The National Forum of State Nursing Workforce Centers (National Forum) is excited to host our 2026 Annual Conference on June 22-24, 2026 at the Hyatt Regency located in Minneapolis, MN. 

Conference Goal: Nurses and healthcare leaders will come together to share creative models of practice, workforce data analysis and interpretation, and innovations in nursing education to change the nursing workforce game and address critical workforce development issues facing our nation.

The National Forum of Nursing Workforce Centers conference will explore strategies to strengthen a diverse nursing workforce. We invite abstract on the following topics:

  • K-12 pipeline and pre-nursing pathways
  • Nursing education at the LPN, RN and APRN levels
  • Health and well-being of the nursing workforce
  • Upskilling the workforce
  • Innovative care delivery models
  • Workforce data and research
  • Local, state and federal policy

The National Forum of State Nursing Workforce Centers is a national network of 45+ nursing workforce entities reaching more than 4 million nurses across the nation. Each unique center focuses on addressing the nursing shortage, support the advancement of nurse workforce initiatives, and share best practices in nursing workforce research, planning, development and formulation of policy.

Registration will open January 2026.

This activity is jointly provided by the Colorado Center for Nursing Excellence which is approved as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by Colorado Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. The Colorado Center for Nursing Excellence is responsible for the ANCC criteria, and if the learners have questions re: contact hours, contact Callie@coloradonursingcenter.org.

Fullfillment Policy

Refund Policy:  A full refund of registration ticket prices are available through June 10th when ticket sales close. Email Info@nursingworkforcecenters.org to request a refund. NO REFUNDS will be processed after June 10, 2026.

Cancellation Policy: Your registration ticket can be cancelled using the refund policy.

Delivery Policy:  Your ticket will be emailed you after successful purchase.

PROMOTIONAL OPPORTUNITIES will open September 2025 

Take advantage of this opportunity to promote your company’s products and/or services to over 200 in-person attendees. As a sponsor of the Forum’s conference, you will increase your organization’s visibility by being included on our website, our conference marketing, the event program, and our mobile app. The highest tiers also include being featured in posts on the Forum’s social media accounts and an opportunity to address attendees during the conference. This year we are also introducing a new multi-year sponsorship program. For one low sponsorship rate, you can purchase two consecutive years of sponsor benefits at your selected tier.

Sponsorship opportunities are limited; reserve your spot today!

AUDIENCE

Attendees are nursing and healthcare leaders from across the country including:

  • National and state healthcare and nursing workforce researchers and data professionals
  • Federal and state regulators in labor, public health and workforce strategy
  • Administrators, leaders, and direct care workers from practice facilities
  • Deans and faculty from educational institutions
  • Policy makers interested in learning more about nursing workforce shortage solutions.

 

If you have any questions or would like to inquire further on a sponsorship opportunities, please contact Patricia Moulton Burwell, PhD, Director, National Forum of State Nursing Workforce Centers at info@nursingworkforcecenters.org

Sponsorship Deadline: June 1, 2026

Keynote Speakers TBD

Hotel Information will be added September 2025

Agenda TBD

Call for abstracts will open October 2025.

  • How can I submit an abstract to present?  Abstract submission will open in October of 2025.
  • When is conference registration open?  Conference registration will open in January of 2026.
  • Where is the conference being held?  The Conference is being held at the Hyatt Regency Minneapolis, MN
  • I would like to purchase an exhibit table. How do I do that?  Exhibit tables are Bronze Sponsorship.  Sponsorships will open in September of 2025.
  • Who attends the conference?  We are anticipating over 200 attendees from across the United States. This includes national and state nursing workforce researchers and planners, federal and state regulators, health care administration, nursing education administrators and policy makers.
  • Who do I contact if I have questions?  You can contact Patricia Moulton Burwell, PhD, Director of the National Forum of State Nursing Workforce Centers.  Her email address is info@nursingworkforcecenters.org 
  • What is an Associate Subscription?  Anyone interested in joining our national network can become an Associate Subscriber.  Some of the benefits include participation on national committees and sharing sessions, a discounted annual conference rate, access to our online subscription portal that includes an expert directory, discussion forums, events and nursing workforce resources.  Click for more information. 
  • What are State Subscribers?  State subscribers are the leading organization in each state that is working on nursing workforce and has registered with the National Forum to participate in our network.   Click here to see our location map.   Click here for more information about state subscriptions.