American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN)

AACN is pleased to announce the results of its 2026 election to fill seats on the AACN Board of Directors and Nominating Committee. With votes cast by nearly half of all member deans from the nation’s nursing schools with baccalaureate and higher degree programs, those selected to serve as AACN’s top leaders include Board members Valerie Howard (Chair-Elect) from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Christine Verni EdD, FNP-BC, CHSE (Secretary) from Niagara University; Bim Akintade, PhD, MBA, ACNP-BC, NEA-BC, FAANP, FAAN from East Carolina University; Eileen Fry-Bowers, PhD, JD, APRN, FAAN from the University of San Francisco; Kimberly Hunter from University of Iowa Health Care; and Versie Johnson-Mallard from Kent State University. New members of AACN’s Nominating Committee include Aziza Mahmud, PhD from Ponce Health Sciences University and Cynthia Rubenstein from Randolph-Macon College. Read the full press release: https://lnkd.in/eHZGDNVF

Today is the last day to submit comments! If finalized, this proposed federal rule would reduce access to federal loans for nursing students by excluding post-baccalaureate nursing education from the definition of a professional degree. This threatens educational pathways to advanced practice nurses, faculty, researchers, and leaders at a time when the nation can’t afford fewer nurses. Take Action by COB today: https://lnkd.in/garPESiM

Hiring soon? This is the moment to post in AACN's Career Center! AACN has maintained consistent Career Center job posting rates for eight years. Beginning March 17, a 15% rate adjustment will take effect to support continued value and service. Before the adjustment, AACN member schools have a limited-time opportunity to post at current rates and receive added visibility. Post a 30-, 60-, or 90-day job listing between now and March 17 at 12:00 pm (ET) and receive current (pre-increase) pricing and one complimentary monthly email distribution for each 30 days posted ($300 value per email). A 60-day posting includes two complimentary email distributions, and a 90-day posting includes three. This offer applies to one job posting per member school. Learn more and post your position: https://lnkd.in/egjfM4Uc

The Department of Education’s proposed rule excluding nursing as a “professional degree” is still under review, and the public comment period remains open through March 2. If finalized as written, graduate nursing students could face up to $100,000 less in aggregate federal loan eligibility compared with other programs, creating a barrier to advanced education and threatening the nursing workforce. AACN continues to urge students, faculty, and nursing advocates to submit personalized comments as soon as possible to ensure that master’s, DNP, and PhD nursing programs are recognized as professional degrees in the final rule. Your voice still matters, make sure it is heard: https://lnkd.in/gnMSKMxX #NursingIsAProfessionalDegree #AACNadvocate

With federal policymakers considering changes to how professional degrees are defined, a proposed rule would exclude post-baccalaureate nursing education. This would lower the amount for federal loans available to nursing students and threaten pathways to advanced practice, research, faculty, and leadership roles. Nursing IS a professional degree. Federal regulation must make that clear. Add your voice in support of nursing: https://lnkd.in/gnMSKMxX

We’re proud to share that our President & CEO, Dr. Deborah Trautman has been named a 2026 National Humanism in Medicine Medal recipient by The Arnold P. Gold Foundation. Dr. Trautman’s leadership has helped advance humanism in healthcare and inspire compassionate, team-based care. This honor reflects her profound impact on nursing education and interprofessional engagement. She will be formally honored at the Gold Foundation’s 2026 Gala in New York City in June, and we’re proud to see her leadership recognized on a national stage: https://lnkd.in/eaY2utWJ

AACN applauds Congress for passing the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026 [P.L. No. 119-75], which is a fiscal year (FY) 2026 appropriations package that includes funding for priority nursing programs within the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (LHHS-ED) funding title. In particular, AACN is pleased that this legislation provides level funding for the Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development Programs and the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) despite proposed cuts contained in the President’s FY 2026 budget request as well as the LHHS-ED appropriations bills debated in Congress last year. Read the full press release: https://lnkd.in/eG4anhaE

The Tri-Council for Nursing is urging nurses to submit public comments on the U.S. Department of Education’s proposed rule that excludes nursing from the professional degree designation. This decision contradicts licensure requirements, workforce needs, and federal policy. Comments requesting inclusion of post-baccalaureate nursing degrees (MSN, DNP, PhD) are due by March 2. Read the full statement - https://lnkd.in/g3gtSBuB

AACN and Certiphi Screening, Inc., the nation’s leading provider of screening solutions for health profession students, are pleased to announce the launch of a new scholarship program to support nursing students pursuing master’s and doctoral degrees. Open to members of AACN’s Graduate Nursing Student Academy (GNSA), this program will award two $5,000 scholarships each year through the Foundation for Academic Nursing. Read the full press release: https://lnkd.in/e2jdUdkB

Important update on nursing education policy: This morning, the Department of Education's Office of Postsecondary Education issued the public inspection of the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for implementing the One Big Beautiful Bill Act student loan limits for post-baccalaureate degrees. The official NPRM is currently scheduled to be published tomorrow (January 30, 2026) beginning the crucial 30-day comment period. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/ezBzhCa6