Program Agenda

All sessions will be at the KFF Barbara Jordan Conference Center located at 1330 G Street, NW, Washington, DC, 20005.

Program subject to change.

This conference offers 7.5 NCPD hours.

July 30

11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.	Registration Open

1:00 – 2:00 p.m.	Defining Value, Professional Identity, and Your Personal Brand Your degree, GPA, and certifications may open the door, but they are not what ultimately distinguish you as a nurse and future leader. This session will help graduate nursing students uncover the strengths, values, and professional identity that employers cannot see on paper—and learn how to communicate that value with confidence and authenticity. Session Outcomes: Recognize the personal qualities, experiences, and strengths that shape their professional identity and support resilience, wellbeing, and long-term career success. Articulate the value they bring beyond their résumé by developing an authentic personal brand that reflects their purpose, leadership potential, and professional aspirations. Apply strategies to intentionally build credibility, lead with purpose, and contribute to a sustainable future for nursing while honoring the profession's legacy of care. Speaker: Dr. Wendy Garvin Mayo, Chief Executive Officer, The Stress Blueprint

2:00 – 3:00 p.m.	Podium Presentations

3:00 – 3 :30 p.m.	Networking Break

3:30 – 5:00 p.m.	Poster Presentations

5:30 – 7 :00 p.m.	Networking Reception

July 31

9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.	Registration

9:00 – 9:30 a.m.	Light Continental Breakfast

9:30 – 10:30 a.m.	Opening Session: The Power of Nurse-Driven Innovation to Transform Nursing Education, Research, and Practice Nurses are natural innovators. This session explores how nurse-driven innovation is transforming education, research, and clinical practice—from historical roots to today's digital, evidence-based ecosystems. Through a framework for developing and scaling ideas, with real-world examples from leading nurse innovators, attendees will leave ready to apply novel thinking within their own sphere of influence. Session Outcomes: Explore innovative approaches and emerging technologies (including artificial intelligence) that advance nursing education, research, and practice. Develop your capacity to lead in professional settings as a graduate prepared nurse. Strengthen the capacity to lead with purpose, uphold the profession’s legacy of care, and shape a sustainable future in nursing. Speaker: Dr. Bridgette M. Rice, Associate Dean for Research and Innovation, Richard and Marianne Kreider Endowed Chair in Nursing for Vulnerable Populations, Villanova University

10:30 – 10:45 a.m.	Welcome Remarks and Award Presentation Meet the 2026 GNSA Visionary Leader Award winners

10:45 – 11:00 a.m.	Morning Coffee and Tea Break

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.	Learning Lab 1: AI in Nursing Education: Practical Tools You Can Use Tomorrow This engaging learning lab will explore how artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies are advancing nursing education, research, and practice. The session will offer practical insight into how graduate nursing students can lead innovation, build meaningful collaborations, and apply technology thoughtfully as they grow into the next phase of their career. This session will also introduce the PAUSE framework which helps nurses develop calibrated trust in clinical AI. Session Outcomes: Describe how AI can support competency-based education and student engagement. Identify ways AI can make student thinking, communication, and clinical judgment more visible. Explore examples of AI integration across teaching, learning, simulation, and reflection. Design one AI-informed learning activity that supports clinical reasoning, judgement, and professional formation. Speakers: Dr. Maureen Baker, Associate Professor, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Dr. Emily Helbick, Vice President of Network Operations, Palm Beach Accountable Care Organization

12:00 – 1:00 p.m.	Lunch and Networking Session with Facilitator

1:00 – 2:00 p.m.	Learning Lab 2: Two Lenses, One Mission: Leadership and Mentorship Across the Nursing Career Path Speakers: Dr. Edwin Aroke, Interim Assistant Dean for Research & Scholarship, Professor, The University of Alabama at Birmingham Dr. Dean Prentice, Dean of College of Health Sciences, Oral Roberts University

2:00 – 3:00 p.m.	Podium Presentations

3:00 – 3:30 p.m.	Networking Break

3:30 – 4:00 p.m.	Lightning Talks

4:00 – 5:00 p.m.	Closing Session: Leading with Purpose: Finding Your Leadership Story In this closing session, Dr. Jennifer S. Mensik Kennedy will share her personal leadership story to help graduate nursing students recognize that leadership does not begin with a title, credential, or complete confidence. Attendees will explore how purpose-driven nurses can lead through doubt, advocate for sustainable systems, advance equity, engage with emerging technologies, and help shape the future of nursing. Session Outcomes: Strengthen the capacity to lead with purpose, uphold the profession’s legacy of care, and shape a sustainable future in nursing. Speaker: Dr. Jennifer Mensik Kennedy, American Nurses Association President

image of areal view of the us capitol and image of the aamc learning center

Continuing Education

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

Participants are eligible to earn contact hours, which will be awarded to those who attest to attendance at entire sessions and complete the electronic evaluation process after the event. This conference offers 7.5 NCPD hours.

For questions, contact the student initiatives team today!

Phone: 202-463-6930 | Email: gnsa@aacnnursing.org | Website: www.aacnnursing.org/gnsa