Nursing Graduate Students' Association (NGSA)
NGSA creates an open and collaborative environment for graduate students to engage in professional and personal growth.
The Nursing Graduate Students' Association (NGSA) is a student-led volunteer association which aims to connect and empower graduate nursing students through services, leadership, and professional development.
Our role is to foster a supportive community of nursing graduate students through:
- providing opportunities for professional development
- promoting social interaction and collaboration among graduate students, faculty, and community members
- representing the interests of nursing graduate students to the Graduate Students' Association (GSA)
Graduate Peer Mentorship Program
Experience peer-to-peer mentorship with fellow students in a nursing graduate program. Support and guide each other, increase productivity, and achieve mutually agreed-upon goals.
If you're interested in being a mentor/mentee or want to register an existing peer group, please fill out a form online or contact our Graduate Peer Mentorship Coordinator at ngsa@ucalgary.ca.
NGSA Executive
Annj Ridsdale-Weddell
Chair
Hello and thank you for visiting the NGSA webpage! I am thrilled to be a student in UCalgary Nursing’s new DN program, the first of its kind in Canada. My DN thesis is based on the study of healthy work environments, healthy teams and healthcare improvement and my work integrated project is building a provincial health workforce monitoring and reporting program. In my 'day job', I am the Director of Health Workforce Data Analytics & Reporting for the Government of Alberta. I also continue to work casual clinical shifts in palliative hospice/continuing care where I maintain a deep understanding of the current health workforce. In support of our nursing graduate students, I am honoured to chair the Nursing Graduate Student's Association at UCalgary. Our executive team is enthusiastic and compassionate, each one committed to making a difference by advocating, listening and responding to the needs of our nursing graduate students. It is incredibly inspiring to work alongside future leaders in health care.
Director of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Vacant
We are currently looking to recruit for this position. If you are interested, please email us at ngsa@ucalgary.ca.
Athena Liu
Events Coordinator
Hi everyone! I'm Athena, a thesis-based masters student, and I currently work on a medical/ psychiatry unit. I like hiking, camping, playing instruments, and trying new food and restaurants. As Events Coordinator, I will organize academic and social networking events with external parties. See you there!
Alex Cuncannon
Social Media and Communications Director
Hi everyone! I'm Alex. I am a first-year student in the Master of Nursing thesis-based program. My research interests include parent-child relationships, psychoneuroimmunology, and perinatal mental health. I also continue to practice as an RN in mental health.
Jessica Carl
Secretary
Hi! My name is Jessica Carl and I am your NGSA secretary. I am in the Laddered pathway to Master of Nursing Program, currently enrolled in my first certificate “Leadership for Health System Transformation”. I am a distance education student, living, studying and working in Toronto, Ontario. I enjoy working towards a goal, bringing my integrity and passion to every challenge. My pleasure to serve you on the NGSA executive.
Lucy Anowai
Finance Executive
Michelle Malagón
Graduate Peer Mentorship Coordinator
Hi everyone! My name is Michelle Malagón and I am the NGSA’s Graduate Peer Mentorship Coordinator. A little bit about myself, I am originally from Miami, FL and am currently based in Edmonton, AB. I completed my BScN at the University of Alberta in 2021. I have worked as a registered nurse in labor and delivery since graduating, predominantly in a high-risk inner-city hospital. I am currently in my second year of the MN thesis-based program at the University of Calgary with my research focusing on nursing strategies to address language barriers in obstetrical care. On the days I am not working or studying, I enjoy snowboarding, hot yoga, and spending time with family!
Featured NGSA Executive Members
Lucy Anowai, MN/MBA Candidate
Where have you practiced as an RN?
As an RN, I have practiced in med/surg, med/psych, long-term care, supportive living, and in rural emergency.
What, and who, inspired and led you to pursue graduate studies?
I knew that I wanted to go further in my nursing education as an undergraduate student. At the time, all I had in mind was "I want to know more, so I can do more". As an undergraduate nurse I spoke with another nurse leader who had graduated from the MBA program at the university, as part of my own research. When I went to an info session at the university as a new grad nurse and the combined program was presented, it clicked for me. I went to a second info session to find out more, but I would not apply for a few more years. I wanted to know what I would gain and if I could actually contribute to the workplace afterwards. With additional support from my family, I applied at the start of the COVID pandemic thinking "with this knowledge, I can contribute positively to various decision-making processes".
What is your research and coursework focus?
My nursing research is focused on understanding the implications of mandated overtime for nurses.
Why did you choose the combined MN/MBA? How have you found the MBA program has augmented the MN program (and vice versa)?
I wanted the ability to address complex challenges similar to what I have seen on the units where I have practiced as an RN. As a frontline worker, I had some ideas I thought could alleviate the issues my coworkers and I experienced and heard the ideas others had to address the same issues, but my scope was limited. I knew that I wanted to use these advanced skills while also working as a nurse, so I applied for a program where I would further increase my knowledge as a nurse and develop the technical and business knowledge I would need in the future.
What are your future aspirations?
My future aspiration is to be known as an expert at providing insight and resolutions to the issues faced by frontline workers. As a graduate student, I have experienced firsthand that part of addressing the complex challenges is discussing and empathizing with others: clients and coworkers who want to see a change for the better. After that, people appear to be more open to analysing the situation for feasible resolutions. So, I also want to further developing the skill of connecting with others.
Jessica Carl
Hi! I am Jessica Carl, your NGSA secretary and a registered nurse living and working in Toronto, Ontario. I am a part-time student in the UofC laddered pathway to Master of Nursing. I have always been passionate about nursing and providing care to others. My journey began in 2011 as a Registered Practical Nurse (RPN). In 2015, I completed my Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) at Trent University, expanding my skills and understanding of the field. I also obtained a Critical Care Certificate in 2018 while working in the Emergency Department. This allowed me to gain valuable experience in managing critically ill patients. Currently, I am pursuing my Master's in Nursing (MN) at the University of Calgary, completing my Advanced Practice Certificates in Leadership and Innovations in Teaching and Education. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to pursue my education part-time virtually. I am dedicated to continuously learning and growing as a nurse, aiming to make a positive impact on the lives of my patients. Honoured to serve on the NGSA 👩🏼⚕️🤍