Published January 16, 2019 
Weekly Digest
On January 15, U.S. News and World Report released its latest ranking of online programs, based on an evaluation of 1,545 baccalaureate and graduate programs in fields such as nursing, education, business, and engineering. Using data gathered directly from each institution, U.S. News is the only publication to evaluate online degrees at the program level rather than at the school level. The methodologies are based on factors including student engagement, faculty credentials, and student services and technology. Only degree-granting programs at regionally accredited institutions that are offered primarily online were considered.
AACN is born! Forty-four Deans of Baccalaureate and Graduate Programs meet in Detroit, Michigan and form the Conference of Deans of Colleges and University Schools of Nursing. They elect Dr. Dorothy Mereness of the University of Pennsylvania (shown here) as Chair. Later in the year, the organization is renamed the American Association of Deans of Colleges of University Schools of Nursing.
AACN Updates
Dr. Eileen Breslin to Address Healthcare Transformation at Master's Education Conference and CNL Summit >>
AACN Mourns Passing of Former Dean and Staff Member Betty Johnson >>
Registration Now Open for the Inaugural GNSA Virtual Career Fair >>
The Social Pulse
AACN-TV Spotlight: South Dakota State University College of Nursing Graduate Programs
"We have students go out into clinical settings around the state - especially with the shortage of providers in rural areas," says Dr. Lori Hendrickx, Professor and Clinical Nurse Leader Specialization Coordinator of the South Dakota State University Graduate Nursing Program. Learn more about nursing programs at the South Dakota State University and explore AACN-TV to see the latest innovations underway at schools of nursing nationwide!
American Lung Association Shares MyShot Stories to Raise Awareness of Flu Vaccination
By the time adults turn 50, they are more likely to develop a chronic health condition that can make contracting the flu even worse. As part of the American Lung Association's MyShot flu awareness campaign, the organization shares stories from older adults who have taken back control of their health by getting their annual flu shot. See the latest MyShot story here, and spread the word by tweeting with the hashtag #IGotMyShot.
Washington Weekly
Inside this edition of Washington Weekly: Send a letter to welcome your Senators and Representatives to the 116th Congress; spots are filling quickly for AACN's 2019 Student Policy Summit; and the Department of Education issued a new guidance to ease financial aid requirements amid the recent IRS system outage.
Read AACN's Washington Weekly >>
Opportunities & Resources to Consider
- The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is accepting applications for the 2019 Nurse Education, Practice, Quality and Retention (NEPQR) – Veteran Nurses in Primary Care (VNPC) Training Program funding opportunity. The purpose of this program is to recruit and train military veteran nursing students to practice in community-based primary care teams. A total of $4.5 million will be available to fund approximately 9 cooperative agreements for FY 2019. The application cycle closes on March 8.
- The Future of Nursing: Campaign for Action, a joint initiative of the AARP Foundation, AARP, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, will provide up to $25,000 each to select Action Coalitions for new or ongoing work that addresses nursing's role in building a Culture of Health and health equity. This is a competitive, two-year award with a goal of creating replicable strategies that help nurses build a culture of health and promote health equity and well-being, while highlighting the importance of collaboration with diverse stakeholders. View the request for proposal and application. Application must be submitted by February 28.
- The National Forum of State Nursing Workforce Centers 2019 Call for Abstracts is now open for its annual conference, which will reflect the theme "The Changing Face of Nursing in the Decade Ahead." Submissions will be rated on overall quality, focus or topic, and applicability to the conference theme. Proposals must be submitted by Friday, February 1. The conference will be held in Denver, CO, June 12-14, 2019.
- The Interprofessional Education Collaborative (IPEC) is hosting an Interprofessional Leadership Development Program (ILDP) on February 6-8, 2019 in Washington, DC. This three-day, interactive professional development experience, distinguished by an emphasis on leading in an interprofessional environment. It is unique because the ILDP engages both senior leaders and administrators responsible for the development, implementation, and evaluation of a campus-wide IPE program. Interested applicants must apply by at 12:00 pm (ET) on Friday, January 18.
- Navigating a Foodborne Outbreak: Preparation for Interprofessional Practice, from the Association of Schools & Programs of Public Health, is a self-paced, interactive, competency-based, case study teaching module for interprofessional education developed to improve and protect population health. It is targeted for public health, medical, and nursing students (BSN, MSN, and doctoral levels).
- Nurses With Global Impact have announced plans for the 3rd annual celebration of International Nurses Day at the United Nations, to be held May 10, 2019. Early-bird registration is open now through March 1. This event honors nurses in front-line roles who demonstrate exemplary practice by impacting the global delivery of healthcare.
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