Throughout NTI week, special events offer great opportunities for you to network with other attendees. We host these events to celebrate your commitment to patient care and your professional journey.
10-11:15 a.m.
MCCNO — Hall B
AACN President Jennifer Adamski will share insights and best practices she has learned during her presidential year, building on the AACN theme “Courage to Soar.” Adamski is a clinical associate professor and director of the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP) Program at Emory University’s Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Atlanta, and a critical care ACNP for Cleveland Clinic’s Critical Care Flight Team.
Suleika Jaouad is an Emmy Award-winning journalist, author, artist and advocate. A warm, funny and passionate speaker, Jaouad talks about her life-changing illness, what it means to be healthy and well in the 21st century and how to thrive in the wake of life’s unexpected interruptions. Together with AACN’s Sara Grieshop, Jaouad offers inspiration and unique insight into how to remake your life and your career after a setback.
1:30-2:30 p.m.
MCCNO — La Nouvelle Ballroom B
Mary Beth Flynn Makic is the 2025 Distinguished Research Lecturer. A professor at the University of Colorado College of Nursing and a research scientist at Denver Health, she has over 36 years of clinical experience. Recognized as a leader in critical care, Makic focuses her research on developing interprofessional initiatives to promote the translation and long-term integration of science into practice. She is a sought-after speaker on strategies for overcoming barriers to the adoption, integration and sustainment of evidence-based practices in healthcare organizations.
7-8:30 a.m.
Various Halls
Wake up early for coffee and a hot breakfast. Sunrise Sessions, supported by our corporate sponsors, offer an array of diverse topics that include 75% clinical and 25% product-specific information. Limited seating. Reservations are required through the NTI 2025 New Orleans conference website.
9-10:15 a.m.
MCCNO — Hall B
Join us for a morning of inspiration, celebration and heartfelt gratitude as we honor the extraordinary critical care nurses who embody excellence. At this special recognition event, we’ll celebrate nursing excellence across four prestigious categories: Beacon Award for Excellence, Chapter Circle of Excellence, individual Circle of Excellence and certified nurses. The event will feature a red carpet welcome, powerful messages from patients and families, gratitude from hospital leaders who’ve been touched by the work of these incredible nurses - and more.
11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m.
MCCNO — La Nouvelle Ballroom B
Join AACN leaders in an interactive gathering that will allow you to share your experiences, seek insights, and engage in meaningful conversations with fellow nurses and AACN Board leadership.This isn’t just another session—it’s an opportunity to connect, feel heard, and reignite your sense of purpose in nursing.
7-8:30 a.m.
Various Halls
Wake up early for coffee and a hot breakfast. Sunrise Sessions, supported by our corporate sponsors, offer an array of diverse topics that include 75% clinical and 25% product-specific information. Limited seating. Reservations are required through the NTI 2025 New Orleans conference website.
9-10:15 a.m.
MCCNO — Hall B
AACN President-elect Rebekah Marsh will inspire us while she shares AACN’s new theme and artwork for the year ahead. Marsh is a clinical nurse educator for acute care/telemetry at Harborview Medical Center, University of Washington Medicine, Seattle.
Pooja Lakshmin is a psychiatrist, best-selling author and contributor to The New York Times. Lakshmin theorizes that real self-care is an internal, self-reflective process. It’s not a thing to do or to buy — it’s a way to be, and when we practice it, we shift our relationships, our workplaces and even our broken systems. In this session, Lakshmin covers her Four Principles of Real Self-Care — Boundaries, Compassion, Values and Power — using evidence-based tools, compelling storytelling and a dose of humor.
7-9:30 p.m.
Get ready for a night of magic and revelry at the historic Generations Hall! Once a sugar refinery dating back to the 1820s, this iconic venue now radiates the timeless spirit of old New Orleans. Experience the heart and soul of Mardi Gras as you dance the night away to the electrifying rhythms of top New Orleans bands. Mingle with fellow nurses, sample delicious food and kick off the evening with a complimentary welcome drink. A cash bar will be available for additional refreshments. This is one celebration you won't want to miss!
NTI registration includes one Nurses’ Night Off ticket. Additional guest tickets may be purchased for $75 each, though please note that guests under 21 must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Shuttle service will run throughout the evening.