WV Organization for Nursing Leadership - WVONL

09/03/2026

Registration is now open for the WVONL 2026 Annual Fall Conference, "Care, Lead, Inspire… Repeat.”

This event will take place on November 19-20 at Stonewall Resort, Roanoke, West Virginia. We have an outstanding agenda lined up for you, including a keynote address by Deb Zimmermann, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, Chief Executive Officer for the DAISY Foundation. In addition, Rebecca Graystone, PhD, MBA, RN, NE-BC, Senior Vice President, ANCC Accreditation and Organization Credentialing as a featured speaker and Joel Zeff, a dynamic speaker, work culture expert and improvisational humorist as well as other great presentations, interaction with healthcare vendors and discussions with nurse leaders across West Virginia. It's a fantastic opportunity to gain insights, network, and be inspired.

To learn more about the conference, register, and make hotel reservations, please visit our website at wvonl.org. A gentle reminder to pay your 2026/2027 membership dues first to receive a $75 discount code for the conference registration. Membership dues are $50 per year.

Hotel registration can also be found at: https://be.synxis.com/?Hotel=35494&Chain=21123&arrive=2026-11-18&depart=2026-11-20&adult=1&child=0&group=889477

Early registration is available now until October 23 at 5pm. After that, registration with an additional $25 fee will be open from October 24 to November 6 at 5pm. Please note that registration will close after November 6 at 5pm.

We hope you will join us at Stonewall Resort to learn and be inspired together. Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity!

08/26/2026

08/26/2026

Exciting times for the West Virginia Nurses Association (WVNA) President-Elect Lya Cartwright-Stroupe and CEO, Julie Huron are at the 2026 ANA C/SNA State Health Policy Meeting! As you can see, Lizard Brain is here!

Yesterday, we received important updates on the Department of Education lawsuit, highlighting nursing as a professional degree and its impact on loan limits. We also had insightful discussions with Stephanie Carlton, Deputy Administrator at CMS, about the role of Clinical AI and the modernization of Medicaid quality.

Today, we heard from Anna Heard, Policy Director for Health at the National Governors Association, and Lauren Kallins, Senior Legislative Director at the National Conference of State Legislatures. We are engaged in meaningful conversations that aim to elevate the nursing profession and tackle critical healthcare policy issues.



Lya Cartwright-Stroupe

08/11/2026

The deadline for our fall conference's call for papers has been extended! You now have until Friday, August 21st to submit your abstracts.

Visit our website to learn more: https://wvonl.org/2026-poster-presentations/

07/18/2026

📢📢📢 WVONL is accepting abstracts for poster presentations for our 2026 Annual Fall Conference! Are you currently working projects relating so nursing leadership and advocacy? We encourage everyone who is passionate about change in healthcare to submit an abstract!

Abstracts on the following topics are invited:
-Leading Change
-Well-being and self-care
-Shaping healthcare through innovation, expert leadership, and collaborative partnerships
-Policy & Advocacy- Legislative and public policy pertaining to nursing and healthcare issues
-Partnerships to support a healthy work environment
-Workplace Violence
-Collaboration and communication among professional healthcare organizations, and excellence in nurse/physician relationships
-Nursing leadership development
-Nursing research related to healthcare, practice, and public policy
-Academic institution and practice setting partnerships
-Transforming care at the bedside, patient-driven care, and exemplars of patient-centered care
-Nurses transition to practice
-Nursing and support services in the clinical setting

Abstract Submissions are due by August 17, 2026 by 5pm.
Acceptance notification will be sent out by September 15, 2026.
More information: https://wvonl.org/2026-poster-presentations/

07/14/2026

🎉This week, we want to highlight another of our wonderful board members, Shaunna Lipscomb!🎉

⭐Who are you?
-Throughout my career, I have focused on expanding access to quality healthcare in rural communities and developing strong nursing teams through mentorship and leadership. I began my career as a Licensed Practical Nurse and advanced to become a Registered Nurse, earning my Bachelor of Science in Nursing along the way. I currently serve as Chief of Nursing at Rainelle Medical Center, a Federally Qualified Health Center. In addition, I work weekends at the WVU Behavioral Health Center and teach clinical courses to future registered nurses at West Virginia Junior College. I am also pursuing my Master of Science in Nursing as a Family Nurse Practitioner student at WVU.

Beyond my professional roles, I am the proud mother of six wonderful children and am grateful for the unwavering support of my husband. I am honored to serve as an appointed Board Member of WVONL and take great pride in contributing to the advancement of nursing leadership across our state.

⭐What does nursing leadership mean to you?
-I am deeply passionate about the nursing profession and committed to providing high-quality, compassionate patient care while mentoring and educating the next generation of nurses. Nursing leadership is essential in advocating for one of the nation's most trusted professions. As nurse leaders, we have the opportunity to identify solutions to complex healthcare challenges, amplify the voices of nurses, and help shape the future of healthcare.

Through servant leadership and a commitment to lifelong learning, I strive to champion excellence in nursing practice while fostering the success of healthcare teams and improving the well-being of the patients and communities we serve.

⭐Why are you a part of WVONL?
-I am a member of WVONL because I value the opportunity to collaborate with like-minded professionals whose shared vision and passion are driving the future of healthcare. Working alongside fellow Board Members allows me to support WVONL's mission of advancing nursing leadership, enhancing professional development opportunities, and advocating for legislative and policy changes that strengthen the nursing profession and improve the quality of care delivered to patients and communities throughout West Virginia.

07/04/2026

🩺 New data reveals what it really takes to build confident, practice-ready nurses in year one.

Join American Association of Colleges of Nursing & AONL, in collaboration with The Health Management Academy, for insights from a study of 2,300+ new graduate nurses. Learn what academic and health system leaders can do to support new nurses as they transition into the workforce.

📅 July 9, 2026 | 12:00 PM CT

Register: https://www.aonl.org/education-events/developing-confident-practice-ready-nurses-data-driven-insights-academic-and-health-system-leader

07/04/2026

Happy Independence Day from all of us at WVONL! 🎉🎉🎉

Thank you to all of the nurses, leaders, and other healthcare workers who are spending today serving and caring for others.