Abstract Toolkit: Session Format Descriptions

Not sure which presentation format will work best for your proposed presentation content for the conference? If you have questions, contact APNA at pblack@apna.org.

Deadline: March 2, 2026

90-minute Deep Dive Pre-conference Sessions

Pre-conference sessions are two hours long and offer an in-depth learning experience about select topics. Topics should be evidence- or research-informed and should demonstrate outcomes and impact of the program, project, or intervention. Pre-conference sessions will take place on the Wednesday of the conference.

Works well for: Workshops, roundtable discussions, and comprehensive reviews

APNA will provide a $250 discount on regular conference registration for one presenting author. This is usually the primary presenter, whose contact information is entered first. This cannot be combined with any other discount. All presenters must register for the conference by the Early Bird Deadline of September 2026.

Accepted pre-conference sessions require the submission of program materials by July 27, 2026.

60-minute Power Hour Pre-Conference Sessions

These sessions are 60 minutes long and offer the opportunity to review a program, project, or intervention about a particular topic. Topics should be evidence- or research-informed and should demonstrate outcomes and impact of the program, project, or intervention. Pre-conference sessions will take place on the Wednesday of the conference.

Works well for: How-to presentations, novel frameworks, overviews of current evidence/practices

APNA will provide a $200 discount on regular conference registration for one presenting author. This is usually the primary presenter, whose contact information is entered first. This cannot be combined with any other discount. All presenters must register for the conference by the Early Bird Deadline of September 2026.

Accepted pre-conference sessions require the submission of program materials by July 27, 2026.

45-minute Impact Sessions

These sessions are 45 minutes long (35 min presentation and 10 min Q&A) and are designed for discussion or review of a program, project, or intervention. Topics should be evidence- or research-informed and should demonstrate a program, project, or intervention that has achieved or is on track to achieve measurable results. 45-minute Impact Sessions take place during Thursday-Saturday of the conference.

Works well for: Completed quality improvement projects, program overviews, and updates on a specific practice or medication

APNA provides a $200 discount on regular conference registration for one presenting author. This is most commonly the primary presenter, whose contact information is entered first. This cannot be combined with any other discount. Each presenter must register for the conference by the Early Bird Deadline of September 2026.

Accepted impact sessions require submission of program materials by July 27, 2026.

20-minute Lightning Sessions

These sessions are 20 minutes long (15 min presentation and 5 min Q&A) and provide a brief report on research, case studies, or progress on a particular practice or protocol. 20-minute lightning sessions take place during Thursday-Saturday of the conference.

Works well for: research projects, brief reports, case studies, practice projects in process

APNA will provide a $150 discount on regular conference registration for one presenting author of each presentation. This is most commonly the primary presenter, whose contact information is entered first. This cannot be combined with any other discount. Each presenter must register for the conference by the Early Bird Deadline of September 2026.

Accepted lightning sessions require submission of program materials by July 27, 2026.

Poster Presentations

Poster presentations are an opportunity for clinical and/or scientific presentations in an interactive environmentPosters at the conference are offered as NCPD-accredited educational activities and therefore must meet nursing professional development (NCPD) requirements as outlined by ANCC. Posters are available for viewing on Thursday and Friday during the conference and poster presenters will be asked to stand with their poster during a designated time period on Friday.

Works well for: Projects, program overviews, research study results

APNA will provide a $150 discount on regular conference registration for one presenting author. This is most commonly the primary presenter, whose contact information is entered first. This cannot be combined with any other discount. As posters are available for viewing on multiple days; poster presenters must register for the full conference. Each presenter must register for the conference by the Early Bird Deadline of September 2026.

Accepted poster presentations require submission of program materials (poster PDF, permissions) by August 3, 2026.

Online Poster Gallery

Abstracts of poster presentations given at the conference will be published in the Online Poster Gallery for access during and after the conference. The inclusion of a poster PDF in the gallery is required.

Poster Judging

First and second place recognition will be awarded to posters in the categories of administration, research, education, and practice. One student poster will also be recognized. Poster judges will access the poster PDFs prior to the conference for scoring purposes. Poster presenters are not required to participate in the judging process.

Industry Supported Medical Education Supported Posters

Medical education/industry supported/promotional posters are offered through APNA’s exhibit program. Industry supported posters:

• Are not reviewed for NCPD contact hours
• Must be separate from the accredited education posters
• Do not appear in the Online Poster Gallery.

Non-NCPD poster presenters are not accepted through the abstract submission process and will not receive the poster presenter discount. Contact Ecannon@apna.org for more information on participation.

Industry Sponsored Symposium

Contact ECannon@apna.org for more information on participation.