Newswise — The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) invites nurses and other healthcare professionals who care for high acuity and critically ill patients and their families to its 2013 National Teaching Institute & Critical Care Exposition (NTI) in Boston May 20-23, with preconferences May 18-19.

This year, AACN celebrates 40 years of its national conference, which has been praised by attendees as the premier annual event for critical care nursing. Hundreds of sessions will be offered, representing the best clinical education reflecting today’s diverse critical care environments. Most of the 300-plus sessions will take place in the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center, with the Westin Boston Waterfront hotel also hosting official events.

In addition to emerging trends in patient care, NTI sessions will focus on evidence-based best practices, advances in medical technology and many other issues facing those in the healthcare profession. During the daylong Patient Safety Summit, leading experts in the field will arm participants with new knowledge to take back to their units.

The Advanced Practice Institute (API), integrated into NTI, has more than 40 sessions with content specifically developed for advanced practice nurses, including preconferences, clinical sessions, leadership role development, pharmacology and mastery sessions.

NTI, the world’s largest conference for nurses who care for high acuity and critically ill patients, includes the Critical Care Exposition, the largest and most comprehensive trade show specifically for acute and critical care nurses. Spread over 200,000 square feet will be more than 400 exhibits that encompass cutting-edge healthcare equipment, devices, supplies and pharmaceuticals.

This year, the conference features the NTI premiere of “Nurses, If Florence Could See Us Now.” This gripping documentary offers a rare, inspiring look into nurses’ complex, exciting and challenging world from patients’ bedsides to Capitol Hill.

Participants can earn nearly 35 hours of continuing nursing education (CNE) during NTI. CNE credit — calculated on a 60-minute contact hour — is determined by the number of sessions a participant attends.

The 2013 NTI conference brochure and all sessions selected for presentation in Boston are available online at www.aacn.org/nti.

About the National Teaching Institute & Critical Care Exposition: Established in 1974, AACN’s National Teaching Institute & Critical Care Exposition (NTI) represents the world’s largest educational conference and trade show for nurses who care for acutely and critically ill patients and their families. Bedside nurses, nurse educators, nurse managers, clinical nurse specialists and nurse practitioners attend NTI.

About the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses: Founded in 1969 and based in Aliso Viejo, Calif., the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) is the largest specialty nursing organization in the world. AACN joins together the interests of more than 500,000 acute and critical care nurses and claims more than 235 chapters worldwide. The organization’s vision is to create a healthcare system driven by the needs of patients and their families in which acute and critical care nurses make their optimal contribution. www.aacn.org; facebook.com/aacnface; twitter.com/aacnme