Outcomes in Action

#AMSN2026 Day 2: Challenging the Status Quo and Shaping What’s Next

The sun rose on another day in the desert, welcoming more than 1,000 medical-surgical nurses into the second day of the 2026 AMSN Convention. Today’s roundup continues the conversation around connection, inspiration, empowerment, and innovation. From celebrating med-surg nurses whose work is advancing the profession to exploring how nurses can help shape the future of technology in healthcare, day two reminded attendees that showing up, speaking up, and challenging what’s possible are essential to building what comes next.

Challenging the Status Quo

Recognition is the spirit of #AMSN2026, and the morning started by awarding many extraordinary med-surg nurses for their leadership, dedication, and practice. Both AMSN President Dr. Kristi Reguin-Hartman and MSNCB President Courtney Lykins took the stage to present these special recognitions to our community.

Congratulations to the awardees recognized on day two of convention:

  • CMSRN of Distinction Award: Stefanie Smoot, DNP, RN, CMSRN, CAVRN
  • AMSN DAISY Nurses Advancing Health Equity Award: Gina Montez, RN
  • AMSN Clinical Leadership Award: Dr. Abigail Fuller, DNP, MSN-Ed, RN, CMSRN
  • AMSN Fellows Class of 2026
    • Dr. Summer Bryant, DNP, RN, CMSRN, CENP, FAMSN
    • Charles Westley Foster, MSN, BA, RN, CMSRN, OCN  Emeritus, FAMSN
    • Dr. Golda Manalili, DNP, MSN, RN, RN-BC, PNAP, FAMSN
    • Colleen McCracken, MSN, RN, CMSRN, CHPN, OCN, NPD-BC, FASMN
    • Dr. Maritess Quinto, DNP, RN, NPD-BC, CMSRN, FAMSN, FINE, FCN, FAMSN
    • Dr. Angela Simmons, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FAMSN
  • AMSN President’s Award: Dr. Summer Bryant, DNP, RN, CMSRN, CENP, FAMSN

Following the award presentations, AMSN Founders Award recipient Rebecca Love, RN, BS, MSN, FIEL, accepted her award and presented “The Past, Present & Future of Nursing Innovation.” Love’s address began with the reminder that Florence Nightingale found the nursing profession to challenge the status quo … and that we as nurses must get back to that mindset. Love left attendees feeling empowered and encouraged to make their impact.

The day continued with concurrent session, networking with new friends and exhibitors, and an afternoon keynote session presented by Amy McCarthy, DNP, RNC-MNN, NE-BC, CENP. Dr. McCarthy’s session, “Co-Designing the Future: Clinicians and AI Agents in Healthcare Transformation” focused on agentic AI and why technological advances need the perspective of nurses — especially med-surg nurses. We understand technology is moving quickly. It’s a new language, new pace, and it’s introducing different specialists (like engineers) into our rooms. But, the mission remains the same.

Dr. McCarthy reminded us that technology will be given to us, not designed with us in mind, if we don’t have a seat at the table. How can you use your nursing experience to build and contribute to technology that’s safe for patients, bring nurses into the conversation, and work together to design a safe next era of technology. AI is already here. It’s up to you to ensure it is a quality product for nurses and patients alike.

Innovation, Inspiration, and Key Moments From Day 2

What did Digital Content Committee and Podcast Subcommittee reporters take away from day two of #AMSN2026?

  • New AMSN Fellow Maritess Quinto and Samantha Bayne interviewed Venecia Holmes from Georgia. Venecia shared her convention a-ha moment: She reflects on how she can innovate to improve patient care and to see what other skills or values she can contribute to her patients, colleagues, and organization.
  • Maritess and Sam also caught up with Princess Styles, from Orange County, California. Princess shared how she is inspired to establish an Orange County AMSN chapter. If you’re from Orange County, feel free to connect with Princess or AMSN!
  • Laura Johnson talked to Jocelyn Uy. This is Jocelyn’s first AMSN convention, and she has a featured poster! Her project was on introducing an AI-generated program to identify patients eligible for the departure lounge.

  • Sam Bayne also spoke with Jeannie Cuellar and Emmanuel Havaluyas. They were inspired by the passion and messaging from Rebecca Love this morning! What they thought was interesting was the contrast between the AI messaging across the two general sessions today. 
  • AMSN Board of Directors member Julie Ann Poblete chimed in as well, saying: I loved that whether or not a nurse supports AI, the ultimate message was that it was necessary for nurses to have a seat at the table when discussing it. Loving all the encouragement for nurses to show up!

Showing Up for What’s Next

Before you show up and show off all your new knowledge back at your workplace, join us for the final day of #AMSN2026. It kicks off early with the morning walking club at 6 a.m. Then, join us at 8 a.m. for a final round of awards followed by Med-Surg Moments Live!. Don’t miss AMSN’s birthday celebration in the exhibit hall and, of course, the final rounds of concurrent sessions. We’ll see you there!

Want to contribute an inspiring takeaway, comment, or topic you learned about at #AMSN2026? Contact AMSN Content Manager Morgan Manghera at mmanghera@amsn.org, or drop by the AMSN Booth in the Exhibit Hall, for your chance to be featured on the Monitor.

Acknowledgements

Thank you to AMSN Digital Content Committee and Podcast Subcommittee for contributing to convention content coverage as reporters.

Tags: AMSN2026