Used to define quality in nursing education, the AACN Essentials outline the necessary curriculum content and expected competencies of graduates from baccalaureate, master’s, and Doctor of Nursing Practice programs. AACN is dedicated to providing resources and support to facilitate this shift in nursing education. Whether you're an educator, student, or healthcare professional, explore this microsite to stay informed and engaged as we shape the future of nursing education together.
This video is an essential starting point for those new to The Essentials: Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education. It provides a comprehensive overview of the Essentials website, guiding you through key resources and tools for implementing competency-based education (CBE). Watch now to take your first steps with confidence.
Learn More
Review the Latest Scholarship on the Essentials and CBE
May 14, 2025 As nursing schools nationwide align their programs to the 2021 Essentials and transition to competency-based education (CBE), faculty have documented this transformational work in scholarly journals focused on nursing, healthcare, and higher education. AACN maintains an updated list of Essentials References on the web for those wishing to learn more about how schools are navigating curriculum redesign and leading innovation. Refreshed each month, recently posted articles focus on utilizing backward design, leveraging simulation, maintaining rigor in DNP projects, and precepting NP students. Faculty interested in suggesting journal articles for the reference list may send citations to rrosseter@aacnnursing.org.
APNA’s Graduate Faculty Toolkit Aligns with the 2021 Essentials
May 7, 2025 The American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA) recently published a faculty toolkit with an array of resources for psychiatric-mental health advanced practice nursing educators, program directors, and administrators. Designed for those teaching in graduate-level nursing programs, this toolkit provides in-depth resources, best practices, and key insights to help faculty foster critical thinking and advanced skills in their students. The toolkit is organized by the ten domains of the AACN Essentials and can be customized based on unique student population, institutional goals, and clinical practice standards. This resource has been linked to AACN’s Essentials Tool Kit, which features among its many tools and resources, curriculum mapping tools and crosswalks prepared by COA, ELNEC, NACNS, NONPF, QSEN, and the National RN-BSN Faculty Forum, among others.
Share Your Learning Strategies via AACN's Teaching Resource Database
April 30, 2025 AACN created the Teaching Resource Database to highlight new approaches to competency assessment in alignment with the 2021 Essentials. The searchable database is home to more than 100 peer-reviewed learning strategies and content for both entry- and advanced-level courses, such as the Windshield Survey of the Community and A Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment Simulation for the Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Student. Faculty are encouraged to visit the database on a regular basis, as new resources are added following peer review. To submit your learning strategies, click here. In particular, AACN is seeking new resources for Domain 8, Informatics and Healthcare Technologies. For tips on using the Teaching Resource Database and adding your new content for consideration, watch this video featuring Dr. Kristin Ashford from the University of Kentucky, who was recently appointed as dean of Frontier Nursing University.
Getting Started with the Essentials Video and Online Resource Published
April 23, 2025 AACN has released a quick start guide for schools moving to implement the Essentials and transition to competency-based nursing education. This resource includes a video that outlines steps schools can take to accelerate the implementation process. View the "Getting Started with the Essentials" video. In addition, a webpage was created identifying a four-step approach to guide curriculum redesign efforts, including resources to help faculty every step of the way. The four steps include: Familiarize Yourself with the Essentials; Review AACN Guides and Talking Points; Strategizing Ways to Approach Implementation; and Engaging with Peers and Practice Partners.
Feedback on Draft Progression Indicators Due April 16
April 16, 2025 AACN is working to identify consensus-based progression indicators — expected behaviors that demonstrate competency — for the competencies and sub-competencies outlined in the 2021 Essentials. These indicators will serve as key benchmarks to guide faculty in assessing student development within a competency-based curriculum across all 10 domains of nursing practice. On March 20, AACN emailed a draft of the progression indicators to all member deans and Essentials Champions seeking input. Feedback is due today, April 16. Your contribution to this work will help ensure that the progression indicators are clear, practical, and applicable across nursing programs and clinical settings. Please send any updates and questions to essentials@aacnnursing.org.
Essentials Implementation Spotlight: Uniformed Services University
April 9, 2025 The Daniel K. Inouye Graduate School of Nursing (GSN) at the Uniformed Services University held a faculty retreat last January, dedicating a full day to reinforcing the vital role faculty members play in aligning the AACN Essentials with the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) curriculum. Led by the GSN Competency Committee, the session—titled Competency Catalyst: Transitioning to a Competency-Based Curriculum—provided faculty with structured Competency Catalyst Folders containing the knowledge, tools, and resources necessary to integrate the new standards into both core and specialty courses of the DNP program. These folders included current course syllabi and an Assessment/Assignment Worksheet, outlining a systematic process for mapping assignments to course and AACN competencies. Click here to read more about the step-by-step process used by faculty to facilitate the transition to the 2021 Essentials and competency-based education.
Progression Indicators Feedback Period Open Now Through April 16 for Deans and Essentials Champions
April 2, 2025 As AACN continues to drive academic nursing’s transition to competency-based education, the association is working to develop a national consensus for progression indicators—the expected behaviors that demonstrate competency—for the competencies and sub-competencies outlined in the 2021 Essentials. On March 20, 2025, an email sharing drafts of the progression indicators was sent to member deans and their school’s Essentials Champion. AACN is asking schools and their practice partners to review the drafts and submit feedback by April 16. These contributions will help ensure that the progression indicators are clear, practical, and applicable across nursing programs and clinical settings. More detailed information about the progression indicators can be found in the March 20 email. If you have any questions about the review process or this communication, please reach out to essentials@aacnnursing.org.
Faculty Development Workshop on Student Coaching and Curriculum Design
April 2, 2025 On April 29 and 30, AACN will host a regional faculty development workshop in Albuquerque, New Mexico focused on student coaching and technology-enhanced curriculum design. Titled Unlocking the Power of Simulation - Coach for Competency, this workshop will help faculty explore how to adapt instructional strategies through experiential learning using various forms of simulation in the lab, classroom, and clinical setting. Participants will also learn how to take their coaching and debriefing techniques to the next level. Program sessions include Simulation’s Role in Competency-Based Education, Simulating Success: Scenario Development and Assessment, Coaching Conversations, The Art of Facilitation, Building a Resource Toolbox, and Creating a Learning Oasis: Psychological Safety and Engagement. Register now—space is limited.
Engaging with Practice Partners to Meet the Essentials
March 26, 2025 Offered as part of our popular Essentials implementation series, AACN is presenting a webinar on Navigating the Future Together: The Role of Academic-Practice Partnerships on April 15 from 2:00-3:00 pm (ET). Presented in collaboration with members from the AACN/AONL Academic-Practice Advisory Committee, this webinar will highlight a successful 17-year partnership between the University of Maryland School of Nursing and the University of Maryland Medical System. Speakers will share practical insights that can be leveraged by academic and healthcare organizations to strengthen their own partnerships. The discussion will focus on lessons learned and future goals aligned with full implementation of the 2021 Essentials. Register now. For details on dozens of additional on-demand webinars focused on competency-based education and related topics, click here.
Leveraging Simulation in the Transition to Competency-Based Education
March 19, 2025 Back by popular demand, AACN will host a regional, simulation-focused workshop for faculty seeking effective approaches to meeting the 2021 Essentials and transitioning to competency-based education (CBE). On April 29 and 30, AACN will present Unlocking the Power of Simulation - Coach for Competency in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Faculty will explore how to adapt instructional strategies through experiential learning using various forms of simulation in the lab, classroom, and clinical setting. Participants will learn how to take their coaching and debriefing techniques to the next level using simulation. Program sessions include Simulation’s Role in CBE, Simulating Success: Scenario Development and Assessment, Coaching Conversations, The Art of Facilitation, Building a Resource Toolbox, and Creating a Learning Oasis: Psychological Safety and Engagement. Register now, space is limited.
Using AI to Facilitate Implementation of the AACN Essentials
March 12, 2025 As part of our popular series on implementing the Essentials, AACN is presenting a webinar on AI in Nursing Education and Bridging Innovation, Competency, and Practice on March 19 from 2-3pm ET. Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming how we teach, learn, and practice nursing. This session will explore how AI aligns with Domain 8 of the 2021 Essentials, focusing on informatics and healthcare technologies, while also demonstrating its practical applications in curriculum design and clinical practice. Led by Dr. Stephen Ferrara from Columbia University, faculty will be introduced to AI-driven tools that enhance competency-based learning, clinical simulations, and decision support. The webinar will address ethical considerations and best practices for integrating AI responsibly into nursing curricula while maintaining humanistic and evidence-based teaching approaches. Register now. For details on dozens of additional webinars to help with Essentials implementation that are available on demand, click here.
March 5, 2025 Back by popular demand, AACN will host a regional, simulation-focused workshop for faculty seeking effective approaches to meeting the 2021 Essentials and transitioning to competency-based education (CBE). On April 29 and 30, AACN will present the Unlocking the Power of Simulation - Coach for Competency in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Faculty will explore how to adapt instructional strategies through experiential learning using various forms of simulation in the lab, classroom, and clinical setting. Participants will learn how to take their coaching and debriefing techniques to the next level using simulation. Program sessions include Simulation’s Role in CBE, Simulating Success: Scenario Development and Assessment, Coaching Conversations, Art of Facilitation, Building a Resource Toolbox, and Creating a Learning Oasis: Psychological Safety and Engagement. Register now—space is limited!
View all Updates
June 10 & 12, 2025 | Virtual Two-Day Workshop Essentializing Your Curriculum: Moving Forward with Competency-Based Education
December 3, 2025 | Transform 2025 Pre-Conference | Anaheim, CA Advancing Curricular Transformation Through Coaching and Competency-Based Assessment Strategies
What Higher Education Leaders Need to Know About the AACN Essentials
Essentials Competency Assessment Framework