As the largest specialty nursing organization in the world, AACN joins together more than 100,000 nurses who care for high acuity and critically ill patients and their families. AACN drives excellence by creating standard-setting resources for and with our members.
Our community empowers its members to do the best they can for patients, their families and the profession.
Stay Up-to-Date
AACN sets the standards for acute and critical care nursing. Online clinical practice resources — leading-edge and evidence-based — enable you to provide the highest quality care. We transform the knowledge of experts into easy-to-understand clinical practice tools — many offered at no charge — to help you navigate our dynamic, constantly changing profession.
Award-winning publications include the peer-reviewed American Journal of Critical Care and Critical Care Nurse, popular monthly magazine AACN Bold Voices and a weekly electronic newsletter. They’re available to all members in print and digital formats.
Connect With Other Nurses in Person and Online
The National Teaching Institute & Critical Care Exposition (NTI) is the world’s largest educational conference for high acuity and critical care nurses. NTI offers hundreds of learning opportunities led by national experts and features exhibits by top employers, technology and device companies.
Participate in our online forums to share thoughts and opinions, obtain clinical practice information and take part in interactive learning discussions. Join an AACN chapter to network with local colleagues.
Validate Your Expertise
AACN sets the standards for high acuity and critical care nursing. Our highly respected certification programs, offered at a substantial discount for members, validates your knowledge. Certification declares your commitment to excellence and dedication to patient care.
Learn Online
Members receive free unlimited CE credits. Our fee-based eLearning programs developed by national experts offer quality online educational courses that are cost-effective and easy-to-use. These courses are interactive, self-paced and can be accessed anytime, anywhere.
Advocate for Our Profession
AACN’s advocacy initiatives mobilize more than 100,000 bold voices to take a stand on issues that matter, especially healthy work environments, palliative and end-of-life care and staffing and workforce development. Our strength and collaboration with dozens of other organizations advances these priorities.
Celebrate Excellence
AACN awards and scholarships recognize our peers and support their professional advancement. The Beacon Award for Excellence measures unit achievements and the Circle of Excellence Awards showcase best practices in patient and family care.
For more information, download a Member Guide or visit our Frequently Asked Questions.