American Association of Colleges of Nursing

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American Association of Colleges of Nursing

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) is the national voice for academic nursing.

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) is the national voice for America's baccalaureate- and higher-degree nursing education programs.

03/10/2026

AACN is pleased to announce the results of its 2026 election to fill seats on the AACN Board of Directors and Nominating Committee. With votes cast by nearly half of all member deans from the nation’s nursing schools with baccalaureate and higher degree programs, those selected to serve as AACN’s top leaders include Board members Valerie Howard (Chair-Elect) from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Christine Verni (Secretary) from Niagara University; Bimbola Akintade from East Carolina University; Eileen Fry-Bowers from the University of San Francisco; Kimberly Hunter from University of Iowa Health Care; and Versie Johnson-Mallard from Kent State University. New members of AACN’s Nominating Committee include Aziza Mahmud Perez from Ponce Health Sciences University and Cynthia Rubenstein from Randolph-Macon College. Read the full press release: https://www.aacnnursing.org/news-data/all-news/article/aacn-announces-2026-election-results-for-its-board-of-directors-and-nominating-committee

03/02/2026

Today is the last day to submit comments! If finalized, this proposed federal rule would reduce access to federal loans for nursing students by excluding post-baccalaureate nursing education from the definition of a professional degree.

This threatens educational pathways to advanced practice nurses, faculty, researchers, and leaders at a time when the nation can’t afford fewer nurses. Take Action by COB today: https://www.aacnnursing.org/policy-advocacy/take-action/nursing-is-a-professional-degree

02/27/2026

Hiring soon? This is the moment to post in AACN's Career Center! AACN has maintained consistent Career Center job posting rates for eight years. Beginning March 17, a 15% rate adjustment will take effect to support continued value and service.

Before the adjustment, AACN member schools have a limited-time opportunity to post at current rates and receive added visibility.

Post a 30-, 60-, or 90-day job listing between now and March 17 at 12:00 pm (ET) and receive current (pre-increase) pricing and one complimentary monthly email distribution for each 30 days posted ($300 value per email). A 60-day posting includes two complimentary email distributions, and a 90-day posting includes three.

This offer applies to one job posting per member school.
Learn more and post your position: https://www.aacnnursing.org/career-center

02/23/2026

The Department of Education’s proposed rule excluding nursing as a “professional degree” is still under review, and the public comment period remains open through March 2. If finalized as written, graduate nursing students could face up to $100,000 less in aggregate federal loan eligibility compared with other programs, creating a barrier to advanced education and threatening the nursing workforce.

AACN continues to urge students, faculty, and nursing advocates to submit personalized comments as soon as possible to ensure that master’s, DNP, and PhD nursing programs are recognized as professional degrees in the final rule. Your voice still matters, make sure it is heard: https://www.aacnnursing.org/policy-advocacy/take-action

02/13/2026

With federal policymakers considering changes to how professional degrees are defined, a proposed rule would exclude post-baccalaureate nursing education. This would lower the amount for federal loans available to nursing students and threaten pathways to advanced practice, research, faculty, and leadership roles.

Nursing IS a professional degree. Federal regulation must make that clear. Add your voice in support of nursing: https://www.aacnnursing.org/policy-advocacy/take-action

02/12/2026

We’re proud to share that our President & CEO, Dr. Deborah Trautman has been named a 2026 National Humanism in Medicine Medal recipient by The Arnold P. Gold Foundation.

Dr. Trautman’s leadership has helped advance humanism in healthcare and inspire compassionate, team-based care. This honor reflects her profound impact on nursing education and interprofessional engagement. She will be formally honored at the Gold Foundation’s 2026 Gala in New York City in June, and we’re proud to see her leadership recognized on a national stage: https://www.gold-foundation.org/newsroom/news/2026-gala-honorees/

02/04/2026

The Tri-Council for Nursing is urging nurses to submit public comments on the U.S. Department of Education’s proposed rule that excludes nursing from the professional degree designation. This decision contradicts licensure requirements, workforce needs, and federal policy. Comments requesting inclusion of post-baccalaureate nursing degrees (MSN, DNP, PhD) are due by March 2. Read the full statement -https://img1.wsimg.com/blobby/go/3d8c2b58-0c32-4b54-adbd-efe8f931b2df/downloads/4470620d-7243-4d9e-be8a-87553280d545/2-4-2026-Tri-Council-DoE-Proposed-Rule-Stateme.pdf

02/03/2026

AACN and Certiphi Screening®, the nation’s leading provider of screening solutions for health profession students, are pleased to announce the launch of a new scholarship program to support nursing students pursuing master’s and doctoral degrees. Open to members of AACN’s Graduate Nursing Student Academy (GNSA), this program will award two $5,000 scholarships each year through the Foundation for Academic Nursing. Read the full press release: https://www.aacnnursing.org/news-data/all-news/article/aacn-and-certiphi-screening174-launch-new-scholarship-program-for-graduate-nursing-students

01/29/2026

This morning, the Department of Education's Office of Postsecondary Education issued the public inspection of the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for implementing the One Big Beautiful Bill Act student loan limits for post-baccalaureate degrees. The official NPRM is currently scheduled to be published tomorrow (January 30, 2026) beginning the crucial 30-day comment period. Learn more: https://www.aacnnursing.org/news-data/all-news/article/important-update-comment-period-expected-to-open-tomorrow-on-nursing-as-a-professional-degree-issue

01/27/2026

AACN is deeply saddened by the death of critical care nurse Alex Pretti, a compassionate clinician and advocate for others. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues. As we reflect on his life and service, we uphold the core nursing values of caring, compassion, and respect for human dignity. AACN stands with the nursing community in promoting health, justice, and well-being for all. https://www.aacnnursing.org/news-data/all-news/article/remembering-alex-pretti

12/22/2025

AACN and The Arnold P. Gold Foundation are pleased to announce the 2025 recipients of the AACN-Gold Interprofessional Humanism in Healthcare Award: Stephen H. Berns, MD, and Kacey Boyle, MSPC, RN, CHPN. Together, they created TalkVermont, an initiative designed to support meaningful, honest conversations with patients and families about goals of care.

This annual award honors outstanding collaboration between nurses and physicians that strengthens humanistic care in healthcare settings. Dr. Berns and Ms. Boyle launched TalkVermont in 2018 to help close a critical “conversation gap," one in which more than 95% of clinicians say goals-of-care discussions matter, yet fewer than 20% regularly have them. Through TalkVermont, they are helping normalize these conversations and ensure care is aligned with what matters most to patients and their loved ones. Learn more: https://www.aacnnursing.org/news-data/all-news/article/talkvermont-leaders-win-2025-aacn-gold-interprofessional-humanism-in-healthcare-award

12/16/2025

Today is the early registration deadline for the 2026 Doctoral Education Conference! This year’s conference will bring together faculty and leaders to explore research, scholarship, leadership, and the future of doctoral nursing education.

Don’t miss the opportunity to join us in January. Register now: https://www.aacnnursing.org/doctoral-conference/registration

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