A Structured Institutional Strengthening Model for Advancing Academic Nursing Workforce Excellence
April 02, 2026
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM (ET)
Webinar Details
Academic nursing programs operate within complex systems that shape educational environments, workforce preparation, and community impact. This webinar introduces a structured institutional strengthening model designed to help schools move from fragmented efforts to aligned, system-level improvement. Participants will learn how the ACE Ecosystem of Excellence in Academic Nursing is used to examine institutional conditions, apply a six-phase strengthening process, and support sustained improvement across academic environments. The session will also highlight participation opportunities and outline how institutions can engage in the National Implementation Initiative.
Outcomes:
- Introduce the Institutional Strengthening Initiative
- Explain how institutions use the Ecosystem
- Walk through the six-phase strengthening model
- Describe participation opportunities
- Share how to get involved
About the Ecosystem
The AACN Ecosystem of Excellence in Academic Nursing is a comprehensive, evidence-informed framework that aligns mission, people, and systems to create environments where all students, staff, and faculty can thrive.
At its foundation are the Humanistic Conditions—Healthy, Psychologically Safe, Connected, Supported, Valued, and Prepared—that enable individuals to achieve their best. These are integrated through the Ecosystem’s three Cores:
Human Core, which centers on the Humanistic Conditions that foster well-being and engagement.
Operational Core, which aligns systems and strategies through five Institutional Conditions: Infrastructure and Capacity, Climate and Intergroup Relations, Education and Scholarship, Access and Success, and Community Engagement.
Institutional Core, which grounds excellence in shared culture through five Cultural Conditions: Mission, Vision, Values, Traditions, and Norms.
The Operational Core is supported by a digital Ecosystem Toolkit that translates the framework into actionable strategies and measurable outcomes, including:
- Strategies that strengthen policies, practices, and structures
- Scenarios illustrating real-world challenges and solutions—each intentionally linked to the Humanistic Conditions of the Ecosystem and aligned with relevant AACN Essentials
- Reflection questions that promote dialogue, planning, and innovation
- Dashboards and planning tools to monitor progress and outcomes
- Curated supporting literature that provides evidence and context for implementation
Speakers
Speakers
Wanda Thruston, DNP, APRN, RN
Director of Access and Engagement
American Association of Colleges of Nursing
Dr. Wanda Thruston, Director of Access and Engagement at AACN, is a national and international leader in academic nursing and advancing fair and just access to health and well-being for all, with expertise in institutional transformation, leadership development, and systems-level strategy. A Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Clinical Scholar Fellow, she brings decades of experience in clinical practice with under-resourced populations, health policy, and academic leadership.
At AACN, Dr. Thruston led the development and implementation of the Ecosystem of Excellence in Academic Nursing, a strategic framework designed to enhance institutional effectiveness and promote the success of students, staff, and faculty. She provides technical assistance, training, and consultation to AACN member and non-member institutions—supporting strategies to expand access, strengthen student achievement, improve the institutional climate, and build academic environments where all individuals feel supported and prepared to succeed.
Previously, she served as Special Assistant to the Dean at Indiana University School of Nursing, where she led the development of the Diversity Strategic Plan and participated in creating a university-wide pathway for DEI faculty promotion She also led a large-scale assessment of health and well-being for Indiana’s second-largest K–12 district to inform fair and effective resource allocation that meets the needs of all students. Dr. Thruston is committed to advancing environments where students, staff, and faculty thrive. She is a fellow of the Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholars and the American Academy of Nursing (Oct. 2025).
Tags
Condition 4: Access and Success – Expanding Pathways and Sustaining Achievement
February 24, 2026
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM (ET)
Webinar Details
This session explores how academic nursing programs can enhance access and promote success for students, staff, and faculty by identifying and addressing structural, cultural, and procedural barriers that impact participation and achievement. Grounded in the AACN Ecosystem of Excellence in Academic Nursing, the session examines the Access and Success Condition within the Operational Core, emphasizing the creation of clear pathways, equitable resource distribution, and responsive support systems that reflect the needs of all members of the academic community—including nontraditional learners and individuals managing complex life circumstances.
Participants will explore data-informed strategies for admissions, hiring, retention, and professional development, along with continuous improvement practices that foster accountability, adaptability, and lasting impact. Discussion will also highlight the relationship between Humanistic Conditions—particularly support, connection, and preparedness—and the institutional systems that enable individuals to thrive.
By linking these principles to AACN’s Access, Connection, and Engagement (ACE) vision, this session demonstrates how intentional, evidence-based approaches to access and success contribute to institutional excellence, workforce readiness, and the advancement of academic nursing.
Learning Outcomes
After participating in this webinar, attendees will be able to:
- Evaluate institutional practices that influence access, retention, and advancement for students, staff, and faculty.
- Identify structural and situational barriers that limit success across roles, including unclear pathways, limited resources, and restrictive processes.
- Apply strategies to build clear, mission-aligned pathways and support systems that promote growth, recognition, and success for all members of the academic nursing community.
- Explain how the Access and Success Condition within the Operational Core supports the ACE vision by aligning institutional structures with the human and educational needs of a dynamic nursing workforce.
About the Ecosystem
The AACN Ecosystem of Excellence in Academic Nursing is a compr ehensive, evidence-informed framework that aligns mission, people, and systems to create environments where all students, staff, and faculty can thrive.
At its foundation are the Humanistic Conditions—Healthy, Psychologically Safe, Connected, Supported, Valued, and Prepared—that enable individuals to achieve their best. These are integrated through the Ecosystem’s three Cores:
- Human Core, which centers on the Humanistic Conditions that foster well-being and engagement.
- Operational Core, which aligns systems and strategies through five Institutional Conditions: Infrastructure and Capacity, Climate and Intergroup Relations, Education and Scholarship, Access and Success, and Community Engagement.
- Institutional Core, which grounds excellence in shared culture through five Cultural Conditions: Mission, Vision, Values, Traditions, and Norms.
The Operational Core is supported by a digital Ecosystem Toolkit that translates the framework into actionable strategies and measurable outcomes, including:
- Strategies that strengthen policies, practices, and structures
- Scenarios illustrating real-world challenges and solutions—each intentionally linked to the Humanistic Conditions of the Ecosystem and aligned with relevant AACN Essentials
- Reflection questions that promote dialogue, planning, and innovation
- Dashboards and planning tools to monitor progress and outcomes
- Curated supporting literature that provides evidence and context for implementation
Note: Recording of the webinar will be available soon after the webinar airs. Visit AACN's On-Demand Webinars to watch.
Speakers
Speaker
Wanda Thruston, DNP, APRN, RN
Director of Access and Engagement
American Association of Colleges of Nursing
Dr. Wanda Thruston, Director of Access and Engagement at AACN, is a national and international leader in academic nursing and advancing fair and just access to health and well-being for all, with expertise in institutional transformation, leadership development, and systems-level strategy. A Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Clinical Scholar Fellow, she brings decades of experience in clinical practice with under-resourced populations, health policy, and academic leadership.
At AACN, Dr. Thruston led the development and implementation of the Ecosystem of Excellence in Academic Nursing, a strategic framework designed to enhance institutional effectiveness and promote the success of students, staff, and faculty. She provides technical assistance, training, and consultation to HRSA-funded nursing schools and AACN member institutions—supporting strategies to expand access, strengthen student achievement, improve the institutional climate, and build academic environments where all individuals feel supported and prepared to succeed.
Previously, she served as Special Assistant to the Dean at Indiana University School of Nursing, where she led the development of the Diversity Strategic Plan and co-created a university-wide pathway for DEI faculty promotion. She also led a large-scale assessment of health and well-being for Indiana’s second-largest K–12 district to inform fair and effective resource allocation that meets the needs of all students. Dr. Thruston is committed to advancing environments where students, staff, and faculty thrive.
Tags
Condition 3: Education and Scholarship – Advancing Learning, Discovery, and Innovation
February 03, 2026
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM (ET)
Webinar Details
This session examines how curriculum, teaching, and scholarship shape academic excellence, institutional impact, and workforce readiness in academic nursing. Grounded in the AACN Ecosystem of Excellence in Academic Nursing, the session explores the Education and Scholarship Condition within the Operational Core, emphasizing education as a whole-person process—where students, staff, and faculty are supported to grow as scholars, educators, and leaders.
Participants will explore strategies to align educational and scholarly practices with the AACN Essentials, promote access to quality learning and well-being, and create psychologically safe and intellectually vibrant environments that nurture curiosity and innovation. The session highlights universal design for learning, mentorship, collaborative inquiry, and technology-enhanced learning as powerful tools for preparing a responsive and practice-ready nursing workforce.
Discussion will also consider how the Humanistic Conditions—particularly support, value, and preparedness—intersect with teaching and scholarship to foster lifelong learning and professional growth across roles.
Learning Outcomes
After participating in this webinar, attendees will be able to:
- Describe how integrated approaches to education and scholarship strengthen institutional effectiveness, professional preparedness, and individual growth.
- Identify strategies to enhance curriculum, research, and professional development environments that support engagement, innovation, and well-being across students, staff, and faculty.
- Implement approaches that advance teaching excellence, mentorship, scholarly productivity, and universal learning experiences across the academic nursing continuum.
- Explain how the Education and Scholarship Condition within the Operational Core supports AACN’s Access, Connection, and Engagement (ACE) vision by aligning learning, discovery, and practice for sustained excellence.
About the Ecosystem
The AACN Ecosystem of Excellence in Academic Nursing is a comprehensive, evidence-informed framework that aligns mission, people, and systems to create environments where all stu dents, staff, and faculty can thrive.
At its foundation are the Humanistic Conditions—Healthy, Psychologically Safe, Connected, Supported, Valued, and Prepared—that enable individuals to achieve their best. These are integrated through the Ecosystem’s three Cores:
- Human Core, which centers on the Humanistic Conditions that foster well-being and engagement.
- Operational Core, which aligns systems and strategies through five Institutional Conditions: Infrastructure and Capacity, Climate and Intergroup Relations, Education and Scholarship, Access and Success, and Community Engagement.
- Institutional Core, which grounds excellence in shared culture through five Cultural Conditions: Mission, Vision, Values, Traditions, and Norms.
The Operational Core is supported by a digital Ecosystem Toolkit that translates the framework into actionable strategies and measurable outcomes, including:
- Strategies that strengthen policies, practices, and structures
- Scenarios illustrating real-world challenges and solutions—each intentionally linked to the Humanistic Conditions of the Ecosystem and aligned with relevant AACN Essentials
- Reflection questions that promote dialogue, planning, and innovation
- Dashboards and planning tools to monitor progress and outcomes
- Curated supporting literature that provides evidence and context for implementation
Speakers
Speakers
Wanda Thruston, DNP, APRN, RN
Director of Access and Engagement
American Association of Colleges of Nursing
Dr. Wanda Thruston, Director of Access and Engagement at AACN, is a national and international leader in academic nursing and advancing fair and just access to health and well-being for all, with expertise in institutional transformation, leadership development, and systems-level strategy. A Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Clinical Scholar Fellow, she brings decades of experience in clinical practice with under-resourced populations, health policy, and academic leadership.
At AACN, Dr. Thruston led the development and implementation of the Ecosystem of Excellence in Academic Nursing, a strategic framework designed to enhance institutional effectiveness and promote the success of students, staff, and faculty. She provides technical assistance, training, and consultation to HRSA-funded nursing schools and AACN member institutions—supporting strategies to expand access, strengthen student achievement, improve the institutional climate, and build academic environments where all individuals feel supported and prepared to succeed.
Previously, she served as Special Assistant to the Dean at Indiana University School of Nursing, where she led the development of the Diversity Strategic Plan and co-created a university-wide pathway for DEI faculty promotion. She also led a large-scale assessment of health and well-being for Indiana’s second-largest K–12 district to inform fair and effective resource allocation that meets the needs of all students. Dr. Thruston is committed to advancing environments where students, staff, and faculty thrive.
Tags
Condition 2: Climate & Intergroup Relations – Creating Conditions for Respect, Trust & Collaboration
January 22, 2026
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM (ET)
Webinar Details
This session explores how interpersonal norms, communication practices, and power dynamics shape the lived experiences of students, staff, and faculty within academic nursing environments. Grounded in the AACN Ecosystem of Excellence in Academic Nursing, participants will examine how the Climate and Intergroup Relations Condition, within the Operational Core, influences well-being, collaboration, and long-term academic and professional success.
The session highlights the connection between institutional climate and the Humanistic Conditions—particularly psychological safety, connection, support, and value—and demonstrates how these elements reinforce one another to sustain excellence. Participants will engage in strategies to promote psychological safety, build trust, foster belonging, and strengthen accountability across all roles and levels.
Discussion will also explore how institutional histories, structures, and digital communication tools influence intergroup relations—and how intentional, evidence-informed actions can help nursing programs cultivate climates where every individual feels respected, supported, and prepared to thrive.
Learning Outcomes
After participating in this webinar, attendees will be able to:
- Explain how institutional climate and intergroup relations influence the well-being, engagement, and performance of students, staff, and faculty.
- Recognize early signs of unhealthy or unsafe climates—such as relational exclusion, incivility, or misuse of power—that disrupt collaboration and learning.
- Apply strategies that foster respectful communication, trust-building, and shared accountability across the academic nursing community.
- Describe how the Operational Core and Humanistic Conditions within the Ecosystem of Excellence guide the creation of climates that align with AACN’s Access, Connection, and Engagement (ACE) vision.
The AACN Ecosystem of Excellence in Academic Nursing is a comprehensive, evidence-informed framework that aligns mission, people, and systems to create environments where all students, staff, and faculty can thrive.
At its foundation are the H umanistic Conditions—Healthy, Psychologically Safe, Connected, Supported, Valued, and Prepared—that enable individuals to achieve their best. These are integrated through the Ecosystem’s three Cores:
- Human Core, which centers on the Humanistic Conditions that foster well-being and engagement.
- Operational Core, which aligns systems and strategies through five Institutional Conditions: Infrastructure and Capacity, Climate and Intergroup Relations, Education and Scholarship, Access and Success, and Community Engagement.
- Institutional Core, which grounds excellence in shared culture through five Cultural Conditions: Mission, Vision, Values, Traditions, and Norms.
The Operational Core is supported by a digital Ecosystem Toolkit that translates the framework into actionable strategies and measurable outcomes, including:
- Strategies that strengthen policies, practices, and structures
- Scenarios illustrating real-world challenges and solutions—each intentionally linked to the Humanistic Conditions of the Ecosystem and aligned with relevant AACN Essentials
- Reflection questions that promote dialogue, planning, and innovation
- Dashboards and planning tools to monitor progress and outcomes
- Curated supporting literature that provides evidence and context for implementation
Speakers
Speakers
Wanda Thruston, DNP, APRN, RN
Director of Access and Engagement
American Association of Colleges of Nursing
Dr. Wanda Thruston, Director of Access and Engagement at AACN, is a national and international leader in academic nursing and advancing fair and just access to health and well-being for all, with expertise in institutional transformation, leadership development, and systems-level strategy. A Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Clinical Scholar Fellow, she brings decades of experience in clinical practice with under-resourced populations, health policy, and academic leadership.
At AACN, Dr. Thruston led the development and implementation of the Ecosystem of Excellence in Academic Nursing, a strategic framework designed to enhance institutional effectiveness and promote the success of students, staff, and faculty. She provides technical assistance, training, and consultation to HRSA-funded nursing schools and AACN member institutions—supporting strategies to expand access, strengthen student achievement, improve the institutional climate, and build academic environments where all individuals feel supported and prepared to succeed.
Previously, she served as Special Assistant to the Dean at Indiana University School of Nursing, where she led the development of the Diversity Strategic Plan and co-created a university-wide pathway for DEI faculty promotion. She also led a large-scale assessment of health and well-being for Indiana’s second-largest K–12 district to inform fair and effective resource allocation that meets the needs of all students. Dr. Thruston is committed to advancing environments where students, staff, and faculty thrive.
Tags
Condition 2: Climate & Intergroup Relations – Creating Conditions for Respect, Trust & Collaboration
January 22, 2026
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM (ET)
Webinar Details
This session explores how interpersonal norms, communication practices, and power dynamics shape the lived experiences of students, staff, and faculty within academic nursing environments. Grounded in the AACN Ecosystem of Excellence in Academic Nursing, participants will examine how the Climate and Intergroup Relations Condition, within the Operational Core, influences well-being, collaboration, and long-term academic and professional success.
The session highlights the connection between institutional climate and the Humanistic Conditions—particularly psychological safety, connection, support, and value—and demonstrates how these elements reinforce one another to sustain excellence. Participants will engage in strategies to promote psychological safety, build trust, foster belonging, and strengthen accountability across all roles and levels.
Discussion will also explore how institutional histories, structures, and digital communication tools influence intergroup relations—and how intentional, evidence-informed actions can help nursing programs cultivate climates where every individual feels respected, supported, and prepared to thrive.
Learning Outcomes
After participating in this webinar, attendees will be able to:
- Explain how institutional climate and intergroup relations influence the well-being, engagement, and performance of students, staff, and faculty.
- Recognize early signs of unhealthy or unsafe climates—such as relational exclusion, incivility, or misuse of power—that disrupt collaboration and learning.
- Apply strategies that foster respectful communication, trust-building, and shared accountability across the academic nursing community.
- Describe how the Operational Core and Humanistic Conditions within the Ecosystem of Excellence guide the creation of climates that align with AACN’s Access, Connection, and Engagement (ACE) vision.
The AACN Ecosystem of Excellence in Academic Nursing is a comprehensive, evidence-informed framework that aligns mission, people, and systems to create environments where all students, staff, and faculty can thrive.
At its foundation are the H umanistic Conditions—Healthy, Psychologically Safe, Connected, Supported, Valued, and Prepared—that enable individuals to achieve their best. These are integrated through the Ecosystem’s three Cores:
- Human Core, which centers on the Humanistic Conditions that foster well-being and engagement.
- Operational Core, which aligns systems and strategies through five Institutional Conditions: Infrastructure and Capacity, Climate and Intergroup Relations, Education and Scholarship, Access and Success, and Community Engagement.
- Institutional Core, which grounds excellence in shared culture through five Cultural Conditions: Mission, Vision, Values, Traditions, and Norms.
The Operational Core is supported by a digital Ecosystem Toolkit that translates the framework into actionable strategies and measurable outcomes, including:
- Strategies that strengthen policies, practices, and structures
- Scenarios illustrating real-world challenges and solutions—each intentionally linked to the Humanistic Conditions of the Ecosystem and aligned with relevant AACN Essentials
- Reflection questions that promote dialogue, planning, and innovation
- Dashboards and planning tools to monitor progress and outcomes
- Curated supporting literature that provides evidence and context for implementation
Note: Recording of the webinar will be available soon after the webinar airs. Visit AACN's On-Demand Webinars to watch.
Speakers
Speakers
Wanda Thruston, DNP, APRN, RN
Director of Access and Engagement
American Association of Colleges of Nursing
Dr. Wanda Thruston, Director of Access and Engagement at AACN, is a national and international leader in academic nursing and advancing fair and just access to health and well-being for all, with expertise in institutional transformation, leadership development, and systems-level strategy. A Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Clinical Scholar Fellow, she brings decades of experience in clinical practice with under-resourced populations, health policy, and academic leadership.
At AACN, Dr. Thruston led the development and implementation of the Ecosystem of Excellence in Academic Nursing, a strategic framework designed to enhance institutional effectiveness and promote the success of students, staff, and faculty. She provides technical assistance, training, and consultation to HRSA-funded nursing schools and AACN member institutions—supporting strategies to expand access, strengthen student achievement, improve the institutional climate, and build academic environments where all individuals feel supported and prepared to succeed.
Previously, she served as Special Assistant to the Dean at Indiana University School of Nursing, where she led the development of the Diversity Strategic Plan and co-created a university-wide pathway for DEI faculty promotion. She also led a large-scale assessment of health and well-being for Indiana’s second-largest K–12 district to inform fair and effective resource allocation that meets the needs of all students. Dr. Thruston is committed to advancing environments where students, staff, and faculty thrive.