For a deeper dive into the ACE Framework, see:
Message from AACN's Chief Access and Engagement Officer Dr. Brigit Carter from the Winter 2026 Edition of The Connector:
Nursing education is both a responsibility and a promise: a responsibility to uphold standards of excellence and a promise to prepare graduates who are ready to practice safely, think critically, and lead with integrity. That promise is carried forward every day by nursing faculty, staff, and clinical partners through work that is often unseen—planning instruction, mentoring students, evaluating performance, supporting clinical learning, strengthening partnerships, and sustaining environments where learning is expected and success is attainable.
At the same time, we recognize that this work is taking place during a period of profound strain. National events, acts of violence, and ongoing uncertainty—particularly those that affect healthcare workers, immigrant communities, and populations that are disproportionately affected—can weigh heavily on the mental and physical well-being of our students, faculty, and staff. Many in our academic community are carrying grief, fear, fatigue, or concern for their own safety and for those they care about.
Nursing faculty are the heart of nursing education—and the reason so many students discover what they are capable of becoming. You do more than teach content or assess competencies. You build confidence. You strengthen clinical judgment. You shape professional identity. And you create conditions that help students persist when the workload is heavy, life is complicated, or doubt begins to creep in. In moments like this, your presence and leadership matter even more.
A strong academic community—especially during challenging times—is built through Access, Connection, and Engagement.
Access includes not only admission and academic pathways, but also access to support, flexibility when appropriate, and clear communication that reduces uncertainty and stress.
Connection is the foundation of a learning culture where students, faculty, and staff feel seen, respected, and supported—where it is safe to acknowledge difficulty and ask for help.
Engagement reflects meaningful participation that sustains purpose and belonging, even when energy is low or emotions are heavy.
Faculty bring these principles to life through intentional teaching, consistent expectations, and responsive practices that recognize differences in preparation, experience, and capacity. You create structure without rigidity, support without lowering standards, and accountability grounded in care. You model professionalism, teamwork, and ethical decision-making—while also demonstrating that tending to one’s own well-being is part of professional responsibility.
When we strengthen access, connection, and engagement, we also protect the well-being of our academic community. We reduce isolation, support resilience, and help ensure that students, staff, and faculty can continue to learn, teach, and lead without sacrificing their health. This work matters not only because it supports academic success, but because it ultimately affects the care delivered to patients, families, and communities. We extend our deep gratitude to each of you for the leadership you demonstrate every day—through teaching, mentorship, partnership, and advocacy for student success. Your work is rigorous, demanding, and deeply meaningful. With that in mind, we encourage you to engage in wellbeing practice and selfcare!
AACN remains committed to partnering with you as you support your learners, your colleagues, and yourselves. From all of us at Â鶹APP, we wish you a healthy, supported, and successful new year—and we thank you for the compassion and steadiness you bring to nursing education during this time.