You Are More Than Just LPNs: Elevating Practice. Expanding Impact. Strengthening Professional Identity
Friday, February 12, 2027 | 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Location: Southern Regional AHEC, 3rd Floor
Target Audience
LPNs and LVNs
Program Description
Join us for a dynamic one-day conference designed to recognize the essential role of Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) and empower them to practice with confidence, competence, and professional pride. As healthcare continues to evolve, LPNs remain vital members of the interdisciplinary team, providing safe, compassionate, and evidence-based care across a variety of settings.
This conference will provide practical, up-to-date education on high-impact clinical topics that LPNs encounter every day, including medication administration and safety, diabetes management, wound care, legal documentation, and professional accountability. Participants will also gain a deeper understanding of their scope of practice and the important role they play in improving patient outcomes, promoting quality care, and strengthening the healthcare workforce.
Through expert-led presentations, real-world case examples, and opportunities to network with colleagues and exhibitors, attendees will leave with actionable strategies they can immediately apply in practice. Whether working in long-term care, ambulatory care, home health, correctional health, rehabilitation, or acute care, LPNs will be equipped with current knowledge and renewed confidence to elevate their practice and expand their impact.
Registration Fee
$100.00
Agenda
8 a.m. Registration / Continental Breakfast / Exhibitors
8:30 a.m. Medication Administration & Safety
Rachel McInerney, DNP, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC
Assistant Professor, SON, UNC Chapel Hill
9:30 a.m. Diabetes Management Across Care Settings
Nancy Lelle-Michel, MSN, RN, CDCES, BC-ADM
Diabetes Clinical Nurse Specialist
Duke Adult Diabetes Education, Duke University Hospital
10:30 a.m. Break
10:45 a.m. Best Practices in Wound Care
Mary Ann Whaley, BSN, RN, CWON, CFCN
Wound Ostomy Continence Clinical Services Nurse IV (CSNIV),
DUHS Advanced Practice Nursing,
DUHS Skin Care Champion Program Lead,
Duke University Hospital
11:45 a.m. Lunch (provided) / Exhibitors
12:30 p.m. Scope of Practice & Professional Accountability
Stacey Thompson, MSN, RN, NE-BC
Practice Consultant, NC Board of Nursing
1:30 p.m. Break / Exhibitors
1:45 p.m. Legal Documentation
Pam A. Collins, MSN, CMSRN, NPD-BC
Founder, Consultation On-Call, LLC
3:45 p.m. Closing Remarks and Adjourn
Tonja Teter, BSN, RN
Director Nursing CPD, Southern Regional AHEC
Speakers
Rachel McInerney, DNP, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC, is a dual-certified family nurse practitioner and psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner with extensive experience in primary care, sexual and reproductive health, and behavioral health. She has provided comprehensive care across the lifespan in public health and community-based clinical settings for more than a decade. Her clinical expertise includes family planning, maternal and child health, sexually transmitted infection prevention and treatment, adult primary care, and the integration of mental health services into clinical practice. In addition to her clinical role, Dr. McInerney is an experienced nurse educator who prepares advanced practice nursing students to deliver evidence-based, patient-centered care. Her work reflects a strong commitment to improving access, promoting health equity, and strengthening clinical outcomes for diverse patient populations.
Nancy Lelle-Michel, MSN, RN, CDCES, BC-ADM, is a Clinical Nurse Specialist with Duke University Hospital and a nationally recognized expert in diabetes care and education. She holds a Master of Science in Nursing and is a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) and Board Certified-Advanced Diabetes Management (BC-ADM). With extensive experience in diabetes management, Nancy specializes in providing evidence-based care and education to individuals living with diabetes, with expertise in advanced diabetes technologies, insulin management, and strategies to improve clinical outcomes. Her work includes supporting patients and healthcare professionals in the effective use of emerging diabetes technologies, including insulin delivery systems and continuous glucose monitoring. Nancy is passionate about translating complex diabetes concepts into practical strategies that healthcare professionals can apply in clinical practice. Through her teaching and clinical expertise, she empowers nurses and other healthcare providers to enhance their knowledge, confidence, and ability to provide high-quality, patient-centered diabetes care.
Mary Ann Whaley, BSN, RN, CWON, CFCN brings more than 41 years of nursing experience with 20 years in home health care, where she worked as a nurse case manager and certified wound nurse. She currently practices in acute care as a CWON and CFCN, specializing in adult medical intensive care and emergency department patient care.
Stacey Thompson, MSN, RN, NE-BC, is a Practice Consultant with the North Carolina Board of Nursing and has over 26 years of nursing experience. She worked as a med-surg nurse for 11 years before moving into nurse leadership. Stacey achieved her BSN from Barton College and an MSN in Nurse Administration from Kaplan University. She currently holds a Just Culture Certification and has held the certifications of Nurse Executive (NE-BC) and Certified Medical-Surgical Nurse (CMSRN) in the past. In her current role, Stacey provides regulatory guidance to nursing students, licensed nurses, employers and to the public. Her passion and philosophy are built on sharing knowledge and seizing opportunities for growth that will positively impact the nursing profession thereby promoting public safety.
Pam Collins, RN, MSN, CMSRN, MEDSURG-BC, NPD-BC, has 40 years of varied nursing experiences which includes nursing administration and leadership, Educator, and Consultant. She received her master’s degree in nursing administration with a clinical concentration in Adult Health. Although Pam works as an independent consultant, she continues to work in a healthcare system as a corporate educator. Pam is dually certified in medical-surgical nursing Nursing Professional Development. Pam speaks nationally on clinical and legal and leadership topics and provides customized education/training on leadership and professional development for healthcare professionals. She has served in the United States Air Force Reserve as a flight nurse and enjoys spending time with family and friends.
Learning Outcome
At the conclusion of this educational activity, participants will report an increase in knowledge and confidence in applying evidence-based clinical practices, legal and professional standards, and safe patient care principles within the Licensed Practical Nurse scope of practice.
Credit
Contact Hours: 6.0
Southern Regional Area Health Education Center is approved as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the North Carolina Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.
Substitutes/Refunds/Transfers
• Cancellations must be in writing (email or mail).
• Registrants cancelling between two weeks and five full business days prior to the first day of the event are refunded at 70% of the registration fee subject to a minimum $25 cancellation fee.
• No refunds or credits will be given for cancellations received less than five full business days prior to the event.
• No refunds or credit will be given for no-shows.
• No vouchers will be issued in lieu of a refund.
• Transfers/substitute(s) welcome (notify in advance of the program).
Attendance at this activity grants permission for Southern Regional AHEC to use any photographs, audio, video, or other images from this activity for promotional or educational purposes. Please notify an AHEC staff member if you have concerns.
ADA Services
Americans with Disabilities Act Individuals requesting accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) should contact the ADA coordinator at least five days prior to the event at (910) 678-7240 or Christi.Boahn@sr-ahec.org.
Contact Us
Tonja Teter, BSN, RN, Director of Nursing CPD / (910) 678-7246 / Tonja.Teter@sr-ahec.org
Christi Boahn, CPD Project Specialist / (910) 678-7240 / Christi.Boahn@sr-ahec.org