Your Graduate School Success Toolkit: Making the Most of Your GNSA Membership
September 29, 2026
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM (ET)
Webinar Details
During graduate school, you are focused on reaching that finish line and getting your degree. You will also be building your professional network, developing your leadership skills, exploring career pathways, and preparing for long-term success in nursing.
Join us for an interactive overview of the Graduate Nursing Student Academy (GNSA) and learn how to make the most of your membership from day one. Discover practical tools, leadership opportunities, career resources, and connections that can help you thrive throughout your master’s, DNP, or PhD program while preparing for your future as a nurse leader.
By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:
Outcomes:
- Navigate key GNSA resources and identify tools that support academic, professional, and leadership development.
- Develop a personalized plan for leveraging GNSA programs, mentorship, networking, and leadership opportunities throughout graduate school.
- Recognize strategies for building meaningful professional connections and preparing for future career opportunities through GNSA engagement.
Note: Recording of the webinar will be available soon after the webinar airs. Visit AACN's On-Demand Webinars to watch.
Speakers
Speakers
Marta Okoniewski, MPA
Director of Student Engagement
American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN)
Marta Okoniewski is the Director of Student Engagement at the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). She led the development, launch, and growth of the GNSA, a national network providing high value programs, services, and resources to nursing students enrolled in master’s and doctoral programs. Prior to joining AACN, Ms. Okoniewski worked as the Program Coordinator at New York University College of Nursing within the Academic and Clinical Affairs Department. She received her master’s in public administration from New York University’s Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service and her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from the University of Scranton.
Jillian Seitz, MS
Student Engagement Coordinator
American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN)
Jillian Seitz serves as the Student Engagement Coordinator at the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). In this role, she supports Graduate Nursing Student Academy (GNSA) programming and helps foster engagement among nursing students nationwide. She earned her master's degree in applied linguistics and her bachelor's degree in linguistics, both from Georgetown University.
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Essential Tools for Graduate Nursing Students: A GNSA Overview
September 24, 2025
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM (ET)
Presented by the Graduate Nursing Student Academy
Webinar Details
Starting your graduate nursing journey can feel overwhelming. Join us for an insightful session on how the Graduate Nursing Student Academy (GNSA) can support you throughout the process. Discover a wealth of free tools and resources designed to help you thrive including:
Outcomes:
- Access to our webinar series (with free continuing education credits)
- An online community for peer support
- Networking opportunities with professionals and mentors
- Advocacy resources to amplify your voice
- Timely updates on funding and scholarship opportunities
Objectives:
- Gain proficiency in navigating the GNSA website to effortlessly access a wide array of resources.
- Explore how GNSA tools can enhance your success throughout your graduate nursing program.
Note: Recording of the webinar will be available soon after the webinar airs. Visit AACN's On-Demand Webinars to watch.
Speakers
Speaker
Marta Okoniewski, MPA
Director of Student Engagement
American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN)
Marta Okoniewski is the Director of Student Engagement at the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). She led the development, launch, and growth of the GNSA, a national network providing high-value programs, services, and resources to nursing students enrolled in master’s and doctoral programs. Prior to joining AACN, Ms. Okoniewski worked as the Program Coordinator at New York University College of Nursing within the Academic and Clinical Affairs Department. She received her master’s in public administration from New York University’s Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service and her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from the University of Scranton.
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Graduate Nursing Essentials: Utilizing the GNSA on Your Academic Journey
August 27, 2024
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM (ET)
Webinar Overview
Are you a new graduate nursing student ready to ace your educational journey? Embarking on this path can be daunting with many questions and challenges. Join us to learn more about the Graduate Nursing Student Academy (GNSA) and its many free resources designed to propel you towards success. Dive into our popular webinar series (free CEs available), engage through an online community, leverage valuable networking opportunities, access advocacy tools, and stay informed about funding announcements. Hear inspiring success stories and get insider tips for navigating the GNSA website, locating opportunities, and finding answers to your questions quickly.
Objectives:
- Gain proficiency in navigating the GNSA website to effortlessly access a wide array of resources.
- Assess how to use the resources available for success in your graduate nursing program.
This Webinar is hosted by the Graduate Nursing Student Academy (GNSA). For more information on the GNSA, visit www.aacnnursing.org/GNSA.
Speakers
Speakers
Marta Okoniewski, MPA
Director of Student Engagement
AACN
Marta Okoniewski, MPA, is the Director of Student Engagement at the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). She led the development, launch, and growth of the GNSA, a national network providing high value programs, services, and resources to nursing students enrolled in master’s and doctoral programs. Prior to joining AACN, Ms. Okoniewski worked as the Program Coordinator at New York University College of Nursing within the Academic and Clinical Affairs Department. She received her master’s in public administration from New York University’s Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service and her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from the University of Scranton.
Anne Pearson, BA
Student Services Coordinator
AACN
Anne Pearson is the Student Services Coordinator at the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). She supports graduate nursing students across the country through the Graduate Nursing Student Academy (GNSA) and Liaison leadership program. She has a background in education equity policy research and received her baccalaureate degree in political science from Bellarmine University in Louisville, Kentucky.
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Ethical Research: Navigating the Institutional Review Board (IRB) Process for Graduate Students
May 06, 2024
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM (ET)
Webinar Overview
This webinar will provide an overview of some of the concepts related to the Institutional Review Board (IRB) and ways to ensure ethical conduct and protection of human subjects in research. It will also guide and support graduate students in the steps of both writing and preparing a successful IRB application and how to respond to IRB clarifications. Lastly, a review of the indications to submit an IRB modification and any additional documentation needed that often accompanies an IRB submission will be discussed.
Objectives
- Understand the significance and role of the Institutional Review Board (IRB) in ensuring ethical conduct and protection of human subjects in research.
- Navigate the IRB process through a step-by-step process of preparing and submitting an IRB application, including required documentation and timelines.
- Discuss ethical principles in research that guide IRB review, such as informed consent, confidentiality, and minimizing risks to participants.
- Provide guidance on how to interpret and respond to IRB feedback, including clarifications and modifications, and ensuring clarity and alignment with ethical standards.
This Webinar is hosted by the Graduate Nursing Student Academy (GNSA). For more information on the GNSA, visit www.aacnnursing.org/GNSA.
Speakers
Speakers
Jennifer DiBenedetto, PhD, APRN, FNP-C
Assistant Professor, DNP Online Graduate Nursing Program
Nurse Scientist – Lahey Hospital and Medical Center
Regis College
Jennifer DiBenedetto is a T32 post-doctoral research fellow at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center/Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College conducting research related to burnout in nursing and primary care. She has had experience teaching Doctor of Nursing Practice Students at Regis College and is frequently involved in generating DNP projects and submitting to the IRB. She is also a nurse scientist at Lahey Hospital and Medical Center in Burlington, MA and works as a nurse practitioner in pediatrics in Northborough, MA.
Tags
Ethical Research: Navigating the Institutional Review Board (IRB) Process for Graduate Students
May 06, 2024
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM (ET)
Webinar Overview
This webinar will provide an overview of some of the concepts related to the Institutional Review Board (IRB) and ways to ensure ethical conduct and protection of human subjects in research. It will also guide and support graduate students in the steps of both writing and preparing a successful IRB application and how to respond to IRB clarifications. Lastly, a review of the indications to submit an IRB modification and any additional documentation needed that often accompanies an IRB submission will be discussed.
Objectives
- Understand the significance and role of the Institutional Review Board (IRB) in ensuring ethical conduct and protection of human subjects in research.
- Navigate the IRB process through a step-by-step process of preparing and submitting an IRB application, including required documentation and timelines.
- Discuss ethical principles in research that guide IRB review, such as informed consent, confidentiality, and minimizing risks to participants.
- Provide guidance on how to interpret and respond to IRB feedback, including clarifications and modifications, and ensuring clarity and alignment with ethical standards.
This Webinar is hosted by the Graduate Nursing Student Academy (GNSA). For more information on the GNSA, visit www.aacnnursing.org/GNSA.
Speakers
Speakers
Jennifer DiBenedetto, PhD, APRN, FNP-C
Assistant Professor, DNP Online Graduate Nursing Program
Nurse Scientist – Lahey Hospital and Medical Center
Regis College
Jennifer DiBenedetto is a T32 post-doctoral research fellow at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center/Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College conducting research related to burnout in nursing and primary care. She has had experience teaching Doctor of Nursing Practice Students at Regis College and is frequently involved in generating DNP projects and submitting to the IRB. She is also a nurse scientist at Lahey Hospital and Medical Center in Burlington, MA and works as a nurse practitioner in pediatrics in Northborough, MA.