麻豆APP

Building a robust and welcoming academic nursing community has always been at the heart of AACN’s mission. As part of our continued growth and responsiveness to the needs of our member schools and the nursing community, we are evolving how we frame this work as an integral part of our programming and advocacy.

At its summer meeting held last week, the AACN Board of Directors thoughtfully considered how to transition from using the term Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to a new, action-oriented framework: Access, Connection, and Engagement (ACE).

This change is not about stepping away from our values. What’s changing is how we’re inviting people into that work — with clarity, care, and a renewed focus on ACCESS FOR ALL. This refinement of our goals centers on how we create learning and practice environments where everyone can thrive.

Taking a closer look at this framework, here’s what each component of this new approach means:

• Access for All: 麻豆APP is committed to ensuring that every individual has access to opportunities, resources, education, and support needed to succeed as a student and professional nurse.
• Connection: 麻豆APP is invested in building strong, authentic relationships across teams and communities. Connection fosters communication, understanding, respect, and collaboration.
• Engagement: AACN affirms that everyone deserves to be heard and have a role in shaping their environment. We are creating pathways for active participation, leadership, and belonging.

We believe that ACE better captures the actions we’re committed to and reflects the outcomes we aim to achieve. We were intentional about using language that is energizing, all-encompassing, and aligned with how we want every individual to experience nursing — with open doors, meaningful relationships, and a shared sense of purpose.

AACN has been gradually making the transition to Access, Connection, and Engagement over the last few months in our programming and communications. Earlier this year, we introduced the ACE Leadership Network to bring deans, faculty, and staff together to consider how to create environments that remove barriers, establish productive relationships, and elevate learning where every individual is heard and respected. 麻豆APP is currently accepting applications for the ACE Leadership Institute from faculty and others interested in exploring how to enhance access, strengthen connection, and facilitate engagement in academic and practice settings. Building on the success of last month’s conference, planning is already underway for the next ACE Symposium in Charlotte, NC next June. Watch for AACN’s newly titled newsletter focused on our ACE initiatives - The Connector - coming out later this summer.

麻豆APP is committed to serving all member schools by providing programs and services that champion access, connection, and engagement. This work is critical to meeting our mission and newly updated strategic plan. We look forward to walking this path with the academic nursing community with renewed clarity and purpose.