"Nursing Education & Practice: A Global Perspective" offers registered nurses a world view to bridge nursing education and clinical practice.
Officials with Houston Baptist University, Memorial Hermann Healthcare System and the United Kingdom's University of Chester announced plans to host the 2nd annual Global Nursing Conference next year in Houston. The conference, scheduled for March 14-15, 2011, will be held in the Morris Cultural Arts Center on the campus of Houston Baptist University in Houston.
Featuring some of the greatest minds at the forefront of nursing today, the two-day nursing forum will give nurses the opportunity to learn from trailblazers including Geraldine Bednash, PhD, CEO and Executive Director of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN); Leah Curtain, ScD, RN, FAAN, Executive Editor of American Nurse Today; and Tim Porter-O'Grady, DM, seven-time winner of the American Journal of Nursing Healthcare Book of the Year Award. Registered nurses will also have the opportunity to earn up to 13 hours of Continuing Education contact hours by participating in the conference.
The United States will continue to face an aging nursing workforce in the next decade. As the general population ages, the demand for health services will increase exponentially. "In the next 15 years, it is projected that the nursing shortage in the United States will grow to more than a quarter of a million nurses," stated Dan Wolterman, President and CEO of Memorial Hermann. "Healthcare organizations must be preparing now to find creative solutions to what could become a significant threat to our nation's health. We believe that events like the Global Nursing Conference will help nurses, health systems and nursing educators be proactive in preparing for the changes that are on the horizon. Sharing knowledge has a positive impact on improving the quality of patient care."
In addition to attracting experienced nurses, organizers have created a discounted conference fee to encourage nursing students to attend the event. "We believe in providing tools so that the next generation of nurses can be prepared for whatever they may face as the healthcare industry changes," said Dr. Robert B. Sloan, Jr., President of Houston Baptist University. "This conference will give students unparalleled opportunities to interact with leaders from many different facets of nursing. This experience will give them a perspective they could not gain by reading textbooks."
Organizers are enlisting major sponsors to underwrite conference expenses to keep registration fees as low as possible-only $175 for the two-day event-for participating nurses. "All business leaders should be on board to make sure our nurses are ready for the future," said Stewart Morris, Chairman Emeritus of Stewart Title Company. "Our company's involvement as a sponsor of the Global Nursing Conference is important to our mission. A healthy medical community is a vital part of attracting great employees and new industries to Houston. It is key to preserving the quality of life we enjoy here."