2026 Annual Conference

2026 ISPN

We are excited to invite you to the 2026 Conference: Innovate, Integrate, INSPIRE - Charting the Future of Psychiatric Nursing, taking place March 18th-21st, 2026, at the Grand Hyatt Seattle. Hotel details: https://www.ispn-psych.org/2026-hotel-reservations

Join us for a week of learning, collaboration, and inspiration as we explore innovation in psychiatric–mental health nursing, integration across care systems, and emerging approaches to the prevention and treatment of substance use and cooccurring disorders.

We are incredibly grateful for the overwhelming response to our call for abstracts. With a record-breaking 117 submissions, we are excited to present an extraordinary lineup of speakers who will share forward-thinking insights and transformative practices shaping the future of our field.

This nursing continuing professional development activity was approved by the Georgia Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

What to Look Forward To:

Over 55 education sessions and 55 poster presentations
Get ready to connect with professionals from around the world! This year, we’re thrilled to welcome presenters representing the United States, Germany, Japan, Thailand, and United Kingdom, making this our most globally diverse lineup yet.
Raffles and door giveaways

Two Pre-Conference Workshops (Wednesday March 18th):

9:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Brains, Bots, and Better Care: Bringing AI into Therapy and Med Management

Kristen Vandenberg-Harrison

1:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Treating Opioid Use Disorder with Buprenorphine: Best Practices in Diverse Clinical Settings

Kayla Cross

Opening Night Celebration, SWAG, and Network (Wednesday, March 18th at 7:30 PM):

Wear your SWAG: Kick off the conference in style with SWAG Night! Show off your pride and spark new connections by wearing gear from your organization, alma mater, fraternity/sorority, or anything that represents YOU. It’s the perfect conversation starter and a fun way to meet colleagues from around the world.
DJ: Enjoy the vibrant sounds of a local Seattle DJ
Poster Presentations: Connect, collaborate, and get inspired—poster presentations await
Photobooth: Strike a pose in the photo booth sponsored by the UNIVERSITY of Massachusetts, Elaine Marieb College of Nursing
Vendors: Visit with our vendors and sponsors as you mix, mingle, and celebrate the start of an inspiring week.

A cash bar will be available throughout the evening. Join us as we launch the conference with energy, community, and plenty of SWAG!

Keynote Speakers & Special Lectures:

Thursday, March 19th:

Opening Keynote, 8:30 AM: Dr. Michael Cary, Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Psychiatric Nursing: Balancing Innovation, Ethics, and Human-Centered Care
Diversity Award Plenary Lecture, 3:00 PM: Dr. Dawn Bounds, Culture Eats Strategy for Breakfast: Advancing Equity and Inclusion Through Community-Engaged Psychiatric Nursing Science
Foundation Auction & Dinner with music by a local string quartet (Be sure to get your tickets early!)

Friday, March 20th:

Melva Jo Hendrix Award Lectureship, 8:30 AM: Dr. Gabrielle P Abelard RESET and INSPIRE the Future of Psychiatric Nursing
Inaugural Fellows of ISPN (FISPN) Induction 7:30 PM

Saturday, March 21st:

Susan McCabe Lecture and Endnote, 1:30 PM: Dr. Brayden Kameg Meeting the Needs of Individuals with Substance Use Disorders Utilizing a Harm Reduction and Radically Empathetic Approach

While you're in Seattle, don't miss exploring the city's iconic sights:

Pike Place Market – Historic waterfront market with food, crafts, and local vendors.
Space Needle – Enjoy stunning 360° views of the city and mountains.
Chihuly Garden and Glass – Immersive glass art installation by Dale Chihuly.
Seattle Waterfront & Great Wheel – Scenic strolls and a panoramic Ferris wheel ride.
Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) – Interactive exhibits celebrating music, sci-fi, and pop culture.
Kerry Park – Iconic viewpoint with postcard-worthy skyline photos.

We can't wait to share this incredible experience with you! Be sure to mark your calendars and prepare for an unforgettable conference and exploration of Seattle. Reserve your hotel room at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Seattle. Registration is now open! Can't wait to see you in Seattle!

Sincerely,

ISPN Conference Committee &

Gabrielle P Abelard, DNP, APRN-BC, FAAN, FAANP, FNAP

ISPN 2026 Conference Chair

Quick Links

Awards & Nominations
Abstract Presenter Information
Exhibit & Sponsorship Information
Foundation Grants & Travel Scholarships are now open! Click here for more information or to apply!
Grand Hyatt Seattle Hotel Information
Keynote Speakers
Schedule

The Call for Abstracts is now closed, the deadline for submissions was September 7, 2025. Authors received notification by email as to their status of their abstract in November. Thank you to everyone who submitted abstracts for the 2026 Annual Conference.

Scenes from the 2025 Annual Conference

https://www.ispn-psych.org/2026-annual-conference-sponsors

Quick Links

What's New

The American Academy of Nursing announces the 2026 Class of Fellows. Congratulations to all, especially the ISPN Members being inducted: Holly Brown, Jennifer Graber, Brenda Marshall, and Jamie Zelazny! Read full press release here.

HHS Announces New Mental Illness and Addiction Funding Opportunities. On June 17, HHS announced over $70 million in funding opportunities for behavioral health programs, including a $96 million funding commitment to address mental illness, addiction, and homelessness as a part of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's Safety Through Recovery, Engagement, and Evidence-based Treatment Support (STREETS) program.

Policy Alert: The Mental Health Liaison Group (MHLG) shared a statement in response to MAHA & HHS’s plan on psychotropic use, reaffirming its commitment to evidence-based, patient-centered mental health care. ISPN is a proud MHLG member.

The FISPN application period is now open (closes August 31, 2026). Learn more here.

The Global Alliance (strategic partner of ISPN) has a blog series: Community Voices, Community Action. The latest entry was written by ISPN Past President, Barbara Peterson, PhD, PMHCNS, APRN, FNAP, titled: The North Star Resistance: Minnesota’s Fight Against Operation Metro Surge.

We welcome Brayden Kameg as the 2026-2027 ISPN President, as well as Stephanie Wynn as a Director and Gabrielle Abelard as the President-Elect.

Immediate Press Release: International Critical Incident Stress Foundation, Inc. (ICISF) Announces Strategic Partnership with the International Society of Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurses

ISPN assisted with and supports the O*NET data collection program. Click here for more information!

One Nurses Journey: Vicki Hines Martin interviews Sally Raphel on her 65 year nursing career. Check it out here.

View the blog, Capital Beat and its purpose is to inform nurses about certain federal programs and the impact changes will have on nurses' work.

Sandy Hook Promise (SHP) launched their newest Public Service Announcement, “A Teddy Bear’s Dream,” a heartbreaking reminder that kids deserve to be kids – and teddy bears belong in children’s arms, not at shrines and memorials in the aftermath of school shootings. The PSA reveals a powerful truth: we all have the power to prevent school shootings. Watch and share the PSA.

988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline just celebrated its second anniversary in July! Since transitioning to 988, they've provided vital support to 10 million contacts through calls, texts, and chats!

Find ISPN on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X (Twitter)! Be sure to follow ISPN on any of our social media platforms!

ISPN is a collaborative partner with the Global Alliance for Behavioral Health and Social Justice! If you are not a member, be sure to look at the member benefits to see reasons to join both organizations! Visit their website today!

Reminder to subscribe to the ISPN Listserv, "E-List": Make sure you are logged in as this is a member benefit, and then click here to read more.