GNSA Bulletin - February 2023 Edition Wednesday, February 1, 2023 Emerging Leaders Mary Beth Cross, MSN, RN DNP Program University of Colorado - Anschutz Anticipated Graduation Date: May 2024 Adjunct Faculty, Metropolitan State University I decided to enroll in the program to gain language and become a better consumer for research, statistics, and data analysis. The program has taught me leadership skills, the tech tools available to us through an informatics course, evidence-based practice, and finance skills necessary to lead and teach nursing at the master’s level. It has also equipped me with the fluency and skills to make changes at the system level through advocacy and involvement in policy. I am one of the Colorado representatives on the GNSA Advocacy Leaders for the second year and plan to attend the Student Policy Summit in Washington DC in March 2023 to help further grow my advocacy skills. I have learned so much and have really enjoyed all of my preparatory course work. I am very excited to plan and implement my Quality Improvement project for mindfulness infused handwashing at a Denver hospital this coming year. I plan to teach but will also cast a wide net to contribute to the advancement of nursing practice and the future of nursing. We need good nurses. Nurses have a key role to play in supporting and healing ourselves, each other, and the healthcare workforce. We are nurses because we care and are the healing force on the healthcare teams where we work, teach, and practice our art. We need the time to do what we do best, and that is care for our patients. I would like to continue to advocate for the profession of nursing at all levels. Are you our next emerging leader? Do you excel in your graduate program, demonstrate excitement for your nursing work, and/or have potential to greatly contribute to health care? If so, submit an emerging leader nomination form today for yourself or a fellow student. The emerging leader will be selected from the applicants and notified when they will be profiled. Help us recognize future nursing leaders! Celebrate the GNSA on Social Media! Join us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram as we share updates from members of the GNSA Leadership Council. Learn about their current roles in the nursing profession and what they have accomplished since serving on the GNSA! This week we will feature Dr. Emily Emma, a member of the inaugural Leadership Council (2013-2015) and current Director for Magnet and Professional Practice at Stony Brook Medicine in Stony Brook, NY. Having graduated from the George Washington University's DNP program in 2017, Dr. Emma has enjoyed numerous accolades, including a promotion, publishing an article, and presenting her work at a symposium. Join us on Twitter and Facebook to learn more about what her experience on the Leadership Council was like. Noteworthy Publication: On January 19, 2023, Marcia Frellick with Medscape Medical News published a story on how Government Funding Helps Train More Nurses Amid Faculty Shortage. To address gaps in the nursing workforce, several states, including Arizona, Florida, Indiana, and New Mexico, have passed legislation to expand capacity in schools of nursing. The author examines the potential impact of this funding and uncovers related issues that must also be addressed, which includes increasing nurse and faculty salaries, improving workforce conditions, and protecting nurses from violence. Position Notice - AACN Director of Policy The American Association of Colleges of Nursing seeks a Director of Policy to lead and provide oversight for AACN’s federal policy portfolio by maximizing resources for political consumption, responding to federal agency proposed rules, and developing strategic initiatives to address public policy challenges. The Director of Policy will communicate and build relationships with executive agencies, healthcare, nursing, higher education, and other external partners. The Director is expected to collaborate with a team of employees to bridge data resources and health policy, including developing opportunities to disseminate this information to a broader audience. This position requires a strong DC office presence. To learn more, click here. Join the GNSA! Take advantage of the various benefits that are free to you as a graduate student! Tell your fellow students and make sure they join today. Click here to complete the online application. Attending Conferences as a Graduate Student Last summer marked the last in-person professional conference I attended for 2022. The Graduate Nurse Student Academy (GNSA) conference, held in Washington DC, featured an amazing line up of nurse leaders and graduate students. To quickly recap, the opening session was led by AACN’s Chief Academic Officer, Joan Stanley, PhD, on nursing competency‐based education and was followed by a timely presentation of The Future of Nursing: Action & Implementation by Marcus Henderson, MSN, Committee Member on the Future of Nursing 2020-2030, led a rich conversation about new horizons in nursing education and practice. In between and among the other great presentations on career planning, publishing, mentoring, GNSA Digital Innovators and poster sessions, I left the conference renewed, inspired, and proud of my fellow nurses’ accomplishments. Now that in-person events have resumed, are you considering attending any conferences in 2023? Participating in a professional conference is a rewarding experience and is essential to a nurse’s professional development. Conferences can be a forum to present and speak on scholarly work, obtain educational credit hours, network, engage with other professionals, and so much more. The decision to attend a professional conference can be based on a specific discipline, practice, or industry (i.e., academia, leadership, scientific, etc.). Conference attendees are also drawn by the speaker lineup and curiosity about current trends and best practices in an area of their interest. Nevertheless, conferences are designed to meet the needs of many professionals and students alike. Conferences can be costly depending on the type of conference and where it's located. Most institutions have money budgeted for their students to attend conferences; however, the requirements, in some cases, can be limited to those who are accepted for podium or poster presentations. Check with your school or organization for specific requirements and note the cap on what’s covered (i.e., registration fees, food, and lodging). If you are a member of a professional association, consider options for scholarships from your local chapter. Other options include attending conferences with virtual options, within your city, or conferences that provide scholarships towards reduced registration fees for students. If all else fails, you can consider budgeting a portion of your own money to attend a conference of your choice. Whatever option you chose, attending a conference is a worthwhile investment in your professional growth and development. What conference will you be attending in 2023? Would you only attend if the cost associated with attending a conference was reimbursed or would you pay out of pocket? Stay tuned for announcements for the 2023 Graduate Nursing Student Academy Conference, an affordable option for master's, DNP, PhD, or dual-degree students, which will take place on August 17-18, 2023 in Washington, DC. Please share your thoughts on conference attendance in our GNSA Connect Community or share your past experiences. I look forward to continuing this conversation and hearing from you on this important topic! Tamu Abreu GNSA Leadership Council Member PhD Student Texas Woman's University Save the Date: 2023 GNSA Conference, August 17-18 Save the date for August 17-18 as the GNSA will be hosting its 3rd annual conference for graduate students in Washington, DC. The event will focus on the theme of Building Partnerships in Nursing: Addressing Current and Future Challenges. The conference will feature a lineup of nursing experts, opportunities to present your work through a poster presentation session, and time to network with your fellow graduate students and other nursing leaders. Save the date as space for the event is limited! Registration will open on February 6 so don't miss out on the announcement with more details posted on the GNSA website (https://www.aacnnursing.org/GNSA). We hope to see you in our nation's capitol in August. COVID-19 Vaccine Educational Materials for Nursing Students The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has created a resource for nursing students on COVID-19 vaccine educational materials. The six resources include information on storing, preparing, and administering the COVID-19 vaccine, training modules, webinars, and speaking to recipients about the COVID-19 vaccination. To access this resource, click here. Be sure to share these important new resources with your fellow students, faculty, and friends. Meet the Newest GNSA Liaisons Join our Network of GNSA Liaisons to Further Expand Your Leadership Skills Join the team of GNSA Liaisons who serve as the representatives for the graduate nursing students at their school and be part of a community of nurse leaders. Serving as a GNSA Liaison gives you an opportunity to build on your leadership skills, grow your professional network, and receive access to important resources to help you excel as a graduate student. In addition, Liaisons are often considered for national opportunities to serve on committee and other workgroups. Sign up to serve as a GNSA Liaison for your institution today! As a GNSA Liaison you will be among the first to know about opportunities, scholarships, and events. Click here to learn more about the role. GNSA Resource Highlight: Springer Publishing Discount GNSA members are eligible for an exclusive 40% discount for all books offered through Springer Publishing by using the special discount code GNSA during checkout. Click on the following link to explore the resources available through Springer Publishing and use the code today! In addition to various publications available through Springer Publishing, you may also be interested in the various certification prep materials that they offer. To take advantage of the 40% discount today, click here. WEBINARS The AACN Essentials and the Graduate Student - What Does it Mean for Me? February 2, 4 :00 pm ET The AACN Essentials were approved by the AACN membership in 2021 and outlines a new framework for a competency-based approach for nursing education. As a graduate student, how do you fit into this transition? What does competency-based education mean and how will it differ from the previous approach to nursing education? What does this transition mean for practice? Whether you have just started your program or are nearing its completion, the new AACN Essentials will have an impact on nurses in various stages of the profession. OPPORTUNITY ALERTS 2023 Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program The Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program can pay for up to 85% of unpaid nursing education debt. In return, the recipient must work for two years in a critical shortage facility or an eligible nursing school. Applications for the program will be accepted through February 23. To learn more and determine if you are eligible, click here. ADVOCACY Deadline Approaching: Register Now to Attend AACN's 2023 Student Policy Summit! Registration for AACN’s 2023 Student Policy Summit is closing soon, but there is still time to secure your spot! Baccalaureate and graduate nursing students enrolled at AACN member institutions are invited to join this year’s Summit in Washington, D.C. from March 26-27. Sign up before the March 3 deadline for an exclusive opportunity to engage directly with leaders in federal policy through stimulating program sessions and attend an advocacy day on Capitol Hill, all while earning Continuing Education credits. Due to limited availability, registration is first-come first-serve. Dean’s approval is required, and only two students from each school may attend. To learn more and register for #AACNSPS2023 click here. We look forward to seeing you next month! Follow the GNSA American Association of Colleges of Nursing 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001 www.aacnnursing.org Click here to unsubscribe. Categories: GNSA Bulletin