RS01-A

Shared Governance Evolution

System-Wide Shared Governance Research Encourages Engagement

Celeste Romp, DNP, APRN, CCNS, CPHQ, CCRN, Prisma Health and Matthew Hall, MSN, MA, RN, CCRN, PCCN, Prisma Health

Shared governance, stronger practice. Nurses involved in SG councils reported a more positive professional environment. The study found clear links between SG effectiveness and work quality—highlighting SG as a powerful driver of engagement, growth, and research across the system.

Improving Nursing Shared Governance Through Research in a Multi-Site Healthcare System

Rebecca Babb, MSN, APRN, CPNP-AC, CPHON, Inova Health System and Kathleen Russell-Babin, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, ACNS-BC, Inova Health System

Nurses across a Mid-Atlantic health system shared how shared governance, engagement, and evidence-based practice shape their culture—highlighting how nurse-led research can elevate care, foster collaboration, and strengthen professional practice system-wide.

Association of the Nurses' Perceptions Among Shared Governance, Psychological Empowerment, and Turnover Intentions in Acute Care Hospitals

Emma Aquino-Maneja, DNP, RN, CCRN, Kaiser Permanente

When nurses are empowered to share decision-making with leaders, they are more likely to stay in their roles and deliver better patient care. Strengthening shared governance may be a powerful strategy to boost retention and transform clinical outcomes.

RS01-B

Clinical Assessment & Early Warning

Retrospectively Examining the Probability of Acute Skin Failure Among Hospitalized Patients With Hospital-Acquired Pressure Injuries

Natalie Bermudez, PhD, RN, EBP-C, Baptist Health South Florida and Tori Hatch, BSN, RN, CWCN, Bethesda Hospital East/West | Baptist Health South Florida

Acute skin failure (ASF) in patients with severe pressure injuries can be misdiagnosed. By integrating ASF assessment into nursing practice, nurses can lead the charge to improve diagnostic accuracy and reduce hospital-acquired pressure injury penalties.

Enhancing Skin Assessment: Infrared Spectroscopy Across All Skin Tones

Mary Lee Potter, PhD, MBA, RN, CWOCN, Methodist Hospital Metropolitan

Near-infrared spectroscopy, backed by AI trained on diverse skin tones, showed high sensitivity in detecting early pressure injuries—especially in patients with dark skin. This promising tool could overcome traditional assessment limits, enabling earlier diagnosis and better outcomes.

Influence of the CONCERN Early Warning System on Unanticipated ICU Transfers, In-Hospital Mortality, and Length of Stay: Results From a Multi-Site Pragmatic Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Kenrick Cato, PhD, RN, CPHIMS, FAAN, FACMI, University of Pennsylvania / Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

By leveraging nursing documentation, the CONCERN early warning system identified patient decline sooner—reducing deaths and hospital stays after unexpected ICU transfers. Empowering nurses with predictive tools like CONCERN enables earlier intervention and improves outcomes.

RS01-D1: Temporary Toilet Lids Minimize Contamination of Bathroom Surfaces With Hazardous Drugs

No CNE will be provided for this session

Grace Allen, MSN, RN, OCN, Orange Coast Medical Center and Sadeeka Al-Majid, PhD, RN, FAAN, Orange Coast Medical Center

Low-cost interventions can improve safety for healthcare workers and patients. When uncovered toilets used by chemotherapy patients are flushed, bathroom surfaces can be contaminated with hazardous drugs. Reusable toilet lids and bleach-based cleaning can significantly reduce contamination.

RS01-C

Technology & AI Innovations

The Impact of AI in HIV Care Through a Diplomacy Lab Initiative

Deborah Brabham, RN, PhD, CNE, UF Health Jacksonville and Renata Henderson, RN, DNP, CNE, Florida State College at Jacksonville

Through a Diplomacy Lab, nursing students tackled real-world HIV care challenges while building AI and critical thinking skills. Embedding AI in nursing education is key to developing future leaders and advancing prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and health equity.

Developing Nurse Innovator Competencies for Information and AI Technology Integration in Healthcare

Susan Patton, DNSc, APRN, FAANP, FAAN, HCA Healthcare

A new five-domain framework is helping nurse innovators lead the way in tech-driven care—balancing AI integration with compassion. Backed by strong support across healthcare roles, this tool is set to shape education and practice, empowering nurses to drive human-centered innovation in a digital age.

Empowering New Graduate ICU Nurses: A Virtual Reality Approach to Boosting Self-Efficacy

Ashleigh Routte, SCRN, Baptist Health Louisville

Virtual nursing journal clubs boosted nurses’ confidence and enthusiasm for evidence-based practice. By creating space for learning and discussion, NJCs are proving to be powerful tools for professional growth and building a culture of inquiry at the bedside.

RS02-A

Governance Structures & Empowerment

The Structure of Shared Governance: Does it Matter? A Two-Site, Cross-Sectional Study

Leah May, DNP, RN, C-ONQS, HCA HealthONE ROSE and Elisabet Harms, DNP, RN, CMSRN, CNEcl, HCA HealthONE ROSE

Virtual nurses in acute care report stronger patient safety and better work-life balance—despite tech and communication hurdles. Their insights show virtual nursing isn’t just support, it’s a growing force for innovation, care quality, and workforce transformation: nurses can help shape its future.

Nurses' Insight Into Professional Governance: Effect on Satisfaction / Intent-to-Leave

Peggy Kalowes, PhD, RN, CNS, FAHA, Adventist Health / Nursing Consulting Partners and Julie Mike, BSN, RN, Adventist Health White Memorial

Engaging in shared decision-making isn’t just good for practice—it’s key to retention and growth.  Nurses who felt empowered through professional governance reported greater job satisfaction, stronger autonomy, and less desire to leave. Nurses can lead by embracing governance to shape their work and future.

Valuing Nurse's Discretionary Time: Structural Supports for Clinical Nurse Engagement in Research and Evidence-Based Practice

Fay Wright, RN, APRN-BC, PhD, Northwell Health Northern Westchester Hospital

Inclusive governance sparks stronger engagement! While Magnet hospitals saw similar governance perceptions across models, all-staff structures ignited significantly higher staff involvement—highlighting the power of inclusion and the potential for broader organizational impact.

RS02-B

Patient Safety & Environmental Controls

PRIME-ED: A Patient-Centered Instrument to Improve Patient Safety

Elyssa Wood, RN, MPH, PhD, FAEN, CPEN, Inova Health System and Sabina Baidoo, MSN, RN, CEN, Inova Health System

Patients speak, and the message is clear: Women, younger adults, and those with longer ED stays feel less confident in diagnoses. This study using PRIME-ED reveals a call for sharper, more personalized communication—empowering nurses to build trust and elevate patient-centered care.

Calm Hospital: A Multi-Site Nursing Research Study

Christine Larsen, APRN, ACNS-BC, NE-BC, Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital and Judith Pasternack, RN, BSN, NPD-BC, Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital

Across three hospitals, nurses who practiced brief mindfulness techniques saw lasting boosts in focus and resilience over a year. Mindfulness isn’t just a moment of calm, it’s a powerful, sustainable tool nurses can use to strengthen well-being and shape a healthier workplace culture.

RS02-C

Digital Tools & Informatics

An Untold Story: Unveiling Virtual Nursing Metrics

Kymberlee Cox, DNP, RN, NPD-BC, CNE, Johns Hopkins Hospital

Virtual nursing continues to expand, but inconsistent and unvalidated metrics limit its evaluation. Nurses can lead the way by advocating for standardized metrics to evaluate, refine, and scale virtual care effectively.

Satisfaction and Usability of a Medication Adherence App Among Medically Underserved Patients With Chronic Illness: Survey Study

Christa Hartch, PhD, RN, FNP-C, Manhattanville University

Medically underserved adults using a mobile app for chronic illness management reported high satisfaction and better medication adherence. Simple features like reminders made a big impact. Nurses can champion mobile health tools to boost self-efficacy and close care gaps in vulnerable communities.

Empowering Nurses With Dashboards for Individual Clinician Enhancement (DICE): A Pilot Study in a Neurorehabilitation Hospital

Ann Toth, BSN, RN, CPPS, CBIS, Craig Hospital

Clarity meets confidence. A new dashboard (DICE) gave nurses real-time insight into quality metrics. While performance didn’t shift in trials, nurses felt more empowered and heard—driving full adoption and plans to expand. Usability and positive feedback made it a win for frontline engagement.

RS03-A

Wellbeing & Resilience

Health Promotion Behaviors Mediating the Impact of Workload on Nurses Psychological Distress Symptoms

Hephzibah Edwin, PhD, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, PCCN, MedStar Washington Hospital Center

Heavy workloads and poor work environments are contributing to nursing distress, sleep issues, and declining health. Embedding wellness behaviors into daily practice and creating supportive workplaces are essential to protecting nurse well-being and workforce stability.

Nurse Intervention That Builds on Strengths to Facilitate Wellbeing

Cynthia Peterson, PhD, RN, NE-BC, CCRN-K, University of Vermont Medical Center and Genevieve Chandler, PhD, RN, CRRN, University of Massachusetts Amherst

A nurse-led, strengths-based resilience program helped healthcare staff build emotional awareness, connection, and coping skills over 10 weeks. Rooted in Appreciative Inquiry and a social ecological model, this empowering approach shows how aligning well-being with nursing values can strengthen clinician health and workplace culture.

Nurse-Led Research: Post-Pandemic Stress and Support

Vida Vizgirda, RN, PhD, JD, Advocate Health and Sonali Rajput, RN, MSN, CNL, Advocate Health

Three years after COVID-19, the mental toll lingers. Nearly one in three nurses still face serious distress—and many skip wellness resources due to time and privacy concerns. It’s time for support that’s truly accessible, personalized, and built around nurses’ real needs.

RS03-B

Workflow Optimization & Productivity

Impact of Virtual Nursing on Productivity and Staff Attitudes

Alisha Brown, MSN, RN, CMSRN, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital and Meghann Lilley, DNP, RN, CNL, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital

On two busy med-surg units, virtual nurses (ViRN) delivered nearly 5 hours of daily support over 12 weeks—easing bedside workloads, boosting morale, and proving a scalable solution to staffing strain and care quality.

Impact of Centralized vs. Decentralized/Hybrid Lung Cancer Screening Workflows on Adherence Rates in a Safety-Net Hospital

Mary Pasquinelli, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, CTTS, University of Illinois Chicago

A nurse-led, centralized lung cancer screening model dramatically boosted adherence in a low-income, minority population—thanks to structured follow-up and coordination. This approach shows how expanding nursing roles can drive early detection and help close gaps in cancer care equity.

Leveraging Nurse Talent Profiles for Data-Driven Staffing Optimization in Acute Care

Susan Patton, DNSc, APRN, FAANP, FAAN, HCA Healthcare

Powered by AI, a nurse talent profile tool matched staff skills to specialty needs with 76% alignment between self and manager ratings. This smart staffing approach could boost satisfaction, improve resource use, and elevate care quality, especially in fast-paced acute settings.

RS03-C

Virtual Nursing Models & Experiences

Using an Implementation Science Approach to Evaluate a Virtual Nursing Model from the Perspectives of the Virtual Nurse, Bedside Nurse and Patient

Tajudaullah Bhaloo, PhD, Memorial Hermann Health System

Virtual nursing can improve patient satisfaction while reducing length of stay and increasing throughput. With structured workflows and proper training, VN programs show high levels of acceptance, adoption, and feasibility in clinical practice.

Exploring Evolving Nurse Perceptions of Virtual Support: Bridging ICU Care with Virtual Technology

Rachel Eklund, MSN, APRN, AGCNS, CCRN, Henry Ford Health and Nutrena Tate, RN, PhD, MBA, CPNP-PC, Henry Ford Health

ICU nurses expressed mixed feelings about family-witnessed resuscitation, often due to uncertainty about the role of family support persons (FSPs). Clarifying the FSP’s purpose and providing leadership support can improve implementation and enhance experiences for both families and care teams.

The Lived Experience of Virtual Nurses

Anne Schoening, RN, PhD, CNE, CHI Health Creighton University Medical Center-Bergan Mercy and Tamara Oliver, RN, MPH, PhD, Creighton University College of Nursing

Virtual nursing, real impact. Nurses in acute care shared wins like safer care and better work-life balance—despite tech hiccups and communication snags. Their stories show how virtual nursing strengthens bedside support and highlights key areas for smarter integration and future growth.

RS04-A

Professional Certification & Development

Nurse-Level Predictors of Obtaining Specialty Registered Nurse Certification

David Ryamukuru, PhD, RN, University of Michigan

Specialty RN certification has been associated with improved patient outcomes, better nurse outcomes, and reduced nursing turnover rates. This was the first study to examine the impact of specialty RN certification on patient outcomes at the patient level, where nurses provide direct care.

Promoting Confidence: Using Simulation Pedagogy to Professionally Develop Patient Care Technicians

Lagidgette Robinson, RN, MSN, MEDSURG-BC, NPD-BC, Baylor Scott and White Memorial Hospital

Simulation-based training gave Patient Care Technicians a major confidence boost in handling aggression—outperforming traditional methods. This hands-on approach shows real promise to reduce workplace violence, improving safety, and preparing PCTs to deliver better, more secure patient care.

The Impact of Specialty Registered Nurse Certification on Patient Outcomes: A Nurse-Patient Level Analysis

David Ryanmukuru, PhD, RN, University of Michigan

Patients had better odds—fewer deaths, infections, and pressure injuries—when cared for by more specialty-certified RNs. These benefits held steady regardless of BSN status, highlighting the powerful impact of certification and the importance of continued professional growth in nursing.

RS04-B

Translating Research into Practice

Weight of Complexity: The Prevalence, Causes, & Solutions to Malnutrition in Complex Chronic Illness

Jennifer Tisdale, MBA, BSN, RN, CPN, University of Mississippi Medical Center

Remote monitoring, real results! Kids with Failure to Thrive gained weight, avoided 92% of hospital stays, and cut costs—thanks to nurse-led innovation. Despite some challenges, the scalable model boosted access, caregiver engagement, and outcomes for medically complex children.

Improving Nutrition High Risk Screening Referrals by Nurses for All New Patient Admissions

Goncalo Placido, RN, BSN, MSN, MBA, LSSMBB, CPHQ, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center

Smarter screening, better outcomes. A hospital’s upgraded nutrition tool boosted referral accuracy to 70% and slashed missed referrals to 10%. With tech enhancements and evidence-based criteria, this streamlined approach improves workflows and care—ready to scale system-wide.

From Insights to Impact: Disseminating Research, Evidence-Based Practice and Quality Improvement Findings to Broad Audiences

Madeleine Whalen, RN, MSN/MPH, CEN, NPD-BC, Johns Hopkins Health System and Jeanne Mahoney, BA, Johns Hopkins Hospital

Nursing research takes center stage! A six-hospital system launched a bold, centralized push—fueling nurse-led publications, presentations, and leadership through mentorship, education, and media. The result? Barriers shattered and nursing voices amplified in care, policy, and practice.

RS04-C

Nursing Science & Leadership

From Research to Reality: Nurse Scientists Driving Healthcare Transformation

Penny Huddleston, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, CCRN-K, Baylor Scott & White Grapevine and Marlene Porter, PhD, RN, NPD-BC, CEN, CCRN, Baylor Scott & White

Nurse Scientists in Texas are fueling a surge in nursing research—leading cohorts, councils, and workshops that bridge practice and academia. Their work is growing studies, publications, and professional development, proving that nurse-led scholarship can elevate care at every level.

Hospital-Based PhD & DNP Nurse Scientist Collaboration to Advance Nursing Science and Research

Joanne Muyco, DNP, RN, NE-BC, CNOR, Houston Methodist Hospital and Alexis Hayes, PhD, MSN-Ed, APRN, FNP-BC, NEA-BC, Houston Methodist Hospital

Dementia caregivers helped design the “Caregiver as Navigator” program by sharing real-world insights in focus groups. Their input led to a practical, empowering tool that better supports emotional needs, proactive planning, and system navigation.

Being the First in the First State: Emerging Nurse Leaders Elevating Nursing Research at the State Level

Susan Smith Birkhoff, PhD, RN, ChristianaCare

Nursing leaders in a state-level NIH initiative are opening doors—expanding mentorship, embedding nurses in research teams, and raising the profile of nursing science. The program fuels innovation, uplifts early-career nurses, and builds a culture where collaboration and discovery thrive across disciplines.