Press Releases

AACN is launching a new initiative to assist nursing schools in creating inclusive learning environments where all students feel a strong sense of belonging and purpose. With funding provided by Johnson & Johnson, this new 18-month initiative entails scaling up the use of AACN’s Leading Across Multidimensional Perspectives (LAMP^©) Culture and Climate Survey to better assess the experiences of racially diverse nursing students and identify practices that facilitate student success. 

AACN and its more than 850 member schools of nursing have endorsed a new position statement, titled The Research-Focused Doctoral Program in Nursing: Pathways to Excellence, which promotes quality and innovation in nursing PhD programs (and similar programs focused on nursing science). With online ballots cast March 28-April 11, 2022, deans of the nation’s nursing schools affiliated with AACN voted to endorse this new statement developed to champion excellence in nursing education, stimulate strong interest among students in the PhD, and elevate nursing research.

The National Task Force on Quality Nurse Practitioner Education (NTF), a coalition of 19 national nursing organizations, has developed a new set of standards designed to ensure quality in graduate programs that prepare nurse practitioners (NPs). The new criteria, titled 2022 Standards for Quality Nurse Practitioner Education (6th edition), will be used by nursing colleges and universities nationwide to update curriculum and clinical experiences to better prepare graduates for contemporary NP practice. 

According to new data released today by AACN, student enrollment in entry-level baccalaureate nursing programs increased by 3.3% in 2021, despite concerns that the pandemic might discourage career seekers from entering the profession. Though this is welcome news, nursing schools did see enrollment declines in baccalaureate degree-completion programs and some graduate programs (master’s and PhD). 

President Biden has released the Administration’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 Budget, which outlines additional investments in nursing and other key programs under the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Department of Education, as well as a commitment to addressing many pressing issues facing the nation.

AACN is pleased to announce that Cynthia McCurren, PhD, RN, dean and professor of nursing at the University of Michigan-Flint, has been appointed Chair of the AACN Board of Directors. Dr. McCurren began her two-year term as AACN’s highest elected official at noon today.

AACN is pleased to announce an initiative focused on building leadership capacity in new nurses with a special emphasis on developing essential skills in resilience, self-care, and well-being. This two-year project, titled A Competency-Based Approach to Leadership Development and Resilience for Student Nurses, was launched with funding from the Johnson & Johnson Foundation in partnership with the Johnson & Johnson Center for Health Worker Innovation.

Scrubin Uniforms, a leading provider of medical apparel and scrubs, is partnering with AACN to launch a new scholarship for nursing students in baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs. Administered by AACN’s Foundation for Academic Nursing, this new program will provide $2,500 scholarships to nursing students from AACN member schools with a formal affiliation agreement with Scrubin Uniforms.
 

AACN and NurseThink® are pleased to announce the launch of a new scholarship program focused on preparing future nurse faculty. Open to students enrolled in master’s and doctoral programs at AACN member institutions, this program will provide $5,000 scholarship awards to students twice a year through 2026.

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) commends Congress for passing H.R. 2471, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022, which funds the federal government for the remainder of Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 and provides aid to Ukraine. This roughly $1.5 trillion spending package provides increased investments for nursing education and research.