Nurses from around the world celebrate excellence, innovation, and inspire change

More than 13,000 nurses from over 30 countries came together October 8–12 in Atlanta for the 2025 Magnet & Pathway Conference™—an incomparable event celebrating excellence, community, and The Power of Nurses™.

Hosted by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), the 3-day event aimed to ignite nursing practice through inspiration, knowledge, and empowerment.

In her welcome, Angela Beddoe, American Nurses Enterprise (ANE) chief executive officer praised nurses for their unwavering dedication to patients and the profession.

“I want to take a moment to say thank you to each and every one of you. I know how much you give of yourselves—every single day.

“Whether you’re at the bedside, in the classroom, in the lab, in the boardroom, or in the executive suite, you’re making a difference in the lives of the patients and in the communities you serve,” she emphasized. “And for that, you should feel incredibly proud.”

Global nursing and health

“When nurses lead, healthcare improves. When nurses unite, communities thrive. And when nurses step forward, the world changes. That is the spirit of Magnet and Pathway.”
— Dr. Jennifer Mensik Kennedy,
American Nurses Association (ANA) president

In her greetings, Jennifer Mensik Kennedy, PhD, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, recognized the collective impact of nurses everywhere. Through this gathering, “we are connecting across practice sites and career stages—advancing health, equity, and humanity in every setting, every language, every culture.”

In keeping with the profession’s code of ethics, nurses are committed to global nursing and health. “Yet nurses face workforce shortages, deep health inequities, and technologies that are transforming before our eyes, often faster than existing systems and processes can adapt,” Dr. Mensik Kennedy said. “While the challenges are real, nurses do not retreat from a challenge.”

Celebration and education

A range of activities demonstrated the focus on evidence-based practice and excellence in nursing.

“Through the American Nurses Credentialing Center, we set the standards of excellence that shape practice and patient outcomes, from Magnet Recognition® and Pathway to Excellence® designations to certifications and accreditations that elevate careers and transform organizations,” said Brad Goettl, DNP, DHA, RN, FNP-C, FAAN, chief nursing officer of ANE. “Together, we are creating environments where nurses not only do their best work, but also are recognized, supported, and respected for it.”

A highly anticipated parade of nurses celebrated 169 hospitals and health systems that achieved Magnet recognition and 80 Pathway to Excellence designations or redesignations, between August 2024 and August 2025.

The conference experience offered more than 140 high-impact educational sessions, inspirational keynote speakers, and 175+ poster presentations for an abundance of opportunities to take in new knowledge, share expertise, and explore innovations. Topics ranged from veterans’ care to the use of artificial intelligence to creating a culture of safety. The exhibit hall, the largest to date, showcased the latest in healthcare advancements and nurse-led innovations, with nearly 380 exhibitors and more than 25 sponsors.

ANCC honored exemplary nurses and organizations through its annual awards program. Read about the awards on p. 36.

What’s new this year

“Being part of the first-ever cohort made this experience even more meaningful—a milestone that celebrates the voice, vision, and power of the next generation of nurses.”
— Archana Shrestha, RN, NextGen Ambassador

For the first time, NextGen Nurse Ambassadors joined the conference as part of the NextGen Ambassador Program. This ANA and State Nurses Association NextGen Advisory Committee initiative seeks to engage nurses younger than age 30 through networking and educational opportunities that build stronger connections to both their profession and their associations. This first cohort brought together 15 outstanding nurses from across the country, selected from more than 400 applicants, made possible through the generous support of Premier Protein.

On October 7, the inaugural ANE Celebration Dinner recognized the generosity of partners, donors, and supporters who make our work possible. The event raised $465,500 in support of the enterprises’ mission. (See ANE Celebration Dinner)

In a meaningful moment, Beddoe presented Sarah Gray, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, CEN, FAEN, then chief nursing officer of Sigma Theta Tau International, with the inaugural Debbie Dawson Hatmaker Leadership Award™. This award honors a nurse leader who exemplifies the highest standards of values-based leadership—leading with integrity, authenticity, and purpose.

Conference attendees were treated to a preview of a multi-year national storytelling movement centered on The Power of Nurses, which will launch in 2026. The Nurses Campaign will place nurses at the forefront of the national conversation by highlighting nurses as leaders, innovators, and change makers, showcasing their profound impact on their communities.

“Through storytelling, we will show the world how nurses transform patient care, strengthen communities, and drive the health of our nation forward,” Beddoe said.

A dynamic new hub of inspiration and ideas—The Power of Nurses Stage—debuted at the conference. This stage in the exhibit hall featured a line-up of engaging speakers from across ANE, spotlighting the voices, stories, and innovations shaping the future of nursing.

Magnet 3.0 Study

“The Magnet Recognition Program® remains a trusted model for nursing excellence and a powerful framework for better outcomes.”
— Dr. Brad Goettl, chief nursing officer, ANE

New findings from the Magnet 3.0 Study reaffirmed the impact of a Magnet designation on outcomes and identified practical opportunities to evolve the Magnet Model

for today’s workforce and care environments. The mixed-methods study examined the Magnet Recognition Program® and Magnet Model through comprehensive literature reviews, a large international survey, and in-depth stakeholder interviews to ensure it remains evidence-based and globally relevant. The study found that most published research associates Magnet recognition with favorable nurse, patient, organizational, and economic outcomes, with particularly strong evidence around nurse and organizational measures. Download a copy of the study at bit.ly/3LGzpsi.

In a pre-conference event, more than 350 nurses attended the ANCC Research Symposium on October 7. Read about it at bit.ly/3M2VK3i.

Watch the conference video recap on YouTube at youtu.be/FAQZc0bcYUk.

Next year

Plan to join us for next year’s event October 29–31, 2026, in Chicago! Stay tuned at magnetpathwaycon.org.

American Nurse Journal. 2025; 20(12). Doi: 10.51256/ANJ122534