Published June 17, 2020 
Weekly Digest
On June 15, the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security and its partners published a new report and toolkit titled
COVID-19 Planning Guide and Self-Assessment for Higher Education. This guide and accompanying risk assessment tool are designed to provide practical planning resources to help institutions gauge how effectively they are addressing a range of COVID-19 scenarios. Developed to accommodate a wide range of institution types, the content includes links to guidelines, resources, and media reports to further supplement institutional planning.
In an editorial published in the June 2020
International Journal of Nursing Studies, a team of researchers led by Dr. William Rosa from the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing call for policy reform and new investments in nursing to enhance efforts underway to confront the coronavirus pandemic. Titled
Rapid Investment in Nursing to Strengthen the Global COVID-19 Response, the authors outline the multisectoral investments needed to redesign and innovate existing health services, expand nursing scopes of practice, forge supportive regulations and legislation for nurses, and optimize nursing contributions to best meet global public health needs now and in the future.
AACN Updates
Grant Opportunity for Schools Offering Primary NP Programs - Apply by June 30
Explore AACN’s On-Demand Webinars Related to COVID-19
Move Your Admissions Process Online During COVID-19 with NursingCAS
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Every day, millions of nurses are experiencing extraordinary stress as the coronavirus pandemic progresses. The Well-being Initiative provides resources to help nurses build resilience and overcome the trauma caused by COVID-19. Explore the resources here.
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Black people are disproportionately dying from COVID-19 and violent murders without justice served. It impacts black nurses professionally and personally when we must continue 'business as usual,' often without support from our places of work and with non-black colleagues who do not acknowledge our lived experience. We ask, 'Who’s caring for us?' Read the entire story here.

Washington Weekly
Inside this edition of Washington Weekly: COVID-19 Legislative Update: AACN’s Higher Education Advocacy; AACN Joins with Other Nursing Coalitions in Urging the Administration to Reconsider the U.S. Withdrawal from the WHO; and Feedback Requested: AACN’s COVID-19 Federal Response.
Read AACN's Washington Weekly >>
Opportunities & Resources to Consider
- A new Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) funding announcement invites applications for high-quality comparative effectiveness research (CER) projects that will examine a critical research question that is also relevant to decision-makers and other stakeholders. The letter of intent submission deadline is September 29, 2020. The application deadline is January 12, 2021.
- The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is seeking public feedback through September 18 to inform policy considerations related to changes to scoring criteria for Health Professional Shortage Areas, and to solicit additional ideas and suggestions from the public. View the Request for Information here.
- The Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP) is a HRSA multi-year initiative aimed at reducing the morbidity and mortality of substance use disorder (SUD), including opioid use disorder (OUD), in high-risk, rural communities. This notice announces the opportunity to apply for funding under RCORP-Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (RCORP-NAS). The purpose of the RCORP- NAS project is to advance RCORP’s overall goal and reduce the incidence and impact of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) in rural communities by improving systems of care, family supports, and social determinants of health. Application due date is July 20, 2020.
- The National Academies of Sciences is hosting a free virtual workshop titled Health Professions Faculty for the Future on August 11 at 11:00 am – 2:30 pm (ET). Presentations will provide examples of how educators are using effective teaching strategies and of practices in health professional education. Presentations will provide examples of how educators are using effective teaching strategies and of practices in health professional education. Learn more here and register online.
Coronavirus Resources for Nurse Educators

To support the information needs of nursing school deans, faculty, students, and other stakeholders, AACN has developed a resource center to highlight key information sources found on the Web regarding COVID-19. This section will be updated regularly to include details about new informational events and webinars, the latest news from the CDC, educational events and webinars, and work underway at our nation's nursing schools to raise awareness on prevention and preparedness efforts.
AACN Gallery of Leadership
Dr. Shirleatha Lee
University of South Carolina Upstate
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Dr. Shelley Conroy
Baylor University
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Find out what your colleagues are saying about nursing's response to COVID-19 at AACN's Gallery of Leadership. All deans are encouraged to submit a video byWednesday, July 15.
Submit a Video
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AACN COVID-19 Response Webinars
Upcoming Live Webinars
Aired on June 8 - Watch On-Demand
Addressing the Collective Mental Health Burden Imposed by COVID-19
June 15, 2020 at 2:00 pm (ET)
Job Seeking During a Pandemic: Every Nurse a Hero
June 16, 2020 at 2:00 pm (ET)
Improving Nurse Preparedness for a Pandemic Response: Implications for U.S. Schools of Nursing
June 26, 2020 at 12:00 pm (ET)
View All On-Demand COVID-19 Response Webinars
Share Your News and Resources
AACN member schools are adapting their programs and clinical learning opportunities in response to COVID-19. Schools wishing to share what they are doing and resources are encouraged to send an email to rrosseter@aacnnursing.org.
See Past Issues of AACN News Watch