American Association of Colleges of Nursing

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) is a non-profit organization established in 1969, serving as the national voice for academic nursing. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., its mission is to act as a catalyst for excellence and innovation in nursing education, research, and practice. AACN works to establish quality standards for nursing education, assists member schools in implementing these standards, influences the nursing profession to improve healthcare, and promotes public support for baccalaureate and graduate nursing education, research, and practice.

AACN's core services include developing educational frameworks, such as "The Essentials: Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education," and overseeing the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), a specialized accrediting body for nursing degree programs. The association conducts research and provides data services on the nursing education workforce, advocates for nursing education and workforce issues before federal agencies, and hosts national conferences, leadership development programs (e.g., AACN LEADS, ACE Leadership Institute), and faculty development initiatives. It also maintains various Leadership Networks for nursing school faculty and staff, operates NursingCAS—a centralized application service for prospective nursing students—and supports the Graduate Nursing Student Academy (GNSA) for master's, doctoral, and post-graduate nursing students.

As of October 2026, AACN continues to be a prominent force in academic nursing, representing over 890 member schools nationwide. Recent activities include the release of a revised white paper on "The Doctor of Nursing Practice: Current Issues and Clarifying Recommendations" on October 8, 2026, and the announcement of the 2026-2028 cohort of Jonas Scholars and Mentors on October 1, 2026. The organization also reported on May 7, 2026, that schools of nursing saw enrollment increases across most program levels, signaling strong interest in nursing careers. Deborah E. Trautman, PhD, RN, serves as the President and CEO, with Julie Sanford as the Board Chair.