AACN is compiling a list of of references for the AACN 2021 Essentials. If you have an article to share, please contact AACN's Chief Communications Officer, Robert Rosseter at rrosseter@aacnnursing.org. 

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Adelman-Mullally, T., Nielsen, S., Ford, C. P., Astroth, K., & Chung, S. Y. (2024). Lessons Learned: Using a Three-Step Model of Planned Change for Nursing Curricular Revision. Journal of Professional Nursing, 53, 140–146. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.profnurs.2024.05.009

Altmiller, G. (2023). Curriculum Mapping for Competency-Based Education: Collecting Objective Data. Nurse Educator, 48(5), 287. DOI:10.1097/NNE.0000000000001462

Altmiller, G., Jimenez, F. A., & Wilson, C. (2024, July-August). Screen-Based Patient Simulation: An Exemplar for Developing and Assessing Competency. Nurse Educator, 49(4), 179-183.  https://doi.org/10.1097/nne.0000000000001585

Antonelli, M. T., Poza, R., Richards, R., & Vitello, J. (2024). Development of a Master of Science, Nursing and Interprofessional Leadership Program: AACN Essentials in Action. Journal of Professional Nursing, 51(1), 27–34. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.profnurs.2024.01.005

Barnes, R., Remick, J., Hughes-Gay, M., Opsahl, A., Townsend, C., Lash, R., & Bartlett Ellis, R. J. (2023). The AACN Essentials Journey. Journal of Professional Nursing, 46(X), 19–26. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.profnurs.2022.11.010

Barton, A. J. (2024). Nursing Education and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Journal of Nursing Education, 63(7), 419–420. https://doi.org/10.3928/01484834-20240617-01

Beasley, B., Reeves, N., & Riley, E. (2023). Introduction to Digital Health Course. Journal of Professional Nursing, 49, 64–69. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.profnurs.2023.09.002

Bumbach, M. D., Carrington, J. M., Love, R., Bjarnadottir, R., Cho, H., & Keenan, G. (2024). The Use of Artificial Intelligence for Graduate Nursing Education: An Educational Evaluation. Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. https://doi.org/10.1097/jxx.0000000000001059

Cary, M. P., De Gagne, J. C., Kauschinger, E. D., & Carter, B. M. (2024). Advancing Health Equity Through Artificial Intelligence: An Educational Framework for Preparing Nurses in Clinical Practice and Research. Creative Nursing, 30(2), 154–164. https://doi.org/10.1177/10784535241249193

Cline, G. J., Rinaldi, K., Pryor, S., & Messer, M. (2024). Preparing Nurse Educator Students for the New National Council of State Boards of Nursing NCLEX and AACN Essentials. Journal of Nursing Education, 63(3), 192–196. https://doi.org/10.3928/01484834-20231128-01

Cline, G., & Rinaldi, K. (2023). A Compelling Case for the Use of Backward Design to Advance Competency-Based Nursing Education. Nurse Educator, 48(5), E168-E169. https://doi.org/10.1097/nne.0000000000001388

Cole, H. S., Lippe, M. P., & Guerra, D. S. (2024). The Pathway to Developing a Competency-Based Tool for Entry-Level Nursing Simulation: A Delphi Study. Journal of Professional Nursing, 53, 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.profnurs.2024.04.004

Coleman, C. (2023). American Association of Colleges of Nursing: New Essentials, Quality and Safety Domain. Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing, 27(2), 199-203. https://doi.org/10.1188/23.cjon.199-203

Conklin, T. M. (2022). Improving Patient Outcomes While Applying New AACN Essentials to Clinical Nursing Education. Nurse Educator, 48(1), 57–57. https://doi.org/10.1097/nne.0000000000001270

Day, K., & Hagler, D. A. (2024). Integrating the 4Ps in Masters-Level Nursing Education. Journal of Professional Nursing, 53, 16–24. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.profnurs.2024.04.003

DeBlieck, C. J., Correa, P., Whitten, L. J., Gross, M., Blanchette, L. P., Darnall, T. E., & Hernández, C. (2023). A Crosswalk of Foundational BSN Population Health Documents and the AACN Essentials. Public Health Nursing, 40(5), 717–723. https://doi.org/10.1111/phn.13213

Demorest, S., Cook, C., Schenk, E., Harris, L. W., & Earley, A. (2024). School of Nursing Climate Commitment: Nursing Faculty Bring Climate to the Classroom. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 21(5), 589. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21050589

Dolansky, M. A., Dick, T., Byrd, E., Miltner, R. S., & Layton, S. S. (2023). The QSEN Competency Legacy Threaded Through the Entry-Level AACN Essentials. Nurse Educator, 49(2), 73–79. https://doi.org/10.1097/nne.0000000000001511

Douglass, B., Stager, S. L., Shaw, K., Hite, A., Solecki, S., Stanik-Hutt, J., & Tufts, G. (2024). Professional Identity in Nursing: Why it is Important in Graduate Education. Journal of Professional Nursing, 52, 50–55. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.profnurs.2024.03.004

Dugan, M. A., & Altmiller, G. (2023). AACN Essentials and Nurse Practitioner Education: Competency-Based Case Studies Grounded in Authentic Practice. Journal of Professional Nursing, 46, 59–64. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.profnurs.2023.02.003

Dunlap, J. J., Waldrop, J. B., Brewer, T. L., & Mainous, R. O. (2024). Differentiation and Integration of Research, Evidence-Based Practice, and Quality Improvement. Journal of Nursing Education, 1–4. https://doi.org/10.3928/01484834-20240514-01

Flaten, C. B., Pechacek, J. M., Potter, T. M., & Mueller, C. (2023). Planetary Health in Nursing Curricula: How One School Transformed Nursing Curricula as They Integrated Planetary Health Concepts with the 2021 AACN Essentials. Journal of Professional Nursing, 49, 52–56. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.profnurs.2023.08.010

Galura, S., & Warshawsky, N. (2022). Initial Evaluation of a Doctor of Nursing Practice – Executive Track Program: The Development of a Three-Year Process to Implement the New AACN Essentials. Journal of Professional Nursing, 42, 276–280. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.profnurs.2022.07.014

Giddens, J. (2020). Demystifying concept-based and competency-based approaches. Journal of Nursing Education, 59(3):123-124. https://doi.org/10.3928/01484834-20200220-01

Giddens, J., Douglas, J.P. & Conroy, S. (2022). The Revised AACN Essentials: Implications for Nursing Regulation. Journal of Nursing Regulation, 12(4), 16-22.  https://doi.org/10.1016/S2155-8256(22)00009-6

Giddens, J. F., & Mullaney, S. (2023). Incorporating the AACN Essentials ‘Spheres of Care’ into Nursing Curricula. Journal of Professional Nursing, 47, 9–14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.profnurs.2023.03.015

Gilbert, M., Brown, K. M., & Watts, P. (2024). The Intersections Between Competency-Based Education and Simulation-Based Education: Integration in Nursing Education. Journal of Professional Nursing, 54. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.profnurs.2024.08.010

Gray, K., Miller, J. M., & Manning, M. L. (2023). Aligning the Post Master’s DNP with the 2021 AACN Essentials. Journal of Professional Nursing, 46, 65–69. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.profnurs.2022.11.007

Hampton, D., Melander, S., Tovar, E., Falls, C., Makowski, A., Grubbs, A. B., Chitwood, H., & Scott, L. (2024). Value of Miller’s Pyramid for Clinical Skills Assessment in the Evaluation of Competency for Nurse Practitioner Students. The Journal for Nurse Practitioners, 20(4), 104952. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nurpra.2024.104952

Hays, D., Hay, B., Tassell, B., Zellefrow, C. G., & Milner, K. A. (2024). Charting a Path From the Graduate QSEN Competencies to the New Essentials. Nurse Educator. https://doi.org/10.1097/nne.0000000000001722  

Hopkins Pepe, L., Duddy, P., Golbitz, P., Kling, K., Pecoraro, N., Poindijour, M., Smith, J., & Altmiller, G. (2024). Content Validation for a Medical-Surgical Orientation Competency Assessment Instrument. Journal for Nurses in Professional Development, 40(5), 231–235. https://doi.org/10.1097/nnd.0000000000001081  

Howett, M., Murphy, H., Daniels, A., Goodwin, J., McElroy, K., Smith, N., & Ulicny, M. P. (2024a). Innovating to Meet AACN Essentials in a Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program. Journal of Professional Nursing, 54, 134–141. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.profnurs.2024.03.012  

Jenkins-Weintaub, E., Goodwin, M., & Fingerhood, M. (2023). Competency-Based Evaluation: Collaboration and Consistency from Academia to Practice. Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 35(2), 142–149. https://doi.org/10.1097/jxx.0000000000000830

Johnston, H., Smith, P., Fitzwater, J., & Volkert, D. (2024). A Stepwise Approach to Integrating the New Essentials into a Master’s Entry Nursing Curriculum. Journal of Professional Nursing, 52, 56–61. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.profnurs.2024.03.010

Kao, H.-F. S., Hung, C.-C., Fowler, K. R., Chu, T.-P., & Kiani, S. (2024). AACN Competency-Based Essentials Revisit: Evidence-Based Validation of Entrustable Professional Activities in Asia. Nurse Education in Practice, 79, 104096. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nepr.2024.104096

Kavanagh, J. & Sharpnack, P. (2021) Crisis in competency: A defining moment in nursing education. OJIN: The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 26(1), Manuscript 2. Accessible online at https://www.doi.org/10.3912/OJIN.Vol26No01Man02

Kronk, R., Lucas, D., & Williams, S. (2023). Nurse Practitioner Education: Uniting the 2021 Essentials with the Core Competencies on Disability Health Care Education. Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 36(2), 121–127. https://doi.org/10.1097/jxx.0000000000000953

Leaver, C., Stanley, J. & Goodwin Veenema, T. (2022). Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the future of nursing education. Academic Medicine, 97(3S), S82-S89. https://doi.org/10.1097/acm.0000000000004528

Lippe, M., Davis, A., Stock, N., Mazanec, P., & Ferrell, B. (2022). Updated Palliative Care Competencies for Entry-to-Practice and Advanced-Level Nursing Students: New Resources for Nursing Faculty. Journal of Professional Nursing, 42, 250–261. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.profnurs.2022.07.012

Mainous, R. O., Dunlap, J. J., & Brewer, T. L. (2023). Realizing the DNP as Envisioned: Moving Toward Consistent Nomenclature, Curricula, and Outcomes. Nursing Outlook, 71(3), 101969. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.outlook.2023.101969

Martin, D. R., & Furr, S. B. (2023). Through the Lens of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s (AACN) New Essentials: Integration of Human Trafficking Education and Simulation Within Baccalaureate Nursing Curricula. Journal of Professional Nursing, 47, 31–34. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.profnurs.2023.04.003

McCurren, C., Trautman, D., & Rosseter, R. (2024). Response to “DNP Preparation of Primary Care Nurse Practitioners and Clinical Outcomes of Patients with Chronic Conditions” (Nursing Outlook, May/June 2023). Nursing Outlook, 72(1), 102055. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.outlook.2023.102055

Moore, J., Chan, T., Doucette, J., Lipps, T., & Slager, D. (2024). Defining Nurse Practitioner Core Entrustable Professional Activities. Nurse Educator, 49(5), 235–240. https://doi.org/10.1097/nne.0000000000001673

Moreau, K.A. (2021). Exploring the connection between programmatic assessment and program evaluation within competency-based medical education programs. Medical Teacher, 43(3), 250-252. https://doi.org/10.1080/0142159X.2020.1841128

Mueller-Burke, D., Bindon, S., Akintade, B., & Idzik, S. (2024). The AACN Essentials: An Intentional Framework for Successful Implementation. Journal of Professional Nursing, 52, 62–69. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.profnurs.2024.03.009

Norman-Eck, R., Chandler, T., Boyd, B., DeCotes, C., Winters, N., Palmer, L., & Levitt, C. (2023). Meeting the AACN’s Essentials for Competency-Based Education with Hands-Free Video-Recorded Skills Assessment. Journal of Nursing Education, 62(12), 733–736. https://doi.org/10.3928/01484834-20231108-01

Parekh de Campos, A., Kirkpatrick, A., Clark, S. B., & Barnett, K. (2024). Palliative Care Competence Development Through Simulation: Excellence & Innovation to Meet the AACN Essentials. Journal of Professional Nursing, 54, 118–125. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.profnurs.2024.07.002

Potthoff, M., Kirkpatrick, A. J., & Jizba, T. A. (2023). Interprofessional Primary Palliative Care: Do the AACN Essentials Prepare Nurses for Collaborative Practice? Journal of Professional Nursing, 46, 197–204. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.profnurs.2023.03.017

Rivera-Burciaga, A. R., Palacios, M., & Kemery, S. A. (2022). Educating for Equity in Palliative Care: Implications of the Future of Nursing 2030 Report. Journal of Professional Nursing, 42, 134–139. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.profnurs.2022.06.012

Roberts, M. L., Sinacori, B., Hassler, L. J., & Filippelli, A. (2024). Elevating Competency-Based Education in Baccalaureate Nursing: A Simulation Integration Project. Journal of Professional Nursing, 54, 45–49. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.profnurs.2024.06.014

Robinson, J., Jagiello, K. P., McElroy, L., LoVerde, J., Jowell, V., Good, P., & Brink, S. (2024, July-August). Competency-Based Education in RN to BSN Programs. Nurse Educator, 49(4), 195-199. https://doi.org/10.1097/nne.0000000000001604

Saunders, M.M. (2022, May/June). The Implications of the New Essentials on the CNS Profession—Let's Respond! Clinical Nurse Specialist, 36(3), 129-130. https://doi:10.1097/NUR.0000000000000668

Sharifi, C., Alcorn, K., Downey, K., Hinton, E. G., Sender, J., & Ver Steeg, J. (2022). AACN Essentials: Librarians as Partners in Successful Implementation. Journal of Professional Nursing, 42, A3-A5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.profnurs.2022.07.019

Sirianni, G., Takahashi, S., & Myers, J. (2020). Taking stock of what is known about faculty development on competency-based medical education: A scoping review paper. Medical Teacher, 42(8), 909-915. https://doi.org/10.1080/0142159x.2020.1763285

Sokolowich, J. R. (2025). Unintended Consequences – Risk for Bias in Competency-Based Assessment. Nurse Education Today, 144, 106404. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2024.106404  

Spracklin, E., & Espina, C. R. (2024). SIFT-ing Through Misinformation: Reflection Notebooks to Teach Critical Digital Literacy. Nurse Educator, TBD. https://doi.org/10.1097/nne.0000000000001760

Stachowiak, M. (2023). Using the DNP Project to Validate the AACN Essentials Level II Sub-Competencies. Nurse Educator, 49(3), 175–177. https://doi.org/10.1097/nne.0000000000001531

Stager, S. L., Mitchell, S., Bigley, M. B., Kelly-Weeder, S., & Fogg, L. (2023). Exploring Clinical Practice Hours in Postbaccalaureate-to-Doctor of Nursing Practice Nurse Practitioner Programs. Nurse Educator, 49(1), 8–12. https://doi.org/10.1097/nne.0000000000001506

Stubin, C. A., Avallone, M., & Manno, M. S. (2024). Addressing the 2021 Essentials with New Approaches for Developing Leadership, Resilience, and Self-Care/Well-Being in Undergraduate Baccalaureate Nursing Students. Journal of Professional Nursing, 54, 24–28. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.profnurs.2024.06.003

Swan, B. A., Jones, K. D., Hayes, R., Kaligotla, L., McDermott, C., Rodriguez, J., & McCauley, L. (2024). Reject the “Practice Readiness Myth”: Ask if Systems are Ready for Nursing Graduates Instead. Nursing Outlook, 72(5), 102181. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.outlook.2024.102181

Vortman, R., Stogis, S., & Kirkbride, G. (2022). Envisioning the New AACN Essentials in a Competency-Based DNP Strategic and Financial Business Planning Course. Journal of Professional Nursing, 42, 231–238. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.profnurs.2022.07.011

Vortman, R., Quintana, D., Oliver-Coleman, J., Baker, J. D., & Wagner, D. (2024). Roadmap for Integrating the AACN Essentials with Perioperative Nursing. Journal of Professional Nursing, 53, 35–48. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.profnurs.2024.04.007

Welch, T. D., & Smith, T. B. (2022). AACN Essentials as the Conceptual Thread of Nursing Education. Nursing Administration Quarterly, 46(3), 234–244. https://doi.org/10.1097/naq.0000000000000541

Wells-Beede, E., Sharpnack, P., Gruben, D., Klenke-Borgmann, L., Goliat, L., & Yeager, C. (2023). A Scoping Review of Nurse Educator Competencies. Nurse Educator, 48(5), 234–239. https://doi.org/10.1097/nne.0000000000001376

Wilson, M. L., Stover Nichols, L. M., & Rudner, N. (2023). Nursing and the Evolution of Population Health. American Nurse Journal, 18(6), 53–57. https://doi.org/10.51256/anj062353