Philadelphia – Pediatric nurses will learn essential nursing practices and techniques at the Pediatric Nursing 21^st Annual Conference in Philadelphia, PA, September 16-18, 2005, at the Loews Philadelphia Hotel. This year’s conference, Pediatric Nursing Essentials: Competence, Collaboration, Compassion, has been expanded and redesigned so all pediatric nurses, including advanced practice nurses, will benefit from comprehensive workshops, learning intensives and concurrent and plenary sessions.

Full program information and registration details are available on Pediatric Nursing’s Web site, www.pediatricnursing.net.

Education sessions will be taught by nationally-recognized pediatric experts. Sessions include such topics as career planning for pediatric nurses, collaborating with communities to improve health outcomes, using research to guide pediatric practice, identifying obesity and type II diabetes in children, assessing neonatal pain, caring for pediatric surgical patients and preventing and controlling emerging threats in the pediatric population.

Among the featured speakers are Pediatric Nursing’s 2005 Humanitarian Award Winner and noted performer Zuleikha; muscular dystrophy patient advocate Jeni Smith Stepanek, PhD(c); Indiana University School of Nursing Dean Marion Broome, PhD, RN, FAAN; and University of Pennsylvania Associate Professor and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Terri Lipman, PhD, CRNP, FAAN.

Pre-conference Workshops
Three full-day pre-conference workshops are scheduled for Friday, September 16. First Do No Harm: A Pediatric Safety Institute will explore the nature of common errors in pediatric practice and the consequences of these errors on patients, families and health care professionals. A Case Study Approach to Pediatric Physical Assessment: Fine Tuning Your Assessment Skills and Enhancing Critical Thinking is a hands-on workshop that will review the key anatomic and physiologic features of children and the developmental issues they face. Integration of Complementary and Alternative Therapies in Pediatric Practice will acquaint participants with the growing field of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and the benefits of CAM in pediatric practice. (Each pre-conference workshop is worth 7.3 contact hours.)

Program
Later that evening, Zuleikha, the recipient of Pediatric Nursing’s 2005 Humanitarian Award, will host the opening plenary session “Healing Journeys of the Heart: A Movement Theater Piece of Story, Music, and Dance,” a performance weaving elements of nature, world lore, and life. Zuleikha’s performance and teaching background in health care and her provocative, soul-searching and funny performances have inspired health care practitioners and people suffering from illness and trauma. 

Jeni Smith Stepanek will host the plenary session “Wednesdays Without Mattie: Lessons from the Potato Salad Club” on Saturday, September 17. Ms. Stepanek will explore ways health care providers can improve the human element in end-of-life care, drawing from her own experiences in the months surrounding her son, Mattie’s, death. Mattie was a muscular dystrophy spokesperson, best-selling poet, and peacemaker who passed away in 2004 at age 13 due to complications from muscular dystrophy.

Dr. Broome will present two sessions during the conference including the plenary session, “Chaos Theory: Career Planning for Pediatric Nurses,” on Saturday, September 17.  Dr. Lipman will deliver the plenary session, “Being on the Cutting Edge: Conducting and Using Research to Guide Pediatric Practice,” on Sunday, September 18.

Throughout the conference, attendees may also participate in the new “Bring Your Own Case” (BYOC) sessions in which participants can speak with leading pediatric professionals about troublesome clinical, education or research topics. Sessions will cover ethical decision making, behavioral issues in adolescents, achieving developmental milestones in children with chronic conditions and the ABCs of conflict resolution.

Special Events
The 21^st Annual Pediatric Nursing Conference will offer attendees opportunities to participate in educational and career-enhancing activities as well as interactive and social events.

On Friday, September 16, the National Certification Board of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners and Nurses (NCBPNP/N) and the Pediatric Nursing Conference will offer the Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN™) Examination at the Loews Hotel.

The Poster Session on Saturday morning, September 17, will feature selected peer-reviewed abstract submissions and clinical posters exemplifying innovative practice and programs. A Writer's Consultation will offer participants the opportunity to discuss ideas for articles and explore various writing strategies with members of the Pediatric Nursing Editorial Board.

In the Exhibit Hall, more than 45 exhibitors from around the country will display their products and information services. This event also provides opportunities for participants to network with other pediatric professionals.

The Pediatric Nursing Humanitarian Award will be presented to Zuleikha at the Awards Luncheon on Sunday, September 18. Through her non-profit organization, The Storydancer Project, an international artistic health resource program, Zuleikha works with women and children suffering from the trauma of war, disease, poverty and loss of family. The award will be presented on behalf of Jannetti Publications, Inc., publisher of Pediatric Nursing.

Pediatric Nursing has also added a Spirit Center to offer participants an opportunity to care for their bodies, spirits and emotions through quiet reflection, relaxation, self-care and massage. The Spirit Center will be available during designated conference hours on Saturday, September 17.

On Saturday, September 17, attendees are invited to tour Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) from 5:30-8:00 p.m. Participants will enjoy a cocktail reception and a tour of CHOP, America’s first pediatric hospital and a world-renowned leader in pediatric care, education and research.

Registration
Complete registration information is available on Pediatric Nursing’s Web site, www.pediatricnursing.net. For additional registration information and to request a brochure, contact Pediatric Nursing at East Holly Avenue, Box 56, Pitman, NJ, 08071; phone 856-256-2356; fax 856-589-7463, or e-mail, hughesm@ajj.com.

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Pediatric Nursing is a clinically-based journal focusing on the needs of professionals in pediatric practice, research, administration and education.