The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) recently announced that a 2026 edition of The Essentials: Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education had been posted online. Details were provided in Rounds with Leadership: Aligning ACE with the AACN Essentials. The refinements made to the document are intended to support schools of nursing as they evaluate program requirements, student experiences, and learning environments in keeping with federal standards and other programmatic expectations. The updates align with AACN’s Access, Connection, and Engagement (ACE) framework that was introduced to the membership in July 2025. The new language reinforces our commitment to ACE, emphasizing support for student success, workforce preparation, and academic-practice partnerships.
What's changed?
The most substantive changes were made in the Concepts for Nursing Practice section of the Essentials (pages 12 - 13) with the inclusion of Access, Connection, and Engagement as the fourth concept. Updates were also made to the descriptors for Domain 3 (Population Health) and Domain 7 (Systems-Based Practice) as well as to the Glossary and References. The updated competencies and subcompetencies have been outlined below.
In summary:
10 Domains: no changes to titles (descriptors edited for Domains 3 and 7)
8 Concepts: fourth concept changed to Access, Connection, and Engagement
45 Competencies: Three competencies were changed: the fourth competency in Domain 3, the third competency in Domain 8, and the sixth competency in Domain 9
Subcompetencies: changes outlined below (some in both levels 1 and 2)
Review this brief video clip from Dr. Brigit Carter describing the 2026 Essentials and ACE: Dr. Brigit Carter Video Clip on ACE and 2026 Essentials
Updated Competencies
3.4
Advance population health policy that emphasizes collective well-being for populations served.
8.3
Use information and communication techniques and informatics processes to deliver safe nursing care to populations served in a variety of settings.
9.6
Integrate access, connection, and engagement as core to one's professional identity.
Updated Subcompetencies
Domain 1
1.2c
Domain 2
2.2e, 2.2g, 2.7d
Domain 3
3.1i, 3.2e, 3.2f, 3.3a, 3.3e, 3.3f, 3.4b, 3.4k, 3.5i, 3.6g, 3.6h
Domain 4
4.1l, 4.3d
Domain 5
none
Domain 6
6.1d, 6.1i, 6.4e, 6.4g
Domain 7
7.1h, 7.2b, 7.2l, 7.3d, 7.3h
Domain 8
8.3k
Domain 9
9.2d, 9.2e, 9.2j, 9.3g, 9.3m, 9.6a, 9.6b, 9.6c, 9.6d, 9.6f
Domain 10
10.2f, 10.3g, 10.3p
At UMSON, we will continue to evaluate our current syllabi and revise as appropriate. Please join us for our monthly E3 to P2 meetings where we navigate all things Essentials and CBE. All are welcome to join the first Monday of each month, 1 - 3 p.m. in Room 304 or via Zoom.