Building Your APNA Annual Conference Presentation

Top Tips

• As you build your presentation, keep in mind all of the program materials you need to submit to APNA
• Carefully review the guidelines for copyright and permissions: When in doubt, get permission!
• Be current, evidence-based, objective, and recovery-oriented with all of your materials.

Your Content

• Present current, clinically relevant, evidenced-based content to meet your educational outcome.
  • Include case studies and examples where applicable.
  • Content must not be promotional or advertise specific products or services.
    • e.g. Use the generic names of medications instead of brand names, or refer to the type of device rather than a product name.
• Provide a balanced view of the topic and be objective when reporting research.
  • Disclose off-label use or use of medications/products where applicable.
  • Discuss the safety and adverse effects of any medications/products presented.
  • Discuss new applications or potential changes to the FDA status.
• Support assertions and clinical studies, theories, models, etc. with references.
  • Presenters are responsible for accurate and complete references.
  • References should be evidence-based and from within the last 5 years.

Your Language

As a presenter, you have a critical opportunity to counter stigma and bias through the use of person-first, recovery-focused language throughout your presentation & materials. Here are examples of simple and practical ways to reframe the conversation:

Resources

• APA General Principles for Reducing Bias
• Recovery-Oriented Language Guide
• Guidelines on Inclusive Language & Images in Scholarly Communication

Your Slides

• Use the widescreen format (16:9 for your slides)
• Your slides must include:
  • Slide 1: Title and presenters
  • Slide 2: Disclosures, including any discussions of off-label uses of medications
    • If you have none, use this text: “The speaker has no financial relationships to disclose. Discussions of off-label use of medication will not take place in this presentation.”
  • Slide 3: One learning outcome and 1-2 key takeaways
    • See the Program Materials section for more information on crafting your outcome and key takeaways.
  • Scientific references from within the last five years and citations for evidence-based content
  • Citations for all images (graphs, charts, pictures, etc.), videos, etc.
    • Remember to obtain permission for live and online use and upload these permissions with your program materials
• Aim for this length (not including title, disclosure, outcome, and reference slides):
  • 45-minute Concurrents: 20 slides of content
  • 20-minute Mini Concurrents: 10 slides of content
  • Pre-Conferences: Approximately 1 slide for every 2 minutes of content

Tips & Guidelines

• Use an easily readable font and size (ex: Arial size 20-24)
• Ensure charts/tables/graphs are easily readable for a large audience
• Use the 6×6 or 7×7 rule (lines/slide x words/line)
• Use bulleted lists vs. complete sentences
• Be mindful of plagiarism – quote and cite content that is not original
• Use PowerPoint tools available such as spell check, grammar check, thesaurus, accessibility, etc.

Resources

• Effective PowerPoint Presentations
• Change Font Colors and Styles on PowerPoint Slides

Slide Review

When you submit your slides with your program materials, your slides will be reviewed by an APNA nurse educator to ensure that they meet requirements for ANCC nursing continuing professional development contact hours. Keep in mind that any images or content without appropriate permissions or citations will be removed.

At the Conference

• Your APNA-approved slides will be pre-loaded on the laptop
• Bring a back-up on a flash drive just in case.
• You will advance your slides from the podium via the laptop.
• If your presentations requires internet access for video streaming, etc. plan to arrive 10 minutes early to test the links.
• If you embed videos into your presentation for streaming, bring the video link as a backup.
• If you create your presentation using Mac software and want to retain your formatting/graphics, bring your Mac to the session room to be hooked up to the projector.
  • Let ECannon@apna.org know in advance so we can arrange for an A/V tech in the room before your session.

See a full breakdown of what to expect day of your presentation

Permissions & Copyright

• Obtain permission to reproduce any copyrighted materials such as graphs, charts, logos (including hospital or university logos), screenshots, cartoons, audio, movie clips, etc.
  • University or hospital logos may not appear on your slides or handouts without documentation of the university’s/hospital’s permission. Obtain permission by contacting your marketing department (emails are fine!). You will also need permission from the university/hospital if you include a photo of the grounds or buildings.
  • If you are using a photo of people, you will need to provide written permission from each individual in the photo for it to be used.
• Obtain permission for both the live presentation and for posting online after the conference.
  • If partial permission is obtained, indicate for which format permission has been provided.
  • If permission is not provided to APNA, images/content will be removed from the slides.
• Cite permission on your slides and upload copies of correspondence granting permission for use.
  • Permissions must be uploaded by the Program Materials Deadline of July 28.
  • If permission was obtained via email, simply copy & paste the correspondence into a word document and upload it with your program materials.