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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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


Capitol Rotunda

AACN's Latest Advocacy, Coalition, and Policy Efforts


September 29: AACN signed onto a comment letter led by the American Council on Education (ACE) to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) expressing serious concerns and in strong opposition to the proposed rule “Establishing a Fixed Time Period of Admission and an Extension of Stay Procedure for Nonimmigrant Academic Students, Exchange Visitors, and Representatives of Foreign Information Media.”

September 22: AACN signed onto a letter with 164 organizations in support of the Joint Associations Group on Indirect Costs (JAG), thanking appropriators for including language in some of the spending bills and reports to date, and urging that they strengthen language in the final spending bills supporting the JAG work and prohibiting the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) from instituting arbitrary caps on federal support for research costs.

September 19: AACN signed onto a letter led by the Alliance for Aging Research urging the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) to recommend the full schedule of vaccines and ensure access and patient choice, recommend Covid-19 vaccines for all Americans 6 months and older, and uphold the process and Gold Standard of the ACIP.

September 17: AACN submitted comments to the Department of Education expressing the importance of, and continued support for, Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) programs, particularly for nurses and other healthcare professionals. Additionally, AACN signed onto a letter led by the American Council on Education (ACE) opposing certain proposed changes to PSLF, specifically the ability to deny some organizations "employer status," thus disqualifying their employees from participating in PSLF.

September 15: AACN signed onto a letter lead by Voices for Non-Opioid Choices regarding the implementation of the Non-Opioids Prevent Addiction in the Nation ("NOPAIN") Act and urging Congress to ensure patients can reasonably and easily access all FDA-approved, safe, and effective non-opioid treatment options that are used in the post-surgical setting  and that such products qualify for separate payment under the NOPAIN Act.

September 12: AACN submitted comments to the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services on the CY 2026 Physician Fee Schedule.

September 12: AACN signed onto comments led by the APRN Workgroup to the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services on the Calendar Year (CY) 2026 Physician Fee Schedule.


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