2025 Annual Convention
September 11-12, 2025
Benton Convention Center
Winston-Salem, NC
Benton Convention Center
Winston-Salem, NC
2025 Annual Convention
As we celebrate our 118th year, the Annual Convention remains the premier nursing event in North Carolina, providing exceptional opportunities for networking, professional growth, and essential association matters. Join us in shaping the future of the profession while gaining insights from fellow nurses and earning valuable contact hours.
The 2025 NCNA Annual Convention is set to take place at the Benton Convention Center in Winston-Salem, NC. Our aim is to foster an atmosphere where nurses feel inspired, energized, and engaged, featuring evidence-based discussions on current nursing and healthcare topics while ensuring a fun experience for all attendees.
Scott Lesnick, CSP | Critical Thinking, Communications, Grit: Unleash the Never Give Up Mindset
Prepare for an engaging and transformative keynote experience with Scott Lesnick, CSP, that will energize and inspire every nurse in attendance—from bedside nurses and nurse educators to APRNs and nurse leaders. This keynote draws from the extraordinary story detailed in Kidjacked: A Father’s Story to illuminate the resilience, leadership, and unwavering determination needed to overcome life’s most daunting challenges.
Prior to his speaking career, Scott spent 24 award-winning years leading sales teams at Shaw Industries, a Fortune 500 company under the Berkshire Hathaway umbrella. With his diverse background, engaging storytelling ability, and wealth of knowledge, Scott brings a unique perspective to his keynotes, leaving attendees inspired, motivated, and ready to take their leadership skills to new heights.
Pam Collins, MSN, RN, CMSRN, MEDSURG-BC, NPD-BC | Excellence in Nursing: Regaining Your Edge
Pam Collins, MSN, RN, CMSRN, MEDSURG-BC, NPD-BC, has over 40 years of nursing experience in various clinical settings. She has served as a preceptor, mentor, and nurse educator in hospital and academic settings, as an Education and Professional Development consultant for multiple organizations, and has published on various nursing topics, including a medical-surgical certification textbook. She has also been in leadership positions as a nurse manager, director, and CEO. Her extensive knowledge and background have positioned her as an expert in legal and ethical nursing practice.
Join Pam, Convention’s Closing Keynote, for an inspirational message that will empower you to use your professional voice and regain your professional edge
Stephanie Turner, MSN, RN | Playing the Right Cards: The Impact of Value-Based Care on Nursing Practice through the Lens of UNO
Value-based care (VBC) models are transforming healthcare delivery by prioritizing patient outcomes and cost efficiency. Join Stephanie Turner, RN, MSN, as she explores recent research findings on the impact of VBC on nurses across various practice settings, using the game of UNO. Stephanie has led the expansion and transformation of UNC Health Alliances’ clinical and non-clinical population health teams. Operational teams under her leadership support bringing those potentially lost to follow-up back into care through gap closure, resource coordination, and strategic scheduling services. She serves on system-level groups to align care management, enhance Primary Care services, and integrate AI into clinical workflows. Stephanie is passionate about enhancing patient care through collaborative workflows.
Celebrate Your Nurse Peers
One of the highlights of every Annual Convention is the opportunity for NCNA to recognize some of the best nurses and nursing advocates from across North Carolina. We have multiple awards and categories, with strict criteria ensuring that we only bestow honors on the most exceptional of nominees.
Don't Miss the Membership Forum
The NCNA Membership Forum will take place on Friday, September 12. This program is designed to be a lively, future-focused discussion that engages attendees in group interaction, sharing, and learning. Contribute your voice to the future of the profession while learning and collaborating with your nurse peers.
Networking with Exhibitors and Sponsors!
Exhibitors and Sponsors will be ready to meet you in the Exhibit Hall, where you can engage directly with these organizations. The presence of our Convention Sponsors and Exhibitors enhances the overall event, ensuring a rewarding experience for all attendees!
BREAKOUT SESSION PLAYBACKS
Miss a session you really wanted to see? Don’t worry about it! We provide recordings of all of the breakout sessions to attendees — and you can get CHs for all of the concurrent sessions from the day(s) you are registered. You will receive an email about a month after Convention with all the info. General sessions (keynotes, etc.) are not included.
North Carolina Nurses Association is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.