Top healthcare conferences for nurses in 2019

A career in nursing means a career in lifelong learning. And for nurses committed to professional development, attending a professional conference can boost your networking skills, teach you the latest in technology and research and give you an opportunity to lock in some much-needed continuing education hours.

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Here are some of the top nursing conferences in America to keep in mind this year:

Health care jobs also made a splash, with nursing manager at No. 2 and occupational therapist at No. 4.

March 

• From the website: "The annual convention offers sessions geared toward registered nurses, nurse practitioners, licensed practical nurses, medical assistants, and other healthcare providers and staff with a professional interest in dermatology."
• When: Feb. 27-March 2
• Where: Washington, D.C.
• Who should attend: Dermatology nursing professionals

• From the website: "A 3-day event that brings together more than 3,400 of your colleagues and peers to share research, clinical best practices, and practice-related guidance to advance the specialty and improve patient care."
• When: March 13-16
• Where: Orlando
• Who should attend: Hospice and palliative care nursing professionals

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• From the website: The National Consortium of Breast Centers "brings together medical and industry professionals from around the globe to network, learn and share ideas, methodologies and treatment options that improve quality of care and outcomes for patients diagnosed with breast diseases."
• When: March 15-20
• Where: Las Vegas
• Who should attend: Oncology nursing professionals

April

• From the website: Connect with nurses and get educated. "More than 200 contact hours available from world-renowned perioperative experts delivered in a variety of formats to fit your individual learning style."
• When: April 6-10
• Where: Nashville
• Who should attend: Surgical and perioperative nursing professionals

• From the website: "The SPN Annual Conference showcases education and advancements across the breadth of the pediatric nursing profession."
• When: April 24-27
• Where: Washington, D.C.
• Who should attend: Pediatric nursing professionals

• From the website: "Join the cutting edge of nursing at the 2019 ANA Quality & Innovation Conference. Get hands-on experience with the top innovations in nursing, learn about the next big tech advancement in healthcare, and help redefine what quality nursing looks like."
• When: April 24-26
• Where: Orlando
• Who should attend: All nursing professionals

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May

• From the website: "The AGS Annual Scientific Meeting is the premier educational event in geriatrics, providing the latest information on clinical care, research on aging, and innovative models of care delivery."
• When: May 2-4
• Where: Portland
• Who should attend: Geriatrics nursing professionals

• From the website: "Ambulatory care nursing is one of the most vibrant and evolving nursing specialties in health care today. For this year's conference, our AAACN experts thoughtfully curated a program that addresses the many challenges you face."
• When: May 8-11
• Where: Palm Springs, California
• Who should attend: Ambulatory care nurses, emergency nurses

• From the website: "Implement practice changes based on evidence-based practice, professional development and research in the care of the orthopaedic patient."
• When: May 18-21
• Where: Atlanta
• Who should attend: Orthopaedic nurses and professionals

• From the website: "The National Teaching Institute & Critical Care Exposition offers learning, inspiration and celebration for high-acuity and critical care nurses."
• When: May 19-23
• Where: Orlando
• Who should attend: Critical care nurses

July

• From the website: "Intensive research training course at the National Institutes of Health... [that will] address digital health data and technologies that enable 'smart health' and improved patient outcomes." Title of bootcamp: Precision Health: Smart Technologies, Smart Health
• When: July 15-18
• Where: Bethesda, Maryland
• Who should attend: Graduate students, faculty, and clinicians who are citizens or permanent residents of the U.S.

• From the website: "The 2019 ACEN annual conference, themed Merging Accreditation and Innovation, will highlight inventive teaching methodologies, curricula, outcomes assessment, clinical education, academic progression models, partnerships, and simulation."
• When: July 18-20
• Where: Atlanta
• Who should attend: Faculty, nurse administrators, college administrators, students, accreditation liaisons, laboratory personnel, data analysts

August

• From the website: AANA's Annual Congress is the "largest nurse anesthesia meeting of the year."
• When: Aug. 9-13
• Where: Chicago
• Who should attend: Nurse anesthetists

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September

• From the website: "TravCon is the only conference that is dedicated to the Traveling Healthcare Professional. It provides the opportunity to network with other travelers and top industry insiders."
• When: Sept. 8-11
• Where: Las Vegas
• Who should attend: Travel nurses and health care professionals

• From the website: "This conference is for nurses who work in Level II, III, and IV NICUs, from the novice nurse to the experienced practitioner."
• When: Sept. 11-14
• Where: Orlando
• Who should attend: NICU nursing professionals

• From the website: "The AMSN Convention will help you improve patient care and connect with other nurses who share your compassion and commitment."
• When: Sept. 26-29
• Where: Chicago
• Who should attend: Surgical nursing professionals