Published April 14, 2021 
Weekly Digest
In the April 2021 issue of the Journal of Nursing Administration, a writing team led by Dr. Bimbola Akintade from the University of Maryland School of Nursing published a new article titled Academic-Practice Partnership in Rural Maryland: Opportunities for Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Training and Employment. This case study describes how an innovative academic-practice partnership model can be used to deepen the clinical expertise of advanced practice registered nurse students and improve rural Americans' access to quality patient care. The authors detail strategies used by a nursing school and a rural hospital system to provide clinical experiences to DNP students.
In the April 2021 issue of the Journal of Nursing Education, Associate Editor Teri Murray contributed a new editorial titled Inclusivity: The Margins or the Mainstream? Despite the rallying cries to diversify nursing education and the workforce, increasing diversity in nursing education remains a heavy lift. Dr. Murray calls on academic nursing leaders to be more intentional in their work to create learning environments that are more inclusive and representative of the populations we serve.
AACN Updates
AACN Introduces New Monthly Spotlight on Data
AACN Announces Inaugural Digital Academy through Collaboration with Apple Education
Explore Trends, Strategies, and Innovations at BONUS Annual Meeting, April 22
The Social Pulse
Save the Date: Special #AACNWebinar to Offer a First Look at the Future of Nursing 2020-2030 Report
On May 11, 2021, the National Academy of Medicine will release the highly anticipated report, The Future of Nursing 2020-2030: Charting a Path to Achieve Health Equity. Based on the results of a consensus committee process, this report will cover the vision for the nursing profession into 2030 and chart a path for the nursing profession to help our nation create a culture of health, reduce health disparities, and improve the health and well-being of the U.S. population in the 21st century. Dr. Susan Hassmiller, who served as a key member of the leadership team for the report, will provide an overview of the report’s findings and discuss how nursing educators and students can help to advance health equity.
Register for the webinar here and spread the word with the hashtag #AACNwebinar.
Celebrate Interprofessional Health Care and Learning During National Interprofessional Healthcare Month
Did you know that April is National Interprofessional Healthcare Month? View the proclamation and share on social media with the hashtag #IPHCmonth. We also encourage you to explore the work of the Interprofessional Education Collaborative (IPEC) and learn more about its upcoming virtual Interprofessional Leadership Development Program to be held June 8-10, 2021.

Washington Weekly
Inside this edition of Washington Weekly: Take Action: Urge Your Representative to Sign “Dear Colleague” Letter Supporting Title VIII in FY 2022; President Biden Releases Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 ‘Skinny’ Budget; COVID-19 Update: College and University COVID-19 Statistics Overview; Student Loan Forgiveness for Frontline Health Workers Act Reintroduced in the 117th Congress.
Read AACN's Washington Weekly >>
New Partnerships & Grant-funded Initiatives
- Dr. Virginia LeBaron, assistant professor at the University of Virginia School of Nursing, will use a new $3.4 million grant from the National Institute of Nursing Research to expand previous work with BESI-C (Behavioral and Environmental Sensing and Intervention for Cancer), a smart health home-monitoring system comprising environmental and wearable smartwatch sensors used by cancer patients and family caregivers. Read more >>
- A three-year, $445,000 grant from the National Institute of Nursing Research will enable Dr. Stacey Crane, assistant professor at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Nursing, to expand her development of the Smart Pediatric Oncology Tracker of Symptoms, a web-based interface designed to make it easier for children with cancer and their parents to report symptoms in real time. Read more >>
- The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) School of Nursing and Joliet Junior College (JJC) have agreed to offer an accelerated path to a BSN. The partnership would allow students to complete their general education courses at JJC, earning an associate in nursing, then complete their baccalaureate nursing coursework online through SIUE. Read more >>
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. The following information and opportunities are currently featured.
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Upcoming Webinars
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AACN Webinar
Advancing Health Equity during COVID-19 Pandemic
April 20 at 11:00 am (ET)
AACN Webinar
Academic Nursing Moving Forward in a Post COVID-19 World
April 27 at 5:30 pm (ET)
Latest Schools News
Miami Nursing Students Get Unexpected Front-Line Work During COVID-19 Vaccine Efforts
April 13, 2021 - Miami University
ISU Health Science Students Playing Key Role in Local COVID-19 Vaccination Efforts
April 12, 2021 - Idaho State University
BC Nursing Students to Conduct Wellness Clinics in Maine
April 12, 2021 - Boston College
Marvin Williams Center Hosts Vaccine Event for Marginalized and ‘Hard-to-Reach’ Populations
April 11, 2021 - Olympic College
Knocking on Doors, Standing Near Grocery Stores: Groups Take Grassroots Approach to Vaccinate Latinos
April 11, 2021- University of San Diego
Austin Peay Serves on the Frontlines Helping Clarksville Through Coronavirus
April 8, 2021 - Austin Peay State University
WSU Nursing Students, Faculty Help Administer More than 15,000 Vaccine Doses
April 8, 2021 - Washington State University
ODU Nursing Faculty, Students Will Provide Additional Vaccines for Hampton, Norfolk Residents
February 24, 2021 - Old Dominion University
Latest Resources
Understanding COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates
April 7, 2021 - Kaiser Family Foundation
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See Past Issues of AACN News Watch