NPAC 2026

On behalf of the Conference Advisory Committee, it is an honor to invite you to attend the 2026 National Conference for Nurse Practitioners in Acute Care (NPAC)! Join over 800 colleagues from throughout the country in sunny Orlando as we explore the 2026 conference theme, Where Passion Meets Purpose!

April N. Kapu, DNP, APRN, ACNP-BC, FAANP, FCCM, FAAN, will give the Keynote Address, Nurse Practitioners in Acute Care: Advancing Excellence, Transforming Care. Dr. Kapu is the Associate Dean for Strategic Partnerships and Global Affairs at Vanderbilt University School of Nursing in Nashville, TN. As a distinguished executive, she has served as a leader in establishing advanced practice models and infrastructures for nurse practitioners. She is a Past President and Fellow of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. She is also a Fellow in the Society of Critical Care Medicine. Her keynote is sure to energize the audience as we begin our 3-day main conference!

Plan to come early! Don’t miss the great opportunities to expand your knowledge and skills over the 2 days of small-group Advanced Procedures Workshops (APWs) and Pre-Conferences preceding the 3-day Main Conference. Using the best state-of-the-art, high-tech equipment, 4 outstanding APWs will be offered to enhance your skills in airway management and landmark and ultrasound-guided procedures. Refine your advanced procedural skills in these popular workshops, which are specially designed as 100% hands-on experiences in small groups with individual attention from expert faculty.

In addition to APWs, attendees can select from among 8 outstanding Pre-Conferences with topics in advanced assessment, diagnostic testing, and clinical management. Whether it’s Beginning/Advanced 12-Lead EKGs, Beginning/Advanced Imaging and Radiology, Cardiac Valvular Disease Workshop, Mechanical Ventilation Boot Camp, or Advanced Suturing, there’s something for everyone!

The ever-popular 2-day Pre-Conference Emergency Neurological Life Support® (ENLS) course returns by popular demand, beginning on Wednesday afternoon and continuing until midday Thursday. Be sure to register early before our very popular APWs and other Pre-Conferences sell out!

Rather than featuring numerous breakout sessions, the NPAC Conference strives to bring all NPs who practice with acutely ill adults together as one to enjoy a diverse program meaningful to everyone! The main conference program will feature 2 1/2 days of outstanding General Sessions – one after the other. At least 3 of the General Sessions will be focused on Updates in Acute Care Pharmacology!

We are excited to host NPAC 2026 in the No. 1 visited destination in the United States and the Theme Park Capital of the World: Orlando! The Conference is positioned for exciting daytrips to Walt Disney World or Universal Orlando Resort’s newest theme park, Universal Epic Universe. Outside of the theme parks, find shopping and historic charm in the Church Street District, nature and watersports at Blue Springs State Park, and American art at the Orlando Museum of Art.

Thank you for considering the NPAC Conference as a part of your ongoing NP Continuing Education. I look forward to reconnecting with you at NPAC 2026, Where Passion Meets Purpose!

Host or Publisher Barkley Associates