GANS 73rd Annual Convention

Recap
Saturday, November 1, 2025 | Kennesaw State University

Empowerment.

Empathy.

Excellence.

Join nursing and pre-nursing students from across Georgia for one powerful day of learning, leadership, and connection.

The GANS Annual Convention is the premier gathering of nursing students in Georgia — and one of the largest student nursing conventions in the country. Each year, hundreds of students, faculty, nurse leaders, and healthcare professionals come together for a day built around leadership, learning, and community.

Two women standing in front of a backdrop with the Georgia Association of Nursing Students (GANS) logo. They are smiling and wearing conference badges around their necks.
A woman with glasses speaking into a microphone at an event, wearing a cream blazer, an orange shirt, and a name tag.

The Breakdown

Keynote speakers — Hear from inspiring voices from across the nursing profession. Speakers list coming soon.

Hands-on simulations — Engage with new experiential instructional sessions, including flight nurse and CRNA airway simulations.

Certifications & professional development —Attend sessions and earn certifications to sharpen your skills and career readiness. Course list coming soon.

The Exhibit Hall — Find your next opportunity. Connect directly with employers, graduate programs, review companies, and healthcare systems.

Awards ceremony —Join us as we recognize outstanding chapters, members, advisors.

House of Delegates — Help shape GANS through resolutions and board elections.

Networking — Meet student leaders and professionals from across Georgia.

73rd Annual GANS Convention

Recap

Our 73rd Annual Convention rallied around three words that define the nurses our members are becoming: Empowerment, Empathy, Excellence. Held at Kennesaw State University, the day brought together nursing and pre-nursing students from across Georgia for keynotes, breakout sessions, hands-on simulations, and certifications — all built to empower the next generation of nurse leaders.

Featured Speakers & Sessions

  • Dr. Michelle Wallace, DNP, RN, TCRN, NEA-BC, FACHE Executive Vice President & Chief Nursing Officer, Grady Health System "Be the change you want to see." With over two decades of leadership and frontline nursing experience — from trauma care to executive strategy — Dr. Wallace's journey is a true inspiration for future nurses.

    • Epilepsy Certification — led by Dr. Amber Wiggins (Epilepsy Foundation)

    • STOP THE BLEED Certification — led by Danielle Johnson, BSN, RN

    • NCLEX Review — Morgan Taylor, sponsored by Archer Review

    • Pharmacology Survival Skills for New Nurses — Dr. Kenneth Mueller

    • Dosage Calculation (faculty-only session) — "Beyond the Math: Preparing Students for Dosage Calculation Exams," Latoya Smith, AAS, AS, RN

  • Shawn Little, DNP, MSN, RN Associate Vice Chancellor of Healthcare Education, University System of Georgia Session: Transition to Nursing Practice and Leadership. Insight on how to confidently step into your professional role and grow as a future nurse leader.

    Dr. Mary M. Gullatte, PhD, RN, ANP-BC, AOCN, LSSYB, FADLN, FAAN Nurse scientist & global consultant; Adjunct Associate Professor, Emory Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing Session: Nursing Leadership — "Imagine the Possibilities". Leadership that embodies empathy, excellence, and innovation in advancing evidence-based care.

    Angela W. Dunnigan, MSN, RN Chief Nursing Officer, Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Columbus Session: Panel 1 — Nurses Leading Change in Healthcare. Championing quality improvement, staff retention, and patient-centered excellence.

    Chikilia Parks, MSN-Ed, RN, NPD-BC, CBC Nurse educator & professional development leader Session: Nurse on Purpose — Defining Your Identity in a Demanding Profession. Helping nurses embrace their purpose, build resilience, and lead with authenticity.

    Marnell Dujour, BSN, RN, CPN, NPD-BC Regional School Nurse Coordinator, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Session: The Nurse's Impact — Empathy, Empowerment, and Excellence in Action. Empowering nurses to lead with compassion and create meaningful impact in their communities.

  • Antonio Washington, MSN, RN, MEDSURG-BC, OCN Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine Session: Nurse Resilience — The Ability to Assess, Adapt, and Grow from Challenges. Over a decade in oncology nursing, health education, and clinical leadership.

    Natacha Simon-Christie, DNP, CRNA, CHSE Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist & clinical educator Session: Wellness Warriors — The Art of Nurse Self-Care. Practical strategies to protect mental health, restore balance, and lead with empathy.

    Deanna Davis, LPC, LMFT, SEP, ACS, AAMFT-S Clinical & Senior Director, Richmont Trauma Center (Atlanta) Session: Help for Helpers — A Trauma-Informed Guide to Self-Care and Surviving Secondary Stress. Supporting frontline professionals and caregivers in sustaining long-term wellbeing.

  • Dr. Kenneth Mueller, PharmD, BCPS Assistant Professor, Emory Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing; board-certified pharmacotherapy specialist Session: Pharmacology Survival Skills for New Nurses. Sharpen your clinical knowledge and confidence as you transition from student to nurse.

    Dr. Jacqueline A. Nikpour, PhD, RN Assistant Professor, Emory Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing Session: Transforming Healthcare Delivery Through Nursing. The impact and influence of nurses at every level of healthcare.

    Dr. Wallena Gould, EdD, CRNA, FADLN, FAANA, FAAN Founder & CEO, Diversity in Nurse Anesthesia Mentorship Program Session: CRNA Trajectory. A trailblazer who has guided 900+ diverse critical care nurses into anesthesia programs.

    Dr. Anita Rich, DNP, RN, CHFN, CDCES, CGNC CEO, Nurses Heart to Heart; Senior Clinical Instructor, Emory Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing Session: Nursing in Developing and Post-Conflict Countries. Global health, resilience, and the role of nurses in rebuilding systems of care.

  • Nyssa Hattaway, BA, BSN, RN, CEN, CPEN, CFRN Flight Nurse Session: Student Flight Nurse — The Helicopter Experience. A rare, hands-on look into aeromedical transport and the teamwork it takes to save lives in the air.

  • Morgan Taylor, DNP, CPNP-PC, BSN, RN, CCRN, CNO Nurse educator & clinician Session: NCLEX Review (sponsored by Archer Review). Evidence-based strategies to thrive on the NCLEX and beyond.

    Bryson Shiflett, BSN, ASN, RN Nurse educator, Georgia Highlands College Session: How to Build a Better Resume — Workshop & 1-on-1 Resume Reviews. Craft strong resumes, highlight your strengths, and step confidently into the workforce.

  • St. Thomas University

  • Shepherd Center

  • Archer Review

  • Southern New Hampshire University

  • Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta

  • Georgia College & State University 

  • USG eCampus

  • Mayo Clinic

  • University of Texas-Arlington

  • Footprints on the Heart

  • Archbold Medical Center

  • Augusta University 

  • Arkansas State University

  • Emory Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing

  • Emory Healthcare

  • GSU Byrdine College of Nursing

  • Joy Treats LLC

Exhibitors

Annual GANS Convention Sponsors

Thank you to our 2025

Logo for The Daisy Foundation, featuring a daisies flower with white petals and yellow center, on a green background with yellow and white text.
GANA logo with red text and blue vertical line on black background
Logo of the Georgia Nurses Association with the acronym GNA and stylized flame design.
Logo of the Georgia Nurses Foundation with a stylized blue flame symbol and the text 'GNF' and 'Georgia Nurses Foundation'.
GNR Public Health logo with a multicolored abstract figure and bold black text.
Grady Hospital System logo
Hurst Review Services logo
Indiana University Health logo with red and black emblem and the words 'Indiana University Health' next to it.
Johnson & Johnson logo with a red circle containing the initials 'J&J' above the full brand name in red script.
Kennesaw State U logo in yellow, black, and white
Mercer Univ College of Nursing
NCLEX-RN logo with a medical caduceus symbol on an orange background
Northeast Georgia Health System logo with green leaf graphic and text
The logo of Northside Hospital, featuring a stylized letter N and H with a serpent wrapped around a staff, indicating medical services.
Logo with the text 'N I NOVANT HEALTH' in purple and gray colors.
Pedmood Healthcare logo with a stylized 'P' and 'H' in black and orange.
Wellstar Health System logo in purple with a circular geometric symbol and text.
Close-up of a white daisy flower with a yellow center against a black background.

GANS Award Spotlight

Three women standing together, center woman holding a certificate, background with dark curtains, the woman on the left holding a bouquet of flowers, and the woman on the right wearing a patterned green and white shirt.

The DAISY Award for Advancing Health Equity

The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing Students is one of the most prestigious honors a nursing student can receive. It celebrates those who go beyond the classroom and clinical setting to demonstrate extraordinary compassion, leadership, and commitment to advancing health equity.

This year, 2025, marked a historic milestone—the very first time GANS presented the Student DAISY Award at our Annual Convention.

Submit your nomination
Close-up of a white daisy flower with a yellow center against a black background.
Partnership banner for The Daisy Foundation featuring a large daisy flower on the left and green and yellow text and backgrounds.

Each year moving forward, another student nurse will be recognized for making a lasting impact on patients, families, peers, and the nursing community. Nominees are student nurses who embody the values of empathy, advocacy, and clinical excellence outside the classroom—students who inspire others by their courage, service, and dedication to improving care for all.

Winning the DAISY Award connects the recipient to an international community of honorees who have been recognized for making a remarkable difference in nursing. The awardee will receive the same level of honor and recognition as practicing nurses who earn the DAISY Award, affirming the importance of nursing students as leaders of tomorrow, in addition to other honoree benefits.

View all GANS awards

  • "The GANS Convention gave me a chance to find new friends and employment opportunities all in one day. It was an even more helpful experience than I expected."

    2025 GANS Annual Convention attendee

  • "I walked in nervous and left inspired. Meeting nursing students from across the state made me feel seen. I found my people here!"

    2025 GANS Annual Convention attendee

  • "This event reminded me that nursing school is bigger than exams. I left feeling more informed, motivated. and ready to tackle everything ahead."

    2025 GANS Annual Convention attendee

Have questions?

Contact us.

A man with dark hair, glasses, and a beard wearing a white shirt with a floral pattern and a black tie, speaking to a group of people in an indoor setting.
Three smiling men standing inside a building, each holding a light blue tote bag with the GANS logo. They are wearing conference badges and casual clothing, with tables and people in the background.
A group of eight young diverse adults standing together at an indoor convention or conference, smiling at the camera. They are wearing name badges and lanyards, some with tags indicating roles such as delegate or delegate and board member. The background shows other attendees, booths, and a large ceiling with modern decorative panels.