Your 42nd NANN Annual Conference Guide

Part of the Advances in Neonatal Care (ANC) special series on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the NICU, this episode explores how AI is emerging across neonatal care through EHR summaries, clinical decision support, and monitor outputs. Join Dr. Sheila Gephart, Dr. Sunny Hallowell, and Dr. Benjamin Galatzan as they discuss how nurses and neonatal APRNs can prepare for the future by recognizing where AI appears in workflow, treating AI output as clinical support rather than clinical truth, and using a nurse-as-verifier approach to protect neonates, nursing judgment, documentation integrity, and accountability. To learn more about AI in neonatology, access the latest edition of ANC here: https://www.ovid.com/jnls/advancesinneonatalcare/toc/current.

In this episode, Jennifer Sedlmeyer, March of Dimes Senior Director of Professional Education, and Juviza Rodriguez, March of Dimes Senior Director of Consumer Health, explore how March of Dimes helps strengthen neonatal nursing practice through professional education, staff training, and family-centered resources. March of Dimes partners with NICUs nationwide to provide evidence-based learning opportunities that support nurses in delivering high-quality, compassionate care. Jennifer and Juviza discuss how these programs equip neonatal nurses to effectively educate and support families throughout the NICU journey. Through trusted educational materials, family support initiatives, and resources that ease the transition from hospital to home, March of Dimes helps parents build confidence, engage in their infant's care, and make informed decisions. Join us as we examine the impact of these efforts on neonatal nursing, family empowerment, and outcomes for babies and their families.

Thinking about attending the NANN Annual Conference, or are you already registered? Join the Annual Conference Committee (ACC) and Advanced Practice (AP) Summit Committee Chairs as they answer frequently asked questions and share what attendees can expect this year. Learn how to maximize your CE credits, explore educational sessions and networking opportunities, discover conference highlights, and pick up practical tips to help you get the most out of your conference experience. Whether you are a first-time attendee or conference veteran, this episode will help you arrive informed and ready to make the most of NANN's premier educational event. Register for the NANN Annual Conference here: https://apps.nann.org/meeting/?productid=227637729!

What if one nurse's observation could transform the way families experience healthcare? In this episode, Dr. Samantha Sobie, Neonatal Nurse Practitioner and Clinical Specialist at AngelEye Health, shares how a simple concern about NICU discharge education evolved into a doctoral project focused on improving health literacy and empowering families. Together, Jill and Dr. Sobie explore why health literacy matters, the unique role nurses play as educators and advocates, and how innovation and technology can improve patient outcomes. Whether you are a bedside nurse, healthcare leader, or student, this conversation is a reminder that meaningful change often begins with one person willing to ask, "Can we do better?".

Neonatal advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) play a critical role in delivering high-quality, evidence-based care to vulnerable newborns and their families. In this episode, Jill is joined by APRNs Gail Bagwell, Scott Duncan, and Meredith Farmer to explore the unique contributions of neonatal APRNs, the challenges facing the specialty, and the importance of advocacy at the bedside, within healthcare systems, and at the policy level. They discuss strategies to increase awareness of the neonatal APRN role, promote workforce sustainability, and ensure that these highly skilled clinicians have a voice in shaping the future of neonatal care. Whether you are a student, practicing clinician, educator, or healthcare leader, this conversation highlights why advocacy is essential for advancing both the profession and outcomes for our smallest patients.

In this episode of NANNcast, Jill is joined by Michelle M. Kelly, PhD, CRNP, FAANP to explore the lifelong health implications of prematurity. The conversation emphasizes the important role that NICU nurses and APRNs play, not only in providing exceptional care in the NICU but also in preparing families for life after the NICU. Dr. Kelly shares practical strategies for family education, discharge counseling, and long-term follow-up, helping nurses empower parents with the knowledge and resources they need as their child grows. Join us as we explore why prematurity is more than a neonatal diagnosis - it is the beginning of a lifelong journey.

When neonates present with unexplained or persistent symptoms, time is critical. In this episode, Jill is joined by Dr. Linda Genen, MD, MPH, neonatologist, and Chief Medical Officer at GeneDx as she explains how rapid genome sequencing can support earlier genetic diagnosis, reduce diagnostic uncertainty, and change the trajectory of care for infants in the NICU.

In this episode, Dr. Jessica Daigle explores why psychological safety is essential in the NICU - for both healthcare professionals and families. She discusses how trust, communication, and emotional support shape team dynamics, family experiences, and patient care, while also highlighting early signs of burnout and compassion fatigue. Listeners will walk away with practical, realistic strategies to foster resilience, strengthen connection, and create a more compassionate NICU environment. 

Join Dr. William L. Hull, DNP, APRN, NNP-BC, as we explore how neonatal developmental care shapes outcomes for infants and families. From individualized, cue-based care and family-centered practices to teaching strategies, measurable outcomes, and essential resources, this episode highlights how small, intentional actions can transform care at the bedside. We will also share updates on NANN's Developmental Care Specialist Designation (DCSD) - learn more about NANN's DCSD offering here: Developmental Care Expertise for Your Entire NICU Care Team.

Infants today are being born into a polycrisis of climate change, environmental exposures, and widening health inequities. In this special NANNcast episode, we dive into the Advances in Neonatal Care (ANC) environmental health special series with Section Editor Desi Newberry and nurse scientists Jennifer Russell and Stephanie Lapsley. Together, they explore how environmental disasters affect neonatal health. From disrupted infant feeding during times of disaster to contaminated drinking water, environmental polycrises exacerbate health inequities - affecting maternal and infant health outcomes. This episode also highlights how neonatal nurses can lead solutions through clinical practice, research, community engagement, and policy advocacy.  To learn more about this topic, access the January/February issue of ANC here: https://journals.lww.com/advancesinneonatalcare/pages/currenttoc.aspx.