Policy & Advocacy

Policy & Advocacy

AACN is a nonpartisan organization that serves to educate and advocate for nursing education, research, and practice. AACN is a leader in securing sustained federal support for nursing education and research; shaping legislative and regulatory policy affecting nursing schools; and ensuring continuing financial assistance for nursing students.

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Introducing the Face of Academic Nursing Hub

AACN is pleased to introduce The Face of Academic Nursing, a new resource hub highlighting the vital role of Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development Programs and the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) in shaping the future of nursing education and health care. These federal programs are essential to strengthening nursing pathways and maintaining access to high-quality care nationwide. This hub serves as a comprehensive guide to understanding the impact of Title VIII and NINR, providing valuable resources and insights for nursing students, faculty, and institutions.

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Action

Member Engagement

Member Engagement

Federal Agenda

Federal Agenda

Student Opportunities

Student Opportunities

Advocacy Resources

Advocacy Resources

Committees & Councils

Committees & Councils

Snapshot

Take a Look at Our 2025 Mid-Year Review

As we enter the mid-point of 2025, the 119th Congress and new Administration continue to engage in legislative and policy activity that directly impacts healthcare and higher education. Join us in our efforts as we continue to advocate for academic nursing at the federal level.  

View a Snapshot of AACN’s Ongoing Work

Latest News


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AACN's Latest Advocacy, Coalition, and Policy Efforts


July 14: AACN signed onto a Nursing Community Coalition (NCC) letter thanking the Senators and Representatives who introduced the bipartisan, bicameral Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act of 2025 (S.1874/H.R.3593).

July 14: AACN sent a letter to Representative Judy Chu (D-CA-27) and Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA) thanking them for introducing the Protecting Our Students by Terminating Graduate Rates that Add to Debt (POST GRAD) Act (H.R.3711/S.1948).

June 30: AACN signed onto a Nursing Community Coalition (NCC) letter welcoming Dr. Courtney Aklin as the new Interim Director of the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR).

June 27: AACN signed onto an American Council on Education letter to Senate leadership expressing concerns with cuts to federal student aid and new taxes on higher education institutions proposed in the Senate Finance and Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committees’ budget reconciliation bills.

June 25: AACN signed onto a letter led by the Alliance for Women’s Health and Prevention, American Medical Women’s Association, HealthyWomen, The National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health, and the Society for Women’s Health Research. The letter urged Senate leadership, as well as the leadership of the Senate Finance Committee, to reject proposed cuts to the Medicaid program in the Committee’s budget reconciliation bill due to their impact on women’s and child health care.

June 23: AACN signed onto a Nursing Community Coalition (NCC) letter thanking Representatives Tim Walberg (R-MI-05) and Joe Courtney (D-CT-02) for introducing the Improving Access to Workers’ Compensation for Injured Federal Workers Act (H.R.3170), and supporting its passage this Congress. This bipartisan bill would retire outdated barriers in the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act (FECA) that limit the ability of nurse practitioners (NPs) to diagnose and oversee the care and treatment of federal employees who are injured or become ill in the course of their employment.


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