Nurse leaders are gathering in Boston this year to strategize best practices for AI, virtual nursing, and how to streamline care models with technology.
As technology continues to embed itself into every industry, healthcare is bracing for the impact that AI will have on everything.
From the C-suite down to the bedside, AI and other new technologies will soon become care staples that nurses and patients alike will need to become familiar with. However, there is a right way and a wrong way for leaders to implement these changes.
That's why thousands of nurse leaders are coming together in Boston from March 30 to April 2 to brainstorm at the AONL 2025 Aspiring Leaders conference.
What to watch
The conference consists of daily sessions where various nurse leaders will highlight industry trends and provide their high-level insights to their peers. Generative AI and its pros and cons will be a hot button issue, as well as digital transformation strategies and the role of virtual nursing in care delivery.
Leadership development, specifically for nurse managers, is also top of mind as CNOs and CNEs engage in succession planning. In the fall 2024 Trends and Innovations Nurse Manager Retention report published by AONL and Laudio, nurse managers had four priorities that they want CNOs and other nurse leaders to focus on: ensuring a healthy work environment, promoting leadership development, identifying new leaders early, and addressing role complexity. These priorities and more will be central to the discussions in Boston.
Last but not least, workplace violence continues to be a large trend as incidents continue to rise and nurses keep bringing the issue to light. CNOs and other nurse leaders must keep working on prevention efforts while also streamlining the processes for reporting and following up on incidents when they occur.
As this year's AONL attendees come up with strategies for these issues, HealthLeaders will be there to take note of what is and isn't working.
Other sessions will cover policy and advocacy, transition to practice, and how to create a more diverse, stable workforce that values mental health and wellness. Attendees will have the opportunity to attend these sessions as well as walk through the exhibit hall.
Stay tuned for more coverage.
G Hatfield is the CNO editor for HealthLeaders.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Three key trends to look out for at AONL 2025 are workplace violence prevention, nurse manager development, and all things AI and innovation.
Other themes include policy and advocacy, transition to practice, and how to create a more diverse, stable workforce that values mental health