Greetings to All!

We are now only 5 weeks away from the start of our annual conference! This is a special year for IntNSA as the organization is 50 years old this year! The conference coming up in Orlando will be our 47th conference in our 50 year history. Conferences were not held in 1999, 2021, and 2023, and this, mainly. was due to planning purposes and finding a venue to hold the conferences. Yet it is quite amazing that IntNSA has been around this long! And while there have been changes in IntNSA over these past years, our mission has always been about education of nurses to care for all populations across the lifespan who have substance use disorders/addictions.

I hope everyone will have a good review of our program for the conference in Orlando, which is up on the IntNSA website now.

Once again, our Keynote Speakers are a phenomenal group of leaders. There is still time to book your hotel room at the conference rate, and also attend one of the ‘pre-conference workshops ‘ being offered, in addition to several days of outstanding presentations from experts in the field.

And all of this happening at the "happiest place on earth: Disney World!" Please plan to join us in Orlando starting March 11!

Dana Murphy-Parker, MS, PMHNP-BC, CARN-AP, FIAAN
President: IntNSA

Keynote Speakers at the IntNSA 2025 Annual Conference

Dr. Pamela F. Cipriano, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN
Dr Cipriano is the current President of The International Council of Nurses (ICN), and she has been in that role since 2021. The ICN is the overall umbrella of more than 130 professional nursing organizations around the globe working to influence the role of nurses everywhere. Dr Cipriano is a true friend to Addictions Nurses, and it was Dr Cipriano’s guidance and influence that helped IntNSA to become one of nine Specialist Affiliate Organizations of the ICN back in 2019.

Michelle Acorn, DNP, NP PHC/Adult, MN/ACNP, BScN/PHCNP, FCAN, FAAN, GCNC, FFNMRCSI, FQNI
Dr Acorn is the past Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Advanced Practice Nurses Network/ICN. Dr Acorn has worked tirelessly and vigorously in spreading and growing the recognition of the work of Advanced Practice Nurses globally. Currently, Dr Acorn is the CEO of the Nurse Practitioner Association of Ontario, Canada. Dr Acorn is one of four editors of the recent book, “Advanced Practice Nurses Networking to Enhance Global Health. She is a true leader in raising awareness of the role of advanced practice nurses globally.

Beverly Malone, PhD, RN, FAAN
Dr Malone is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the National League for Nursing (NLN). The NLN Nursing Commission for Nursing Education (NCNE) accredits the Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) and Diploma RN Programs. The NLN promotes excellence and integrity in nursing education globally through their values-driven accreditation process. As IntNSA works to welcome LPNs to our organization, we are privileged to have Dr Malone speak.

Vincent Guilamo-Ramos, PhD, MPH, LCSW, RN, ANP-BC, PMHNP-BC, FAAN
Dr Vincent Guilamo-Ramos is the Executive Director of The Institute for Policy Solutions at the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, in Baltimore. Dr Guilamo-Ramos work has promoted nurse-led models of integrated clinical and social care and raises awareness of inequities in some of the most pressing health issues of our time, certainly one being that of substance use disorders/addictions.

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Pre Conference Workshops

Peer Health Assistance and Peer Support Programs for Nurses - Supporting our Nursing Workforce

It's time to take action and prioritize the well-being of our colleagues. Nurses experience Substance Use Disorders (SUDs) and mental health issues similar to the general population. We must work together to implement effective prevention and early intervention strategies. How can we support individual nurses and, as a result, create a healthier, more resilient nursing workforce? By providing confidential support, education, resources, peer assistance and peer support programs we can help nurses overcome challenges and return to or maintain their well-being.

Empowering nurses that experience issues with SUDs to return to work and nursing practice safely, helps not only the nursing workforce, but the health of our nation. This three-hour beginner level workshop covers aspects of peer assistance and peer support programs for nurses with SUD issues through didactic, experiential, and case-base content. It is designed to be interactive and introduces the participants to key concepts in supporting those within our nursing workforce that face challenges with issues surrounding SUDs.

Overview for Addictions 101

Addiction is a treatable disease that claims about half a million deaths a year worldwide. Recent estimates from the World Health Organization (WHO) approximate that 270 million people (5.5% of global population) had used psychoactive substances and about 35 million people meet criteria for  substance use disorders. 

This 3-hour beginner level workshop covers the foundations of addiction through didactic and case-base content. Structured in 30-minute mini sessions, it is designed to be interactive and introduces the participants to key concepts in treatment and management of addiction. 

News from IntNSA-Europe

Adrian Jugdoyal, FIAAN, FHEA, FRSA, FRSPH

President-Elect : IntNSA

The clinical webinar programme at IntNSA Europe continued its run in January, featuring a diverse lineup of engaging online presentations and expert speakers. IntNSA Ireland discussed Safer injecting facilities during their presentation. Within the first month, the facility has shown an impact; numerous individuals received support, benefiting from evidence-based interventions tailored to their needs, particularly those struggling with IVDU. The presentation highlighted European injection facility projects, specifically the new Dublin initiative. There were over 120 people from around the world who watched this presentation live. Attendees were from Cyprus, Spain, Finland, United Kingdom, Gambia, Ireland, India, Netherlands, Nigeria, Portugal, Tunisia, Trinidad and Tobago, United States, and Vietnam. Two groundbreaking facilities began operation in Dublin and Glasgow in 2025, marking a significant development for Europe.

And soon to come; our Dutch colleagues will release a video soon to discuss their established facility.

IntNSA Europe collaborates with all members across the continent, supporting improved education and treatment of addictions. Representatives from the group present nationally, regionally, and internationally about harm reduction projects and advocate for evidence-based care and personalised interventions for those who require help with their drug use. Check out for more information about projects and webinars from IntNSA Europe, and look for these webinars to be available soon on the IntNSA website.

Matt Walters, MSN, RN-BC, FIAAN
2025 IntNSA Annual Conference Chair

As the conference draws near, I am delighted to welcome you all to sunny Florida for what promises to be an extraordinary event! The conference schedule is now live, showcasing an impressive lineup of renowned speakers from across the nation and around the globe. The IntNSA 2025 planning committee has been working tirelessly to bring this vision to fruition, and we are excited to deliver a conference that embodies our mission of Education, Advocacy, and Inclusivity.

Here are a few important reminders as we count down to the conference:

• Room Reservations: If you plan to attend, please reserve your room as soon as possible, as our room block is filling up quickly.
• Transportation: The Disney Springs area offers convenient transportation options, so a rental car may not be necessary unless you plan to explore beyond Orlando.
• Weather: Florida in March is typically lovely, with daytime highs in the mid-70s and evening lows in the mid-50s.

With Disney Springs and the parks just a short walk or bus ride away, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to relax and enjoy the area after the day’s sessions. Don’t forget that our special room block allows you to arrive up to three days before the conference or extend your stay by three days at the same discounted rate!

This year, we are particularly proud to celebrate the growth of IntNSA’s membership to include LPNs, LVNs, and internationally equivalent roles. As part of our strategic initiative, we are partnering with organizations to elevate the contributions of Practical Nurses in the addiction treatment space. Practical Nurses are estimated to make up over 70% of care teams in addiction nursing and play an indispensable role in our field. To highlight this, members of the National Association of Licensed Practical Nurses and other organizations have been invited to attend and present at the conference. Additionally, we are excited to host a panel discussion on the vital role of Practical Nurses within care teams.

Lastly, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the conference planning committee for their unwavering dedication and hard work in making this event possible.

On behalf of the committee and IntNSA, I look forward to welcoming you to Orlando and celebrating all that we will achieve together as we continue to champion education, advocacy, and inclusivity.

A Huge THANK YOU to Conference Planning Committee

• Marissa Abram
• Marco Carvalho
• Shanea Clancy
• Damian Czarnecki
• Donald Dissinger
• Susanne Fogger
• Don Howe
• Joyce Johnson
• Adrian Jugdoyal
• Dana Murphy-Parker
• Ruthanne Palumbo
• Caroline Figueira Pereira
• Phyllis Raynor
• Molly Reichow

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