Over 14,000 Nurses to Gather in Chicago for the 2026 Magnet & Pathway Conference®
Nation’s largest conference for professional nursing will bring together nurses and health care leaders from around the world to celebrate excellence, exchange ideas and advance the profession
CHICAGO – The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) will welcome over 14,000 nurses and health care leaders to Chicago for the 2026 Magnet & Pathway Conference®, taking place Oct. 29-31 at McCormick Place. The conference is the largest conference for professional nursing in the United States and the official annual gathering celebrating organizations recognized through the Magnet Recognition Program® and Pathway to Excellence® Program.
This year’s conference comes during a milestone year for the profession, as the American Nurses Association celebrates its 130th anniversary and 2026 marks the Year of the Power of Nurses. The gathering will bring the nursing community together to exchange evidence-based practices, explore emerging research and innovation, strengthen professional connections and celebrate the impact nurses have on patients, communities and health care systems.
“The Magnet & Pathway Conference is where the nursing community turns excellence into action. Attendees will leave Chicago with evidence, practical insight and stronger professional connections that can help them support nurses, strengthen their organizations and improve outcomes for patients. That exchange of knowledge is central to advancing nursing excellence,” said Laura Wood, President of the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
Attendees will have access to 148 concurrent sessions and the opportunity to earn up to 50 ANCC contact hours. Programming is designed for nurses across health care settings, including chief nursing officers, nursing executives, directors, front-line managers, clinical nurses, school nurses and advanced practice providers.
The conference will highlight practical strategies, contemporary research and innovative approaches that nurses and health care organizations can apply to improve professional practice, workplace environments and patient care. It will also offer opportunities to learn from Magnet-recognized and Pathway to Excellence-designated organizations and to connect with colleagues from across the United States and around the world.
“Bringing over 14,000 members of the nursing community together is a powerful reflection of the leadership, expertise and shared purpose that define our profession. At a time when health care continues to evolve, this conference creates the space for nurses to learn from one another, build meaningful connections and carry new ideas back to the people and communities they serve,” said Angela Beddoe, chief executive officer of the American Nurses Enterprise.
The global reach of nursing excellence continues to expand. Magnet® includes over 690 organizations, of which 30 are international across 14 countries, while Pathway to Excellence® has grown to 310 organizations across 11 countries. Nearly 360,000 nurses hold an ANCC board certification.
The 2026 Magnet & Pathway Conference® will take place Oct. 29-31, 2026, at McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago. Exhibits will be open Oct. 29-30. For conference information and registration, visit magnetpathwaycon.nursingworld.org.
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About the American Nurses Credentialing Center
The American Nurses Credentialing Center works with the nation’s largest group of health care professionals to uphold the highest standards of nursing excellence. With a comprehensive suite of individual certifications and organizational accreditation programs designed to foster research, innovation, career growth and leadership development, the credentialing center equips nurses to achieve safer, patient-centric outcomes both nationally and internationally. Committed to harnessing The Power of Nurses® to elevate care standards worldwide, the credentialing center continuously sets the benchmarks that support excellence in every facet of nursing practice.
About the American Nurses Enterprise
The American Nurses Enterprise champions nurses by harnessing The Power of Nurses® to drive transformation and innovation across the health care landscape. As the unifying force behind three foundational pillars—the American Nurses Association, the American Nurses Credentialing Center, and the American Nurses Foundation—the enterprise sets the professional standards that empower nurse-led innovation, advocacy and research. By uniting these core organizations, the enterprise advances the nursing profession and shapes a healthier future for communities nationwide and around the globe.