Published August 04, 2021 
Weekly Digest
In the July-August 2021 issue of the Journal of Professional Nursing, Roy Thompson, a PhD candidate from Duke University School of Nursing, contributed a guest editorial titled Increasing Racial/Ethnic Diversification of Nursing Faculty in Higher Ed Is Needed Now. The author calls on all schools of nursing to “commit to implementing anti-racist and culturally appropriate recruitment and retention strategies” to help increase the population of nurse faculty from racial/ethnic minority groups. Mr. Thompson offers more than a dozen strategies for schools to consider related to faculty recruitment and retention and addressing systemic discrimination.
AACN Updates
50 AACN Member Schools Awarded Funding to Host White Coat/Oath Ceremonies
AACN FY 2020 Annual Report Posted Online
AACN Signs on to Joint Statement in Support of COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates for Healthcare Personnel
Last Call for Abstracts: Transform 2021 Conference
As schools move to implement the new Essentials, AACN is compiling some recent references to help inform this important work and guide decision-making. This week, we’ve posted some references on the latest scholarship related to competency-based education and assessment.
View the References
The Social Pulse
Lauren Underwood’s Long Game
Chicago Magazine profiles former AACN intern and nurse Representative Lauren Underwood (IL, 14th District) and her inspiring journey into Congress. The article highlights how her passion for healthcare reform was fueled by the untimely death of a friend who passed away from complications after giving birth. Find out more about her work to champion the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act of 2021.
Johnson & Johnson Showcases New Research to Define the Future of the Nursing Profession
"How can we keep organizational structures in place from the pandemic that integrated more nurses as leaders and innovators? Read Johnson & Johnson's perspective on maintaining these structures in a recent chapter their #AcceleratingNursing, Transforming Healthcare research brief.
Washington Weekly
Inside this edition of Washington Weekly: All Eyes on Education: Updates from the Policy and Legislative Arenas; House Passed Minibus Spending Package, which includes Title VIII and NINR Funding.
Read AACN's Washington Weekly >>
Member News & Announcements
- Dr. Jing Wang is the new dean of the Florida State University College of Nursing, effective August 16. Dr. Wang currently serves as the vice dean for research at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio School of Nursing. Read more >>
- Dr. Leann Horsley is the new dean of the East Tennessee State University College of Nursing, effective August 16. She served as an assistant dean, associate professor, and interim director for the Healthcare Simulation Center at South Dakota State University College of Nursing. Read more >>
- Dr. Sunny Hallowell, assistant professor at the Villanova University M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing, has been selected as a Macy Faculty Scholar. She joins a group of five researchers in the 2021 class of nurses and physicians, honored for their creativity and impact. Read more >>
- Ross and Carol Nese, longtime supporters of the Pennsylvania State College of Nursing, have pledged $27.125 million to enhance nursing education at the university. The Penn State Board of Trustees voted to honor the landmark commitment by renaming the college the Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing. Read more >>
- The Ohio University Foundation received a gift from Dr. Joyce N. Herrold to extend the Ohio University BSN program to the university’s Lancaster Campus. The gift allows expansion of the four-year BSN program by providing support for the physical training space and equipment needed to provide students with the highest-quality educational experience on the Lancaster Campus. Read more >>
- A $100,000 donation from Amerigroup to the University of Mississippi Foundation has established a new scholarship fund to support University of Mississippi Medical Center students who are pursuing nurse practitioner degrees with a focus in family medicine or psychiatric/mental health. Eligible students are native Mississippians who can commit to practicing in rural communities for a minimum of two years after graduation. Read more >>
See Past Issues of AACN News Watch