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Nephrology nurses practice in many different arenas, have a wide spectrum of learning needs, and face many unique challenges. Recognizing this diversity, the American Nephrology Nurses' Association (ANNA) has designed a 32nd National Symposium that covers all learning levels and offers individuals the chance to tailor their own programs.

The symposium, which will be held at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada, April 23-26, 2001, features the most current information available on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of renal disease. Conference planners carefully built content based on feedback from nephrology nurses, research with experts, literature, and documented practice challenges. As a result, registrants may choose from a comprehensive slate of courses directly related to their practice areas. The conference also offers the opportunity to earn continuing education credits, network with colleagues, and attend special events.

In keeping with the conference theme "Practice Challenges for the 21st Century," the goals for the meeting are to:

• Explore practice challenges the nephrology nurse will face in an evolving health care environment.
  
• Formulate strategies to meet the challenges of patient care with changing resources and delivery systems.
  
• Create a collegial environment conducive to sharing knowledge, expertise, and experience.

Keynote Address
Josepha Camphina-Bacole, PhD, RN, CTN, CS, FAAN, will present the keynote speech on Tuesday, April 24. Dr. Camphina-Bacote's will describe "Practice Challenges for the 21st Century: A Culturally Conscious Perspective." She will discuss America's increasing ethnic diversity and how it is essential that nurses in all practice arenas strive for positive outcomes by being culturally competent.

Topics
The symposium offers topics that span nephrology nursing practice today. Preconference workshops on Monday, April 23 include clinical, economics, education, professional writing, and information technology tracks. Also that day, Debra Crumpton, MBA, will present a general session on "Meeting the 21st Century Leadership Challenge."

Concurrent sessions run from Tuesday, April 24 to Thursday, April 26. Topics include:

• Management of ESRD patients
  
• Liver support systems
  
• Growth and development issues in pediatric patients
  
• Critical decision making in CRRT
  
• Care of an aging population
  
• Certification
  
• Clinical performance measures
  
• Self-management strategies for long-term dialysis patients
  
• How nurses can help stressed caregivers
  
• Legislative update

Special Events
On April 25, AMGEN is hosting the "AMGEN Renal Advances Breakfast Symposium." This session expands the horizons of anemia management by focusing on nursing interventions. Later that day, the annual Nephrology Nurse Day Recognition Luncheon will honor the accomplishments of ANNA and nephrology nurses. The 2001-2002 ANNA Board of Directors will assume their elected positions, highlighted by the passing of the gavel from current President Jean M. Nardini, MSN, RN, CNN, to incoming President Mary Ann Gould, MSN, RN, CNN.

That evening, a reception sponsored by the Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission (NNCC) and ANNA will celebrate NNCC's successful certification program and pay tribute to those who have achieved the CNN credential. The next event that night will be the EFX Extravaganza, a spectacular show blending special effects, theater, dance, and music. Two shows will be offered on a first-come/first serve basis. To offer registrants extra networking time, AMGEN Renal Advances and ANNA are also sponsoring a Dessert Reception that evening to be held between the two EFX performances.

On Thursday, April 26, Watson Pharmaceutical, Inc. is sponsoring a Breakfast Symposium on "Iron Management: New Directions for the 21st Century."

Continuing Education Information
The 32nd National Symposium has been awarded 16.5 contact hours of continuing education credit and the Preconference Workshops have been awarded 6.3 contact hours. ANNA is accredited as a provider and approver of continuing education in nursing by the American Nurses Credentialing Center-Commission on Accreditation (ANCC-COA).

NNCC Certification Exams Offered
The NNCC will be offering the Certified Nephrology Nursing Examination, the Certified Dialysis Nursing Examination, and the Certified Clinical Hemodialysis Technician Examination on Sunday, April 22, from 12:00 noon to 4:30 pm. A separate registration fee and registration form are required for each exam. For more information, call the NNCC National Office at (888) 884-NNCC or (856) 256-2321; or visit the NNCC Web site at www.nncc-exam.org.

Symposium Brochures Available
If you would like to receive a registration brochure for the ANNA 32nd National Symposium, contact the ANNA National Office, East Holly Avenue Box 56, Pitman, NJ 08071-0056; phone (856) 256-2320; fax (856) 589-7463; e-mail: anna@ajj.com. The complete registration brochure is also available on ANNA's Web site at www.annanurse.org.

SOURCE: American Nephrology Nurses' Association