2025 Annual Conference

The time for nurse leaders to be heard is NOW! If you are advancing the future of nursing leadership in the face of today’s challenges through education, community and/or advocacy, The American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL) wants to hear from you! We invite submissions from nurse leaders in all practice settings—acute, ambulatory, academic, industry, and beyond—and across all levels of leadership: leaders of care, leaders of people, and leaders of leaders.

Call for Abstracts are Now Open

Submit your abstract for AONL 2026—deadline is August 29!

On-Demand Registration

We welcome abstracts for podium (various types) and poster presentations that showcase innovations, practical strategies and solutions, and bold thinking across five critical themes:

Navigating Complexity
- Academia: Collaborations between Schools of Nursing and health systems to co-design DNP projects aligned with strategic goals, navigating competing expectations across multiple organizations.
- Acute Care: Leading through matrix reporting structures and unionized environments while managing financial constraints and staffing challenges.
- Ambulatory: Developing RN-led triage models and navigating transitions of care within complex patient environments, especially where interdisciplinary collaboration is essential.
Workplace Violence, Incivility, and Bullying
- Academia: Strategies for integrating workplace violence prevention into nursing curricula and addressing incivility toward students in clinical placements.
- Acute Care: Partnerships between nurse leaders and security to proactively identify patients with a history of violence and implement outcome-driven mitigation strategies.
- Ambulatory: Creating clear definitions of workplace violence, including microaggressions, and building collaborative relationships with community partners to improve safety.
Nursing Leadership Across All Levels
- Academia: Designing microcredential and certificate programs for leadership in partnership with healthcare organizations, addressing leadership science in curricula.
- Acute Care: Implementing succession planning and mentorship at all leadership tiers—especially mid-career and emerging nurse leaders—while combating burnout.
- Ambulatory: Bridging inpatient and outpatient leadership silos by linking ambulatory nurse leadership to enterprise-wide strategic plans.
AI, Technology, and Innovation
- Academia: Integrating AI and simulation into curricula and developing academic-practice partnerships to evaluate the impact of emerging technologies on clinical outcomes.
- Acute Care: Leading technology implementation to reduce documentation burden, manage downtime procedures, and evaluate the effectiveness of virtual nursing models.
- Ambulatory: Strategically adopting AI to improve efficiency in outpatient workflows, while demonstrating cost-effectiveness and ethical use in care navigation.
Workforce and Well-being
- Academia: Addressing faculty recruitment, placement bottlenecks, and innovative ways to integrate nontraditional students into the profession.
- Acute Care: Advancing staffing models that incorporate predictive analytics and technology, while promoting well-being, diversity, and leadership longevity.
- Ambulatory: Tackling scope clarity among RNs, MAs, and APRNs, and building cultures of acceptance and innovation through strategic partnerships with physicians and interdisciplinary teams.

AONL 2025 May Be Over—But You Can Still Catch It On Demand!

Thank you to over 5,000 nurse leaders who joined us in Boston for AONL 2025! Your energy, passion, and commitment made this year’s conference unforgettable.

Couldn’t attend in person? You can still be part of it! Gain valuable insights from expert speakers and earn up to 48 contact hours with AONL 2025 On Demand—available from April 30 to September 30. Watch the sessions that are shaping the future of nurse leadership, all at your convenience.

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About the Conference

+5100
Attendees

+350
Speakers

+340
Exhibitors

2025 Keynote Speakers

Powerful Education and Networking

At AONL 2025, education and networking unite to elevate your nurse leadership career. Explore 50+ high-impact sessions, earn contact hours and connect with thousands of colleagues from across the nation. Join us for this empowering journey with top thought leaders who share your challenges and will inspire you to become a better leader.

Exhibit and Sponsorship Opportunities

Join us as an exhibitor and connect with 4,000+ influential nurse leaders, educators, practitioners, and health care leaders. Get involved and align your brand with programming that nurse leaders rely on to learn about new trends and arm themselves with actionable knowledge for improving delivery of expert care. Elevate your presence further by becoming a sponsor at the nation's largest nursing leadership conference. Don't miss out on these opportunities.

Boston Attractions

Experience the historic charm and dynamic energy of Boston while attending AONL 2025. Immerse yourself in a city renowned for its revolutionary history, iconic landmarks, and world-class museums. Join us for an unforgettable conference experience and enhance your visit by exploring the captivating attractions Boston has to offer. Combine professional growth with leisure and soak in the unique character of this vibrant city.