Schedule

8:00–8:45 a.m.

Registration, Check-in, and Conference Opening

9:00–10:15 a.m.

What You Need to Know – NATCEP Update
Presented by Rebecca Conway

Stay informed and prepared by joining this essential update session led by Rebecca Conway, state coordinator of the Nurse Aide Training Program from the Pennsylvania Department of Education. This session will provide the latest state and federal updates impacting Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Programs (NATCEP) across Pennsylvania.

Participants will gain a clear understanding of how upcoming policy and regulatory changes may affect curriculum planning, clinical instruction, compliance, and nursing practice. Whether you’re new to teaching or a seasoned instructor, this session will ensure you’re aligned with current expectations and ready for what’s ahead.

10:15–10:45 a.m.

Break

10:45–noon

Mastering the Process: Navigating Credentia for Nurse Aide Testing Success
Presented by Brenda Scafiro

Join Credentia’s client relationship director, Brenda Scafiro, for an essential walkthrough of the Credentia testing platform, designed to help you effectively manage and support your nurse aide students through the testing process—from start to finish.
This session will cover how to:

• approve students for testing
• access and utilize essential reports
• navigate the platform efficiently
• streamline test coordination and preparation

Whether you’re new to the system or looking to sharpen your understanding, this session will ensure you’re equipped with the tools and knowledge needed to support successful testing outcomes.

Noon–1:15 p.m.

Exhibitor Showcase

Noon–1:15 p.m.

Networking Lunch

Join us for a relaxed and engaging networking lunch—a perfect opportunity to connect with fellow nurse aide instructors, share insights, and build new professional relationships. Whether you’re looking to exchange ideas, discuss challenges, or simply enjoy a meal with like-minded educators, this informal session is designed to foster collaboration and community.

Grab a plate, take a seat, and enjoy meaningful conversation with colleagues from across the state. Great ideas often start over lunch!

1:15–2:45 p.m.

Helping Students Succeed: Insights into the Skills Portion of the Nurse Aide Exam
Presented by Brenda Scafiro

Join Brenda Scafiro for a focused session on the skills portion of the Nurse Aide Assessment Test. This session will highlight key performance data, including the most frequently missed skills, and offer practical tips on how educators can better prepare their students for success. Attendees will gain valuable insight into:

• common challenges students face during the skills test
• strategies to improve student readiness and confidence
• how data trends can inform instructional approaches

Whether you’re new to nurse aide instruction or looking to enhance your teaching methods, this session will provide actionable takeaways to support student achievement on the path to certification.

3:00–4:00 p.m.

OLTL Updates and Open Discussion
Presented by Megan Brandt and Kimberly Barge

Join representatives from the Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) for important updates impacting long-term care programs and services across Pennsylvania. This session will also feature an open discussion focused on test administration practices in the state, providing attendees an opportunity to share challenges, ask questions, and collaborate on solutions. Whether you’re a nurse aide instructor, program coordinator, or administrator, this session will offer valuable insights and practical guidance for improving assessment procedures in long-term care education.

4:10–5:10 p.m.

Care for the Caregiver: Building Self-Compassion to Sustain Nursing Assistant Educators and Their Students
Presented by Dr. Carrie Jarosinski

Nursing assistant educators play a pivotal role in preparing the frontline of health care, yet they often do so while experiencing high workloads and emotional exhaustion. This interactive and uplifting one-hour session invites nursing assistant educators to pause, reflect, and practice self-compassion as a professional skill, not a luxury.

Participants will engage in simple, evidence-based self-compassion practices that can be integrated into a busy teaching day and modeled authentically for students. Through guided reflection, light movement, humor, and discussion, educators will explore how cultivating self-compassion supports emotional resilience, professional longevity, and healthier learning environments.

We will also explore how to intentionally embed self-compassion strategies into nurse aide instruction in ways that are realistic, inclusive, and aligned with workplace expectations. Participants will leave with practical language, brief activities, and teaching strategies they can immediately use to help themselves and their students build habits that support long-term health and success in health care roles.

5:30–7:30 p.m.

Wine Bottles and Refreshments: Creative Networking Happy Hour

Unwind, connect, and get creative! Join fellow nurse aide instructors for a fun and relaxing evening filled with hands-on crafting, great conversation, and delicious bites and beverages.

Each participant will receive all the materials and step-by-step instruction needed to create their very own decorative, lighted wine bottle decoration—perfect for your home, office, or classroom! While you craft, enjoy savory hors d’oeuvres and sip on a variety of refreshing beverages, all while networking with colleagues from across the state.

This is the perfect way to celebrate a great day of learning and build lasting connections in a casual, festive atmosphere. No experience necessary—just bring your creativity and good cheer!

7:00–8:00 a.m

Continental Breakfast (hotel guests only)

8:00–9:00 a.m

Audit Ready: Best Practices for NATCEP Program Success
Presented by Rebecca Conway

Preparing for a NATCEP audit can feel overwhelming, but strong systems, organized documentation, and proactive planning can help programs navigate the process with confidence. This session is designed for nurse aide educators, program coordinators, and administrators seeking practical strategies to strengthen program compliance and maintain audit readiness throughout the year.

Participants will explore best practices related to documentation management, curriculum alignment, clinical requirements, instructor responsibilities, student records, and program organization. The session will also highlight common audit findings, lessons learned from previous reviews, and strategies that support continuous program improvement. Attendees will have the opportunity to discuss challenges, share successful practices, and gain practical tools that can be immediately implemented within their own programs.

Whether you’re preparing for an upcoming audit or simply working to strengthen overall program operations, this session will provide actionable guidance to help nurse aide education programs remain organized, compliant, and prepared for success.

9:00–9:30 a.m.

Break

9:30–11:00 a.m

Pass the Practice: A Guided Networking Session for Nurse Aide Instructors

Presented by TBA

Nurse aide instructors bring a wealth of creativity and practical experience to the classroom—this session is designed to tap into that collective expertise. In this guided networking experience, participants will collaborate with peers to share effective teaching strategies, student engagement techniques, and creative approaches that are working in nurse aide programs across the commonwealth.

Through structured prompts, small-group discussions, and facilitated idea exchanges, instructors will explore ways to actively engage students in both classroom and clinical settings. Topics may include hands-on learning strategies, low-prep/high-impact activities, classroom management techniques, and methods for supporting diverse learners.

Participants will leave with a collection of ready-to-use ideas, expanded professional connections, and renewed inspiration to enhance student engagement and success in their nurse aide programs.

11:10 a.m.–12:15 p.m.

TBA