The 2026 ANPD Aspire Convention is an exciting opportunity for nursing professional development (NPD) professionals to gather, learn, and grow. In today’s Aspire session preview, Rachael Frija, DNP, RN, NPD-BC, NEA-BC, shares a sneak peek into her concurrent session, “Business Case 101: How to Advocate for Learning Investments,” taking place in Louisville.

Could you give a brief overview of your session and the challenges it addresses for today’s NPD practitioners?

At some point, most NPD practitioners have an idea they know will improve practice and then realize they need leadership support to move it forward. The challenge is we’re rarely taught how to present that request in a way decision-makers understand. This session walks through a clear method for turning an educational need into a proposal leaders feel comfortable supporting.

What are some early missteps that can weaken a proposal before it ever reaches key decision-makers?

We often focus on why education matters clinically, but leaders also need to understand what will change operationally. What becomes easier, safer, or more efficient?

For example, if orientation improves, what does that mean for staffing or time? Strong proposals connect learning outcomes to workplace impact. This can mean we may need to partner with finance or operations to gather information we don’t routinely use in our role.

Without giving too much away, how does your session help demystify showcasing ROI?

We walk through a simple case together, and I share a couple of plug-and-play formulas you can use right away. You don’t need a finance background. You’ll leave knowing what numbers to gather and how to clearly explain the impact, along with a host of resources to help you along the way.

What do you think will surprise attendees most about your session?

Probably how approachable it becomes once you see the structure. The process is repeatable, and we practice it step-by-step using a completed example. Attendees also leave with language to use when questions or pushback come up.

What do you hope attendees will approach differently the next time they need buy-in or resources? 

Start the conversation earlier and anticipate questions. When you understand the impact ahead of time, the discussion shifts from asking for approval to solving a problem together.

NPD practitioners already know what needs to change to improve outcomes. This session helps you clearly explain the value so others can see it too.