The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) is a national nonprofit organization that represents academic nursing institutions in the United States. Its mission is to advance higher education in nursing by establishing quality standards for nursing education, influencing the nursing profession to improve healthcare, and promoting public support for professional nursing education, research, and practice.
AACN typically pursues legislative policies related to nursing education funding, workforce development, healthcare access, federal support for nursing research, student loan and scholarship programs, Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development programs, and policies that strengthen academic-practice partnerships and graduate nursing education.
Primarily funded through membership dues from accredited nursing schools, conference and program fees, grants, and sponsorships.
Member institutions include accredited U.S. schools of nursing offering baccalaureate and graduate programs; collaborates with organizations such as the American Nurses Association and other healthcare and higher education associations.
Non-profit professional association
