American Association of Colleges of Nursing

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Logo of American Association of Colleges of Nursing

American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) is the national voice for baccalaureate and graduate nursing education. AACN works to establish quality standards for nursing education; assists schools of nursing in implementing those standards; influences the nursing profession to improve health care; and promotes public support for professional nursing education, research, and practice.

History

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing was founded in 1969 in response to the changing landscape of health care and the need for a unified voice for baccalaureate and higher nursing education. Since its inception, AACN has been at the forefront of advancing nursing education, research, and practice.

Mission and Goals

The mission of AACN is to advance nursing education, research, and practice through the generation and dissemination of knowledge. The organization aims to establish quality standards for nursing education and to provide resources to assist schools of nursing to meet these standards. Additionally, AACN works to influence the nursing profession and health care policy to improve health care outcomes.

Membership

Membership in AACN is open to accredited United States schools of nursing that offer baccalaureate, graduate, or postgraduate programs in nursing. The association also offers affiliate memberships to individuals and organizations interested in advancing nursing education and practice.

Programs and Initiatives

AACN is involved in a wide range of programs and initiatives aimed at improving the quality of nursing education and practice. These include:

- The Essentials of Baccalaureate Education for Professional Nursing Practice - The Essentials of Master's Education in Nursing - The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Essentials - The Research-Focused Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD) in Nursing Essentials - Advocacy and policy work to advance health care reform and nursing's role in the health care system - Leadership development programs for nursing educators and administrators

Accreditation

AACN is not an accrediting body; however, it plays a significant role in nursing education accreditation through its support of the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), an autonomous accrediting agency officially recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education as a national accreditation agency for baccalaureate and graduate degree programs in nursing.

Conferences and Educational Programs

AACN hosts a variety of conferences and educational programs throughout the year designed to provide nursing educators, administrators, and students with opportunities for professional development and networking. These events cover a range of topics relevant to nursing education and practice.

Publications

AACN publishes several key resources for nursing educators and administrators, including: - Journal of Professional Nursing, the official journal of AACN, which features peer-reviewed articles on issues related to nursing education, practice, and research. - AACN Update, a newsletter providing updates on AACN initiatives, programs, and events, as well as news from the world of nursing education.

Challenges and Future Directions

As the health care landscape continues to evolve, AACN remains committed to addressing the challenges facing nursing education and practice. These challenges include preparing a nursing workforce that can meet the diverse needs of patients in a rapidly changing health care environment, advancing nursing research, and promoting diversity and inclusion within the nursing profession.