The 2026 Nursing Science and Professional Governance Conference

2026 Nursing Science Professional Governance ConferencePhoto 1 Attendees listening to the 2025 Conference Keynote Panel; Photo 2 Top Honor Abstract Award winners receiving award with nursing leadership; Photo 3 Two presenters speaking to their poster at a podium.

Conference Date: May 6, 2026

Mixed in-person & virtual format | CE units offered
Hosted by: Center for Nursing Science and the EBP & Research Council

Read 2026 Conference Program

The 8th annual Nursing Science and Professional Governance Conference will be held on May 6, 2026 as we kick off Nurses Week. This year’s theme, The Value of Nursing, focuses on how nursing practice drives meaningful impact across patient, organizational, and societal outcomes.

The conference showcases evidence-based practice, quality improvement, research, and innovation led by nurses and interdisciplinary teams throughout UC Davis Health. New features this year include two keynote sessions, traditional printed poster sessions with posters and presenters on site, as well as exclusive conference food trucks for in person attendees.

  • Our morning keynote, “Knowing Our Value: Generating Evidence of the Economic Value of Nurses and Nursing,” features Dr. Marianne Weiss, Professor Emerita at Marquette University and co developer of the Nursing Human Capital Value Model (described in this related publication).
  • The afternoon keynote, “Blueprint for Change in Acute and Critical Care Nursing,” delivered by Dr. Lori Kennedy, Director of UC Davis Health Center for Nursing Science and Associate Professor at the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing continues the conversation by examining how nursing practice can be measured and made visible through domain based outcomes that reflect the true scope and impact of nursing care (described in this related publication).

The preliminary conference program, including presenter and presentation information, is included in the above PDF. Full program details will be available in the Conference App, which can be accessed following registration.

Conference Objectives

  • Promote the advancement of nursing science and practice.
  • Share results of research, evidence-based practice (EBP), and quality improvement projects at UC Davis Health.
  • Increase your knowledge of clinical research, EBP methodologies and resources.
  • Provide a professional forum to discuss the ARCC Model, UC Davis Health’s evidence-based practice model to guide evidence implementation.
  • Foster partnership and collaborations among clinicians, researchers, educators, and leadership.
  • Stimulate inquiry to identify new nursing research and evidence implementation questions to advance clinical practice and patient outcomes.

DEADLINE: Abstracts must be submitted by January 31, 2026.

Submit Your Abstract via REDCap: CLOSED

Abstract Resources Folder: Check out abstract writing informational slides, abstract examples and a word document template to help you draft your abstract.

Abstract Submission Information

Who should submit an abstract?

  • All UC Davis Health nurses and clinicians conducting research, evidence-based practice, quality improvement and/or other projects are encouraged to submit an abstract!
  • The following groups are required to submit a conference abstract:
    • All UC Davis Health Practice Councils
    • 2025 EBP Fellows
  • We also encourage and accept other forms of scholarly work such as:
    • Educational-based projects, career ladder projects, committee projects, research studies, EBP initiatives, graduate school-based work, QI, operational projects or technology evaluation.
    • Scholarly work from students and faculty from the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing
  • Work presented at external conferences during the year are encouraged to also submit a conference abstract to promote internal dissemination. Please note in your submission the format of your external presentation.
  • Contact the EBP & Research Council (ebpresearch@health.ucdavis.edu) if you have questions about submitting an abstract.

Abstract Types

  • UC Davis Health clinicians and nurses may submit an abstract via REDCap in one or more of the following categories: Research, Evidence-Based Practice, Quality Improvement or General (does not fit into one of the previous categories).
  • We seek topics related to all clinician roles and patient populations, clinical systems and professional practice. While nursing inquiry is highlighted in the NSPG Conference, multidisciplinary work is welcome.

Abstracts on Work in Progress

  • Project work must be current and ideally, completed prior to the conference.
  • In the results/outcomes section, report the status of the work to date, any preliminary results available, outcomes you are/will be evaluating.
  • In the conclusion section, report next steps.
  • Go to the Abstract Resources Folder (linked above) to review abstract examples of work in progress

Presentation Formats

  • Please note if you are submitting a project for which you have already created a poster presentation.
  • Podium presentations must consist of original work and cannot be work already presented at a prior UC Davis Health conference.

Authorship

  • Authors may submit more than one abstract, however, depending on number of submissions received, only one presentation may be awarded per lead author.
  • Please specify in the application the following authors:
    • Submitting author (person submitting the abstract and main person of correspondence)
    • Presenting author (person anticipated to present at the conference; usually limited to 1-2 presenters)
    • Contributing authors (individuals who participated in the work, e.g., Practice Council members)
  • All authors listed on the submitted abstract and subsequent presentation are required to complete and submit a biographical and conflict of interest statement

Abstract Submission Includes: 

  • Project Information Questions
  • Abstract Title
  • Abstract Text (see template with structured headings based on abstract type; do not exceed 500 words)
  • Authors (submitting, presenting, contributing)
  • Biographical Information & Conflict of Interest Statement for each listed author
  • Provide two citations that informed your abstract

Resources:

  • Abstract Resources Folder: Check out abstract writing informational slides, abstract examples and a word document template to help you draft your abstract. Several resources are provided to assist with abstract writing and presentation development.
  • Book an Appointment for 1-on-1 assistance with writing or presentation development (30-minutes).

    Submission and Review Timeline

    • All submissions must be completed by January 31.
    • Abstracts will be peer-reviewed by the UC Davis Health Evidence-Based Practice and Research Council in February.
    • An email to the primary submitting author will be sent in mid-March with information on abstract acceptance decision and presentation type awarded.
    • All presenters must review presentation prep materials and meet with a member of the Center for Nursing Science or EBP and Research Council ahead of their presentation.
    • All presentations will be held in person on the day of the conference.

    Honors and Awards: 

    1. Abstract submissions will be recognized in the Top Honors session according to the UC Davis Health Nursing Strategic Plan pillars. Outstanding abstracts will be selected to give a podium presentation to share their work.
      • Develop a Regional System of Care
      • Develop Exceptional Patient and Care Team Experiences
      • Advance Health Equity and Address Disparities
      • Develop and Grow Integrated Patient-Centric Service Lines
      • Advance Clinical, Quality, and Operational Excellence
      • Advance Research, Innovation and Information Technology
    2. A 'People's Choice' Poster Award will be presented on the day of the conference based on attendee voting.
    3. An EBP & Research Council Poster Award will be presented from the EBP & Research Council voting.

    Conference Date: Wednesday, May 6, 2026, 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

    Location: UC Davis Health Campus, North Addition Office Building and Patient Services Support Building G-300

    Registration: Click to register the conference

    • Attendees may choose to participate in-person, virtually, or in a hybrid format. Lunch will be provided for in-person attendees. In person attendance is limited to UC Davis Health and UC Davis employees, faculty and students. External participants must obtain permission to attend the conference in-person from the EBP and Research Council at ebpresearch@health.ucdavis.edu.
    • For in-person attendees, please bring your ticket/confirmation with QR code to check into the conference.
    • If you need to adjust your attendance type, contact EBP & Research Council and share how you would like to change the ticket.

    Conference Event App: WebEx Events

    Conference registration and event information will be managed through WebEx Events. Access to the Conference Event App is provided to registered attendees only, therefore, please register early. Instructions for accessing and using the app will be included in your registration confirmation and ticket.

    After You Register

    • Log in to the Conference Event App to explore the full program and reserve your seat for in‑person sessions, as room capacity is limited.
    • A link to the Conference Event App is included with your registration confirmation.

    Accessing the Conference Event App

    Access via Web Browserscreenshot for Access WebEx

    1. Use Google Chrome (preferred browser).
    2. Select Continue with WebEx.
    3. Enter your UC Davis Health credentials, select Sign In, and complete Duo Push authentication.
    4. Return to the webpage and use the Search Events bar to find:
      UC Davis Health 2026 Nursing Science and Professional Governance Conference.
    5. Select the event.
    6. (Optional) Complete your networking profile and select Continue.

    Access via Smartphone

    1. Download the WebEx Events App on your smartphone.
    2. Open the app and search for UC Davis NSPG 2026.
    3. Select Continue with WebEx.
    4. Enter your UC Davis Health credentials, tap Sign In, and complete Duo Push authentication.
    5. (Optional) Complete your networking profile and select Continue.

    screenshot for Using the Conference Event AppUsing the Conference Event App

    Once logged in, you can:

    1. Review the full conference program (in person or virtual agenda based on your registration).
    2. Select sessions to reserve seats for in person presentations.
    3. Livestream sessions directly through the app, regardless of how you registered.
    4. Vote for the People’s Choice Poster Award on May 6 by 2:30 PM.

    Accreditation: Nursing contact hours will be awarded to UC Davis Health nurses by completing conference and presentation evaluations on the day of the event. During past conferences, approximately 4 hours are available for oral presentations during the live event and up to 5 hours for poster presentations, depending on the number of posters viewed and evaluated). Continuing education hours are delivered by the Center for Professional Practice of Nursing the month following the conference.

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