AONL 2026 Offers Connection, Education to 5,500

AONL Board President Ena Williams PhD, RN, called on nurse leaders to seek out ideas that energize them and to be inspired by new thinking at the AONL 2026: Inspiring Leaders conference in Chicago this week. “The work of nursing leadership is demanding, and the challenges we face are very real,” Williams said in her opening remarks. But she also noted that nurse leaders have many moments of joy and transformation. Williams, Yale New Haven Health CNE, urged attendees to “use your time here to celebrate those successes and also tackle those challenges.” AONL welcomed 5,500 attendees to its annual conference, which featured more than 350 speakers and 340 exhibitors, allowing nurse leaders to network, share best practices and hear innovative ideas.