Official Event Agenda
The Nurses Magazine
Symposium & Awards 2026
Celebrating Nursing Excellence, Leadership & Innovation
Faith · Healthcare · Education · Youth · Community
October 22–24, 2026
Rosen Plaza Hotel · 9700 International Drive, Orlando, FL 32819
1
Thursday
October 22, 2026
3:00 PM
5:00 PM
5:00 PM
Registration & Check-In
5:00 PM
7:00 PM
7:00 PM
Exhibit Hall
7:00 PM
8:00 PM
8:00 PM
Welcome Reception / Meet & Greet
8:00 PM
8:10 PM
8:10 PM
Keynote Speaker
Dr. Suzette McNeil, DNP, MS, RN, NEA-BC, VHA-CM — Associate Director, Patient Care Services; Chief Nursing Officer / Nurse Executive, Orlando VA Healthcare System, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
8:15 PM
10:30 PM
10:30 PM
Nurses Got Talent
Learn More
2
Friday
October 23, 2026
9:00 AM
10:00 AM
10:00 AM
Keynote Speaker
Ernest J. Grant, PhD, DSc(h), RN, FADLN, FAAN — Vice Dean for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging, Duke University School of Nursing; Immediate Past President of the American Nurses Association
10:00 AM
12:00 PM
12:00 PM
Breakout Sessions — Concurrent Tracks (see below)
12:30 PM
2:30 PM
2:30 PM
Nursing Leadership Brunch & Executive Leadership Panel
Building the Future of Nursing: Academic & Practice Leaders United to Address the Nursing Faculty Shortage (panelists below)
2:30 PM
4:30 PM
4:30 PM
Exhibit Hall
3:30 PM
6:30 PM
6:30 PM
Breakout Sessions — Concurrent Tracks (see below)
7:30 PM
8:00 PM
8:00 PM
Orlando Goes Red for Nursing
Lake Eola Fountain illuminated red in recognition of The Nurses Magazine® Symposium & Awards.
Friday Morning Breakouts
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Concurrent Learning Tracks
Hidden in Plain Sight: Human Trafficking and the Nurse's Duty to Respond
Identify red flags, respond safely, document concerns, and collaborate with law enforcement and victim advocacy services.
Speaker
Dr. Marie O. Etienne, DNP, APRN, FNP, PNP, D.Min.(h.c.), PLNC, FADLN — Founder, President & CEO of GIF; TNM Editor-in-Chief & COO
Sponsored by Global Innovative Foundation, Inc.
From Burnout to Balance: Reclaiming Your Energy and Purpose
Identify signs of burnout and learn practical tools for resilience, recovery, and renewed professional purpose.
Speaker
Myrnelle Fleur-Aime, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, PMHNP-BC — President, HANA of Florida, Inc.; TNM Advisory Board Member
Sponsored by Dufleur Health Services
From Global Nurse to U.S. RN: Your Journey Starts Here
A roadmap for international nurses transitioning to the U.S. healthcare system.
Speaker
Erica N. Fuller — Director of Regulatory and Workforce Services, Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE)
Sponsored by Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE)
Power Hour: Resume & Interview
Craft a winning nursing resume and sharpen interview skills through mock interview simulations.
Speakers
Shantrice Mone Winston, MSN-Ed, RN, NEA-BC, NPD-BC, CCRN-K, LSSGB — TNM Lead Ambassador / TNM Advisory Board Member
Cassandre Milien, DNP, MSN, AGPCNP — TNM Ambassador
Sponsored by ENOM Healthcare Consultant & Blossom RN Consulting
Nursing Leadership Brunch & Executive Panel
12:30 PM – 2:30 PM | Building the Future of Nursing
Academic & Practice Leaders United to Address the Nursing Faculty Shortage
Panelists
Hudson P. Santos Jr., PhD, RN, FAAN — Dean, University of Miami School of Nursing & Health Studies; inaugural Dolores J. Chambreau, RN Endowed Chair; Director, PAHO/WHO Collaborating Center
Shakira Henderson, PhD, DNP, MS, MPH, EMBA, IBCLC, RNC-NIC — Dean & Chief Administrative Officer, UF College of Nursing; Associate VP for Nursing Education, Practice & Research; System Chief Nurse Executive, UF Health
Renée K. Herzing — President, Herzing University
Nicole Johnson, DNP, MBA, RN, NE-BC, CPEN — Chief Nursing and Patient Operations Officer, Central Florida
Ernest J. Grant, PhD, DSc(h), RN, FADLN, FAAN — Vice Dean for DEIB, Duke University School of Nursing; Immediate Past President, ANA
Moderator
Joy King, DNP, MBA, APRN, NP-C, FAIHM — President, Georgia Nurses Association (GNA)
Friday Afternoon Breakouts
3:30 PM – 6:30 PM | Concurrent Learning Tracks
NCLEX Mastery: Strategies for Success
Proven study methods, test-taking strategies, and resources to help future nurses pass with confidence.
Speaker
Dr. Guillermo R. Valdés, DNP, MSN-HCS, PGC-NEd., Med-Surg BC — Sigma Virginia Henderson Fellow
From Global Nurse to U.S. RN: Your Journey Starts Here
A roadmap for international nurses transitioning to the U.S. healthcare system.
Speaker
Erica N. Fuller — Director of Regulatory and Workforce Services, ECE
Sponsored by Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE)
Prescribing with Confidence: Advanced Pharmacology Updates for the Modern NP
Current updates in pharmacology, safe prescribing, medication interactions, chronic disease management, and emerging therapies.
Speaker
Carlfred Charlot, MD, MBA, PA — Co-Founder, The Nurses Magazine
Sponsored by Hope Clinic & Wellness
Transition to Practice: From Student to Confident Nurse
Managing your first 90 days, clinical confidence and decision-making, and avoiding common new-graduate mistakes.
Speaker
Dr. Luis E. Caso Vega, DNP, MBA, RN, CEN, CGNC, CPEN, NE-BC, TCRN, FADLN, FSIEN — Manager, Nursing Education; Healthcare Professions Education, Academic & Product Innovation, Risepoint
Sponsored by Elite CEU
3
Saturday
October 24, 2026
8:00 AM
9:00 AM
9:00 AM
The Power Hour — Purpose. Power. Possibility.
Lisa Campbell, MHA, BSN, NC-BC — Director of Clinical Leadership Programs, AdventHealth's Leadership Institute
9:00 AM
11:00 AM
11:00 AM
Breakout Sessions — Concurrent Tracks (see below)
6:00 PM
7:30 PM
7:30 PM
Cocktail Hour & Red Carpet / Photo Opportunity
7:30 PM
11:00 PM
11:00 PM
Awards Ceremony
Saturday Morning Breakouts
9:00 AM – 11:00 AM | Concurrent Learning Tracks
Nursing in the Digital Age: Telehealth, Technology & Digital Health Systems
How telehealth and digital health systems are transforming nursing care and patient outcomes.
Speaker
Bianca Evariste, BSN, MBA, RN — Vice President of Clinical Operations, HealthyMD
Nurse Entrepreneurs: Turning Your Passion into a For-Profit and Non-Profit Business
Launch, market, and grow your own nursing-based business or consulting practice.
Speaker
Eva M. Francis, DNP, MSN, CCRN, NEA-BC, IHC — President & CEO, Brilliant Healthcare Training and Consulting
Sponsored by Brilliant Healthcare Training and Consulting, Inc.
From Bedside to Classroom: Becoming a Nurse Educator
The journey from bedside care to nurse educator: education, mentorship, and leadership pathways.
Speaker
Jan Adams, DNP, MPA, RN — Executive Director, Nursing Action Coalition of Florida, Inc.
Sponsored by Nursing Action Coalition of Florida, Inc.
Behind Closed Doors: The Nurse's Role in Domestic Violence Identification & Intervention
Trauma-informed care, warning signs, screening tools, documentation, and community referral pathways.
Speaker
Martha I. Wydra, DNP-AGACNP — Founder & President, Wings to Freedom Foundation
Sponsored by Wings to Freedom Foundation, Inc.
From Dissertation to Bestseller: Transforming Your Scholarly Work into a Published Book
Adapt your dissertation, doctoral project, or scholarly work into a publishable book that reaches beyond academia.
Speakers
Charles R. Needham, DBA, MBA — TNM Proofreader Editor
Maria Needham, DBA, MBA
Sponsored by C & M Educational Services, LLC
From Research to Readership: How to Publish from A to Z
A step-by-step guide to publishing your academic or professional work in nursing journals.
Speaker
Sorhaya Zamor, MSN, APRN, PMHNP, Doctorate Candidate — TNM Associate Editor
Sponsored by Sorhaya Writes & Sorhaya Health Writing Services, LLC
