Georgia Nurses Association

Introducing The Future of Nursing: Courageous Transformations’ first Keynote Speaker American Nurses Association President Dr. Jennifer Mensik Kennedy and her session “Stronger Together: How Nurses Build Power, Shape Policy, and Lead What’s Next”.

Join us and meet Dr. Mensik Kennedy! Register at https://georgianurses.nursingnetwork.com/nursing-events/150827-2026-gna-conference-the-future-of-nursing-courageous-transformations #!info

The following organizations help make the 2026 GNA Professional Development Conference, The Future of Nursing: Courageous Transformations, possible. Their support brings prestige, expertise, insight, and positive energy to the conference.

We are grateful for their generous financial contributions and professional partnership, which help strengthen the conference experience for every attendee.

Join us! https://georgianurses.nursingnetwork.com/nursing-events/150827-2026-gna-conference-the-future-of-nursing-courageous-transformations #!info

Introducing The Future of Nursing: Courageous Transformations' Friday Keynote Speaker, Dr. Roy L. Simpson and his session "AI is Not Your Problem. Forgetting You're a Nurse is."

Register now! https://georgianurses.nursingnetwork.com/nursing-events/150827-2026-gna-conference-the-future-of-nursing-courageous-transformations #!info

https://georgianurses.nursingnetwork.com/nursing-events/150827-2026-gna-conference-the-future-of-nursing-courageous-transformations #!info

Adding mindfulness and movement to The Future of Nursing: Courageous Transformations because everything starts with us.

Register now! https://georgianurses.nursingnetwork.com/nursing-events/150827-2026-gna-conference-the-future-of-nursing-courageous-transformations #!info

Congratulations to the 2026 cohort of Fellows of the American Academy of Nursing—an extraordinary group of nurse leaders recognized for their significant contributions to improving health outcomes and transforming health care.

We are especially proud to celebrate the induction of GNA Director of Leadership Development Karla Schroeder, DNP, RN, ANP-BC, MHA, NE-BC, and GNA Members Lucy Leclerc, PhD, RN, NPD-BC, and Dr. Jane Chung. Their leadership, scholarship, and commitment to advancing nursing practice exemplify the impact nurses have on health care, education, policy, and the communities they serve.

“The 2026 Class of Fellows reflects the powerful role nurses play in promoting health and well-being. These newest Fellows are catalysts for change, leveraging their clinical expertise and scientific knowledge to address patient needs and solve complex health care challenges. The Academy will host the Induction Ceremony and Soiree on the evening of Saturday, October 10, 2026. This event showcases nursing’s ingenuity and represents one of the most dignified celebrations and highest honor in a nurse’s career. Together with colleagues, family, friends, sponsors, and champions, the Academy salutes with pride and respect the leadership and service that countless nurses demonstrate every day to improve the lives of individuals, families, and communities around the world.”

Please join us in congratulating these exceptional leaders on this well-deserved honor and milestone in their nursing careers.

Congratulations to two extraordinary Georgia nurse leaders! The Georgia Nurses Association is incredibly proud to celebrate Immediate Past President Dr. Erica Mills, PhD, RN, NPD-BC, and Georgia Nurses Foundation President Dr. Karen Rawls, PhD, MSN/Ed, RN, who were both recognized last night at the American Nurses Association National Awards Ceremony.

🏆 Dr. Erica Mills received the Leadership in Ethics Award, recognizing nurses who exemplify the highest principles of nursing ethics and demonstrate exceptional ethical leadership, mentorship, and professional practice.

🏆 Dr. Karen Rawls received the Mary Mahoney Award, honoring registered nurses whose significant contributions have advanced integration, equity, and inclusion within the nursing profession.

These prestigious national honors reflect not only their remarkable leadership, but also the strength and excellence of nursing in Georgia.

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Mills and Dr. Rawls on these well-deserved recognitions. Thank you both for your unwavering dedication, service, and lasting impact on the nursing profession and the patients and communities we serve.

💙 Congratulations!

Leaders from the Georgia Nurses Association joined nurses from across the country for the American Nurses Association’s Hill Day in Washington, D.C.

Throughout the day, we met with members of Georgia’s congressional delegation to advocate for federal policies that strengthen the nursing workforce, improve patient access to care, and support the health of communities across our state and nation.

Nurses are trusted voices, and we’re proud to ensure Georgia nurses have a seat at the table where important healthcare decisions are made.

Thank you to our congressional delegation for taking the time to meet with us and discuss the issues that matter most to nurses and the patients we serve.

Registrants of The Future of Nursing: Courageous Transformations can now register for the Thursday morning leadership track: Leading Systems Through Human-Centered Excellence — a dynamic four-hour leadership workshop designed to inspire, challenge, and equip healthcare leaders to navigate the growing complexity of today’s healthcare environment with courage, clarity, and humanity.

This highly interactive experience combines discussion, reflection, and case-based application to explore the principles of human-centered leadership and their direct impact on culture, workforce engagement, operational performance, and patient care outcomes.

Grounded in servant leadership and the belief that healthcare is ultimately humans taking care of humans, the workshop focuses on building meaningful relationships, strengthening communication, fostering accountability, and creating psychologically safe environments where both people and performance can thrive.

Participants will examine how leadership behaviors shape complex healthcare systems while learning practical strategies to lead difficult conversations, stabilize teams during uncertainty, and strengthen trust across organizations and communities.

As healthcare leaders work to build the future of nursing together, this workshop challenges participants to think beyond traditional leadership models and toward creating connected systems that truly support patients, teams, and the communities we serve. Through the integration of emotional intelligence, high-reliability leadership principles, and authentic human connection, attendees will leave with practical tools, renewed purpose, and actionable strategies to help build a better tomorrow for healthcare — one grounded in compassion, courage, accountability, and excellence.

Join us!

Available to registrants of the 2026 GNA Professional Development Conference. Additional registration required.

Learn more and register at georgianurses.org.

https://georgianurses.nursingnetwork.com/nursing-events/150827-2026-gna-conference-the-future-of-nursing-courageous-transformations #!info