2026 Professional Development
Monthly Series
ONE HOUR SESSIONS
Enhance Your Liability IQ: Top Reasons Nurses Get Sued for Malpractice
Presented by
Jennifer Flynn
Certified Professional in Healthcare Risk Management
NSO & CNA released our fifth published analysis of nursing claims from the most recent 5 years. Professional liability data provides insight into the underlying causes in liability cases as it can reveal missteps, clinical errors, patterns of communication, and judgment failures that contributed to adverse events.
Using case studies and claim data, nurses can examine top areas of liability through the experiences of their peers. Most importantly, this session provides you with practice recommendations that you can use to help prevent or defend against malpractice allegations, while also enhancing patient safety..
Grief Doesn’t Start at Death: Recognizing, Witnessing, and Responding to Grief Across the Serious Illness Journey
Presented by
Robin Kanarek, BSN, RN, Hdoc
Kanarek Family Foundation
Grief often begins long before death—sometimes at the moment of a serious diagnosis. In this heartfelt lecture, the presenter shares her family’s journey caring for her son David, who faced leukemia for five years, highlighting the emotional, behavioral, and spiritual challenges children and families experience from diagnosis through end-of-life. Attendees will explore the impact of serious illness on families, including spiritual distress, coping, and the search for meaning.
The session integrates evidence-based frameworks, including Kubler-Ross’s stages of grief, David Kessler’s individualized approach, and Viktor Frankl’s principles of meaning-making,
emphasizing that grief is non-linear, unique to each person, and requires validation and support. Nurses will learn practical strategies to recognize, witness, and respond to grief,
integrate palliative care, foster resilience, and help families find hope and meaning amid profound loss.
By blending moving personal narrative with professional guidance, this lecture equips nurses with actionable tools to support families navigating life-altering illness, while honoring the
humanity, dignity, and enduring legacy of those they care for.
Nourishing Beyond the Plate: Supporting Women Through Menopause
Presented by
Jessica Dean, RN CDN, Certified Eating Counselor
Jessica Dean Nutrition / Owner/ Registered Dietitian & Yale University/ Research Dietitian and Study Coordinator
Midlife women don’t need more willpower — they need the right support. Jessica Dean, RD, Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor and founder of Jessica Dean Nutrition, blends clinical expertise with a holistic lens to explore how hormones, stress, and nutrition intersect during perimenopause and menopause. Attendees will leave with practical, nervous-system-informed strategies to help women feel steady, energized, and strong beyond the plate.
Understanding Alzheimers and Dementia and the importance of Communicating Effectively
Presented by
Carolyn DeRocco
Alzheimer's Association of CT
More information to follow
Lead to Retain: Retention Solutions for Today’s Leaders
#5 of 10
Presented by
Dr. Iva Ervin-Stanberry, DNP, RN, CNL, CPXP, FHX
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Founder and CEO
Retention Nexus
This session explores the three Cs of leadership—clarity, connection, and culture—to help nurse leaders inspire their teams, build trust, and create workplaces where people thrive and choose to stay. You'll walk away with practical strategies to strengthen morale and retain top talent.
