2025 CACNS Annual Conference
UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center
1250 16th Street
Santa Monica, CA 90404
Saturday, September 20, 2025 at 8:30am PT - 3:30pm PT
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Posted by The California Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists
Info
Topic
Synergy in Collaboration: Bridging Ideas and Impact
Credits Offered
This event offers
3.5 contact hours
to attendees.
Accreditation Info:
California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number CEP 16976.
Attachments
Additional Information
Register now for the 2025 CACNS Annual Conference! The theme this year is Synergy in Collaboration: Bridging Ideas and Impact. Join us in person on Saturday, September 20, 2025, from 8:30am to 3:30pm at UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center, for a dynamic day of learning and networking. The conference will highlight the power of collaboration in driving meaningful change and innovation in Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) practice. Seize this opportunity to engage with peers, exchange innovative ideas, and strengthen your impact as a CNS.
We are honored to welcome our keynote speaker, Elizabeth Bridges, PhD, RN, CCNS, FCCM, FAAN, who will explore the evolving role of the CNS as visionaries and transformative leaders in healthcare. Additional presentations will feature CNS-led initiatives in workforce development, surgical safety, and cardiac arrhythmia management. The conference concludes with our endnote speaker, NACNS President Rick Bassett, MSN, RN, APRN, ACNS-BC, CCRN, FCNS, showcasing how innovation and collaboration can amplify the CNS role in transforming patient outcomes and advancing systems of care. Engage, learn, and be inspired by our poster presentations and exhibitor displays throughout the day. Explore the full conference agenda for more details!

Conference Objectives
Discuss the role of the CNS in translating clinical and operational ideas into sustainable practice improvements.
Identify nurse leadership strategies for expanding the CNS workforce in evolving healthcare environments.
Describe methods for evaluating safety and quality outcomes associated with CNS-led technology-driven solutions.
Explain how CNSs integrate advanced pharmacologic knowledge and innovative interventions in managing cardiac arrhythmias.
Define the role of CNS as agents of change, advocates for safety, and leaders in clinical and systems-level transformation.
Parking
Free parking is available on any level at the Arizona Structure, 1311 16th Street, Santa Monica, CA 90404. Entrance gate opens at 7:00am and closes at 8:15am. Attendees may exit at any time, but no re-entry after leaving. Do not park in marked stalls with signs for specific permits or departments. Do not block other cars, as violators may be cited or towed. See campus map for more information.
Post-Conference Social
Looking to connect with fellow CNSs and relax after a full day of learning? Join us for light refreshments at El Cholo, 1025 Wilshire Boulevard, Santa Monica, CA 90401 from 4:00pm to 6:00pm. Special thanks to NxStage for their generous sponsorship of this social event.
Hotel Bookings
Gateway Hotel Santa Monica - 0.3 miles - $201/night
Hampton Inn & Suites Santa Monica - 0.9 miles - $268/night
Comfort Inn Santa Monica - West Los Angeles - 0.9 miles - $186/night
Cal Mar Hotel Suites – 0.9 miles - $245/night
Days Inn by Wyndham Santa Monica - 1.1 miles - $198/night
Hilton Santa Monica Hotel & Suites - 1.1 miles - $290/night
Hyatt Centric Delfina Santa Monica - 1.1 - $248/night
Santa Monica Hotel - 1.2 - $240/night
Sea Blue Hotel - 1.2 - $233/night
Ocean Park Inn - 1.4 miles - $193/night
FOUND Hotel, Santa Monica - 1.4 miles - $153/night
Not a CACNS member? You can still register by creating a free Nursing Network account. We encourage you to join CACNS to enjoy full member benefits. For questions or registration assistance, please reach out through our Contact Us page.
We are excited to see you in the beautiful beachfront city of Santa Monica!
CACNS Conference Planning Committee
Speakers


Adult Critical Care Clinical Nurse Specialist MSN, RN, APRN, ACNS-BC, CCRN, FCNS, LSSGB President National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists * Ethicist * Speaker * Consultant *
St. Luke’s Health System Adult ICU Clinical Nurse Specialist
Event Agenda
2025 CACNS Annual Conference
Event Agenda
Saturday, September 20, 2025 at 8:30am PT - 3:30pm PT
All times listed in
Pacific Time (US & Canada).
Download event agenda (PDF)
Saturday, September 20, 2025
-
8:30am - 9:00am
Registration, Breakfast, Exhibitors, and Poster Presentations
-
9:00am - 9:15am
Welcome from the CACNS President
Mary Lawanson-Nichols, MSN, RN, CNS, NP, CCRN, FCNS
-
9:15am - 10:15am
The CNS – Masters of Turning Ideas in Action – It’s More than Collaboration
Elizabeth Bridges, PhD, RN, CCNS, FCCM, FAAN
-
10:15am - 10:45am
Break, Exhibitors, and Poster Presentations
-
10:45am - 11:15am
Addressing Challenges in Growing the Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Workforce: The Nurse Leaders Approach
Leah Korkis, MSN, RN, AGCNS, NPD-BC; Lianna Ansryan, DNP, RN-GERO, PHN, AGCNS-BC, FCNS; Hanna Lakew; Linnea Tolbert, MSN, RN; Mary Lawanson-Nichols, MSN, RN, CNS, NP, CCRN, FCNS
-
11:15am - 11:45am
Safety in the OR: A CNS-Led Initiative to Automatic Formalin Dispensing
Jennice Singh, MSN, RN, CNS, CNOR
-
11:45am - 1:15pm
Lunch, Business Meeting, Exhibitors, and Poster Presentations
-
1:15pm - 1:45pm
CNS Driven Cardiac Arrhythmia Management: Integrating Pharmacology and Cutting-Edge Therapies
Olena Svetlov, DNP, RN, AGNP/CNS, CCRN, PHN, FCNS; Mary Lawanson-Nichols, MSN, RN, CNS, NP, CCRN, FCNS
-
1:45pm - 2:30pm
Break, Exhibitors, and Poster Presentations
-
2:30pm - 3:15pm
Enhancing the Impact of the CNS Role Through Innovation and Collaboration
Rick Bassett, MSN, RN, APRN, ACNS-BC, CCRN, FCNS
-
3:15pm - 3:30pm
Closing Remarks and Evaluations
Exhibit & Sponsor
Dear Exhibitors & Sponsors,
The California Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists (CACNS) represents Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNSs) from over 40 different nursing specialties throughout California. These professionals are part of the decision team to bring in products to their facilities. The attendees are eager to learn about your new products, the latest therapies, and industry advancements. Therefore, we cordially invite you to join these dynamic, influential nurse leaders as a sponsor, exhibitor, or advertiser at our annual conference.
Title: Synergy in Collaboration: Bridging Ideas and Impact
Date: Saturday, September 20, 2024
Time: 8:30am - 3:30pm
Location: UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center, 1250 16th Street, Santa Monica, CA 90404
Our master’s and doctoral-prepared CACNS members:
- Conduct clinical trials and recommend products
- Manage patient care units in a wide range of facilities
- Teach students and staff from multiple disciplines
- Provide direct patient care
- Design and implement quality improvement strategies
- Serve as expert resources on safety, quality, and cost-effectiveness in healthcare
- Publish in nationally recognized journals
- Are poised to recommend or prescribe, treatments and durable medical equipment
Our conference offers you an extraordinary opportunity to reach CNSs, the leaders who are making a difference in health care and are increasingly recognized as vital to ensuring quality and patient care outcomes. We are expecting approximately 50 to 75 CNS colleagues from all over California to join us for this important day. We hope you and your company will choose to be there as well. Details for vendor participation are enclosed for your review and interest. Exhibitors must create a Nursing Network account to register. Please upload the signed agreement as an attachment to your registration. The CACNS is a 501(c)(6) tax-exempt non-profit organization (Tax ID#: 33-0528361), see the attached W-9 form. For questions or concerns, feel free to send a message via the Contact tab on the event page.
Mary Lawanson-Nichols, MSN, RN, NP, CNS, CCRN
Exhibits Coordinator
Amber Glukhenkiy, MSN, RN, ACCNS-AG, CCRN
Program Liaison Committee Chair
Attachments
Register For This Event
Regular/Associate CACNS members only or join CACNS for $50 before registering to purchase ticket.
Student/Retired CACNS members only or join CACNS for $35 before registering to purchase ticket.
Save up to $75 by becoming a member to qualify for the CACNS Member ticket option and other discounts!