Rounds with Leadership: Showcasing the Impact of Academic Nursing

Last summer, the AACN Board of Directors convened a Thought Leaders Assembly in Chicago with member deans and invited guests to discuss perceptions about nursing and nursing science. We were intentional about bringing experts from academia, practice, and policy together to raise awareness about nursing’s contribution to health. A key takeaway from this convening was the need to demonstrate the impact of nursing, which will ultimately drive visibility, image, and influence. It was clear from the discussion that much more must be done to articulate the true value of nursing and how nurses contribute to keeping the nation healthy and thriving.

The Assembly attendees determined that academic nursing is well-positioned to shape the profession’s identity, change perceptions, and engage with stakeholders to magnify understanding about the importance of nursing science. This essential work was underscored in a recommendation advanced in the National Academies of Sciences report on the Future of Nursing 2020-2030, which called for stakeholders to fortify the evidence base related to the impact of nursing interventions on positive health outcomes. Generating greater awareness about where nurses are making a difference can only help to strengthen our ability to lead and drive change in healthcare and higher education.

With priorities shifting on Capitol Hill and within the Administration, the need to showcase the impact of nursing and support pathways into the profession is critical. AACN is actively engaging with members of the House and Senate Nursing Caucuses and other federal legislators in calling for expanded support for Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development Programs, the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR), and other programs vital to nursing’s future.

Several deans, faculty, and students from member schools have reached out to AACN seeking guidance and asking for direction on how they can lend their voices to our advocacy efforts. To that end, AACN has launched a Title VIII & NINR Federal Funding Impact Survey to help policymakers understand academic nursing’s priorities when it comes to nursing education, workforce development, and research. AACN is seeking input on how funding for Title VIII programs and NINR impacts your school of nursing, care delivery, and your community.

Through this survey, we are seeking impact statements and short videos focused on how federal funding is imperative to maintaining enrollment levels, recruiting faculty, providing healthcare services, advancing research on improving patient care, and meeting other needs. Information collected will be shared with members of Congress, federal policymakers, and the broader community to help amplify the importance of continuing programs that protect the nation’s nursing workforce and patients in need. We encourage you to share this survey with all members of your campus community to help us generate a robust response and share compelling stories to ensure that our voices are heard.

Further, AACN is committed to sharing resources that may be helpful to schools seeking to navigate the political landscape and satisfy new requirements. In our newsletters and website, we will spotlight helpful articles, podcasts, and guidance that will inform your decision-making at the local level. Here is a sampling of resources that may be of interest:

• U.S. Department of Education press release (and related content) on directing schools to end racial preferences
• National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education response to the Department of Education’s 'Dear Colleague' letter and the American Council on Education (ACE) statement on the temporary injunction related to DEI guidance
• ACE podcast on The Future of Campus Diversity and Student Support
• AACN statement on new NIH guidance limiting indirect costs for research grants
• AACN statement following sign on to legal challenge to NIH funding guidance
• ACE summary of President Trump’s Executive Orders and Executive Actions Impacting Higher Education
• AACN State Profiles on Nursing Education and Research Funding

AACN remains committed to advocating for sustained federal support for nursing education and research; shaping legislative and regulatory policy affecting nursing schools; and ensuring continued financial assistance for nursing students. We appreciate your input and engagement as we work together on behalf of academic nursing.