Top Nursing CEU Conferences and Seminars to Attend in 2026

November 26, 2025
Nurses in a conference room at a lecture

For nurses, continuing education is about more than meeting licensure requirements. Conferences and seminars offer opportunities to sharpen clinical skills, expand leadership capacity, explore specialty practice areas, and build professional networks that support long-term career growth.

Attending nursing CEU conferences in 2026 allows nurses to earn required contact hours while staying current on evidence-based practice, regulatory changes, and emerging trends across healthcare. This guide highlights the major U.S. nursing conferences scheduled for 2026, along with specialty and leadership events, and offers practical guidance on choosing the right conference for your goals.

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Why Attend Nursing Conferences in 2026?

Nursing conferences remain one of the most efficient and flexible ways to earn continuing education while gaining exposure to new ideas and professional opportunities.

Key benefits include:

Meeting licensure requirements
Many state boards of nursing require CEUs for license renewal. Accredited conferences allow nurses to earn multiple contact hours in a short timeframe, often with documentation accepted nationwide.

Clinical excellence and specialty growth
Sessions led by experienced clinicians, educators, and researchers help nurses stay current with evidence-based practices, technology updates, and evolving standards of care.

Networking and professional connection
National conferences bring together thousands of nurses from across the country, offering access to peers, mentors, recruiters, and professional organizations.

Career advancement and leadership development
Leadership-focused conferences provide training for nurses transitioning into charge, management, education, or executive roles.

As the American Nurses Association emphasizes, continuing education plays a critical role in maintaining professional competence and adapting to the changing demands of healthcare.

Major U.S. Nursing CEU Conferences in 2026

Below are confirmed national nursing conferences in the United States for 2026 that offer CEUs and broad professional development opportunities.

NTI & Critical Care Exposition 2026 (AACN)

  • Dates: May 19–20, 2026
  • Location: San Diego, CA
  • Focus: Acute, progressive, and critical-care nursing
  • Why attend: One of the largest nursing education conferences in the country, offering hundreds of CEU-eligible sessions and a comprehensive clinical exhibit hall.
  • Link to exposition: https://www.aacn.org/conferences-and-events/nti/critical-care-expo

ONS Congress 2026 (Oncology Nursing Society)

  • Dates: May 13–17, 2026
  • Location: San Antonio, TX
  • Focus: Oncology nursing and cancer care
  • Why attend: The premier oncology nursing conference, featuring clinical updates, research, and survivorship care education.
  • Link to event: https://www.ons.org/education-hub/events/ons-congress

AONL Annual Conference 2026

  • Dates: March 29–April 1, 2026
  • Location: Chicago, IL
  • Focus: Nursing leadership, workforce strategy, healthcare operations
  • Why attend: Ideal for nurse managers, directors, and executives developing leadership and organizational skills.
  • Link to conference: https://inspiringleaders.aonl.org/

AORN Global Surgical Conference & Expo 2026

  • Dates: April 11–14, 2026
  • Location: New Orleans, LA
  • Focus: Perioperative nursing and surgical care
  • Why attend: A leading event for OR nurses, educators, and perioperative leaders.
  • Link to Conference: https://www.aorn.org/surgical-expo

AAACN Annual Conference 2026

  • Dates: April 14–17, 2026
  • Location: Lake Buena Vista, FL
  • Focus: Ambulatory care nursing
  • Why attend: Specialized education for nurses working in outpatient and ambulatory settings.
  • Link to conference: https://www.aaacn.org/events/annual-conference

Specialty and Practice-Focused Nursing Conferences in 2026

For nurses seeking deeper training in a specific field, specialty conferences often provide more targeted CEU opportunities.

AANA Annual Congress 2026

Emergency Nursing 2026 (ENA)

  • Dates: September 28–October 1, 2026
  • Location: Phoenix, AZ
  • Focus: Emergency nursing practice
  • Why attend: Clinical education, leadership development, and emergency-specific CEUs.
  • Link to event: https://www.ena.org/events/emergency-nursing-2026

NACNS Annual Conference 2026

NAPNAP National Conference on Pediatric Health Care 2026

  • Dates: March 18–21, 2026
  • Location: Pittsburgh, PA
  • Focus: Pediatric nursing and advanced pediatric practice
  • Why attend: Pediatric-specific CEUs for nurses caring for infants, children, and adolescents.
  • Link to conference: https://www.napnap.org/national-conference/

Nursing Education and Nurse Educator Conferences in 2026

Nurses working in academia, staff development, or preceptor roles may benefit from education-focused events.

NLN Education Summit 2026

ANPD Aspire Convention 2026

  • Dates: March 23–27, 2026
  • Location: Louisville, KY
  • Focus: Nursing professional development
  • Why attend: Ideal for educators and staff development professionals.
  • Link to convention: https://www.anpd.org/aspire

AACN Transform 2026

Nursing Leadership Conferences in 2026

For nurses moving into leadership or executive roles, these events emphasize organizational strategy and professional growth.

State and Regional Nursing Conferences in 2026

In addition to national events, many nurses earn CEUs through state-based and regional nursing conferences. These events are often more affordable, easier to attend, and highly relevant to local practice regulations and employment opportunities.

While many state associations publish final 2026 dates closer to the event year, the following organizations consistently host annual conferences that offer CEUs:

Northeast

  • New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) – annual education and advocacy conference
  • ANA–NY Annual Conference – leadership, practice, and policy (Nov 2026, Troy, NY)
  • Massachusetts Nurses Association (MNA) – regional CEU events and specialty tracks

Midwest

  • Illinois Nurses Association (INA) – annual convention and specialty education
  • Ohio Nurses Association (ONA) – CEU-accredited regional conferences
  • Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) – professional practice and leadership education

South

  • Texas Nurses Association (TNA) – one of the largest state conferences for nurses
  • Florida Nurses Association (FNA) – annual conference with clinical and leadership tracks
  • Georgia Nurses Association (GNA) – CEU-approved education and networking

West

  • California Nurses Association (CNA) – professional practice and advocacy events
  • Arizona Nurses Association (AzNA) – regional CEU conferences
  • Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA) – continuing education and leadership events

LPN/LVN-Focused Conferences

  • National Association of Licensed Practical Nurses (NALPN) Annual Conference
    • Dates: October 15–18, 2026
    • Location: Biloxi, MS
      • Focused education for LPNs and LVNs across practice settings.
    • Link to conference: https://nalpn.org/conference/

Tip: State and regional conferences are often ideal for nurses who need CEUs tied to state-specific regulations, employer requirements, or regional healthcare trends.

Nurse Practitioner Conferences in 2026

Nurse practitioners often need advanced clinical and pharmacology-focused education that goes beyond general nursing conferences. If you’re an NP or transitioning into advanced practice, we’ve created a dedicated guide to the top nurse practitioner conferences to attend in 2026, including national and state-based events.

👉 View our full list of nurse practitioner conferences and CE opportunities.

How to Choose the Right Nursing Conference

When selecting a conference, consider:

Accreditation
Confirm CEUs are approved by ANCC or accepted by your state board of nursing.

Specialty relevance
Choose conferences aligned with your current role or career direction.

Format and flexibility
Hybrid or virtual options may reduce travel costs while still offering CEUs.

Total cost
 Factor in registration, travel, lodging, and time away from work.

Career goals
Clinical advancement, education, and leadership require different types of conferences.

Tips to Maximize the Value of a Nursing Conference

  • Review agendas and select CEU-eligible sessions in advance
  • Keep CEU certificates organized for renewal and employer records
  • Network intentionally through sessions, poster presentations, and events
  • Visit exhibit halls to explore tools, education programs, and career opportunities
  • Follow up with contacts and apply key takeaways in your practice

Career Protection Goes Hand-in-Hand with Career Advancement

Attending nursing CEU conferences in 2026 supports both professional growth and licensure compliance. As nurses invest in education, leadership development, and specialty expertise, protecting that career investment matters just as much.

At NOW Insurance, we support nurses at every stage of their professional journey with affordable, individual professional liability insurance designed specifically for nurses and nurse practitioners. Even if your employer provides coverage, having your own policy helps protect your license and livelihood.

You can get a quote in just a few minutes through our online application and move forward with confidence as you continue advancing your nursing career.

FAQs About Nursing Conferences and CEUs

What are the best nursing conferences to attend in 2026?

The best nursing conferences in 2026 depend on your specialty and career goals. Large national conferences like NTI (AACN), ONS Congress, AONL, and AORN offer broad CEU opportunities, while specialty and state-based conferences provide more targeted education.

Do nursing conferences offer CEUs accepted by state boards?

Most major nursing conferences offer CEUs accredited through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or organizations recognized by state boards of nursing. Nurses should always confirm accreditation details before registering.

Are virtual nursing conferences eligible for CEUs?

Yes. Many nursing conferences offer virtual or hybrid attendance options that provide the same CEUs as in-person sessions. Virtual conferences can be a cost-effective option for nurses with limited travel availability.

How many CEUs can I earn at a nursing conference?

The number of CEUs varies by conference and session selection. Multi-day national conferences often allow nurses to earn 10–30 or more contact hours, depending on attendance and completed sessions.

Are nursing conferences worth the cost?

For many nurses, conferences provide value beyond CEUs. Benefits include professional networking, exposure to new clinical tools and practices, career advancement opportunities, and access to specialty education that may not be available locally.

Do nurses need their own insurance when attending conferences?

Yes. Even when attending conferences or professional events, nurses should maintain their own professional liability insurance. Employer coverage typically applies only while performing job duties and may not extend to independent education, volunteering, or career transitions.

Emily Bergstrom
Emily Bergstrom is an Underwriting Assistant. She can assist healthcare professionals with finding the right insurance coverage.
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