Essentials Task Force

AACN’s Essentials Task Force is moving ahead with its charge to update all three Essentials documents, which are used to ensure quality in nursing programs offered at the baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral (DNP) levels. In an effort to better inform AACN’s membership about this important work, see resources below under the Progress to Date section. 

Overview

AACN has a long history of leadership in the establishment of the educational benchmarks and expected outcomes of baccalaureate and graduate nursing education programs. In keeping with this tradition, this task force is charged with re-envisioning the Essentials, which delineate the expected competencies of graduates of baccalaureate, master’s, and DNP programs as well as the essential curricular elements that are to be present in these programs. The task force is charged with:

1. Using the AACN Vision for Academic Nursing as a basis, identify how trends and expectations will influence nursing’s roles and the practice of baccalaureate, master’s, and DNP prepared nursing graduates within healthcare delivery for the next decade.

2. Assess the practice community’s expectations for nursing graduates at the different levels and how these may change over the next ten years. 

3. Considering AACN’s Vision for Academic Nursing, make recommendations on the Essential areas to be addressed. By specific program level, this would include identifying practice domains and competency measures for:

• All baccalaureate nursing graduates, including BSN, RN to BSN, and accelerated BSN graduates
• Post-baccalaureate MSN and Master’s Entry (second degree) program graduates
• DNP graduates

4. Review and agree on common definitions for competence, competency, and competency framework. 

5. Describe a set of observable behaviors for each competency that would be expected of each graduate. 

6. Align the competencies for baccalaureate, master’s, and DNP education, ensuring that they are appropriately leveled and advance nursing practice across the healthcare system and continuum of care. 

7. Develop recommendations for the practice learning experiences necessary to assure that nursing graduates are prepared for safe and high-quality nursing practice, including the placement within the curriculum, types, and length.

8. Address the use of simulation in the curriculum for the preparation of baccalaureate, master’s, and DNP graduates.

9. Develop recommendations and strategies for AACN and the full contingent of academic programs to disseminate and implement the new Essentials.

Progress to Date

Below are links to various resources containing updates on the work of the Essentials Task Force to date. 

• Upcoming Opportunities for Member Feedback and Engagement
• Revision of the Essentials report to AACN members
• DRAFT Domains and Descriptors
• PowerPoint presentation from the AACN Deans Meeting 

Task Force Members

	Jean Giddens, PhD, RN, Co-Chair   Dean Virginia Commonwealth University School of Nursing jgiddens@vcu.edu				Cynthia McCurren, PhD, RN Co-Chair Dean Grand Valley State University Kirkhof College of Nursing mccurrec@gvsu.edu
	John McFadden, PhD, CRNA, Co-Chair  Dean Barry University Barry College of Nursing and Health Sciences jmcfadden@barry.edu				Linda Caldwell, DNSc, ANP-BC, Consultant lindacaldwell19@gmail.com
	Nancy DeBasio, PhD, RN, Consultant nodebasio@gmail.com				Jean Bartels, PhD, RN Consultant jbartels@georgiasouthern.edu
	Angela Amar, PhD, RN Dean University of Las Vegas School of Community Health Science				Susan E. Mullaney, MPPA/MPH, RN Vice President Center of Clinician Advancement United Health Group
	Erica Hooper Arana, DNP, RN Assistant Professor University of San Francisco School of Nursing and Health Professions				Marcella Rutherford, PhD, RN Dean Nova Southeastern University  Ron and Kathy Assat College of Nursing
	Jacklyn Barber, EdD, RN Dean and Professor Morningside College  School of Nursing				Susan Ruppert, PhD, FNP-C Professor/Associate Dean University of Texas Health Science Center - Houston Cizik School of Nursing
	Carol Buck-Rolland, EdD, APRN  Clinical Professor, Vice Chair, Graduate Nursing Program University of Vermont College of Nursing and Health Sciences				Martha Scheckel, PhD, RN  Dean and Professor Viterbo University College of Nursing, Health, and Human Behavior
	Jill Case-Wirth, MSN, MHA CNO WellStar Health System				Jenny Schuessler, PhD, RN Dean & Professor University of West Georgia Tanner Health System School of Nursing
	Lori Escallier, PhD, RN Dean SUNY Downstate Medical Center College of Nursing				Casey Shillam, PhD, RN-BC  Interim Dean University of Portland  School of Nursing
	Eileen Fry-Bowers, PhD, RN Associate Professor University of San Diego Hahn School of Nursing and Health Science				Mary Stachowiak DNP, RN, CNL Assistant Professor, Director Clinical Leadership Track Rutgers University School of Nursing
	Beverly Havens Foster, PhD, RN Clinical Professor, Chair of Honors Program University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill  School of Nursing				Rachel Start, MSN, RN Director of Ambulatory Nursing Practice Department of Patient Care Services Rush Oak Park Hospital
	Vincent Hall, PhD, RN Program Director, Master’s in Nursing Programs Walden University School of Nursing				Allison Squires, PhD, RN New York University Rory Meyers College of Nursing
	Jacqueline Hill, PhD, RN Dean Southern University and A&M College College of Nursing and Allied Health				Susan Swider, PhD, RN Associate Professor Rush University  College of Nursing
	Kristin Lee, MSN, RN Clinical Assistant Professor University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Nursing and Health Studies				Marge Wiggins, DNP, RN  VP Patient Care Maine Medical Center
	Kim Litwack, PhD, RN Dean & Professor University of WI – Milwaukee College of Nursing				Marisa Wilson, DNSc, RN Associate Professor, Specialty Track Coordinator, MSN Nursing Informatics School of Nursing, Family, Community, and Health Systems The University of Alabama-Birmingham School of Nursing
	Connie Miller, DNP, RNC-OB Chair, General Nursing and Health Education Division University of Arizona College of Nursing				Danuta Wojnar, PhD, RN Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education Seattle University  College of Nursing
	Mary M. Morin, MSN, RN Vice President Sentara Medical Group/Sentara Occupational Health Services				Geraldine Young, DNP, FNP-BC Director for Graduate Nursing Programs and  Associate Professor of Nursing Kentucky State University
	Christie Shelton, PhD, RN,  Dean Jacksonville State University School of Health Professions & Wellness cshelton@jsu.edu
AACN Staff Liaisons	Joan Stanley, PhD, CRNP Chief Academic Officer (202) 463-6930 ext.  254 jstanley@aacnnursing.org Rick García, PhD, RN Director of Nursing Education (202) 463-6930 ext. 251 rgarcia@aacnnursing.org  Kathy McGuinn, MSN, RN Director of Interprofessional Education and Practice Partnerships (202) 463-6930 ext. 262 kmcguinn@aacnnursing.org			Jabari Cooper Nursing Education Coordinator (202) 463-6930 ext. 250 jcooper@aacnnursing.org Shirin Samimi-Farr Project Coordinator 202-463-6930 ext. 229 ssamimifarr@aacnnursing.org

 

Frequently Asked Questions

To learn more about the task force's work and progress, view their Frequently Asked Questions.