GNSA Visionary Leader Award

This annual award recognizes rising stars among graduate nursing students who have the potential to make a significant impact in health care. Award recipients exemplify leadership that is innovative, transformative, and visionary. One recipient will be selected for the following types of graduate programs – master’s, Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), and PhD. Award recipients will be announced during Nurses Week with a formal award presentation at the GNSA annual conference.

Call for 2026 Cycle Applications Now Open!

Deadline: April 19, 2026 at 5:00 pm (ET)

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Applicants for this award should demonstrate visionary leadership that is innovative, transformative, or visionary. Details on each of these elements are included below.

What makes a visionary leader?

  • Innovative – Doing or trying something novel that has not been attempted yet or in a specific way
    • Could also include picking up a torch – taking up something that has been left behind or addresses a significant gap
  • Transformative – the ability to bring people together even when everyone may have their own diverse opinions
    • Rallying and bringing people together for an important cause
  • Visionary – Someone who is looking to the future of healthcare and anticipates leading change in a specific area of healthcare or with a specific population

GNSA members must submit an application for this award. Deans, directors, and faculty are welcome to nominate students for consideration of this award.

  • Personal Statement demonstrating impact and vision
    • Research interests, EBP interests, overall career goals, and plans for contributing to the profession, including impact in the community or workplace
  • CV or resume
  • Letter of recommendation (1) – Could be from faculty, other nursing leader, or a nursing professional
    • Only one high-impact letter will be permitted
  • Unofficial transcript to demonstrate good standing as a graduate student (unofficial transcript)

A selection committee consisting of the GNSA Leadership Council will review all complete nominations received and select award finalists.

Criteria for evaluation of applications includes:

  • Community Impact
  • Leadership
  • Mentorship
  • Research or EBP excellence

  • Selected award recipients will be notified and announced during Nurses Week/Month. An Announcement will be shared in the GNSA Bulletin, on GNSA social media, and via press release.
  • There will be an in-person official presentation of the award at GNSA Annual Conference.
  • The award includes a “symbol” of appreciation and a $1,000 check.

  • March: Application Launched
  • April 19: Deadline for submissions
  • April 27: Notifications to selected recipients
  • May 6: Press release announcing recipients


Contact

Please direct any questions related to this awards program to Marta Okoniewski, Director of Student Engagement (Jonas Scholarship Grant) at mokoniewski@aacnnursing.org.