare and transforming healing journeys with empathy, compassion, and unwavering support.

Thursday, May 1

9:15 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
What Pediatric Nurses Need to Know to Provide Care and Support to their Transgender & Gender Diverse Patients & Families

Dr. Michelle Forcier, MD, MPH
Pediatric nurses have opportunities to engage in important patient caregiver dialogues, opening the door to education, support and resources for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, asexual, and intersex (LGBTQIA+) youth. We will consider ways pediatric nurses can open the door to rich and meaningful conversations about gender and sexual identities with their young patients. We will use a developmental approach that understands we all move through diverse paths to find and explore our gender and sexual identities.

1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m.
SPN Unveiling the New

 

Amy Marks, MSN, RN, CPHQ, CPN
Allison Stevens, RN, CCRNP, CPEN, CPN 
Gayla Goleman, DNP, RN, NPD-BC, CPN 
Michaela Lewis, DNP, ARNP, CPNP-AC/PC, PMHS, CPN, CPEN, CNE, CNE-cl, VA-BC, CCRN

We welcome you to come along as we hear from the taskforce leaders who will share their insights on the successes of their initiatives. Together, we’ll have the opportunity to examine these achievements, gain deeper knowledge about the projects, and look ahead to the future of SPN and pediatric nursing.


Pediatric Nursing Excellence Unit Award - Based on SPN's Pediatric Nursing Excellence Model, this award recognizes nursing units' excellence in pediatric nursing. The PNE award program offers three tracks, and pediatric hospital-based units can select the level that reflects their accomplishments. This presentation will review the structure, application, and submission for the next award cycle.

SPN Pediatric Residency Core Competencies Revised - This session will share highlights and the key updates in the newly released SPN Pediatric Residency Core Competencies, 2nd Edition which was revised to align with the Pediatric Nursing Excellence model.  We welcome you to come along as we hear from the taskforce leaders who will share their insights on the successes of their initiatives. Together, we’ll have the opportunity to examine these achievements, gain deeper knowledge about the projects, and look ahead to the future of SPN and pediatric nursing.

Friday, May 2

9:30 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.
The Past Presidents Present: The History of Pediatric Nursing

 

Lynn Mohr, PhD, APRN, PCNS-BC, CPN, FCNS
Linda Lewandowski, PhD, RN, FAAN

Revisit the journey of pediatric nursing through the years as the past presidents of SPN recount the history of the specialty and the role SPN has played in it.

1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Pediatric Clinical Excellence Panel
Ryan McDonough, DO, FAAP
Miriam Crandall, BSN, RN, SANE-P

Join this session to explore two clinical topics. The rise of diabetes in the pediatric population is a growing concern; Dr Ryan McDonough will share the latest advancements in diabetes management and emerging trends. Additionally, Ms. Miriam Crandall will share insights into a protocol-driven method for collecting forensic and ballistic evidence from a pediatric hospital, which enhances the likelihood of holding violent offenders legally accountable.

3:45 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Empowering Pediatric Nursing: The Role of AI in Shaping the Future of Care

 
Dr. Lisiane Pruinelli, PhD, MS, RN, FAMIA
Explore the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in nursing, focusing on how AI is reshaping patient care, enhancing clinical decision-making, and driving personalized medicine. Learn about integration of AI tools into everyday practice, the ethical considerations involved, and how nurses can lead in this digital evolution. By understanding the potential and challenges of AI, the talk will discuss how pediatric nurses can be better equipped to leverage these technologies, ensuring that the care provided to young patients is not only cutting-edge but also compassionate and patient-centered.