We invite APPs, researchers, and thought leaders to share
their knowledge and expertise at NNPS Keystone 2026.
Submit your abstract for a podium or poster presentation and showcase
your latest research, clinical insights, and innovative practices with an
engaged audience of peers and leaders in advanced practice nursing.
This is your opportunity to:
Spotlight your work on a national stage.
Contribute to advancing nurse practitioner education and patient care.
Exchange ideas and foster meaningful dialogue with colleagues across specialties.
Your voice matters. Your discoveries matter. NNPS is where they’ll be heard.
Join us in shaping the future of our profession—submit your abstract today.
Deadlines are:
Wednesday, December 31, 2025, for Podium Presentations
Wednesday, April 15, 2026, for Poster Presentations
NNPS Keystone
Abstract Guidelines
Presentation Description
For Podium presentations, please provide a topical outline highlighting the information to be delivered.
For Poster presentations, please include the following information:
Background, Methods, Outcomes, Clinical Significance/Conclusions.
Why is this topic important/relevant to APPs? - Needs Assessment
The Program Committee reviews the Needs Assessment to help evaluate the quality of your presentation proposal and gauge the potential audience interest.
A needs assessment should clearly and concisely demonstrate that a relevant problem or need exists and include supporting data, which may consist of demographics, economic health, results from surveys, or published data. (1)
A needs assessment is a systematic process of gathering information that is appropriate and sufficient to develop an effective educational program that will address the group’s needs and wants (gap).
A gap analysis can be defined as the determination of the difference between current knowledge/practices (what we are doing) and current evidence-based practices (what we should be doing). This may include new technologies, diagnoses or treatments, current research, legislative or regulatory changes, current research or literature, and clinical guidelines. (2)
Learning Objectives:
The Program Committee reviews the Learning Objectives to help evaluate the quality of your presentation proposal and gauge the potential audience interest.
Accepted presentations will have the learning objectives evaluated by audience participants to rate the effectiveness of the learning objectives.
Learning objectives state what the participant should know or be able to do at the end of an educational activity. They should be realistic, measurable, attainable, and defined desired outcomes. (3)
Avoid the use of vague verbs that are hard to measure, like: understand, know, appreciate, become familiar with, be aware of, and perceive. These verbs pertain to mental processes, and it is not possible to provide evidence that can be objectively measured. (4)
The following words are some examples of what can be used to develop
measurable educational learning objectives:
COGNITIVE DOMAIN
Cite
Classify
Construct
Compare
Define
Differentiate
Discuss
Evaluate
Explain
Express
Identify
Illustrate
List
Measure
Quote
State (or Restate)
Tabulate
PSYCHOMOTOR DOMAIN
Calculate
Conduct
Connect
Demonstrate
Diagnose
Form
Maintain
Operate
Perform
Produce
Speak
INTERPERSONAL DOMAIN
Advocate
Criticize
Defend
Express
Generalize
Inform
Object
Offer
Produce
Propose
Reflect
Request
Suggest
Summarize
AFFECTIVE DOMAIN
Attend to
Determine
Develop
Display
Exemplify
Listen
Maintain
Participate
Recognize
References:
1. Department of Medical Education, Needs Assessment Guidelines, Centocor Ortho Biotech Services LLC
2. Pitman, NJ, A representation: Incorporating a needs assessment and gap analysis into the educational design, Anthony J. Jannetti, Inc. (2012)
3. NAPNAP, Developing Learning Outcomes/ Educational Objectives, NAPNAP CE Guidelines (2019)
4. Language & Learning Advisers, Writing Learning Objectives for Nursing, Learning & Teaching Unit, University of South Australia, (2012)
EVALUATION CRITERIA:
The planning committee will consider the following criteria when reviewing the Podium abstracts:
- Session description provides a clear depiction of the proposed presentation.
- Learning objectives clearly describe what new learning will occur.
- Topic has a broad appeal and is relevant to NNPS attendees.
- Abstract details are comprehensive and clearly depict the overall proposed presentation.
- Recent, peer-reviewed literature supports the abstract and promotes current best practice.
- Level of expertise of the presenter regarding the topic.
The planning committee will consider the following criteria when reviewing the Poster abstracts:
- Purpose and Background are clearly stated.
- Methods describe what was done or will be done.
- Results stated in relation to the stated purpose
(abstracts may be submitted prior to all results being obtained).
- Discussion/Conclusion: Describe how this work will contribute to the field.