Position Statements & White Papers

For an overview of AACN's Public Statements, click here.

The Research-Focused Doctoral Program in Nursing: Pathways to Excellence
April 2022

The Essentials: Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education
April 2021

Academic Progression in Nursing: Moving Together Toward a Highly Educated Nursing Workforce
March 2019

Defining Scholarship for Academic Nursing
March 2018

The Preferred Vision of the Professoriate in Baccalaureate and Graduate Nursing Programs
October 2017

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Academic Nursing
March 2017

Joint Statement on Academic Progression for Nursing Students and Graduates
September 2012

The Essentials of Master's Education in Nursing
March 2011

The Tri-Council for Nursing on the Educational Advancement of RNs (Policy Statement)
October 2008

The Essentials of Baccalaureate Education for Professional Nursing Practice
October 2008

The Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice
October 2006

AACN Statement of Support of Clinical Nurse Specialists
March 2006

Position Statement on Nursing Research
Revised March 2006

Position Statement on the Practice Doctorate in Nursing
October 2004

Alliance for Nursing Accreditation Statement on Distance Education
January 2003

Strategies to Reverse the New Nursing Shortage (Tri-Council for Nursing)
January 2001

The Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing as Minimal Preparation for Professional Practice
Updated December 2000

Response to the Institute of Medicine's Report to Err is Human: Building a Safer Health System (Tri-Council for Nursing)
September 2000

The Essential Clinical Resources for Nursing's Academic Mission
March 1999

Violence as a Public Health Problem
March 1999

Policy and Guidelines for Prevention and Management of Substance Abuse in the Nursing Education Community
November 1998

Educational Mobility
March 1998

Diversity and Equality of Opportunity
October 1997

Statement on Assistive Personnel to the Registered Nurse (Tri-Council for Nursing)
Revised December 1995

Interdisciplinary Education and Practice
March 1995

Licensure of International Students
March 1994