President's Conference Welcome

Dear UAPRN Conference Attendees, 

The United Advanced Practice Registered Nurses of Georgia (UAPRN) welcomes you to its 2017 Annual State-wide Conference. As the UAPRN State President, I welcome you to join us for three full days of engaging and dynamic content spanning the life cycle. The APRN practice role is increasingly recognized as the solution to many of the shortfalls in healthcare, particularly in our rural areas. While significant strides have been made, continual forward progress is imperative. Meeting the needs of individuals, communities and the entire state of Georgia is our continuous charge. This year’s proceedings serve to highlight the best and brightest among us dedicated to the role of the advanced practice nurse. “United We Stand” captures the spirit of UAPRN’s mission to unite all organizations dedicated to the advancement of the APRN role and nursing as a whole. Our vision and direction is evident in all this conference seeks to deliver.

Senator Renee Unterman serves as the opening keynote speaker on Thursday, September 21st. The opioid epidemic impacting all of us as clinicians and citizens of Georgia will be the focus of her presentation. Dr. Mary Gullatte serves as the keynote speaker for conference day two. As the Corporate Director of Nursing Innovation and Research at EMORY Healthcare, she will be delivering a timely and dynamic presentation titled “Stand United: Lead Inspire and Empower”. Candidates for Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of State will be on hand to address all attendees as they share their future visions for nursing in healthcare. Conference offerings cover topics inclusive of Cardiology, Respiratory Disease, Women’s Health, Health policy, Professional development, Legal issues, Suturing/Orthopedic Injection Training, and LGBTQ Health care issues. This wide array of topics speaks to the various specialties and clinical foci in which APRNs concentrate. There is content for everyone!

Last year’s conference theme of “The Best is Yet to Come” challenged us to provide even more value…and we have!! This year we offer approximately 22.5 contact hours of CE credit inclusive of 6.9 pharmacology credits. A vendors market with 35+ vendors will be on hand to share the latest goods and services for APRNs and students. Many opportunities for networking and preceptor matching will be available especially during Friday evening’s networking mixer. Make sure you don’t miss a thing. We recognize that as we work to find ways to bring optimal healthcare to Georgians, we must do it together. So therefore “The Best is Yet to Come” while “United we Stand” amplifies this year’s theme. Please continue to support UAPRN - your state APRN organization. UAPRN welcomes you to the AmericasMart in beautiful Downtown Atlanta!! Your presence is appreciated as we look forward to a dynamic conference.

Michelle A. Nelson, PhD, APRN, MS, FNP-BC
State President of UAPRN of Georgia
The UAPRN State Executive Board