Foundation for Academic Nursing

Logo: Foundation for Academic Nursing, American Association of Colleges of Nursing

Our members educate the future nursing workforce.

By giving to the Foundation for Academic Nursing, you are helping us support our member schools to provide quality nursing education needed to prepare clinicians, scientists, faculty, and leaders to care for the nation.

About the Foundation

The Foundation for Academic Nursing was launched in 2020 to support the mission of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) to serve as the catalyst for excellence and innovation in nursing education, research, and practice. Guided by an advisory committee with education, corporate, and philanthropic leaders, the Foundation is the focal point for supporting the needs of AACN member schools, their faculties, and students. Through partnerships with donors, the Foundation has a goal of strengthening the nursing workforce through supporting nurse educators and their students to reach their full potential.

Meet the Foundation Advisory Committee

Featured Webinar: Virtual Reality in Distance-led Graduate Nursing Programs: The VR-NP Innovation Project

December 6 from 2:00-3:00 pm (ET)

In Spring of 2023, faculty in an online advanced health assessment course embarked on an innovative project to integrate virtual reality simulation into the competency-based curriculum of a graduate nursing program. Students were given virtual reality headsets to use at home to complete weekly simulations to reinforce didactic content. This webinar will be presented by the recipients of the 2022 AACN Faculty Scholars Grant Program and will explore how to integrate virtual reality into an online graduate nursing program. Lessons learned will be shared along with implications for faculty, students, and technology staff.

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Latest News

2023-2024 Faculty Scholar Grant Recipients Announced

The Foundation for Academic Nursing is pleased to announce the 2023-2024 recipients of the AACN Faculty Scholars Grant. The nurse educators to receive funding this year include Dr. Michael L. Jones from East Carolina University for his project titled Recruitment of Middle School African American Males to the Nursing Profession; and Dr. Catherine Horvath from Georgetown University for her project titled Development, Implementation and Evaluation of a DEIB and Anti-Racism-Focused CRNA Preceptor Module.

Foundation Extends Scholarship Application Deadline

The application deadline for the Deborah E. Trautman Future Nurse Leader Scholarship has been extended to October 16. This scholarship is designed to recognize graduate nursing students who aspire to leadership positions in academic nursing. See scholarship details and eligibility requirements here.

AACN and QGenda Launch New Scholarship to Support Nursing Students in Baccalaureate and Graduate Programs

AACN and QGenda are pleased to announce the launch of a new scholarship program to support the preparation of new nurses and those seeking to advance their education. Open to nursing students pursuing baccalaureate and higher degrees at AACN member institutions, this program will award nearly $50,000 in scholarships through 2025, which will be administered by AACN’s Foundation for Academic Nursing.

2023 Future Nurse Leader Scholarship Award Recipients Announced

The Foundation for Academic Nursing is pleased to announce the 2023 recipients of the Deborah E. Trautman Future Nurse Leader Scholarship. With funding provided by Liaison International, AACN’s partner in NursingCAS, this year's award winners are Nkemdilim "Kelly" Diaz, a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) student at Winona State University, and Rika Win Kemp, a DNP student at the Medical University of South Carolina. Past foundation news

Recipients Testimonials

Receiving the AACN Faculty Scholars Grant allowed me to introduce a new form of simulation to my students. Using immersive virtual reality, students have been able to experience primary care that may not have happened otherwise. Students are asking for more of this type of learning and sharing great ideas with how virtual reality can be used to enhance nursing education.

- Dr. Beth Culross, Faculty Scholar

"Being selected as an AACN Trautman scholar is an incredible opportunity for me to learn from inspirational nurse leaders and meet new colleagues. I am excited to expand my network and continue to work collaboratively with all members of the healthcare team. This experience is one that I will carry throughout my career and am grateful for the opportunity to work with Dr. Trautman."

- Rika Win Kemp, Student Scholarship Recipient

As one of the recipients of the 2022 Deborah E. Trautman scholarship is such an honor. I was inspired to apply for this scholarship as I had attended a few AACN conferences last summer which motivated me to not only join the Graduate Nursing Student Academy but also seek out additional opportunities to expand my knowledge in professional development and advocacy. Scholarships such as these allow us to grow our skillset and become better-equipped providers and caregivers.

- Nkemdilim "Kelly" Diaz, Student Scholarship Recipient

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