All submissions must be typed and received by the Program Committee Chair by Friday, January 10, 2003.

Purpose and Objectives

The purpose of the conference is to promote the advancement of nursing care of individuals with SCI, provide education related to SCI nursing practice, report on research findings and disseminate scientific information to achieve optimal health outcomes, recognize nurses whose careers are devoted to enhancing the outcomes of individuals with SCI, afford members an opportunity to participate in AASCIN activities, and provide an educational forum for nurses to network.

The objectives of the conference are to:

• Describe the application of new clinical knowledge in the care of individuals with SCI.

• Review key leadership concepts applicable to practice situations.

• Discuss methods for integrating research findings with clinical practice.

• Identify educational strategies that are relevant to current practice.

Conference Presentation Formats

Paper Presentations (two presenters maximum): Paper presentations are identified as basic, intermediate, or advanced and presented in 45-minute sessions.  Each presentation allows 5 minutes for questions and discussion.

Poster Presentations (one presenter maximum): A visual display of a selected topic available for study.  The presenter of the poster must be available for discussion during the designated periods, as indicated in the program.

Review Process for Papers/Posters

The Program Committee reviews all submissions and makes selections based on the following criteria:

• Topic addresses program theme

• Organization and clarity of content

• Objectives reflect the content of the abstract

• Information current and pertinent

There will be written notification indicating acceptance or rejection of the abstract by the end of March 2003.

To adhere to American Nurses Credentialing Center guidelines, all presentations must have a registered nurse (RN) as a co-author for collaborative review. The RN does not need to be the first author.

Although an abstract may have several authors, AASCIN only covers expenses for faculty (presenters):

2 presenters maximum per paper, 1 presenter maximum per poster. Covered expenses include conference registration fee, transportation, hotel, and incidental expenses (not to exceed the IRS-approved rate for Las Vegas). Covered expenses for faculty from outside North America include airfare from point of entry into the United States and return to point of exit, and lodging and incidental expenses only at the conference location.  The Association does not reimburse presenters for the cost of professional slide production, film development, or handout duplication.

All presenters are encouraged to submit a manuscript to SCI Nursing, the official journal of AASCIN.

Poster Guidelines

• A poster presentation is an exhibit that provides an opportunity for discussion. Photographs, charts, graphs, or illustrations should be used to enhance text.

• Audiovisual equipment cannot be used.

• Electrical outlets are not provided.

• The poster presentation board is 4 feet high by 8 feet wide.

• Posters are assigned a number as indicated in the program. Handouts are encouraged.

• A heading for the top of the poster, with lettering a minimum of 1 1/2 inches high, should include:

• Poster title (same as the abstract)

• Author(s)

• Institutional affiliation of the author(s)

• The abstract, illustrations, and text must be readable from a distance of 4 feet.

• Bring pushpins or thumbtacks for mounting the poster.

Audiotaping

All presentations will be professionally audiotaped and available for purchase on-site.