NEWS : NSNA
“ It is both an honor and privilege to serve NSNA in this role . It has been an incredible journey over the decades working with the future generations of nurse leaders . I know that the future of nursing is in good hands withNSNA members leading the way ,”
— Dr . Diane Mancino
NSNA Announces Retirement of Executive Director , Diane Mancino The National Student Nurses ’ Association ( NSNA ) has announced the retirement of its Executive Director , Diane J . Mancino , EdD , RN , CAE , FAAN , effective July 31 , 2023 . As the 4th Executive Director to serve in NSNA ’ s 71-year history , Diane J . Mancino , EdD , RN , CAE , FAAN , began her NSNA employment in 1981 as the Director of Program and Education . She held progressive positions including Director of Membership , Director of Constituent Affairs , and Deputy Executive Director .
Having served under two NSNA Executive Directors , Mary Ann Tuft and the late Robert V . Piemonte , Dr . Mancino was appointed Executive Director following Dr . Piemonte ’ s retirement in 1996 . During her tenure , Dr . Mancino has mentored numerous nursing students who are now nurse leaders in professional organizations and nurse practice settings .
Through her leadership the NSNA established a robust research program which includes an annual New Graduate Survey . Now in its 14th year , the New Graduate Survey is the only real-time data available on RNs entering the nursing workforce .
Dr . Mancino created the NSNA Leadership University in 2000 and the Leadership U Honor Society was approved by the NSNA Board of Directors in 2021 . Incorporating the Professional Identity Formation in Nursing and shared-governance models , it is the only honor society in nursing that recognizes students in all nursing programs leading to RN licensure for their leadership service .
As the Executive Director of the Foundation of the NSNA , Dr . Mancino helped to establish a scholarship endowment to ensure funding is available in perpetuity to support undergraduate nursing education . The Forever Nursing Endowment awards over $ 100k annually . This is in addition to $ 500k awarded in the general scholarship fund .
Following the completion of her doctoral dissertation on the history of NSNA , Dr . Mancino published , Fifty Years of the NSNA . She also produced an award-winning documentary on NSNA ’ s history , Not for Ourselves , But for Others . In addition to many other award-winning video programs , Dr . Mancino wrote and produced a documentary entitled , To Advance We Must Unite , to commemorate the centennial ( 1996 ) of the American Nurses Association .
During the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown , Dr . Mancino and her staff designed online opportunities for both students and faculty to stay engaged with NSNA . In addition to monthly student Leadership Forums , Faculty Forums using an open mic format generates lively discussion on timely topics that attract hundreds of participants . These forums and online programs continue to connect students and faculty to NSNA .
Prior to joining the NSNA staff in 1981 , Dr . Mancino was a clinical instructor at Orange County Community College in New York ; a medical-surgical , ICU , CCU and emergency nurse ; a Public Health Nurse with the Ulster County Health Department and a Visiting Nurse in New York City . She began her career in association management as Program Director for the New York Counties Registered Nurses Association .
Following graduation from the Middletown Psychiatric Hospital Diploma School of Nursing ( New York ), Dr . Mancino immediately enrolled in the RN to BSN completion program at the State University of New York at Buffalo . She earned an MA in nursing from New York University and an EdD in Nursing Education at Teachers College Columbia University .
“ I am so grateful for Dr . Mancino ’ s guidance and service to NSNA . The continuity of having the same executive director for so many years has been invaluable . NSNA ’ s continued growth would not have been possible without her and she ’ ll be missed ,” commented Taylor Conaway , NSNA President .
“ It is both an honor and privilege to serve NSNA in this role . It has been an incredible journey over the decades working with the future generations of nurse leaders . I know that the future of nursing is in good hands with NSNA members leading the way ,” stated Dr . Mancino . •
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