More than 85 nurse educators and 16 exhibitors gathered at Samford University’s College of Health Sciences for the Alabama League for Nursing Annual Conference and Lamplighter Banquet.
Hosted by Samford’s Moffett & Sanders School of Nursing, the conference brought together faculty and leaders from nursing programs across Alabama to share research, teaching strategies and ideas shaping the future of nursing education. The conference theme, “Practice Ready, Purpose Driven: Preparing the Next Generation of Associate, Baccalaureate and Graduate Nurses,” focused on preparing students to meet the evolving needs of health care.
“Having the conference in our school is an honor because it brings together nursing educators from across Alabama to collaborate on improving nursing education and preparing the next generation of nurses,” said Ashley York, associate professor in the School of Nursing and treasurer for the Alabama League for Nursing.
During the conference, nursing professionals explored topics such as simulation, generative artificial intelligence, mentorship, telehealth and competency-based education. Many faculty members from Samford contributed podium and poster presentations.
Jennifer Coleman, professor, and Samantha Berrien, assistant professor, presented a podium session titled “Reducing Impostor Syndrome and Supporting Practice Readiness in Nursing Students Through Mentorship.”
Hannah Pope, assistant professor, Kelli Burdette, professor, and Kimberly French, professor, presented “Basics Bootcamp: An Innovative Approach to Competency-Based Education in a BSN Foundations Course.”
Melinda Grayson, standardized patient educator at Samford’s Experiential Learning and Simulation (SIM) Center, Jill Pence, SIM center executive director, and Shannon Ashe, simulation educator and coordinator, presented “Utilizing Standardized Patients to Enhance Interprofessional Collaboration Through Acute-Care Simulation Training.”
Mary Talbot Kendrick, associate professor, Rachel Cheek, instructor, and Havilah Couvillion, assistant professor, presented “Charting a Path: Innovative Documentation for Undergraduate Students.”
The conference also allowed Nursing Diplomat student volunteers to guide tours of the Simulation Center, assist with the Lamplighter Banquet and provide support throughout the event.
“I thoroughly enjoyed helping run the event and seeing it in action,” said Ella Corrigan, a junior in undergraduate nursing and Nursing Diplomat. “This event made me even more excited about the opportunities available after graduation. As I continue through nursing school, I find myself increasingly interested in the many different pathways the profession has to offer.”
As part of the conference, the Lamplighter Banquet honored several School of Nursing faculty and staff.
Kristen Eads, administrative assistant, and Lori Harrison, assistant professor, received the Lamplighter Award.
“I was honored to be recognized,” Eads said. “The way I show Ms. Moffett’s ‘Courage to Care’ is not in a hospital or classroom but in the office, supporting our students and faculty wherever they need it. God gave me a heart to help, whether that means fixing a computer, creating something fun or offering a listening ear. I never expected an award for following my heart, but it was a beautiful moment.”
Havilah Couvillion, assistant professor, received the Excellence in Teaching Award for her project “Breaking Barriers: Pioneering a Path to Double Majoring in Health Sciences and Spanish Through Experiential Learning.”
Several Samford faculty members serve in leadership roles with the Alabama League for Nursing. York serves as treasurer. Lora Shelton, professor, is the outgoing secretary and incoming member director. Amanda Barron, associate professor, is the outgoing director and the incoming nominations committee member.
Founded in 1956, the Alabama League for Nursing works to advance the quality of nursing education and prepare a nursing workforce to meet the needs of diverse populations in a changing health care environment.
