American Association of Colleges of Nursing

06/17/2025

New data from AACN show a notable increase in enrollment across most nursing programs including BSN, master's, and DNP, signaling renewed interest in nursing careers and continued demand for advanced education. However, enrollment in PhD nursing programs declined for the 11th year in a row, intensifying concerns about the future pipeline of nurse scientists, educators, and academic leaders. Read the press release to learn more: https://www.aacnnursing.org/news-data/all-news/article/schools-of-nursing-see-enrollment-increases-across-most-program-levels-signaling-strong-interest-in-nursing-careers

06/11/2025

AACN is thrilled to reunite this inspiring cohort of deans for the second in-person session of our Advancing Academic Leadership for Deans (AALD) program. Designed for those new to the dean role or navigating a leadership transition, this 13-month experience blends in-depth assessment, practical leadership training, and a supportive peer network that lasts well beyond the program. Learn more about the AALD program and additional opportunities in the AACN LEADS leadership development portfolio at aacnnursing.org/leads.

05/23/2025

AACN applauds the introduction of the Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act of 2025 (S.1874 and H.R. 3593). Title VIII programs help address all aspects of nursing workforce demand, including education, practice, recruitment, and retention. By reauthorizing these crucial programs, this bipartisan, bicameral bill would help ensure that nursing pathways remain strong and patients across the country can continue to have access to high-quality nursing care. Read the press release: https://www.aacnnursing.org/news-data/all-news/article/aacn-commends-congressional-leaders-for-their-bipartisan-commitment-to-supporting-nursing-education-and-workforce-programs

05/23/2025

AACN is pleased to announce the release of a new set of competencies to prepare Clinical Nurse Leaders (CNLs) at the master’s and doctoral levels. Introduced by AACN in 2004, the Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL®) is prepared at the graduate level for advanced nursing practice focused on leadership, quality improvement, communication, and care coordination. The new and updated set of CNL competencies was developed through a national consensus-based process by an expert workgroup representing both education and practice. Learn more: https://www.aacnnursing.org/news-data/all-news/article/new-masters-and-doctoral-level-cnl-competencies-released

08/08/2024

AACN is pleased to announce that Loyola University Chicago Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing has won the 2024 Inclusive Excellence, Belonging, and Sustainability in Nursing Education Award! This honor celebrates their commitment to diversity and belonging in nursing education. Read the press release here -

WASHINGTON, D.C., August 8, 2024 – The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) is pleased to announce that the Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing at Loyola University Chicago has been selected as the recipient of the 2024 Inclusive Excellence, Belonging, and Sustainability in Nursing Ed...

12/12/2023

Standard registration ends soon for this year's Doctoral Education Conference! Step into the forefront of advanced nursing education at in Naples. Plan now to join us January 18-20 and uncover the latest national trends, enrollment-boosting strategies, and methods to maintain the highest standards in terminal degree programs. https://www.aacnnursing.org/doctoral-conference

10/03/2023

We're getting close to this year's Academic Nursing Leadership Conference! Set to take place October 28-30 in Washington, DC, this year's conference, themed A New Vision for Academic Nursing: Leading with Courage, Commitment, and Collaboration, is crucial to shaping the future of our profession. Explore this year's program and watch a special video from Dr. Peter Buerhaus, this year's John P. McGovern Lectureship Award recipient, who offers a glimpse into his plenary. If you haven't registered yet, act now, as early registration ends TODAY, October 3! https://www.aacnnursing.org/anlc

09/20/2023

We're thrilled to announce the launch of Peer-to-Peer, AACN's Deans Mentoring Program for early to mid-career deans! This free program connects Guiding Deans (experienced mentors) with Learning Deans (mentees) to help foster collaborative partnerships that will enable participants to navigate the higher education and healthcare landscape with confidence. Mentees can choose from a diverse range of topics, such as budgeting, crisis management, faculty recruitment, fundraising, and more. AACN is committed to facilitating meaningful matches, taking into account the expertise indicated in collected surveys. Visit the AACN website to learn more: https://www.aacnnursing.org/conferences-webinars/leadership-development/dean-mentoring-program

09/07/2023

AACN applauds the 253 exceptional nurse leaders, including AACN Board Chair Dr. Cynthia McCurren and Dr. Vernell DeWitty, AACN’s inaugural Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer, will be inducted into the prestigious 2023 Class of Fellows at the American Academy of Nursing's upcoming annual Health Policy Conference in Washington, DC. These distinguished individuals will be recognized for their exceptional and sustained impact on health and health care. AACN Chief Communications Officer Robert Rosseter will also receive an Honorary Fellowship award for his outstanding contributions to shaping the dialogue on academic nursing and elevating the nursing profession. AACN congratulates all of the Academy's remarkable 2023 Class of Fellows! https://www.aacnnursing.org/news-data/all-news/american-academy-of-nursing-to-honor-aacn-leaders

09/02/2023

Drs. Susan Hassmiller, Ashley Darcy Mahoney and Kenya Beard recently released "The Future of Nursing 2020-2030: Global Applications to Advance Health Equity." This groundbreaking book explores actionable strategies to inspire nurses in their journey to improve health equity. Filled with program recommendations, case studies, and valuable resources, this book empowers nurses to lead the transformation of healthcare for a more equitable and just society.

This book provides an application of the concepts and recommendations of The Future of Nursing 2020-2030: Charting a Path to Achieve Health Equity Report.

08/30/2023

Want to elevate your teaching strategies, transform your curriculum, and prepare your nursing students for success? Plan to join our next webinar focused on using virtual and augmented reality to transition to competency-based education. Drs. Michael Ackerman and Stephanie Justice from The Ohio State University College of Nursing will share insights on extended reality technology and its role in implementing the . Learn how to make informed decisions on hardware and software selection, and develop use cases for emerging technology in . Register now: https://www.aacnnursing.org/conferences-webinars/info/sessionaltcd/wf23_09_12

08/29/2023

Despite having different backgrounds and lifestyles, medical treatments are not tailored to meet patients’ individual needs. This problem is addressed by the All of Us Research Program, which focuses on precision medicine, an innovative approach to personalized disease treatment and prevention. By collecting health data from a million diverse participants, the program aims to enable researchers to develop customized medical solutions that cater to each person's unique traits.

AACN has joined with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to help amplify the impact of the All of Us Research Program. AACN member schools of nursing and their community partners who commit to increasing awareness of the All of Us Program can receive mini-grants to promote this initiative in their local communities. To date, AACN has awarded $400,000 in grants to over 36 nursing schools across the country. Will your school be the next to ? Learn more and apply by Friday, September 15: https://www.aacnnursing.org/policy-advocacy/all-of-us-grant