Chicago Welcomes Acute and Critical Care Nurses

Welcome to Chicago where, for the first time in AACN history, the prestigious National Teaching Institute & Critical Care Exposition (NTI) is being held.

NTI is the world’s largest educational conference and exposition for acute and critical care nurses—bedside nurses, nurse educators, nurse managers, clinical nurse specialists and nurse practitioners who care for patients who are acutely or critically ill. You’re in good company at NTI; thousands of critical care nurses are attending to share in the wealth of programs and activities at the conference, where pre-conferences are already underway.

As an NTI participant, you can access comprehensive resources designed to maximize your contributions to patient care. You can earn CE credits, hear inspiring talks from well-known speakers, take review courses, and sit for exams in your specialty (CCRN, CCNS, PCCN and ACNPC) or subspecialty (CMC or CSC) certifications. And you can compare notes and share experiences with other critical care nurses from across the country and around the world. Sunday’s Network Night is a great place to start building new relationships and renew acquaintances.

AACN President Dave Hanson will formally open NTI on Monday with his keynote address. Throughout his term, Hanson has advanced his Reclaiming Our Priorities theme, writing about it in his monthly AACN News column and discussing it with colleagues around the country. In this opening session, he will elaborate on this message and reflect on his presidential year.

Keynote Sessions

On Tuesday, best-selling author Ron McMillan will give the keynote address. McMillan is recognized as an expert in interpersonal relationships, culture change, and workplace issues. Concentrating in areas such as team development, personal vitality, quality communications, and results-oriented leadership, he is co-founder of the Covey Leadership Center and of VitalSmarts. He has researched methods for driving rapid, sustainable and measurable changes in behavior.

McMillan is co-author of Crucial Conversations and Crucial Confrontations, as well as the latest VitalSmarts book, Influencer: The Power to Change Anything. McMillan will inspire attendees to improve their personal and professional lives. Covidien and AACN are co-sponsors of McMillan’s appearance.

Wednesday’s keynote address will be given by Keith Harrell. Known for his energetic, innovative presentations, Harrell is a dynamic life coach who specializes in changing behaviors through a positive attitude. As president of Harrell Performance Systems, he has shared his powerful message with audiences worldwide.

Harrell’s book, Attitude Is Everything: 10 Life-Changing Steps to Turning Attitude Into Action, presents a 10-step program for tuning up your attitude and improving your professional and personal life. Harrell spent 14 years with IBM, where he was recognized as one of the company’s top sales and training instructors. In August 2000, he was inducted into the Speaker Hall of Fame, a lifetime award for speaking excellence and professionalism. His unique style of delivery, solid content and practical applications are combined with the right amount of humor, leaving audiences ready to take action.

Thursday’s General Session will set the stage for the annual transition of AACN leadership as AACN President-elect Caryl Goodyear-Bruch unveils the theme that will anchor her presidential year. You won’t want to miss this special event.

Time to Relax

Before NTI 2008 winds down, share an evening of laughter with your colleagues when legendary comedian Bill Cosby headlines the popular Participant-Exhibitor Event on Wednesday. Cosby has been making America laugh for decades across virtually all types of media. Whether through his award-winning comedy albums and concerts or the I Spy and The Cosby Show television programs, his insightful humor has touched the lives of millions of people. His appeal is universal. The event is sponsored by Critical Care Exposition exhibitors.

Most conference events will be held in the new McCormick Place West, part of the world-renowned McCormick Place. The 250,000-square-foot McCormick Place West, with its 470,000-square-foot exhibition hall, adds to Chicago’s stature as home to the most complete, versatile and flexible convention, tradeshow, exhibition and meeting venues. As one of the world’s great cities, Chicago also offers outstanding cultural and leisure attractions: spectacular shopping, superb dining, internationally renowned museums and exciting nightlife.