Published July 07, 2021 
Weekly Digest
As a supplement to the current issue of the Journal of Nursing Regulation (April 2021), Richard Smiley and his colleagues from the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NSCBN) published findings from The 2020 National Nursing Workforce Survey. Conducted every two years by NCSBN and the National Forum of State Nursing Workforce Centers, this survey compiles data on the supply of RNs and LPNs as well as information on emerging issues. Key findings include:
- Total number of licensed RNs in the U.S. was 4,198,031
- Median age of RNs was 52 years
- RNs from underrepresented groups increased from 16.3% in 2017 to 17.1% in 2019
- Males accounted for 9.4% of the RN workforce, a 0.3% increase from 2017
- Approximately 42% of nurses in 2020 entered the profession with a baccalaureate degree, an increase of 5.8% since 2013
- 65.2% of the RN workforce is prepared at the baccalaureate or higher degree level with 48.1% holding a BSN, 14.9% a master’s, and 2.2% a doctoral degree
AACN Updates
Introducing The Essential Update: News and Opportunities Related to the AACN Essentials
Print Copies on Sale Now: The Essentials: Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education
CNC Welcomes New Members to Board of Commissioners
Register for Webinar, July 14: Establishing VA Affairs Affiliation Agreements for Clinical Training of Nursing Students

Introducing The Essential Update: News and Opportunities Related to the New AACN Essentials
AACN is committed to providing resources, education, and guidance to assist member schools in implementing the new AACN Essentials and to help all stakeholders understand this historic shift in nursing education. To keep you abreast of the latest news and opportunities, AACN is introducing The Essential Update, a new regular feature in AACN News Watch and other member communications, including the Syllabus newsletter and Faculty Link.
This update will spotlight:
- AACN news and information pertaining to the Essentials
- Upcoming conference sessions, webinars, and training opportunities
- New discussion forums and opportunities for engagement
- Newly added tool kit resources and examples of best practices
- Journal articles on the Essentials and related concepts
- Member news related to efforts to transform nursing education
Please send any information regarding your school’s efforts to implement the AACN Essentials to rrosseter@aacnnursing.org.

The Social Pulse
Washington Weekly
Inside this edition of Washington Weekly: AACN provides a mid-year review as we advance academic nursing in the 117th Congress and new Administration.
Read AACN's Washington Weekly >>
Member News & Announcements
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- After 28 years of serving Pace University’s College of Health Professions and Lienhard School of Nursing, Dr. Harriet R. Feldman has retired, effective June 30. During her tenure as dean at Pace, Dr. Feldman served AACN and CCNE in many capacities, including AACN Board Member at Large and CCNE Board Chair. She will continue in a new role at Pace as Chief Wellness Officer. In recognition of her commitment and extraordinary service as dean of the College of Health Professions, Pace has announced the renaming of the Wright Cottage on its Pleasantville campus to the Harriet R. Feldman Center for Doctoral Education in Nursing. Read more >>
- Dr. Karen Daley is the new dean of Sacred Heart University’s College of Nursing. Previously, Dr. Daley was dean of the College of Health Professions at Davenport University in Grand Rapids, MI. She holds a BSN from Villanova University, an MSN from Troy University in Alabama, and a PhD from Rutgers University. Read more >>
- Dr. Carolyn C. Clevenger, associate dean for Clinical and Community Partnerships at Emory University’s School of Nursing, has been appointed by Georgia Governor Brian Kemp to serve on the Georgia Board of Health Care Workforce along with 14 other healthcare industry experts. Read more >>
- Dr. Rhigel "Jay" Tan, assistant professor at the School of Nursing at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, was honored at the first Filipino Heroes Award, a project hosted by the Filipino Ethnic Ministry of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification. The event celebrated various Filipino heroes throughout the United States. Dr. Tan was recognized for his work during the pandemic, including designing face masks and shields and donating them throughout the Las Vegas community. Read more >>
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