2024 Preconvention Workshops

Friday, June 7

8 am-12 pm

PC1: Critical Care Obstetrics: Optimizing Collaborative Care (3.75 nursing contact hours)

This four-hour session will approach clinical challenges at the intersection of pregnancy and critical illness. We will use a case-based interactive approach to review contemporary management strategies for critical illness ranging from the common to the nonroutine. We will identify opportunities to improve care for the critically ill pregnant person through the lens of quality improvement and implement systems to optimize teamwork in these high-acuity, low-frequency events.

Speakers: Sarah Rae Easter, MD, and Kate Twomey

8 am-12 pm

PC2: Maternal Mental Health: Addressing the Most Common Complication of Pregnancy and Childbirth (3.75 nursing contact hours)

Mental health conditions are the most common complications of pregnancy and childbirth, impacting at least one in five individuals during pregnancy or the first year postpartum. Although maternal mental health conditions are highly identifiable and treatable, the vast majority (up to 75%) of those impacted by these illnesses remain untreated, increasing the risk of long-term negative impacts on mothers, babies, families, and society. At the end of this workshop, participants will have the knowledge, skills, and resources to effectively engage pregnant and postpartum people on their mental health.

Speakers: Adrienne Griffen, MPP and Mara Child, MPA, MPH

8 am-3 pm

PC3: Beyond the Bedside: Strategies and Skill Building for Today’s Nurse Leader (6.0 nursing contact hours)

Knowing how to effectively manage staff and staffing, engage an interdisciplinary team, and implement effective quality and safety improvements while appreciating budget responsibilities are essential skills needed by today’s successful nurse leaders. In this Preconvention session, we will delve into tactics and strategies relating to nurse leader professional development, employee and physician engagement, clinical quality, safety and operational outcomes, regulatory compliance, and fiscal management, which can help you to better manage your business and develop the case for resource support. Case studies, breakout discussions, and role play activities will hone your skills as a formal or informal nurse leader.

Speakers: Lori Gunther, MS, CPXP, Cyndy Krening, MS, CNS, RNC-OB, C-EFM, FAWHONN, and Bobbie Smith, MSN, RN

8 am-5 pm

PC4: Legal Issues in Perinatal Nursing: A Mock Trial (8.0 nursing contact hours)

The perinatal nurse faces a high risk of involvement in a malpractice suit. The number of cases alleging malpractice in obstetrics may be the result of several factors, including but not limited to expectations for a “perfect” birth and newborn, accidents, errors in judgment, preventability of maternal injury or death, and increased accountability. This interactive mock trial will provide an interprofessional perspective on general areas of perinatal nursing liability, demonstrate the components of malpractice, and discuss strategies to avoid malpractice claims.

Speakers: Suzanne McMurtry Baird, DNP, RN, Jay Goldsmith, MD, Alexandria Hill, MD, Stephanie Martin, DO, Lisa Miller, CNM, JD, Adam Snyder, JD, The Honorable Dennis Ruth, and Jenn Suttle, JD,

10 am-5 pm

PC5: Accelerating Safety Through Simulation: Navigating Simulation: Solutions and Roadmaps to Drive Outcomes (6.0 nursing contact hours)

Today’s health care professionals need sustainable solutions to solve complex problems in an evolving world. This engaging workshop will focus on improving patient safety through simulation-based training solutions. During lightning rounds and small group discussions, we will examine hot topics, engage in design solutions, and collaboratively problem solve. We will listen, support, educate, empower, and impact. You will leave with a roadmap and toolkit to operationalize and deliver results-oriented outcomes.

Speakers: Stacie Wood, MSN, BSN, RN, Monique Brown Schoenhage, MD, MBA., FACOG, Wendy McCracken, RGN, RM, BA (Hons) Ed, PGCE, CMS Instructor, Debra Derck, BSN, RNC-OB, C-EFM, Rose Horton MSM, RNC-OB, NEA-BC, FAAN, and Kristen Wilt, MSN, RN

10 am-5 pm

PC6: Finding Meaning in the Losses(6.0 nursing contact hours)

The words death and pregnancy should never be in the same sentence, yet all too often, they are. How do we, as health care providers, support the families in what may be their darkest days? How do we continue to provide care to others if we do not take the time to acknowledge the impact death has on us as health care professionals and not let our cups run dry? During this session, we will cover the importance of having a structured bereavement program, making tangible memories, offering organized follow-up, and instituting self-care.

Speaker: Angel Mitchell, RN, MSN, CPN

Hear more from Angel.

1-5 pm

PC7: Documentation Domination: How to Chart to Improve Patient Outcomes, Prevent Harm, and Avoid Lawsuits (3.75 nursing contact hours)

Do you want a framework for documenting according to the standard of care
that you can apply to any situation? Join Jen Atkisson for this four-hour workshop to understand the
nursing standard of care, the many purposes of documentation, how documentation
does and does not affect lawsuits, and how documentation can actually help you keep
patients safe and prevent birth-related trauma.

Speaker: Jen Atkisson, RNC-OB, MSN, CNL

1-5 pm

PC8: Patients Who are Neurodivergent: Advocacy and Care Across the Lifespan (3.75 nursing contact hours)

People who experience neurodiverse conditions have a wide range of strengths, needs, and challenges, especially in accessing health care. During this four-hour workshop, representatives from AWHONN, FASD United, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American College of Obstetrician-Gynecologists (ACOG), and the American Association of Family Physicians (AAFP) will present information to help you work empathetically and effectively with people who experience neurodiverse conditions, such as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, understand how the presentation of FASDs changes across the lifespan, and implementing best practices to support patient self-advocacy.

Speakers: Lily Bastian, CNM, Samuel Bauer, MD, FACOG, Jeffrey Quinlan, MD, FAAFP, Regina Schumaker, Yasmin Senturias, MD, and Jennifer Wisdahl