ITNS 2023 Call for Abstracts Instructions

The 2023 Call for Abstracts is now closed. The 2024 Call for Abstracts will open later in 2023. Check the website and watch your inbox for details. 

See Below for New Session Formats!

The International Transplant Nurses Society will again offer an interactive opportunity at this year's symposium. We invite you to submit an abstract for our Annual Symposium in Dallas, Texas, USA. If you would like to submit a proposal, submit by Friday, March 3, 2023. The symposium will be offered in person. (Options are being explored for live-streaming and/or recording. More information to come.) 

Who should submit?

Are you new to submitting an abstract? Click here for some helpful tips! 

Abstracts may be submitted by nurses, medical students, and those holding post-graduate degrees or students working to attain such degrees. Early submissions will be appreciated. Please email Education Manager Anna Lapso with any questions.

Please complete this brief form if you are not a member to create your free account. 

Hear from a past presenter on why YOU should submit an abstract: 

“The opportunity to present my research at the annual ITNS symposium has been instrumental in advancing my research program. Presenting abstracts at ITNS has led to networking opportunities with like-minded people from across the globe, and opportunities to share ideas and collaborate with leaders in the field.  The audience is always thoughtful and considerate, which makes for a low-stress experience.  I have found the ITNS community is always supportive and appreciative of its innovators, and ITNS leaders are always generous in mentoring those interested in advancing transplant nursing. If you need help writing an abstract for the symposium, ITNS has the resources to help.”

University of Illinois Chicago

ABSTRACT SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS AND EVALUATION CRITERIA

This year, the planning committee has identified the need to cover a wide range of topics that will appeal to both the novice and expert transplant nurse. As a result, we have provided a list of topics and areas of interest in order to make the application selection process less cumbersome and more diverse to better meet the educational needs of the symposium attendees. The list below is not inclusive and is only meant to serve as a guide when submitting your abstract. We encourage you to suggest your own ideas, present your own research findings, or share your knowledge on a topic of interest. Please keep in mind that application submissions should focus on nursing, be state-of-the-art, evidence-based and challenge transplant nurses at all levels of expertise.

General Priorities:  

• Original research
• Literature reviews/state of the science presentations
• Program development (education, etc)
• Evidence-based practice projects
• Quality and safety projects
• Public policy initiatives
• Updates significant changes to transplant systems (e.g. changes to the allocation system)
• Presentations on biological mechanisms involved in transplantation.
• Updates on immunosuppressive agents
• Presentations on novel devices
• Best practices in patient management
• Updates in transplant nutrition
• Update in ethical issues in transplantation

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS:
By submitting an abstract, you agree to the following stipulations if the abstract is chosen:

• All abstracts must be submitted in English.
• Abstracts MUST be BLINDED and must not refer to the organization, author, or location in the title, presenter information, abstract text, etc. Any unblinded abstracts will be immediately disqualified.
• Each application must be completed in its entirety. Any incomplete abstracts will be disqualified.
• Utilize APA format for references in the Bibliography section.
• Biographical Data and Conflict of Interest Disclosure (BIO/COI) forms must be completed for the main presenter, co-presenter(s), co-poster presenter(s), and contributor(s) prior to submission.
• All conference registration, travel, and hotel costs are paid by the speaker(s).
• The abstract title, speaker information (including credentials), and abstract descriptions will appear in all conference materials exactly as submitted. No title changes can be made once the abstract has been submitted. Submitters are asked to determine the final title, proofread the application for typographical errors, and verify the accuracy of the speaker listings and abstract title and content before the abstract is submitted.
• The main presenter contact will be responsible for meeting all deadlines and requirements regarding the abstract. Failure to meet deadlines and requirements will result in the withdrawal of Continuing Education (CE) credits for the session. The main presenter contact is responsible for notifying ITNS Staff of any changes, additions, or corrections in main presenter, speaker, or contributor names, paper titles, or availability to present the submitted paper/poster at the assigned date and time. Unless otherwise noted on the abstract, the main presenter will be considered the only contact.
• By submitting the abstract, the main presenter agrees to attend the Annual Meeting to present the abstract if accepted, or coordinate for another colleague to present the abstract.
• The main presenter acknowledges access to the following audio-visual aids for the presentation:
• Screen
• Podium Microphone
• Projection Unit
• Laptop

SESSION (PAPER/POSTER) PRESENTATION FORMATS

• Concurrent 30-Minute Session:
• A 30-minute session presentation of a topic that consists of lecture/discussions. Presentation delivered within a 30-minute time frame (25-minute presentation followed by 5 minutes for questions).
• Poster Presenter
• Presenters are assigned specific times to stand by their poster and answer questions posed by passing colleagues during the conference. The visual poster presentation will be 4'x8' size and depict research, QI, education, or leadership findings by an individual or representatives of a team.

NEW! Check out the new session format options below: 

• Concurrent 45-Minute Session:
• A 45-minute session presentation of a topic that consists of lecture/discussions. Presentation delivered within a 45-minute time frame (40-minute presentation followed by 5 minutes for questions). 
• Case Study or Hour-Long Session: 
• If you are interested in presenting a case study or an hour session (non-concurrent), the Committee is seeking case studies on cardiothoracic transplants, abdominal transplants, infectious disease, and other general/professional topics. Please contact Anna Lapso, ITNS Education Manager, with any questions. 

All presentations that include patient-specific information and/or pictures (research studies, case studies, or quality improvement initiatives), MUST:

1. Meet your institution's criteria for human subject protection
2. Have Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval
3. Comply with HIPAA regulations (United States Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (www.hhs.gov/ocr/hipaa).

**Please note that final decisions on submission format and time frame rest with the Annual Symposium Planning Committee.**

EXPERTISE LEVELS
Classify session according to attendee expertise levels, not the level of the presenter:

• Beginner: New to the field, topic, or to the care of transplant candidates and/or recipients.
• Intermediate: Has worked in the field for several years and is proficient in caring for transplant candidates and/or recipients.
• Advanced: Has extensive experience and expertise in caring for transplant candidates and/or recipients or is an advanced practice nurse (e.g., clinical nurse specialist, nurse practitioner).

PRESENTER TITLES

• Main Presenter: Is the main presenter of a submitted abstract and will attend the meeting and present.
• Poster Presenter: Is the main poster presenter of a submitted abstract and will attend the meeting, set up, and present the poster.
• Co-Presenter: Are individuals who will be attending the meeting and will be presenting with the main presenter.
• Co-Poster Presenter: Individuals who will be attending the meeting and will be presenting with the poster presenter.
• Co-author: Are individuals who contribute data, educational planning, or research towards the submitted abstract but will not be presenting.

EVALUATION CRITERIA
Each abstract will be evaluated through a blinded, peer review process by members of the Annual Symposium Planning Committee. Notification of abstract selection or non-selection will be sent in the spring. Incomplete abstracts will not be considered for presentation.

Although you do not have to be an ITNS member to submit an abstract, membership is encouraged to take advantage of member registration rates. Please note if you are selected as a presenter, and plan to attend the Annual Symposium, you must register for the meeting. If you have any questions, please visit the FAQ page or contact Member Services at 847.375.6340 or email [email protected].

The Awards for Best Abstracts are also back. Submit your abstract today!

We hope you have found the above explanations helpful and look forward to reading your abstract submission.

Begin the Abstract Submission Process