Nursing Summit 2008: Topics in Developing Staff Excellence
Thursday, May 1, 2008 8:00am – 4:00pm NYSNA Conference Center Latham, New York

Education and training are the foundation for implementing and leading change in the pursuit of organizational initiatives and staff excellence. Catskill Hudson AHEC recognizes the importance and dedication of staff educators within the healthcare setting to train, develop and motivate staff to maintain the healthcare workforce, improve processes and promote initiatives and goals set forth by their institutions. Please join us as we bring together leaders in the field of nursing staff development from the upstate New York area who will be sharing their expertise with innovative and insightful presentations.

Presentations
Developing Staff Excellence: The Role of Education in Achieving Magnet
Kathy Webster, MSN, RN, CNA
VP of Patient Services, Hudson Valley Hospital Center

This presentation will address the major role of education and training in achieving Magnet status and cultivating excellence. The role and impact of education will be covered as well as the advantages and development of a strong education department with diverse skills for the Magnet journey. 

The Role of Staff Development in Recruitment and Retention
Sue Malinowski, MS
Director of Education, Saratoga Hospital

Sue Malinowski presents on the educator’s role and strategies that contribute to an organization’s recruitment and retention efforts.  In addition, the topics of fostering a learning environment with engaged employees and discovering what employees need to be successful in their roles will also be explored.

E-Learning and Other Innovative Teaching Strategies for Staff Educators
Vicki Howard, RN, CMSRN
Staff Development Manager, CVPH Medical Center

This presentation on new or innovative teaching strategies for staff educators will introduce practical ideas for implementing an e-Learning program and discuss innovative methods for providing education in the workplace.

Fostering Excellence through Governance: Preceptor Retreat Program
Deanna Spendiff, BSN, RN & Kathleen Lee, MA, RN
Education Specialists, Seton Health

This presentation will explore the development of a successful recognition program for nurse preceptors that motivates and fosters excellence. Specific topics to be discussed include: profile of an exceptional preceptor and skill set, building commitment of preceptors, goals and development of the program.

Graduate Nurse Intern Program Design: Mentoring Professional Transition
Dianne White, BS, RN
Coordinator of GNI Program, North East Health

In this presentation, Dianne White will describe the design and implementation of a new graduate nurse orientation program that promotes professional development and retention. The importance of using feedback to develop facility-wide commitment to mentoring the transition to practice will also be discussed.

CE Credits
This continuing education activity has been submitted to the New York State Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

Registration
Nursing Summit 2008 is offered at a cost of $125 per attendee. Please note that a group rate of $100 per attendee is available for multiple attendees from a single organization.

To register, please download the Registration Brochure, complete and mail with your payment to: Catskill Hudson AHEC, 598 Route 299, Highland, NY 12528.

For more information, please contact Catskill Hudson AHEC at (845) 883-7260 or email Kirsten Carle at kcarle@catskillhudsonahec.org.