Nurse leaders will gather in Chicago this year to brainstorm solutions to workforce barriers, wellness challenges, and the technology revolution.
In the face of steep nursing shortages and higher patient acuity, prioritizing the wellbeing of nurses and the future of the workforce has never been more important.
CNOs are feeling pressure from all sides as burnout rates are reaching critical levels and more and more nurses are leaving the workforce. However, taking staffing complexities into account, it can be difficult to know where to begin.
To combat this issue and many more, thousands of nurse leaders will come together in Chicago from March 29 to April 1 to problem solve at the AONL 2026 Inspiring Leaders conference.
What’s trending
This year, nurse wellbeing will be a focus of many of the breakout sessions, and how to balance staffing needs with flexibility and workload in mind. Nurse leaders will be sharing how to communicate across generational lines as workplace dynamics and expectations shift with the introduction of more generations into the workforce.
Succession planning continues to be top of mind as well, as CNOs and other leaders begin to plan for who will come next in their organizations’ leadership. Coaching and empowerment are key, along with strong shared governance programs and participation opportunities.
Technology-enabled care models will be a large topic of conversation, as nurse leaders will explore the role of AI in nursing and how innovation will drive the future of healthcare forward. Virtual care at the bedside will also play a key role in revolutionizing care delivery and how nursing teams are designed.
Other sessions will cover political engagement for nurse leaders, opportunities to learn about finance and operational success, and leadership through connection and authenticity. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in these sessions and to spend time in the exhibit hall.
As this year’s AONL conference attendees come up with strategies for these issues, HealthLeaders will be there to take note of what is and isn’t working. Stay tuned for more coverage.
G Hatfield is the CNO editor for HealthLeaders.
