Pre-Convention
2026 PRE-CONVENTION NURSE EDUCATORS PROGRAM
Teaching as We Practice: Strengthening Competence, Confidence, and Professional Identity Through Case Based Learning
March 25, 2026, 8:30 aM – 4:15 pM
Harrah’s Resort, Ocean City/Longport Room
Program Overview:
Don’t miss this opportunity to expand your educational toolkit and prepare the next generation of nursing professionals.
Nursing education is at a pivotal moment, and academic and clinical nurse educators play a critical role in ensuring that new nurses enter the workforce with strong clinical judgment, clear reasoning, and a solid professional identity.
This engaging workshop is designed for educators across all program types. Whether you are new to teaching or a seasoned educator, you will leave inspired and equipped with case based strategies you can apply in your teaching environment immediately.
Together, we will confront the systemic barriers that keep education tethered to test preparation rather than real world readiness. You’ll explore how active, case based learning fosters clinical judgment and Professional Identity Formation (PIF)—a powerful buffer against burnout and a pathway to safer, more effective practice.
If you’re ready to move beyond graduating students who are merely “test ready” and begin cultivating nurses who are truly practice ready, this session is your moment. Let’s reimagine nursing education together.
Register today to join us and be at the forefront of education innovation! Earn 6.5 Contact Hours.
Make Your Harrah's Hotel Reservation
NJLN Pre-Convention Program Information: Printable
Program Objectives/Outcomes:
- Define practice readiness, academic-practice gap, critical thinking, clinical reasoning, and clinical judgment.
- Explore how active, case-based learning fosters clinical judgment and Professional Identity Formation (PIF), including reductions in errors, strengthened decision making, and more effective practice.
- Create case based scenarios that integrate clinical judgment to support the development of practice ready nurses.
NJLN Pre-Convention Program Information Printable
NJLN Pre-Convention Flyer Printable
Why You Should Attend This Pre-Convention Program:
Academic Nurse Educators / Faculty
1. NCLEX Success: Clinical Competence Graduates may pass the NCLEX, but only 9% demonstrate the clinical judgment needed for safe practice. Preparing students for real patients—not just exams—is an educator’s responsibility.
2. You Shape the Future of Nursing. The quality of bedside practice begins in your classroom. Your teaching strategies directly influence whether new nurses enter the workforce confident, competent, and ready to think.
3. Retention Starts in Education Nearly one-third of new nurses leave within two years. Case-based learning and professional identity formation strengthen commitment, reduce burnout, and support long-term retention.
4. It’s Time to Teach Like We Practice. We expect evidence-based care from nurses. Students deserve evidence-based teaching. This session equips you with modern, research-supported approaches that align with how today’s learners thrive.
Clinical Nurses Educators
1. You Feel the Gap at the Bedside New graduates struggle with prioritizing, thinking, and advocating—not because they’re unmotivated, but because the system hasn’t prepared them. This session addresses the root cause.
2. Better Education Means Safer Workplaces Nurses with strong clinical judgment reduce errors, improve outcomes, and lighten the load on preceptors and unit staff. Your future colleagues are being shaped right now.
3. Your Voice Drives Educational Reform Clinical nurses are essential partners in improving education. Preceptors, mentors, and clinical leaders help shape the next generation of safe, confident practitioners.
4. Burnout Isn’t Only About Staffing Nurses with a strong professional identity are more resilient and more likely to stay. The goal isn’t just more nurses, it’s better prepared nurses who remain in the profession.
Registration non-refundable. Agenda subject to change at the discrection of the NJLN.
Meet our Program Facilitator
Facilitator: Maria Flores-Harris, DNP, RN, CNE, from KeithRN
Thank you to our Sponsors and Exhibitors
