AACN Boards

The AACN Board of Directors unites our community of exceptional nurses, to shape the future of nursing practice. These leaders help to further our mission of a patient- and family-driven healthcare system where acute and critical care nurses make their optimal contribution. 

AACN Certification Corporation, AACN’s credentialing arm, enhances patient health and safety by establishing and maintaining high standards of nursing excellence through certification and certification renewal for nurses who care for acutely and critically ill patients and their families. We develop and administer the CCRN, PCCN, ACNPC-AG, ACCNS-AG, ACCNS-P and ACCNS-N specialty exams and the CMC and CSC subspecialty exams.

Ensuring future governance leaders is critical to the success of AACN and AACN Certification Corporation. Acting on behalf of AACN members, the Nominating Committee has a thoughtful, systematic process to evaluate nominee qualifications that ensures each candidate selected possesses the required competencies to fulfill the role. With this assurance, Association members can be confident that the candidates for whom they vote will be prepared for success in their governance role.

About Governance Leadership Positions

This page provides detailed information for anyone interested in pursuing a leadership role with AACN. The nomination form is available from March 12 through May 31, 2025. Use this form to nominate yourself and any colleagues you feel should be considered for the following year’s leadership positions.

TIP: Be sure to review our Readiness Assessment Tool. Scroll down for more information.

What are AACN’s governance leadership positions?

AACN’s governance leaders are composed of the members of three bodies: AACN Board of Directors, AACN Certification Corporation Board of Directors and AACN – AACN Certification Corporation Nominating Committee. In partnership with AACN members, constituents, the chief executive officer and national staff, these leaders ensure achievement of the organization’s mission, vision, values and strategies.

Are you ready to apply for an AACN governance leadership position?

We are excited to offer a Readiness Assessment Tool to assist anyone interested in evaluating their own leadership journey compared with the AACN Governance Leadership Competencies. We strongly encourage you to review the information on this page and then use the Readiness Assessment Tool to reflect on your leadership journey and identify areas of strength and opportunities for growth. This tool is for your personal use only.

Readiness Assessment Tool

What are the competencies to serve in a governance leadership position?

Highly qualified and committed governance leaders are vital to AACN’s continuing progress. With this goal in mind, the organization has defined the essential competencies for governance leadership to help members and certificants assess their readiness for governance leadership positions. The competencies are as follows:

• Self-Leadership
• Global Thinking
• Visioning
• Consensus Building
• Delivering Effective Messages
• Knowing and Committing to AACN and Its Governing Bodies

Detailed information about the competencies

AACN Board of Directors

AACN membership is required.

Accountabilities:

• Define and support the mission, vision and values of the association.
• Ensure effective organizational planning.
• Effectively manage the association’s resources.
• Determine, monitor, evaluate and strengthen the association’s programs and services.
• Uphold legal requirements and ethical integrity.
• Assess board performance and ensure board succession.
• Ensure effective communication between AACN and AACN Certification Corporation and other subsidiaries of the association.

Detailed information about these positions

AACN Certification Corporation Board of Directors

AACN membership is not required.

AACN Certification Corporation bylaws and accreditation require board members to represent the populations certified. To fulfill these requirements, different credentials or experience is required on a rotating basis, which determines the available positions each year.

Accountabilities:

• Define and support the mission, vision and values of the corporation.
• Ensure effective planning.
• Effectively manage the corporation’s resources.
• Determine, monitor, evaluate and strengthen certification programs and services.
• Act with integrity and uphold all legal requirements.
• Assess board performance and ensure board succession.
• Ensure effective communication between AACN and AACN Certification Corporation.

Detailed information about these positions

AACN - AACN Certification Corporation Nominating Committee

AACN membership is required.

Accountabilities:

• Ensure the election process is in accordance with established procedures, policies and bylaws.
• Conduct comprehensive interviews of nominees.
• Review, synthesize and analyze nominee applications, references and interview transcripts.
• Select candidates through a group process.
• Communicate the committee’s decisions and feedback to nominees.

Detailed information about these positions