Elevating Leaders in Academic Nursing

The development of high-level leadership skills in faculty and administrators in schools of nursing is vital to the success of the baccalaureate and graduate nursing enterprise given the complex challenges being faced by these organizations. Individuals in leadership roles at schools of nursing are challenged by an array of complex issues including:

• Financial constraints faced by higher education 
• The need to develop effective partnerships with the practice environment to assure the development of training opportunities and appropriately educated professional nurses
• The need for strategies to recruit diverse student populations to the field 
• The need to partner with multiple players to meet these challenges
• Competition for scarce resources at the university level

Moreover, there is growing awareness that the aging of the nursing professoriate is reflected in the demographics of those individuals who are administering academic nursing programs.

ELAN features an intensive 5-day in-residence leadership immersion, focused assessment activities, facilitation of a mentorship experience, opportunities for follow-up with seminar faculty, and the sharing of ideas and resources among fellows. 

Program Structure

• Pre-work: assessment battery, reading, and case studies
• 5-day in-residence leadership immersion experience
• Post work: Virtual workshops 
• Peer coaching group conference calls
• Private online community 
• Program fee: $4,000

Scheduled Meeting Dates

• Session 1: October 19-24, 2025, In-Person | Chicago, Illinois
• Session 2: Dates TBD | Winter 2026 | Virtual
• Session 3: Dates TBD | Spring 2026 | Virtual

The program focuses on key leadership competencies needed in nursing education and healthcare environments. ELAN is devoted to general executive leadership development. Note that fiscal and academic issues, while discussed and used as examples, are not the primary focus.  

Seminar topics include the following: 

Introduction of the Key Vision and Framework for a Strategic Intervention on Leadership:

• Theories of leadership
• Relating theory to strategic actions 
• Evidence for validation 
• Review and evaluation of the strategic assessment 

From the Broad to the Specific: 

• Strategic assessment of the individual – possibilities for growth and change 
• Peer learning and feedback mechanisms 
• Case studies for change 
• Creating personal models for strategic growth and change 

Targeted Cultural Change: 

• Linking the individual’s assessment to the organizational culture 
• Developing plans for intervention 
• Establishing long-term networks 
• Change and conflict 
• Evaluation and redesign  

ELAN is competitive, resulting in a select group of leadership fellows. Applicants must be nurse educators employed at AACN member institutions, meet the eligibility criteria, and provide evidence of institutional support for this program. Specific eligibility requirements include:

• Educational preparation and licensure in nursing 
• Faculty or administrative appointment in a school of nursing 
• Progressive experience in academic administrative roles and positions  
• Professional goals congruent with the aims of the fellowship program 

 Applicants selected to participate in ELAN will be expected to:  

• Complete all the self-assessment processes prior to the seminar (360 degree review, etc.) 
• Attend the entire 6-day seminar
• Participate in group discussions during the fellowship year via AACN’s Online Community - AACN Connect  
• Commit to developing personal and professional skills to assume the role of chief academic administrator of a school or college of nursing 

Priority is given to individuals seeking leadership development in order to transition into the role of dean/director, or who have the potential for long-term commitment to the role of a chief academic administrator of a nursing program. Additionally, in order to enhance the pipeline of academic leadership, those faculty in formal leadership positions are encouraged to apply. Selected fellows will be expected to attend the entire conference and participate in all educational and evaluation activities.

The application for the 2025/2026 fellowship is now open. All applications must be received online by midnight on Monday, March 17, 2025. Please download and review the Call for Application (CFA) PDF to learn more, then use the following application link to start your application. Applicants will be notified of acceptance in April 2025. At that time, institutions will receive an invoice for the $4,000 program fee.

265 Nursing Faculty Leaders have now engaged in professional development activities, including an assessment of current leadership style and skills and work to accomplish identified goals. Representing a variety of backgrounds, experiences, and skills, the AACN Fellows have developed the necessary tools to be leaders in the academic nursing world. 

Meet the Fellows:

Cohort 1 - 2019-2020
Cohort 2 - 2020-2021
Cohort 3 - 2021-2022
Cohort 4 - 2022-2023
Cohort 5 - 2023-2024
Cohort 6 - 2024-2025

LANP Fellows
The Leadership for Academic Nursing Program (LANP) is the predecessor to ELAN, and has engaged 812 nursing faculty in leadership development over the span of 16 years.

• ELAN would repeat much of the content; we do not recommend applying for this program. Please see AACN LEADS for all leadership development opportunities offered by AACN.

How can I apply?

• All applications must be received online by the specified deadline.

What if my school can’t pay?

• At this time we want to accept applications that will be funded by their school. If your school is not able to fund your registration for this program ($4,000), and you would like to supplement the cost of this program please contact atehansky@aacnnursing.org.