Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

• Call for Pilot Schools

  March 23, 2022

  To test the new online platform created for the Leading Across Multidimensional Perspectives (LAMP©) Culture and Climate Survey, AACN is currently seeking schools of nursing to be among the first to use this new resource. All types of institutions are encouraged to apply, including small schools, public and private universities, academic health centers, liberal arts schools, and colleges located in rural and urban areas. Schools seeking to participate must complete this brief application form. For more information on this initiative and the LAMP Culture and Climate Survey, please contact AACN’s Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer Dr. Vernell DeWitty at [email protected].

• AACN's Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer Shares Insight on Building a Strategic Approach to DEI on Nightingale Podcast

  February 2, 2022

  The UT Health San Antonio's Nightingale Podcast series highlights notable and famous figures in nursing who have made an impact on the nursing profession and health care delivery. This series also shares perspectives on diversity, equity and inclusion as it relates to nursing and health professionals. The most recent episode features Dr. Vernell DeWitty, AACN's Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer. In the episode, Dr. DrWitty advises the nation’s top academic nursing leaders on building consensus and a strategic approach to diversity and inclusion.

• Read the latest Diversity Digest Newsletter

  January 27, 2022

  The Diversity Digest is a quarterly newsletter that highlights AACN's diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and efforts from AACN member schools promoting DEI in the academic nursing community.

• Call for Public Comment - The 2022 National Commission to Address Racism in Nursing Foundational Report

  January 19, 2022

  The National Commission to Address Racism in Nursing is seeking public comments for The 2022 National Commission to Address Racism in Nursing Foundational Report. The report and instructions for how to provide comments are available here. Deadline to submit comments is February 14.

• 3 Nursing Schools that Have Put Diversity and Inclusion at the Forefront

  December 20, 2021

  In the December 20, 2021 issue of Health Leaders, nursing editor Carol Davis profiles groundbreaking initiatives underway at three nursing schools to advance diversity and inclusion, including Chamberlain University’s Social Determinants of Learning framework, Columbia University’s new Center for Sexual and Gender Minority Health Research, and Frontier Nursing University’s Diversity Impact Program.

• AACN Recognizes Three Schools for Advancing Diversity, Inclusion, and Sustainability in Academic Nursing

  November 22, 2021

  Schools recognized this year for their strong commitment to diversity, inclusion, health equity, cultural humility, and community outreach include Augusta University (Georgia), Frontier Nursing University (Kentucky), and the University of Illinois Chicago.

• New Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Faculty Tool Kit Now Available

  August 31, 2021

   

• AACN Rounds with Leadership: Accelerating Momentum for Change

  July 28, 2021

  Meet AACN’s New Chief Diversity Officer, Dr. Vernell Dewitty and see AACN’s latest steps to serve as a primary advocate for advancing DEI-focused initiatives in academic nursing.

• AACN Launches New Leadership Network with DEI Focus

  July 26, 2021

  In keeping with our strategic priorities, AACN is pleased to announce the launch of its eighth Leadership Network: The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Leadership Network (DEILN). This latest network grew out of AACN’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Group (DEIG), which was launched in 2018 to bring nursing school faculty and staff together to provide guidance to AACN and member schools on meeting diversity goals. With membership in DEIG now surpassing 120, AACN moved to evolve this advisory group into an official Leadership Network.

• Now Accepting Applications for the 2022 Diversity Leadership Institute

  July 9, 2021

  The central focus of the Diversity Leadership Institute is to provide an overview of the evolution of diversity and inclusion and the role of Diversity Officers in academic nursing and nursing practice. Applications must be submitted by November 1, 2021.

• Call for Abstracts for AACN's Virtual Diversity Symposium

  June 24, 2021

  AACN is currently seeking abstracts for virtual poster or podium presentations for the 2021 Diversity Symposium, which reflect the theme Strategize & Mobilize: Implementing DEI in Academic Nursing. Submissions are due by 5:00 pm (ET) on Monday, August 30, 2021.

• Recruiting Underrepresented Students for Nursing Schools

  February 24, 2021

  In the latest issue of Creative Nursing (Volume 27, Issue 1), Dr. Vernell DeWitty, AACN’s Director of Diversity and Inclusion, and Dr. David Byrd published a new article titled Recruiting Underrepresented Students for Nursing Schools. The authors present strategies for diversifying the nursing student population, which include building strategic partnerships, employing technology solutions to enhance recruitment efforts, and launching a holistic admissions review process.

• Leading Nursing Organizations Launch the National Commission to Address Racism in Nursing

  January 25, 2021

  The Commission will examine the issue of racism within nursing nationwide and describe the impact on nurses, patients, communities, and health care systems to motivate all nurses to confront systemic racism.  Dr. Vernell DeWitty,  AACN's Director for Diversity and Inclusion will represent AACN at the Commission. 

• AACN Issues New White Paper to Support Diversity and Inclusion Efforts

  December 15, 2020

  As a primary advocate for advancing diversity and inclusion within schools of nursing, AACN is pleased to announce that its Board of Directors has endorsed a new white paper titled Promising Practices in Holistic Admissions Review: Implementation in Academic Nursing. This new resource provides a roadmap for schools looking to recruit more students from underrepresented groups into the nursing profession using evidence-based strategies and admissions redesign.

View all past news

University of Virginia

Becoming an Anti-Racist School

Watch the video below on how students, faculty, and staff are deepening their understanding of racism and bias. Read more here. 

Advancing Health Equity during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Strategic Diversity Leadership & Culturally Relevant Decision-Making During COVID-19

COVID-19 Implications for Admissions and the Stability of Holistic Admissions Practices

Holistic Admissions Review Tool Kit & Workshop Training

See the latest tool kit for holistic admissions review, an effective admissions strategy that assesses an applicant’s unique experiences alongside traditional measures of academic achievement. In addition to the tool kit , AACN offers workshop training  designed to help universities consider a broad range of factors reflecting the applicant’s academic readiness, contribution to the incoming class, and potential for success both in school and later as a professional.  For more information contact Vernell DeWitty at [email protected].

Access Tool Kit & Training Request Form