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The role of nurses in the national healthcare system is continually changing, and AACN consistently advocates for nurses to practice to the full extent of their education and license. To that end, we published “AACN Scope and Standards for Adult-Gerontology and Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioners” and “AACN Scope and Standards for Acute Care Clinical Nurse Specialist Practice.”
We understand the vital role of APRNs in caring for the most fragile patient populations, and that these roles must be protected. In collaboration with AACN Certification Corporation, we advocate for implementation of the Consensus Model for APRN regulation. Following are some of the standards we’ve created and actions we’ve taken.
LACE
The LACE (Licensure, Accreditation, Certification, and Education) Network represents Advanced Practice Registered Nursing (APRN) based on the Consensus Model for APRN Regulation. AACN and AACN Certification Corporation are voting members of the LACE Network to ensure that acute care APRNs voice is represented in regulatory decisions.
2025
AACN Signed on to Telehealth Extension Letter
AACN joined other organizations and stakeholders in signing on to a letter to Congressional leadership strongly urging them to take action to extend telehealth access after September 2025 and reiterated support to establish permanent or long-term access to telehealth.
Aug. 2025
NCC Thanks Representatives for Introducing Legislation that Improves Access to Workers’ Compensation for Injured Federal Workers
AACN joined forty-six members of the NCC in signing a letter thanking House Education and Workforce Committee Chairman Tim Walberg (R-MI-05) and Congressman Joe Courtney (D-CT-02) for introducing the Improving Access to Workers’ Compensation for Injured Federal Workers Act (H.R.3170) and urging its passage this Congress. This bipartisan legislation would update the federal workers’ compensation program and authorize NPs to certify disabilities and oversee treatment for injured or ill federal employees under the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act (FECA).
June 2025
National Nursing Organizations Express Concern Over Dismissal of ACIP Representatives
AACN, along with AANP, ANA, and other national nursing organizations, issued a statement on the dismissal of all members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). ACIP makes recommendations on US immunization schedules for adults and children that guide decisions about vaccination and payer reimbursement.
June 2025
Letter Thanking Members of Congress for Introducing the Ensuring Veterans Timely Access to Anesthesia Care Act of 2025
AACN signed on to a letter with the NCC thanking Reps. Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14) and Jen Kiggans (R-VA-02) for introducing the bipartisan Ensuring Veterans Timely Access to Anesthesia Care Act (H.R.2234).
Apr. 2025
Letter Urging Congress to Protect the Medicaid Program
AACN signed on to a letter with the American Nurses Association (ANA) and 84 nursing organizations urging Congress to protect the Medicaid program as it develops and considers legislation through the budget reconciliation process. Included in the letter is an offer to help identify sustainable solutions that strengthen Medicaid to ensure that our nation’s most vulnerable patients have timely access to nurses and the high-quality health care services that nurses provide across the country.
Apr. 2025
Thank You for Introducing the I CAN Act
Sixty members of NCC, including AACN, signed onto a letter thanking Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Rep. Dave Joyce (R-OH-14), along with others, for introducing the Improving Care and Access to Nurses (I CAN) Act (S.575/H.R.1317).
Mar. 2025
Support for The Improving Care and Access to Nurses (I CAN) Act
AACN joined over 260 organizations in signing letters to the House Committee on Ways and Means and Senate Finance Committee members expressing support for The Improving Care and Access to Nurses (I CAN) Act, which would remove outdated and unnecessary federal barriers to services provided by APRNS under the Medicare and Medicaid programs, thereby increasing patient access to care.
Mar. 2025
2024
Legislation Improving Access to Workers' Compensation
AACN and 56 other members of the NCC signed a letter to House Leadership urging the consideration and passing of H.R. 618, the Improving Access to Workers' Compensation for Injured Federal Workers Act by using language that includes APRNs.
Sept. 2024
Health Care’s Rebuke of Reckless Reporting
Signed on to an AANP statement crafted to correct inaccuracies in an article published by Bloomberg News.
Aug. 2024
2023
Thanks Senators for Introducing the I CAN Act
AACN and 60 other members of the NCC signed onto a letter thanking Senate Nursing Caucus Co-Chair, Sen. Jeff Merkley, and Sen. Cynthia Lummis, for introducing the Improving Care and Access to Nurses (I CAN) Act (S.2418).
Oct. 2023
Statement for the Record to the House VA Subcommittee on Health
Subcommittee’s hearing on, “VA’s Federal Supremacy Initiative: Putting Veterans First?” urging support to remove barriers to practice and allow for Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists to practice to the full extent of their education and abilities within the VA.
Sept. 2023
Thanks for I CAN Act Introduction
AACN and 58 other members of the NCC signed onto a letter thanking House Nursing Congress Co-Chairs, Reps. David Joyce (R-OH-14) and Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR-01), and Vice Co-Chairs, Reps. Jen Kiggans (R-VA-02) and Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14) for introducing the Improving Care and Access to Nurses (I CAN) Act (H.R. 2713).
June 2023
Supports Legislation to Improve Workers' Compensation for Injured Federal Workers Access
Fifty members of the NCC, including AACN, signed onto a letter supporting the introduction of the Improving Access to Workers' Compensation for Injured Federal Workers Act (S.131/H.R. 618). This bipartisan legislation would retire outdated barriers in the Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA) that limit the ability of NPs to provide care and treatment for injured or ill federal employees.
May 2023
2022
Thanks House Nursing Caucus Co-Chairs for Introducing I CAN Act
Fifty-seven members of NCC, including AACN, signed onto a letter thanking House Nursing Congress Co-Chairs, Reps. Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA-40) and David Joyce (R-OH-14) for introducing the Improving Care and Access to Nurses (I CAN) Act (H.R. 8812). The ICAN Act is a comprehensive effort that helps remove outdated barriers that prevent APRNs from practicing to the full extent of their education and clinical training.
Oct. 2022
ENA Summit on APRN Practice
AACN attended the third in a series of meetings to address the role of APRNs in the Emergency Department. Practice standards from the American Academy of Emergency Nurse Practitioners (AAENP) and core competencies from the Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) were used to develop the 2021 Emergency Nurse Practitioner Competencies.
Feb. 2022
Supports Improved Access to Workers' Compensation for Injured Federal Workers
AACN and 50 other members of the NCC signed onto a letter to the U.S. Senate supporting consideration and passage of H.R. 6087, the Improving Access to Workers' Compensation for Injured Federal Workers Act. This bipartisan legislation would retire outdated barriers in the Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA) that limit the ability of NPs to provide care and treatment for injured or ill federal employees
July 2022
Letter to Congress on COVID-19 Waivers
AACN and 48 other members of NCC signed onto a letter urging Congress to take action to make waivers permanent beyond this Public Health Emergency (PHE).
Apr. 2022