*Registration payment includes Credit Cards and Interfund Transfers ONLY.
Clinical nurse specialists, students (MSN and DNP/PhD), APPs and physicians, pharmacists, health care administrators, advocates, and entrepreneurs.
The 2026 NC-NACNS Annual Conference brings together Clinical Nurse Specialists, advanced practice nurses, nurse leaders, educators, students, and healthcare professionals to explore innovative approaches that advance clinical excellence and improve patient and system outcomes. Through expert-led presentations, practice-based case studies, evidence-based practice updates, quality improvement initiatives, emerging healthcare technologies, and focused breakout sessions, participants will gain knowledge of emerging trends, innovative practices, and leadership strategies that support excellence in CNS practice. Attendees will leave equipped with new insights to enhance patient care, improve system outcomes, and elevate the impact of the CNS role across the patient, nurse, and system spheres.
This conference is jointly provided by South Piedmont AHEC and NC-NACNS.
LOCATION
Atrium Health Cabarrus - Hamrick Theater
920 Church St N, Concord, NC 28025
DATE & TIME
Day 1, Thursday, November 12, 2026 | 8 AM - 5 PM
Day 2, Friday, November 13, 2026 | 8 AM - 3 PM
SPEAKERS and TOPICS
Day 1: November 12, 2026
CNS Influence in Action: Collaboration to Elevate the CNS Role
Mary Ann Moon, MSN, RN, APRN, APNP, ACNS-BC
Pharmacology Session I: BEERs Criteria in Age Friendly
Kelly Jamieson, PharmD, BCGP
Pharmacology Session II: Cannabis: Pharmacology, Evidence for Use, and Potential Adverse Effects
Kristen Nagy, PharmD, BCPS, BCPP, CPP
Pharmacology Session III: Hormone Replacement Therapy
Angela Hamby, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, CEN, CPEN, TCRN
AI in Healthcare
Tracy Breece, MSN, RN, CENP, NI-BC, CPHIMS
Nursing Practice Change: Implementation of AI Ambient Listening from CNS Lens
Cyndy Rape, MSN, APRN, ACNS-BC, NE-BC
Day in the Life of a CNS Using Microsoft 365 Copilot
Misty Walton, DNP, RN, CMSRN, NEA-BC and Andy Huneycutt
Hey, Val: AI as a Cognitive Partner for the Clinical Nurse Specialist
Miranda Scoggins, MS, CNS, RN
Day 2: November 13, 2026
Beyond the Three Spheres: Taking Ownership of the Future of CNS Practice
Michael Urton, DNP, APRN, AGCNS, NEA-BC, Fellow AMSN
DNP Spotlight
Stronger Together: Implementing Standardized Debriefings to Improve Well-being and Team Cohesion
Sarah Rutledge, DNP, APRN, ACCNS-AG, CCRN, OCN
Goals of Care Conversations
Hope Williams, MSN, RN, ACCNS-AG, CCRN, PCCN
Concurrent Session # 1
More Than Hair: Oncology CNS Leadership in Honoring a Young Adult’s Goal of Care
Meg Helsey, MSN APRN AOCNS
Improving Outpatient Emergency Response Reliability: A Quality Improvement Initiative (student project highlight)
Mary Catherine Saunders, MSN, APRN, AGCNS-BC
Beyond Specialty Experience: A Practical Model for CNS Integration into a New Specialty
Melissa Babin, MSN, APRN, AGCNS-BC
The CNS in Stereo: Turning Individual Expertise into Collective Impact
Jenipher Mathys, MS, APRN-CNS, AGCNS-BC
Full Practice Authority: A Decade of Change
Sarah Taylor, DNP, MHR, APRN, AGCNS-BC, CEN
Student Highlight
Clinical Nurse Specialist Documentation: Driving Patient Outcomes, Care Coordination, and Improving Role Visibility in Critical Care
Susan Bartos, PhD, RN, CCRN
Concurrent Session #2
Breaking the Code: Unlock Learning with Mobile ACLS Escape Rooms
Leah Haught, MSN, APRN, ACCNS-AG, CMC
Julie Henderson, CNS, RN
Dissemination/ Writing for Publication
Julie Linder, DNP, MSA, APRN, ACCNS-AG, CCRN-K, FCNS
Learner Outcome:
Upon completion of this activity, participants will increase their knowledge of evidence-based strategies, emerging technologies, leadership approaches, and quality improvement methods and identify at least one evidence-based practice or innovation they intend to incorporate into their professional practice to improve patient and healthcare system outcomes.
Professional CE Credit:
Participants may earn up to 11.25 Nursing Contact Hours, including 2.5 Pharmacotherapeutic Contact Hours. A minimum of 90% attendance each day is required to receive credit.
Day 1: 6.25 Nursing Contact Hours (includes 2.5 Pharmacotherapeutic Contact Hours)
Day 2: 5.0 Nursing Contact Hours
South Piedmont Area Health Education Center is approved as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the North Carolina Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.
11.25 Contact Hours / 1.1 CEUs
Registration Fees
Early Registration Fee for NCNACNS members $175 before 10/26/26
Early Registration Fee for Non-NCNACNS members $200 before 10/26/2026
Regular Registration Fee for NCNACNS members $200.00 after 10/26/26
Regular Registration Fee for Non-NCNACNS members $225.00 after 10/26/26
Early Student Registration Fee $100 before 10/26/26
Regular Student Registration Fee $125 after 10/26/26
Early Registration Fee before 10/26/2026 for One Day Registration $150
Regular Registration Fee after 10/26/2026 for One Day Registration $175
Policies and Disclaimers
Media Release Statement
Registering for and attending a South Piedmont AHEC program authorizes South Piedmont AHEC to take audio, video, and/or still images to be used for promotional and educational purposes. If you have concerns, please speak with a South Piedmont AHEC team member.
ADA Statement
If you need any auxiliary aids or services identified in the Americans with Disabilities Act in order to attend, please reach out to the Event Contact.
Cancellation Policy
- Cancellations must be in writing (email or mail).
- Registrants cancelling between two weeks and five full business days prior to the first day of the event are "refunded at 70% of the registration fee subject to a minimum $25 cancellation fee."
- No refunds or credits will be given for cancellations received less than five full business days prior to the event.
- No refunds or credit will be given for no-shows.
- No vouchers will be issued in lieu of a refund.
- Transfers/substitute(s) welcome (notify in advance of the program).
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