Who We Are

875+
Schools

53,500+
Faculty Members

540,000+
Students

Curriculum Standards

Using a national consensus-based process, AACN has led the development of The Essentials: Core Competences for Professional Nursing Education, which outline competency expectations for graduates of baccalaureate, master’s, and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs. To help implement these standards, AACN offers a full complement of training opportunities, a teaching resource database, implementation guides, a video gallery, curriculum mapping tools, and other resources on the Essentials homepage. AACN also has published a position statement on the research-focused doctorate, a white paper on the Clinical Nurse Leader, an array of faculty tool kits, and a directory of curriculum guidelines developed by colleague organizations to address specialty program needs.

Research and Data Services

Each year, AACN surveys all baccalaureate and graduate nursing programs as part of its work to maintain the Institutional Data System, a comprehensive databank reporting current statistics on student enrollments and graduations, faculty salaries and demographics, budgets, institutional resources, and other trends in baccalaureate and graduate nursing education. Several reports are published each year to assist member schools in benchmarking efforts and making policy decisions. Additional surveys are also conducted on faculty vacancies and the employment of new nurse graduates. 

Leadership Development

             Leadership development has been a cornerstone of AACN’s programs and services since the association’s inception more than 50 years ago. To ensure that all AACN members have access to leadership enrichment experiences tailored to their needs, the association launched AACN LEADS. Designed to provide a variety of learning opportunities at all career levels along the leadership continuum, AACN LEADS introduces a portfolio of programs and conferences for new, early career, and experienced deans, associate deans, program directors, and faculty.

Accreditation

An autonomous arm of AACN, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) ensures the quality and integrity of baccalaureate and graduate education programs preparing effective nurses. Officially recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education as a national accreditation agency, CCNE serves the public interest by assessing and identifying programs that engage in effective educational practices. CCNE is the nation’s leading accrediting agency for baccalaureate, master’s, and DNP programs as well as post-baccalaureate nurse residency, post-graduate APRN certificates, and nurse practitioner fellowship/residency programs.

Certification

The Clinical Nurse Leader Certification Program is managed by the Commission on Nurse Certification (CNC), an autonomous arm of AACN, and governed by the CNC Board of Commissioners. CNC recognizes individuals who have demonstrated professional standards and knowledge through CNL certification. CNC promotes lifelong learning through CNL recertification.

Health Policy Advocacy

In government relations and other advocacy, AACN works to advance public policy on nursing education, research, and practice. AACN is a leader in securing sustained federal support for nursing education and research; shaping legislative and regulatory policy affecting nursing schools; and ensuring continuing financial assistance for nursing students.

Conferences and Webinars

Dean and faculty development is a high priority for AACN as evidenced by the many national meetings, conferences, and webinars sponsored every year. The semiannual meetings in Washington, D.C. advance the business of the association and enable deans to address emerging issues. Faculty and staff development is accomplished by a number of conferences geared toward educators teaching in baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs as well as those engaged in faculty practice. AACN also offers a free webinar series exclusively for nurse educators teaching in baccalaureate and higher degree programs.

Access, Connection, and Engagement

AACN is committed to creating academic environments where everyone can thrive. We encourage pathways into nursing that facilitate learning, leadership, and belonging at all levels. Our commitment extends to providing opportunities for nurse educators to come together and foster understanding, respect, and collaboration. To achieve these goals, AACN convenes the Access, Connection, and Engagement Leadership Network (ACELN), compromised of faculty members that unite expertise, experience, and guidance for academic nursing. Other ongoing programs and resources include faculty tool kits, the ACE Symposium, and the ACE Leadership Institute. 

Special Projects

AACN actively seeks grant-funding to launch initiatives of special interest to nurse educators at member schools. AACN is working to advance the integration of the Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) role into the healthcare delivery system while promoting the benefits of CNL certification. Other ongoing projects include advancing the adoption of nurse residency programs and facilitating the transition to the Doctor of Nursing Practice. To support students and nursing school admissions, AACN launched the Graduate Nursing Student Academy to provide free webinars and resources to those enrolled in master’s and doctoral programs and operates NursingCAS, the centralized application service for prospective nursing students.