At a time when nurse leader turnover is stressing the industry, CNOs from all over the country are gathering together to strategize solutions.
The nursing industry is currently facing some of the largest workforce challenges in healthcare, including a nationwide nursing shortage and record numbers of burnout and turnover. Now more than ever, nurse leaders need to come together to address major issues to keep health systems running effectively while improving patient outcomes.
That’s why HealthLeaders has high hopes for the AONL Annual Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana next week, where thousands of nurse leaders will gather to discuss these trends in the nursing industry.
What we will be watching
The conference consists of daily sessions where various nurse leaders will highlight industry trends and provide their insight. One of the biggest topics is technological innovation, and how nurse executives can leverage AI, robotics, and virtual care to promote workforce growth, and improve productivity and patient outcomes.
Another big trend is leadership development, and how to turn nurse managers into effective leaders who set examples in the workplace. Recruitment and retention are also a central theme of the sessions, focusing on how leaders can build safe and healthy work environments where nurses want to work—even for nurse leaders.
The conference comes at a time when high turnover rates among nurse leaders present a real workforce challenge. A recent report found that 31% of nurse leaders said they plan to be in a different role a year from now.
Will AONL attendees come up with the solution to the issue? Probably not, but HealthLeaders will be there to take note of what is and isn’t working.
Other themes include fostering academic partnerships, creating educational opportunities, developing care models, and the importance of mental health care. Attendees will have the opportunity to attend these sessions as well as walk through the exhibit hall.
Stay tuned for more coverage of the event and what you will need to know.
G Hatfield is the nursing editor for HealthLeaders.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Three big trends to look out for at the AONL 2024 – Inspiring Leaders Conference are technological innovation, leadership development, and of course recruitment and retention.
The conference will spotlight creative solutions and practices to address workforce issues, with the goal of inspiring nurse leaders to evolve and innovate; but will it succeed?