Bridging Practice and Possibility
Like a bridge spanning the gap between tradition and innovation, this conference connects the essential foundations of nursing education with the emerging possibilities that will shape the future of healthcare. As nursing continues to evolve, educators and practitioners must be equipped with the tools, knowledge and vision to navigate change and lead with confidence.
Conference subthemes:
Bridging Pathways to New Ways of Knowing, Being, and Doing in Nursing Academia
- Exploring philosophical perspectives that connect traditional paradigms with emergent, transformative approaches and honour diversity and inclusivity.
Bridging into the Frontier of Innovative Technology in Nursing Education
- Spanning the divide between conventional teaching methods and digital innovation to create dynamic, future-ready learning environments.
Bridging the Past and Future in Nursing Practice
- Building a continuum that honours foundational wisdom and praxis while advancing toward responsive, evidence-informed, and socially conscious care.
About WNRCASN
The Western North-Western Region Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing (WNRCASN) is an organization of individual faculty members of CASN-affiliated schools of nursing in Western Canada. It was founded in 1969 to provide a forum for members' expressions of beliefs, ideas, and concerns regarding nursing and nursing education and is the only forum in Western Canada devoted to address the concerns of nursing educators.
WNRCASN includes the four Western Provinces and one Territory: Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia and the Northwest Territories.
Learn more at wnrcasn.ca.
Keynote speaker: Dr. Heather Bensler RN MSN EdD
Dr. Heather Bensler RN MSN EdD is an associate professor in the Faculty of Nursing at the University of Calgary. She has previously held three leadership roles in the faculty, including the assistant dean of academic partnerships where she led the ongoing development, sustainment and extension of the faculty’s undergraduate Rural and Indigenous “Grow Your Own” nursing program with campuses across Alberta in rural and Indigenous communities. Previously, she served as the faculty’s inaugural director of Indigenous Initiatives. Dr. Bensler’s research focuses on white settler identity in nursing education and the use of participatory theatre to build the capacity of nursing students and practising nurses to recognize and disrupt anti-Indigenous racism in education and practice.
Co-presenters: Dr. Marian Luctkar-Flude and Dr. Jane Tyerman
Dr. Marian Luctkar-Flude is an Associate Professor at Queen’s University School of Nursing and Co-Founder/Co-President of the Canadian Alliance of Nurse Educators using Simulation (CAN-Sim). With over 20 years of experience in medical-surgical nursing, education, and simulation research, she has held national and international leadership roles, including Vice President, Research for INACSL. A Fellow of the Canadian Nurse Educator Institute (FCNEI) and a Certified Canadian Simulation Nurse Educator (CCSNE), Dr. Luctkar-Flude co-developed and teaches in the CNEI Simulation Nurse Educator Program. Her research focuses on virtual simulation game design and faculty development, and she leads the CAN-Sim Research Interest Group. She has received numerous awards for excellence and innovation in simulation-based education, including the CASN Pat Griffin Scholar, RNFOO Nurse Innovator, and SSH Virtual Simulations Award. Through CAN-Sim, she has advanced global adoption of virtual simulations on topics such as anti-racism, SOGI-inclusive care, wound care, vaccine hesitancy, and COVID-19, enhancing access to high-quality nursing education worldwide.
Dr. Jane Tyerman is an Associate Professor at the University of Ottawa and Co-President of CAN-Sim. She is a Certified Canadian Simulation Nurse Educator (CCSNE) and instructor in the CNEI Simulation Nurse Educator Certificate Program. A national leader in simulation-based education and digital innovation, she has co-developed over 300 virtual simulations used across Canada and internationally. Her research integrates AI, VR, and bilingual simulation to advance equity, accessibility, and excellence in nursing education.
WNRCASN 2026 Conference Agenda
Conference dates: April 26–28, 2026
April 26
- Arrival and Conference Check-in (4-8pm)
- Pre-Conference Activities
April 27
- Opening Remarks
- Keynote Presentation: Dr. Heather Benseler
- Concurrent Oral Sessions
- Posters Gala
- Conference Banquet
April 28
- WNRCASN Annual General Meeting (AGM)
- Keynote Presentations: Dr. Marian Luctkar-Flude and Dr. Jane Tyerman
- Concurrent Sessions
- Closing Remarks
Check back in the new year for a more detailed conference agenda.
CAN-Sim Pre-Conference Workshop
Pre-Conference Workshop Dates: April 25-26, 2026
CAN-Sim Two-Day Virtual Simulation Game (VSG) Design and Facilitation Workshop
The workshop will take place at Lethbridge Polytechnic. Details on registration can be found under the Registration section of this webpage.
- Saturday, April 25: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (Writing Day)
- Sunday, April 26: 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. (Filming Day)
Calls for abstracts
We invite submissions of completed research or projects that align with the conference theme or address topics of particular relevance. In addition, proposals detailing works in progress are welcome—especially those that explore innovative programs, instructional strategies, best practices or experiential insights that advance nursing education.
Abstracts for both oral and poster presentations should be no more than 250 words and use the following headings:
- Title
- Background/introduction
- Aims/objective of the study or project
- Methods: Describe the design, setting, participants, and procedures used in the study or project. Include details about any interventions, data collection methods, and analysis techniques.
- Results: Briefly outline the main findings or outcomes of the study or project.
- Discussion/implications: Highlight the significance of results/outcomes. Explain how the findings contribute to nursing education and their implications for practice, policy, or further research.
- Disclosures
The title of the presentation and author names are not included in the word count, nor are they to be included in the body of the abstract. Include financial disclosure and list all author(s), noting the presenting author.
Please note that submitting an abstract does not mean you are registered for the WNRCASN 2026 Conference. Conference registration is a separate process that is required for all presenters.
WNRCASN 2026 abstract submission is now closed. For further inquiries or details, please email wnrcasn.2026@lethpolytech.ca.
Abstract submission and acceptance dates:
- Call for Abstracts: Sept. 17, 2025
- Deadline for Abstract Submission: Nov. 28, 2025
- Acceptance of Abstract: Applicants will receive email acceptance by Dec. 19, 2025
- Confirmation of Registration: All accepted presenters will be required to confirm and pay registration by Jan. 30, 2026
- Contact any declined abstracts to fill openings the first week in February, with a deadline to accept and pay registration by Feb. 15, 2026
Oral presentations take place on each day of the conference within concurrent sessions. Each presentation will be allocated a total of 20 minutes with an additional 5 minutes for questions (25 minutes total). Time limits will be imposed. Presenters will be provided a laptop, a projector and a screen. All oral presentations will be pre-submitted to a secure SharePoint file, and the room moderators will load the presentation and ensure the presentation is ready.
Guidelines
1. Poster Size and Layout
- Each poster presentation is provided one poster board.
- Suggested poster size is 48″ wide x 36″ tall (4ft x 3ft) in landscape (horizontal) format. Posters may not extend outside the assigned designated poster board space.
2. Poster Setup
- Posters will be displayed during the Poster Presentation Gala Reception and throughout the conference.
- Posters should be placed on the poster boards on Monday, April 27 between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. Posters must be placed in designated spaces.
- A list of posters and their location in the display area will be provided at the conference on registration.
- Push-pins will be available to secure posters.
3. Poster Session
This session will be held on Monday, April 27 from 3 to 5 p.m. The presenting author(s) must be present at their poster during the poster session.
4. Poster Takedown
Posters must be removed on April 28, 2025 between 4:30 and 5 p.m. Any posters not removed by 5 p.m. will be held at the registration desk for pick-up.
Tips for designing effective posters
- Prepare a heading at the top of the poster indicating the abstract title, authors and affiliations.
- Arrange materials in columns and use white space to help direct readers logically through the poster.
- Posters should be self-explanatory but not comprehensive. Presenters will supplement and elaborate on the research/scholarly project during conversations with other attendees.
- Text should be clear, to the point and easy to read from eight to10 feet away.
- Use bullets, numbering and headlines.
- Example font sizes include:
- Title: 72–100 pt
- Headings: 36–48 pt
- Body Text: 24–36 pt
- Captions/References: Minimum 18 pt
- Incorporate clear visuals (graphs, charts, images) that support the text.
Registration information
Our early bird ticket sales are now open and the early bird pricing will be available until 11:59 p.m. on Jan. 30, 2026. Standard ticket prices are as follows:
- WNRCASN members: $450
- Non-members: $500
- Students: $300
If you would like to become a WNRCASN member, please visit https://wnrcasn.ca/join/.
CAN-Sim Two-Day Virtual Simulation Game (VSG) Design and Facilitation Workshop
April 25-26, 2026
This interactive two-day virtual simulation game (VSG) design workshop is ideal for educators and health professionals. Participants will be guided through the process of writing learning outcomes, creating assessment rubrics, developing decision point maps, scriptwriting, filming, and game assembly. Participants will create a virtual simulation game over the course of the weekend. The workshop will take place at Lethbridge Polytechnic.
Space is limited, so register early. Note: The CAN-Sim pre-conference workshop is a separate registration and cost outside of the WNRCASN conference.
Cancellation requests for the WNRCASN conference must be submitted in writing to: wnrcasn.2026@lethpolytech.ca
- Registrations that are cancelled on or before March 31st, 2026 will be refunded minus a $100 administrative fee.
- Registrations that are cancelled between April 1-12th, 2026 will be recieve a 50% refund.
- There will be no refunds provided for cancellations or no-shows on April 13th, 2026 and after.
If you have any questions please contact wnrcasn.2026@lethpolytech.ca
Sponsorships and exhibitor opportunities
Sponsorship opportunities at the WNRCASN 2026 Conference offer your organization a strategic platform to showcase your commitment to the future of nursing education. Sponsors benefit from high-impact visibility, tailored promotional options, and meaningful engagement with an audience that values innovation, quality and collaboration. Your support also contributes to student access, scholarly programming and meaningful learning experiences for all attendees.
We invite your organization to join us in shaping the future of nursing education.
Sponsorship space is limited and assigned based on package level and availability. Early submission is encouraged to secure optimal placement.
To secure your sponsorship package, please submit your completed sponsorship registration form and full payment by Feb. 28, 2026.
Cancellations must be received in writing (email is acceptable) by Feb. 28, 2026, and are subject to a 25% cancellation fee.
If the sponsorship package includes conference registration, including access to meals and refreshments, confirmed sponsors will receive a promo code for conference registration. Additional registrations can be purchased for $250.
No refunds will be issued after Feb. 28, 2026.
All delegate bag inserts and advertisements must be received by Feb. 28, 2026 to ensure inclusion in printed conference materials.
Local information
The conference is located at the Sandman Signature Lethbridge Lodge. Between scenic coulee views on the outside and a stunning indoor courtyard inside, visitors will enjoy a great view from any window.
Sandman Signature Lethbridge Lodge
320 Scenic Drive S, Lethbridge, T1J 4B4
https://www.sandmanhotels.com/signature-lethbridge
Getting around the city
Visitors flying into the Lethbridge Airport can take advantage of the city’s Ride-on-Demand service – bookable at a kiosk within the airport – for transportation to their accommodation.
Attendees travelling to Lethbridge via bus will arrive at the downtown Park ‘n’ Ride Terminal where they can access connections throughout the city. Taxis, ride-sharing and e-bikes and scooters are also available for getting around Lethbridge.
Transportation options
Bus schedules, fares and passes
Discover Lethbridge
Spend your downtime exploring all that Lethbridge has to offer, from fresh local eats to art galleries to outdoor hiking trails through the coulees. Visit tourismlethbridge.com for suggestions of the best local attractions and restaurants to check out during your visit.