Care for the person is at the heart of nursing and other health professionals’ practice and respective codes of ethics. Indeed, the need for care across the lifespan is universal to the human experience. In today’s healthcare landscape, the truth of “care for the person” may feel elusive. Systems designed to deliver care are increasingly shaped by competing, and even conflicting, demands. And yet, many threads of care are present; we can see it every day, from the bedside to the boardroom. Nevertheless, health professionals and leaders alike may struggle to preserve a shared commitment to those who are the very reason for our work – the recipients of care.¹ How can we address current and long-standing issues that can deter our collaborations for the good of the patient—and move forward together, committed to an ethic of care?

The 2027 National Nursing Ethics Conference invites participants to examine the challenges facing contemporary healthcare, recognize diverse perspectives that shape our experiences, and imagine new paths forward grounded in shared values. Regardless of proximity to care at the bedside, role, real and perceived hierarchies—we share common professional ethics and commitments. Through intentional dialogue, this conference will amplify a plurality of voices, illuminate commonalities, and encourage connection and commitment to our respective work in service to humanity. We invite collaboration and engagement in imagining a (re)construction of healthcare that manifests an ethic of care through the actions of nurses and all professionals.

¹ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses, Provision 2: A nurse’s primary commitment is to the recipient(s) of nursing care, whether an individual, family, group, community, or population.

Objectives

• Uncover systemic barriers to authentic, patient-centered, ethical care.
• Illuminate stakeholder perspectives on ethical care challenges.
• Champion an innovation that strengthens human connection and promotes ethical care environments.
• Reimagine an interdisciplinary pathway for authentic connection and caring practices.
• Analyze ethical care strategies for AI and emerging technologies.

SPEAKER SCHEDULE

TBA

Breakfast, lunch, and refreshments will be served each day. There will be a reception after the closing on Day 1. Award recipients of the ANA DAISY Awards® for Ethics in Nursing Practice and Leadership and the Ethics of Caring National Leadership Award will be honored during the National Nursing Ethics Conference.