California Association of Colleges of Nursing

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Submission Deadline

October 1st

The Conference Planning Committee invites the submission of abstracts showcasing excellence, innovation, scholarship, and best practices in nursing education. Faculty, students, clinicians, researchers, and academic leaders are encouraged to submit abstracts that advance nursing education and contribute to the preparation of the nursing workforce. This may include research studies, project/best practice presentations, or theory development/concept analysis.

*Abstracts submitted from August 2026 through October 1, 2026 will be considered for acceptance to our 2027 Conference on February 17-19, 2027 at Westin Rancho Mirage in the Palm Desert.

Abstract Categories

Abstracts should align with one of the following categories:

BSN RN and APRN Transition to Practice
Example topics: residency programs, onboarding, preceptor development, academic-practice partnerships, and practice readiness initiatives
Competency-Based Education and Assessment
Example topics: competency frameworks, competency assessment strategies, entrustable professional activities, mastery learning, and programmatic assessment
Teaching and Learning Innovations
- Didactic Teaching Strategies
- Clinical Teaching Strategies
- Simulation and Virtual Learning
Educational Technology, Artificial Intelligence, and Innovation
Example topics: artificial intelligence, virtual reality, educational technologies, learning analytics, digital tools, and innovative educational approaches
Leadership Development
Example topics: faculty development, mentorship, leadership preparation, succession planning, and student leadership initiatives
Policy, Advocacy, and Health Equity
Example topics: legislative advocacy, workforce policy, diversity and inclusion initiatives, social determinants of health, and health equity
Quality Improvement, Evidence-Based Practice, and Scholarship
Example topics: quality improvement projects, evidence-based practice initiatives, program evaluation, educational outcomes, and scholarship of teaching and learning

Submission Criteria

Abstract Requirements

Abstracts Word Count: 500 words.
Abstract titles and abstract content must be blinded. Do not include author names, institutional affiliations, healthcare facilities, or identifying information within the abstract body.
Abstracts submitted after October 1st or incomplete submissions will not be considered for the 2027 Conference.
Abstracts should represent completed work with outcomes available for reporting.
Student submissions may include completed or in-progress scholarly work to facilitate dissemination and peer learning.
Do not include acronyms, tables, graphs, figures, or references within the abstract body.
Follow the content and formatting requirements listed below.

Abstract Content

Authors should organize abstracts according to the type of work being presented.

Research Studies

Research papers, instrument development studies, methodological studies, and research-based best practices should include:

Purpose/Aims
Rationale, Conceptual Basis, or Background
Methods
Results
Implications

Project or Best Practice Presentations

Quality improvement, educational innovation, and evidence-based practice projects should include:

Purpose/Aims
Rationale or Background
Description of the Project or Best Practice
Approach
Methods
Processes Used
Outcomes Achieved
Conclusions and Implications for Clinical or Educational Practice
Recommendations for Future Research or Initiatives

Theory Development or Concept Analysis

Theory development and concept analysis papers should include:

Purpose/Aims
Description of the Theory or Concept
Concept Analysis or Theory Development Process
Internal Consistency of the Theory
Relationship of the Theory or Concept to Nursing Practice or Research
Conclusions and Utility for Nursing Practice, Education, or Research

Funding Disclosure

If the project or study received full or partial funding support, include a funding statement at the end of the abstract.

e.g. This project was supported in part by the ABC Nursing Education Grant Program.

References

References are discouraged. If references are included, they must:

Be limited to essential citations only.
Follow current APA formatting guidelines.

Paper Format Style

Title

Center the title.
Use ALL CAPITAL LETTERS.

Margins

Top: 1 inch
Bottom: 1 inch
Left: 1 inch
Right: 1 inch

Font

Use a 12-point font.
Recommended fonts include Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri.

Length

Abstracts should be no more than one page, single-spaced, in portrait orientation (8.5" × 11").
If author information requires additional space, a second page may be used.
The abstract body may not exceed 500 words.

Acceptance Criteria

Abstracts will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

Internal consistency between purpose, aims, methods, and outcomes
Clarity and organization of the presentation
Significance and relevance to nursing education and nursing practice
Innovation and contribution to the discipline
Applicability to educational, clinical, leadership, or policy settings

You may choose which presentation categories you would like to be considered for on the submission form (select all that apply)

Podium Presentation
Concurrent Session
Poster Presentation
Student Poster Presentation

Abstract scoring and selection is conducted by blind peer review.

If your Abstract is accepted:

You will receive notice before or by November 15th.
Presenters assume costs associated with registration, travel and accommodations for the conference.
Authors of abstracts accepted for presentation at the conference are required to respond with their intent by the designated date on their acceptance invitation and register for the conference.
If you are using an institution email please make sure your IT department whitelists the domain @cacn.org. Failure to respond or register will cancel the presentation from the conference program.
If you accept you must complete all required elements of the speaker acceptance form emailed to you for CE compliance by the deadlines stated in acceptance invitation.
Final version of your electronic presentation and handouts are due by the date listed in acceptance invitation. Last minute uploads may not be accommodated.

Submission Form