The Inland NW Nurse Educator Conference brought together nurse educators, clinicians, librarians, and health care leaders from across the region May 13–14 at Gonzaga University’s John J. Hemmingson Center. This year’s conference theme, “Bridging the Gap: From Nursing Education to Practice Excellence,” centered on conversations around workforce development, simulation, workplace culture, technology, and student success.
The keynote speaker Donna Wright, MS, RN, NPD-BC, opened the conference with a presentation titled “Doing Competency the Wright Way! Creating a Bridge to Creative Competency Assessment for the Future”. Wright’s session examined competency assessment strategies across academic and clinical settings, including approaches to accountability, competency verification, and adapting competency-based education to the realities of today’s health care environment. The presentation encouraged attendees to think creatively about building competency processes that remain meaningful, practical, and sustainable for nursing educators and practice leaders.
Washington State University College of Nursing faculty, alumni, and collaborators played a visible role throughout the conference, contributing expertise on healthy work environments, workplace violence prevention, artificial intelligence in education, and professional practice.
Among the featured presenters was Debbie Brinker, MSN, RN, CNS, WSU faculty emeritus, who presented “Strengthening the Bridge: Building Healthy Work Environments Across Nursing Education and Practice”. Brinker’s session explored how the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses Healthy Work Environment standards can support nursing students, educators, and practicing nurses through stronger academic-practice partnerships and workplace culture initiatives.
WSU alums Adam Richards, MBA, RN, Chief Nursing Officer at Providence Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital, and Debra Gilette, MBA, RN, Chief Nursing Officer at Providence Holy Family Hospital, presented “Beyond Compliance: Turning Workplace Violence Requirements into Reliable Practice”. Their session examined Washington state workplace violence regulations and how organizations can translate those requirements into systems that support caregiver safety, prevention efforts, and effective incident response practices.
Ann Dyer, Faculty Library Director for the WSU Health Sciences Library Spokane, led a discussion on artificial intelligence in nursing education. Dyer’s session, “AI in Nursing Education: Tools, Tradeoffs, and Critical Judgment”, focused on the growing use of AI tools in educational and clinical settings, including how educators can help students critically evaluate AI-generated information and navigate questions around evidence quality and reliability.
The conference schedule also included sessions on neurodivergent learners, simulation-based education, competency assessment, inclusive learning environments, and change management in nursing education and practice.
- Donna Wright, MS, RN, NPD-BC — Doing Competency the Wright Way! Creating a Bridge to Creative Competency Assessment for the Future
- Alicia Weeks, M.S. — Supporting Neurodivergent Learners in Nursing Education and Practice
- Maggie Bissell, RN, MN, NPD-BC, CCRN-K — Translating Gaps into Goals: A Competency-Based Approach to Learning Improvement Plans
- Liz Davis, M.Ed. — Leveraging Technology to Create Engaging Learning Experiences
- Ann Dyer, MS, BS — AI in Nursing Education: Tools, Tradeoffs, and Critical Judgment
- Apple Devine, B.S. — Creating Inclusive Learning Environments: Understanding Power, Privilege, and Microaggressions
- Marjan Milani, PharmD, MHA, CPHQ, FACHE — From Resistance to Resilience: Leading Change in Nursing Education and Practice
- Kim Wigen-Dewey, MSN, NPD-BC, CHSE, CCRN, and Carsen McGuire, MSN, RN, NPD-BC — Using Rapid Cycle Deliberate Practice to Teach Courageous Conversations
- Debbie Brinker, RN, MSN, CNS — Strengthening the Bridge: Building Healthy Work Environments Across Nursing Education and Practice
- Joan Owens, PhD, RNC, and Alex Giffin, M.A. — Transforming Academic Nursing Culture: Implementing the Pathway for Fostering Organizational Civility to Create a Healthy Work Environment
- Debra Gilette, MBA, BSN, RN, and Adam Richards, MBA, BSN, RN — Beyond Compliance: Turning Workplace Violence Requirements into Reliable Practice
- Kacie Blair, MSN, RN, CCRN, and Ashley Van Der Zee, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, CNOR — Psychological Safety in Healthcare Simulation
Hosted on the Gonzaga University campus, the conference highlighted regional collaboration across nursing education and health care organizations. Sponsors and partners included Washington State University College of Nursing, Gonzaga University Nursing, Providence, MultiCare, Elsevier, Pearson, and others supporting nursing workforce development and continuing professional education.
