AACN has moved to a new, action-oriented framework — Access, Connection, and Engagement (ACE) — to describe how we engage deans, faculty, and students in our programming and advocacy, with a stronger focus on ensuring ACCESS FOR ALL. Taking a closer look, individual components of this approach advance:
- Access for All: AACN is committed to ensuring that every individual has access to opportunities, resources, education, and support needed to succeed as a student and professional nurse.
- Connection: AACN is invested in building strong, authentic relationships across teams and communities. Connection fosters communication, understanding, respect, and collaboration.
- Engagement: AACN affirms that everyone deserves to be heard and have a role in shaping their environment. We are creating pathways for active participation, leadership, and belonging.
AACN believes that ACE better captures the actions we are committed to and reflects the outcomes we aim to achieve. We are intentional about using language that is energizing, all-encompassing, and aligned with how we want every individual to experience nursing — with open doors, meaningful relationships, and a shared sense of purpose.