Please note that the sessions below are current as of July 27, 2026, and are listed in Pacific Standard Time (local to Palm Springs). These sessions are subject to change.
Opening Keynote Session
Thursday, Sept. 24 | 10-11 a.m.
Empowered, Caring, and Engaged: A Roadmap for Today’s Nursing Workforce
Renee Thompson, DNP, RN, FAONL, FAAN, CSP®
In this engaging keynote, participants will explore proven best practices embraced by top-performing hospitals to build stronger, more connected teams. These strategies specifically address the most common sources of workplace conflict and equip nurses with the tools to foster healthier, more respectful interactions. Attendees will leave with actionable steps to create a workplace where every nurse feels supported, valued, and empowered to contribute to a culture of caring.
AMSN Founders Awards
Friday, Sept. 25 | 9:30-10:30 a.m.
The Past, Present & Future of Nursing Innovation
Rebecca Love, RN, BS, MSN, FIEL
This session explores the evolution of nursing innovation by examining the historical milestones, influential leaders, and technological advancements that have shaped modern nursing practice. Participants will discover how current innovations, including emerging technologies, evidence-based practices, and interdisciplinary approaches, are enhancing patient care, safety, and healthcare delivery. The session also examines the future of nursing innovation through trends such as artificial intelligence, digital health, and precision medicine. Attendees will gain insight into the expanding role of nurses as innovators and leaders driving transformation across healthcare systems.
General Sessions
Friday, Sept. 25 | 2:45-3:45 p.m.
Co-Designing the Future: Clinicians and AI Agents in Healthcare Transformation
Amy McCarthy, DNP, RNC-MNN, NE-BC, CENP
This presentation explores how agentic AI is transforming healthcare delivery by enabling autonomous, patient-facing interactions that extend clinical capacity across inpatient, outpatient, and home health settings. We will examine the critical role clinicians play in shaping safe AI systems, from validating outputs to designing escalation protocols, and why nurse co-design is essential to building tools that genuinely improve workflows rather than adding to them. Finally, we will address the governance frameworks necessary to deploy AI responsibly in clinical environments, including safety testing standards, regulatory compliance, and the principle that AI agents must never diagnose or prescribe. The goal is to equip attendees with a practical understanding of where agentic AI fits today, how to evaluate it, and what guardrails ensure it does no harm.
Saturday, Sept. 26 | 8:15-9:15 a.m.
Med-Surg Moments Live!
Caroline Ashman, MSN, RN, CMSRN, NPD-BC, FAMSN; Samantha Bayne, MSN, RN, CMSRN, NPD-BC; Maritess Quinto, DNP, RN, NPD-BC, CMSRN; Eric Torres, ADN, RN, CMSRN; and Patricia West, DNP, MSN, CMSRN, PCCN, CEN, NEA-BC, FAMSN
Join the voices behind AMSN’s official podcast, Med-Surg Moments, for a live recording to close out the 2026 AMSN Convention together. This live session brings the voices from your headphones to the stage for an engaging, reflective conversation on key clinical topics, the convention experience, and what to expect from the next 35 years of medical-surgical nursing. Expect authenticity, some laughs, and insights that resonate long after the convention ends.