Exploring the 2026 AACN Essentials: Aligning Nursing Education with the ACE Framework

This webinar will provide an overview of the revised 2026 AACN Essentials and their alignment with the Access, Connection, and Engagement (ACE) Framework. Participants will explore the rationale for revising the Essentials, examine key updates and language changes, and discuss how the ACE Framework can be leveraged to support student success, workforce readiness, and stronger academic-practice partnerships. The session will conclude with a moderated question-and-answer discussion, offering participants the opportunity to deepen their understanding and consider practical applications within their own settings.

Learning Outcomes:

• Describe key updates to the 2026 AACN Essentials, including refinements to concepts, domains, competencies, and sub-competencies.
• Explain the alignment between the 2026 AACN Essentials and the ACE Framework.
• Identify opportunities to apply the 2026 AACN Essentials and the ACE Framework in educational and practice settings.

This webinar is free to deans, faculty, staff and students from AACN member schools of nursing. All non-member audiences will be required to pay a $59 webinar fee.

Continuing Nursing Education
One nursing continuing professional development (NCPD) credit is associated with this webinar; attendees must be present for the entire webinar and complete the evaluation to receive a certificate of completion.

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.