We are excited to invite you to the 2026 Conference: Innovate, Integrate, INSPIRE - Charting the Future of Psychiatric Nursing, taking place March 18th-21st, 2026, at the Grand Hyatt Seattle. Hotel details: https://www.ispn-psych.org/2026-hotel-reservations

Join us for a week of learning, collaboration, and inspiration as we explore innovation in psychiatric–mental health nursing, integration across care systems, and emerging approaches to the prevention and treatment of substance use and cooccurring disorders.

We are incredibly grateful for the overwhelming response to our call for abstracts. With a record-breaking 117 submissions, we are excited to present an extraordinary lineup of speakers who will share forward-thinking insights and transformative practices shaping the future of our field.

What to Look Forward To:

• Over 55 education sessions and 55 poster presentations
• Get ready to connect with professionals from around the world! This year, we’re thrilled to welcome presenters representing the United States, Germany, Japan, Thailand, and United Kingdom, making this our most globally diverse lineup yet.
• Raffles and door giveaways

Two Pre-Conference Workshops (Wednesday March 18th):

• 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Brains, Bots, and Better Care: Bringing AI into Therapy and Med Management. Presented by Kristen Vandenberg-Harrison, DNP, FNP, PMHNP- BC

• 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Treating Opioid Use Disorder with Buprenorphine: Best Practices in Diverse Clinical Settings. Presented by Kayla Cross, ARNP, PMHNP-BC

Opening Night Celebration, SWAG, and Network (Wednesday, March 18th at 7:30 PM): 

• Wear your SWAG: Kick off the conference in style with SWAG Night! Show off your pride and spark new connections by wearing gear from your organization, alma mater, fraternity/sorority, or anything that represents YOU. It’s the perfect conversation starter and a fun way to meet colleagues from around the world.
• DJ: Enjoy the vibrant sounds of a local Seattle DJ
• Poster Presentations: Connect, collaborate, and get inspired—poster presentations await
• Photobooth: Strike a pose in the photo booth sponsored by the UNIVERSITY of Massachusetts, Elaine Marieb College of Nursing 
• Vendors: Visit with our vendors and sponsors as you mix, mingle, and celebrate the start of an inspiring week.

A cash bar will be available throughout the evening. Join us as we launch the conference with energy, community, and plenty of SWAG!

Keynote Speakers & Special Lectures: 

Thursday, March 19th:

• Opening Keynote, 8:30 AM: Dr. Michael Cary, Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Psychiatric Nursing: Balancing Innovation, Ethics, and Human-Centered Care
• Diversity Award Plenary Lecture, 3:00 PM: Dr. Dawn Bounds, Culture Eats Strategy for Breakfast: Advancing Equity and Inclusion Through Community-Engaged Psychiatric Nursing Science 
• Foundation Auction & Dinner with music by a local string quartet (Be sure to get your tickets early!)

Friday, March 20th:

• Melva Jo Hendrix Award Lectureship, 8:30 AM: Dr. Gabrielle P Abelard, RESET and INSPIRE the Future of Psychiatric Nursing
• Inaugural Fellows of ISPN (FISPN) Induction 7:30 PM

Saturday, March 21st:    

• Susan McCabe Lecture and Endnote, 1:30 PM: Dr. Brayden Kameg, Meeting the Needs of Individuals with Substance Use Disorders Utilizing a Harm Reduction and Radically Empathetic Approach

While you're in Seattle, don't miss exploring the city's iconic sights:

• Pike Place Market – Historic waterfront market with food, crafts, and local vendors.
• Space Needle – Enjoy stunning 360° views of the city and mountains.
• Chihuly Garden and Glass – Immersive glass art installation by Dale Chihuly.
• Seattle Waterfront & Great Wheel – Scenic strolls and a panoramic Ferris wheel ride.
• Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) – Interactive exhibits celebrating music, sci-fi, and pop culture.
• Kerry Park – Iconic viewpoint with postcard-worthy skyline photos.

We can't wait to share this incredible experience with you! Be sure to mark your calendars and prepare for an unforgettable conference and exploration of Seattle. Reserve your hotel room at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Seattle. Registration is now open! Can't wait to see you in Seattle! 

Sincerely, 

ISPN Conference Committee &

Gabrielle P Abelard, DNP, APRN-BC, FAAN, FAANP, FNAP

ISPN 2026 Conference Chair

Four open positions for the 2026 election are: 

• President-Elect (2026)
• Director (2026-2028)
• Nominating Committee Member (2026-2028)

The deadline for submitting your vote is February 16, 2026

*Voting is open to Full and Retired Members only.

Member Spotlight

January's featured member is Dr. Pam Galehouse, ISPN member and Chair of the

ISPN Policy Committee.



In a conversation with ISPN President Dr. Dan Wesemann, Dr. Galehouse shares why she continues her membership with ISPN even after retirement. Her passion for policy has inspired her to lead the Policy Committee, where she remains actively engaged in advancing meaningful mental health initiatives. This conversation also provides an opportunity to learn more about the ISPN Policy Series.

The end of 2025 has been a busy and challenging time for all. This report focuses on several important U.S. federal challenges and initiatives we hope will be helpful to ISPN members as they engage in policy activities.

Responses to U.S. Department of Education (DOE) Definition of Nursing for Financial Aid Funding Guidelines

Collaborative efforts by nursing organizations, support by professional colleagues and the Senate Nursing Caucus prompted a letter to Undersecretary of the Department of Education, Nicholas Kent protesting the exclusion of nursing as a profession in proposed financial guidelines for federal financial aid. The letter (Final-Letter-to-Under-Secretary-Kent-on-Nursing-Loans.pdf), circulated by Senators Merkley (OR) and Roger Wicker (MS) was co-signed by a bipartisan group of nearly 150 senators and representatives.  

The high number of signatures from legislators may be attributed to the well-organized efforts by nursing organizations to have members state their case to their own Senate and House members as ask that they sign the Merkley letter. The Senate Nursing Caucus (AACN Senate Nursing Caucus Members_April 2025) was launched in 2010 by Senators Merkley, Johanns (NB), Mikulski (MD) and Snowe (ME) to advance nurses’ role in health care. There is a similar caucus in the House of Representatives (Joyce, Bonamici, Underwood, & Kiggans Relaunch Congressional Nursing Caucus | Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici). The Senate Caucus formation is in synch with the Institute of Medicine’s (now Academy of Medicine) powerful report on The Future of Nursing (2010). 

As of January 9, 2026, the Reimagining and Improving Student Education (RISE) Committee guidelines have not been formalized. Moreover, since the DOE cannot change a consensus decision of RISE the next move will be to make comments during the 30-day comment period that will follow guideline release. ISPN is an active member of the Nursing Community Coalition, and comments being drafted.

Senate Appropriations Committee Supports Funding for Some Threatened or Defunded Programs.

The Senate Appropriations committee bill (FY26 LHHS Senate Bill Summary) supports continued or increased spending in FY 26 for a number of items under the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and related Agencies, surpassing the amounts proposed in the White House Budget as well as that proposed by the House Appropriations Committee.  

Key areas include rejecting the proposed cuts to NIH funding for research, child care and early learning programs, SAMHSA, the CDC, HIV/AIDS and women’s health. Within SAMHSA it sustains funding for a number of mental health programs and provides increased funding for the 988 Suicide Prevention Lifeline and restores funding for LGBTQ+ youth specialized services lines that were eliminated this past summer. The Senate bill also is more supportive of education and workforce development programs, which are in concert with nursing priorities. However, the bill has not moved to the full Senate as yet.

The two legislative bodies will need to reconcile their decidedly different bills before it can move to the President for signature (The federal budget process | USAGov). Given the differences, it is likely to be an arduous process.

Policy Collaborative Discussions

Based on feedback from attendees to the fall Policy, Not Politics sessions, the policy committee is continuing monthly remote discussions into 2026 on Thursdays from 3-4 CST. The first session is January 22. Sessions will be led by committee members and open to all members, with others scheduled for February 19, April 23 and May 21. The March meeting will take place in Seattle at the Conference.

Policy Toolkit 

Working in partnership with the Global Alliance of Behavioral Health and Social Justice, the Policy Committee is developing a web-based Policy Toolkit which will be presented by the Policy Committee at March’s annual IPSN conference. Attendees will have the opportunity to provide feedback at that time.

As we prepare for the ISPN Annual Conference in March 2026, the Membership Committee is sending warm winter wishes to our colleagues around the world. We are energized by the momentum building within our community and are thrilled to announce several updates.

A Warm Welcome First, please join us in welcoming the newest members of our Membership Committee: Lexxie Gramke, Elizabeth Hopfenspirger, Barbara Peterson, and JoDee Hunter. We are grateful for the fresh perspectives and energy you bring to our team.

We also want to extend an acknowledgment to Barbara Peterson. This past November, Barbara coordinated a brainstorming session with Susan Glodstein from the Board of Directors. Together, we explored strategies to not only grow our membership but to also engage our current membership effectively, both domestically and internationally.

Mental health challenges have no respect for borders. By sharing knowledge across cultures and working together as a united global community of nurses, we become stronger, more innovative, and better equipped to heal.

Your Voice Matters: Finally, for those attending the conference in March, please keep your eyes open for an important Member Input Survey. We want to hear from you.

We are seeking your direct input on how we can best serve your professional needs and how we can make joining a committee an accessible, rewarding experience for you. Consistent engagement is the heartbeat of our organization; it is how we strengthen ourselves as professionals and elevate the standard of psychiatric-mental health nursing worldwide.

We look forward to seeing many of you in March!

Warmly,

Mary Louise Tatum & Dina Veytsman Co-Chairs, ISPN Membership Committee

We are currently seeking volunteers to contribute to ISPN's growth by joining the following committees/positions:

• Membership
• Communications & Marketing
• Social Media Poster
• Newsletter Editor in Chief



If you are interested in helping ISPN advance in any of these areas, please complete this brief form.

Adolescent Voices, Clinical Gaps: Rethinking Perinatal Mental Health Pathways for Young Mothers

Presenter: Olajumoke Ojeleye, Ph.D., RN, RM

February 11, 2026, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm CT/12:00 -1:00 pm ET

Learn More and Register

To register for any upcoming or on demand webinars, visit

ispn-psych.org/ispn-webinars.

ISPN uses the information you provide in your profile in many ways. Please take a few moments and update your information. Please login to the ISPN website and go to “Member Home” in the quick links. Once on that page, you will see a “My Profile” link. Then you will be able to click edit and change or update your responses to different questions. Thanks in advance for taking the time to do this!

Think of a student - or two - whose membership you might sponsor by paying the student's first year of ISPN membership dues. A special way to reach out to graduates as well is to support their entry into ISPN by sponsoring their first year of ISPN membership dues.

Regionalization Corner

Stay up-to-date with your region by visiting the Regional Initiative webpage!

International

Co-Leaders: Amanda Bailterra, DNP, MPH, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC

If you have an interest in what you’d like to see from this region and/or if you’d like to get involved, please email info@ispn-psych.org. We’d love to hear from you!

Amanda

Midwest

Co-Leaders: Elizabeth Hopfenspirger, DNP, MSN, APRN, CNP, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC; and Linda Jo Volness, MS, APRN, CHTP

The Midwest Region continues its commitment to meet quarterly to offer a forum for members to support each other and participate in conversation. Meetings were held by zoom 1/8/25 and 5/14/25 and in person 3/21/25 at the Annual Conference in New Orleans and lastly via Zoom for 2025 year on 09/17/2025. Each meeting new members are welcomed and introductions made. New ISPN members receive a personal email invitation to the next scheduled meeting.

Northeast

Co-Leaders: Jennifer Graber, EdD, APRN, PMHCNS-BC; and Susan Glodstein, DNP

Warm New Year greetings to our ISPN Northeast Region members! As we move into 2026, we would like to extend our best wishes for a healthy, productive, and fulfilling year ahead. Your ongoing commitment to advancing psychiatric mental health nursing continues to strengthen our region and the profession, and we are grateful for your engagement and support.

We would also like to extend a warm welcome to our new Northeast Region members. We are delighted to have you join our regional community and look forward to your participation in future initiatives, discussions, and professional activities. Our next opportunity to connect as a region will be at the ISPN Annual Conference. We look forward to seeing many of you there and to continuing our conversations and collaboration in person.

As always, if you have topics or ideas you would like to see addressed in future regional programming, we encourage you to reach out. Please feel free to contact Jen at jgraber@udel.edu or Susan at sglodstein@binghamton.edu with your suggestions.

Wishing you a successful and inspiring start to the new year. We look forward to connecting with you soon.

Southeast

Co-Leaders: Meira Yasin, DNP, PMHNP-BC, APHN-BC, Julie Roebuck, DNP, PMHNP-BC, Michaela Hogan, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC, CNE

The Southeast Region has 3 new leaders- Meira Yasin, Julie Roebuck, and Michaela Hogan and they would like to hear directly from Southeast members about what matters most to you in future ISPN Southeast Regional meetings. Please take just a few minutes to share your feedback and let us know how the Southeast Region can best support and benefit you. Click here for the Southeast Regional survey

Look for the next meeting via your email! If you have suggestions or want to get involved please email info@ispn-psych.org

Southwest

Co-Leaders: Janelle Jones, DNP, APRN, PMHNP, Brenda McKenna, APRN, PMHNP-BC, Ellen Schimmels, PhD, DNP, PMHNP-BC

We have plans for guest speakers, lectures, student development, publishing research, networking, and much more! Your input is invaluable!

ISPN Southwest Region Upcoming Meeting:

• Feb 19, 2026: 5 PM MST (Arizona) | 6 PM MDT (New Mexico) | 7 PM CDT (OK, TX)
• May 21, 2026: 5 PM MST (Arizona) | 6 PM MDT (New Mexico) | 7 PM CDT (OK, TX)

For further details, please feel free to email info@ispn-psych.org.

West

Co-Leaders: Pamela Minarik, PhD, RN, CNS, FAAN; and Jeffery Ramirez, PhD, PMHNP, FNAP, FAANP, FAAN

Look for the next meeting via your email! If you have suggestions or want to get involved please email info@ispn-psych.org

Your ISPN membership includes access to our exclusive e-list (AKA, listserv). This member tool allows you to distribute messages to all members subscribing to the list, with a simple email to the list address. Think of the possibilities!

• Communicate with the membership through a single email. 
• Search the online archive for valuable information and resources. 
• Ask your peers the questions that are most important you. 
• Manage your subscription and preferences through your member profile. 

To get started: 

1. Log in to your membership profile. 
2. In the "My Features" tab, click "E-Lists". 
3. Make sure you are subscribed to the list. 
4. Make note of the list address. 
5. Click "Edit" to control your preferences. 
6. Click the list name to see and search previous posts. 
7. To start participating, click "Post a New Message" or send an email to the list address.  

Read these Frequently Asked Questions about the E-List.