- Overview
- Featured Speakers
- Agenda
- Registration
- Reservations & Travel
- Promote the Event
- Special Events
- Sponsorship
- Speaker Resources
- CE Information
- Offsite Activities
- 2027 Annual Conference
Don’t miss out on your chance to be a part of the only national conference dedicated to the clinical nurse specialist! From March 9-12, 2026 join your peers in San Diego, CA for four days of advancing our role – and a whole lot of fun too.
Our program is designed to create an unforgettable experience for CNSs with:
- Inspiring keynotes from special guests
- Groundbreaking live presentations
- Pharmacology sessions
- Exhibit hall
- Awards ceremony
- Poster presentations
- Live CEs
- Unmatched networking opportunities
Virtual registration is open until Thursday, July 9, 2026
Important Dates
As the clock ticks down to the start of the conference, here are some important dates to be aware of:
- November 12, 2025: Registration opens with early bird rates for members!
- January 28, 2026: Early bird rates end, but there’s still plenty of time to register!
- February 12, 2026: Last day to get the discounted room rate (based on room availability).
- March 9 – 12, 2026: In-Person Conference dates.
- March 26, 2026: On-Demand Session recordings available.
- July 10, 2026: Access to recordings and digital content expires.
Unable to join us in person? There will be a virtual registration opportunity for post-event access to session recordings and presenter handouts! Access to these recordings will begin two weeks post event (Thursday, March 26, 2026). Virtual access is not live during the conference.
Special Events
CNSI 10th ANNIVERSARY GALA CELEBRATION & CNSI FELLOW INDUCTION DINNER
Tuesday, March 10, 2026 | 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Join us for an unforgettable evening as we celebrate the 10th Anniversary of CNSI and induct our 2026 Class of CNSI Fellows. Come SPARKLE with as at this special 10th anniversary diamond celebration as we honor the 2026 CNSI Fellow Inductees with a night of dinner, dancing, and celebration!
All NACNS Conference attendees and NACNS members are invited to register for the 10th Anniversary GALA Celebration & CNSI Fellow Induction Dinner.
Learn more about this event here.
Student Networking Lunch (Sponsored by ANCC & AACN)
Join us for an opportunity to connect, learn, and be inspired at the NACNS Networking Lunch exclusively with Students! This special session brings together the NACNS President and President-Elect alongside distinguished certification experts from the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).
Whether you’re just beginning your academic journey as a Clinical Nurse Specialist or preparing for certification, this interactive lunch is designed to empower you with insights, encouragement, and practical guidance to prepare you for your next steps. You’ll hear about the latest certification updates, strategies for success in certification, and how to navigate the transition from student to practicing CNS.
Sponsorship & Contact Information
“NACNS’ exhibit hall will also allow you to explore new opportunities and relationships with universities, health care systems and technology vendors, publishers, and more. Interested in sponsoring and/or exhibiting at the NACNS Annual Conference?
Learn more about our sponsorship opportunities by contacting Matt Bozek at salesgrowth@virtualinc.com for more information.
Please contact meetings@nacns.org with any questions.
Opening Keynote Speaker
Penelope Gorsuch, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, EBP-C, FACHE, USAF Col (retired)
Senior Vice President and Chief Nurse Executive
Summa Health
Penelope is an experienced healthcare professional with over 38 years in the field, including 28 years in progressive leadership roles. Proven track record of fostering cultures of inquiry to drive high-quality, value-based, and dependable care within nationally recognized healthcare systems. Expertise includes developing and executing nursing strategic visions, implementing evidence-based practices, launching new service lines, promoting relationship-based care, and driving employee engagement initiatives. Committed to achieving the quintuple aim and building high-performing, reliable healthcare platforms that deliver exceptional, patient-centered outcomes.
Penelope serves as the Senior Vice President and Chief Nurse Executive at Summa Health where she leads and ensures nursing professional practice and quality standards of care are in place for all areas of the health system and is an Assistant Professor at The Ohio State University College of Nursing in the DNP Executive Leadership track. She joined Summa Health from The Ohio State University College of Nursing where she led and designed nursing executive leadership courses and as faculty for a 5-day Evidence-based Practice immersion and Leading EBP course. Before this position, she served as the Associate Director Patient Care Services at the Dayton VA Medical Center for two years and prior to that, she served in the United States Air Force Medical Service for 28 years holding multiple nursing and administrative roles.
Penny earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Brenau Women’s College in Georgia, a master’s degree in nursing as an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner and Critical Care Clinical Nurse Specialist from University of Nebraska Medical Center, and her Doctor of Nursing Practice from Touro University Nevada. Penelope also holds numerous industry licensures and certifications and is active in various organizations and committees, including the American College of Healthcare Executives, the American Nurses Association, and the Association of Leadership Science in Nursing. She has numerous peer reviewed publications in healthcare leadership.
Closing Keynote Speaker
Dr. Marian Altman, PhD, RN, CNS-BC, CCRN
Clinical Practice Specialist, CSI Academy Supervisor
AACN
Dr. Marian Altman is a Supervisor and Clinical Practice Specialist with the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN), where she serves as lead faculty for the Clinical Scene Investigator (CSI) Academy—a nurse innovation and leadership development program.
With more than 40 years of nursing experience and over three decades in advanced practice, Dr. Altman has served in diverse critical care settings, including Transplant, Cardiac Surgery ICU, Coronary ICU, and Progressive Care.
She is a respected speaker who presents nationally and locally on a wide range of topics, and her scholarly contributions include numerous peer-reviewed articles and textbook chapters. Dr. Altman has been deeply engaged with AACN, serving in multiple volunteer leadership roles, including as a member of the AACN National Board of Directors from 2006 to 2009. Her contributions have been recognized with several honors, including AACN’s Circle of Excellence Award in 2012 for her work advancing nursing specialty certification.
Dr. Altman’s doctoral research, which earned the Borlick Nursing Research Award, applied a biobehavioral framework to study moral distress in critical care nurses—reflecting her ongoing commitment to improving the nursing profession and supporting the well-being of clinicians.
Center for Implementation Science Speaker
Dr. Molly McNett, PhD, RN, CNRN, FNCS, FAAN
Associate Dean for Evidence-based Practice and Implementation Science
Helene Fuld Health Trust Endowed Professor for Evidence-based Practice in Nursing and Healthcare
The Ohio State University
Dr. McNett is the Associate Dean for Evidence-Based Practice and Implementation Science, and the Helene Fuld Endowed Professor of Evidence-Based Practice in the College of Nursing at The Ohio State University. In her role, she directs and oversees all programming for the Helene Fuld Health Trust National Institute for Evidence-Based Practice, and routinely works with interdisciplinary healthcare teams nationally to implement research evidence into practice settings. Dr. McNett has an established program of research that centers on identifying and implementing best practices for acute care management of patients with complex critical care and neurological injuries. She has research funding from the National Institutes of Health, the U.S. Department of Defense, and the Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute. She is also a GRADE trained methodologist who has led and participated in evidence-based guideline development and implementation for over a decade. Dr. McNett routinely leads interdisciplinary task forces nationally to integrate key components of research, implementation science, evidence-based practice and quality improvement initiatives into healthcare settings to improve outcomes for patients.
AI Workshop Speaker
Susan Bell, DNP, MS, APRN-CNP, CNRN, EBP (CH)
Program Director
Helene Fuld Health Trust National Institute for Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing and Healthcare
Susan D. Bell has more than four decades of clinical, research, and professional experience. Her academic journey began with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), a Master of Science in Nursing, and a Post-Master’s Nurse Practitioner. She graduated with her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in 2023. She currently serves as Program Director at the Helene Fuld Health Trust National Institute for Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing and Healthcare, where she directs EBP education, credentialing, implementation science, and artificial intelligence initiatives. Her clinical career includes a long tenure in neuroscience nursing as an advanced practice provider, educator, and researcher with specialized expertise in neuro-oncology and neurosurgery. Her expertise is demonstrated through numerous presentations, publications, and clinical research proposals. She is a certified advanced practice nurse (acute and primary care NP), a neuroscience registered nurse (CNRN) and a certificate holder of evidence-based practice. She has held national board positions within the American Association of Neuroscience Nurses (AANN), American Board of Neuroscience Nursing (ABNN), and the Society for Neuro-Oncology (SNO). She was an adjunct instructor at The Ohio State University College of Nursing and worked as a clinical research nurse specialist at Candel Therapeutics. In 2025, she received the Distinguished Alumna Award from The Ohio State University College of Nursing.
CNO Panel
Penelope Gorsuch, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, EBP-C, FACHE, USAF Col (retired)
Senior Vice President and Chief Nurse Executive
Summa Health
Gabriella Malagon-Maldonado, PhD, DNP, APRN, CNS, NEA-BC
Chief Nursing Officer and Vice President of Patient Care Services
Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center
MaryAnn McKenna Moon, MSN, APRN, APNP, ACNS-BC
Nurse Executive and CNS Thought Leader
Advocate Health
Agenda
Agenda-at-a-Glance Full Conference Agenda
CNSI 10th ANNIVERSARY GALA CELEBRATION & CNSI FELLOW INDUCTION DINNER
Join us for an unforgettable evening as we celebrate the 10th Anniversary of CNSI and induct our 2026 Class of CNSI Fellows. Come SPARKLE with as at this special 10th anniversary diamond celebration as we honor the 2026 CNSI Fellow Inductees with a night of dinner, dancing, and celebration!
All NACNS Conference attendees and NACNS members are invited to register for the 10th Anniversary GALA Celebration & CNSI Fellow Induction Dinner.
To register for the CNSI 10th Anniversary GALA Celebration & CNSI Fellow Induction Dinner only, please contact info@nacns.org to purchase tickets. Deadline to purchase tickets is March 3, 2026.
Learn more about this event here.
Student Networking Lunch (Sponsored by ANCC & AACN)
Join us for an opportunity to connect, learn, and be inspired at the NACNS Networking Lunch exclusively with Students! This special session brings together the NACNS President and President-Elect alongside distinguished certification experts from the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).
Whether you’re just beginning your academic journey as a Clinical Nurse Specialist or preparing for certification, this interactive lunch is designed to empower you with insights, encouragement, and practical guidance to prepare you for your next steps. You’ll hear about the latest certification updates, strategies for success in certification, and how to navigate the transition from student to practicing CNS.
Registration
only Virtual registration is open until Thursday, July 9, 2026
Cancellation Policy:
A 50% refund of the registration fee will be issued for cancellations made at least 30 business days prior to the conference start date (February 7, 2026). Refunds will not be issued for cancellations made less than 30 days before the conference or due to inclement weather, pandemics, or other uncontrollable circumstances.
Reservations & Travel
MARRIOTT MARQUIS SAN DIEGO MARINA HOTEL
333 W Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 234-1500
Check-in: 4:00 PM
Check-out: 11:00 AM
Please note that wireless internet and parking are not included in the guest room rate.
• Marriott Bonvoy Members receive free internet during their stay – Join Today!
• On-Site Parking: Hourly: $20.00; Daily: $55.00
• Valet Parking: Daily: $75.00 (*may be subject to increase*)
The conference hotel is sold out for the night of Wednesday, March 11. Rooms remain available through Tuesday, March 10, with checkout on March 11. Our team has identified the following nearby hotel options, all within walking distance of the convention venue. Average nightly rates for March 8–12, 2026 range from $230–$330, depending on availability and room type.
Additional Nearby Hotel Options
San Diego Marriott Gaslamp Quarter
Located in the heart of the Gaslamp Quarter, this hotel offers easy access to dining and nightlife while remaining walkable to the Marriott Marquis.
Approx. 0.7 miles | 15-minute walk to Marriott MarquisResidence Inn by Marriott San Diego Downtown/Gaslamp Quarter
Ideal for extended stays, this all-suite property includes in-room kitchens and complimentary breakfast.
Approx. 0.8 miles | 15–17 minute walk to Marriott MarquisCourtyard by Marriott San Diego Gaslamp/Convention Center
A modern option close to Petco Park and the Convention Center, offering convenient access to conference activities.
Approx. 0.7 miles | 15-minute walk to Marriott MarquisOmni San Diego Hotel at the Ballpark
Connected to Petco Park via skybridge and adjacent to the Convention Center, this hotel is one of the closest alternatives to the host venue.
Approx. 0.5 miles | 9-minute walk to Marriott MarquisManchester Grand Hyatt San Diego
Located along the waterfront, this hotel is directly adjacent to the Marriott Marquis and easily walkable via the marina promenade.
Approx. 0.2 miles | 5-minute walk to Marriott Marquis
Special Events
CNSI 10th ANNIVERSARY GALA CELEBRATION & CNSI FELLOW INDUCTION DINNER
Tuesday, March 10, 2026 | 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Join us for an unforgettable evening as we celebrate the 10th Anniversary of CNSI and induct our 2026 Class of CNSI Fellows. Come SPARKLE with as at this special 10th anniversary diamond celebration as we honor the 2026 CNSI Fellow Inductees with a night of dinner, dancing, and celebration!
All NACNS Conference attendees and NACNS members are invited to register for the 10th Anniversary GALA Celebration & CNSI Fellow Induction Dinner.
TICKET PRICING:
$160 | CNSI Fellow Inductees (you may add on guest tickets for family and friends)
$130 | Inductee Guests & Family, NACNS Members, NACNS Conference Attendees
HOW TO REGISTER AND PURCHASE TICKETS:
Purchase your CNSI GALA Celebration ticket through the NACNS Conference registration process —simply select the option that applies to you!
If you’ve already registered for the Conference, you can still join us! Please email meetings@nacns.org to modify your registration and add your ticket.
To register for the CNSI 10th Anniversary GALA Celebration & CNSI Fellow Induction Dinner only, please contact info@nacns.org to purchase tickets. Deadline to purchase tickets is March 3, 2026.
SPONSOR THE EVENT:
Click here to explore sponsorship opportunities for the CNSI 10th Anniversary GALA Celebration & CNSI Fellow Induction Dinner.
Student Networking Lunch (Sponsored by ANCC & AACN)
Join us for an opportunity to connect, learn, and be inspired at the NACNS Networking Lunch exclusively with Students! This special session brings together the NACNS President and President-Elect alongside distinguished certification experts from the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).
Whether you’re just beginning your academic journey as a Clinical Nurse Specialist or preparing for certification, this interactive lunch is designed to empower you with insights, encouragement, and practical guidance to prepare you for your next steps. You’ll hear about the latest certification updates, strategies for success in certification, and how to navigate the transition from student to practicing CNS.
Sponsorship & Exhibitor Opportunities
Connect with a national audience of Clinical Nurse Specialists by becoming a Sponsor or Exhibitor at the upcoming NACNS 2026 Annual Conference! These opportunities are designed to help you build meaningful connections, increase brand visibility, and show your support for the CNS profession and the NACNS community.
Click here to Download the 2026 Sponsorship Prospectus
Sign up here to Sponsor or Exhibit
Please contact Matt Bozek at salesgrowth@virtualinc.com or more information or questions.
Click image to view full prospectus.
Thank you to our Gold Student Lunch Sponsors
Thank you to our Silver Wine & Chocolate Pairing Station Sponsors
Thank you to our Silver Headshot Lounge and Lanyard Sponsor
Thank you to our Silver Mobile App Sponsor
Thank you to our Silver Focus Group Sponsor
Thank you to our Bronze Welcome Bag Sponsor
Thank you to our Supporting Sponsor
Thank you to our Friend Sponsors
Thank you to our Exhibitors
Speaker Resources
Guidelines for Professional Posters
Guidelines for Student Posters
Handout Upload Drive
All PowerPoint presentations will be collected onsite
National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists
2026 NACNS Annual Conference
March 9, 2026 – March 12, 2026
San Diego, CA
Joint Accreditation Statement
In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by Amedco LLC and National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists. Amedco LLC is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
Professions in scope for this activity are listed below.
Amedco Joint Accreditation Provider Number: 4008163
Nurses
Amedco LLC designates this live activity/ enduring material for a maximum of 22.75 live/ 62.25 enduring ANCC contact hours.
Nurse Pharmacology
This activity is eligible for up to 7.00 pharmacotherapeutic hours. Please note on site agenda for identification of sessions eligible for pharmacotherapeutic hours and self-submit those to your board.
For additional CE information and certificates, please visit the NACNS Conference Mobile App. For questions, please contact certificate@amedcoemail.com.
Wednesday Night Optional Activities
Conference sessions conclude around 5:15 PM on Wednesday, March 10. Although no official NACNS activities are scheduled that evening, attendees are invited to take advantage of the opportunity to explore San Diego.
- San Diego City Lights Night Tour
- When: 7:15 PM
- Where: 825 West Harbor Drive, Seaport Village, San Diego, CA 92101
- Pick the starting point of ‘Seaport Village’! It is a 6-minute walk from the hotel
- TICKETS: ~$42 per person
- Buy Your Tickets Here
- Museum of Illusions (Walk Through Museum)
- When: Open until 9:00 PM
- Where: 665 Fifth Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101
- 13-minute walk from the hotel
- TICKETS: ~$29 per person
- Buy Your Tickets Here
- Coronado Ferry
- When: Check website for ferry schedule
- WHERE: Fifth Avenue Landing, San Diego, CA 92101
- 5-minute walk from the hotel
- TICKETS: ~$10 per person
- Buy Your Tickets Here
- San Diego City Lights Night Tour
