What you’ll learn in this article…
- Dean Cameron Duncan earned FAAN in 2026 after bridging clinical and academic leadership.
- Two current Fellows must sponsor each AAN application.
- FAAN fellowship connects deans to over 3,000 global nurse leaders.
In 2026, Dean Cameron Duncan's induction as a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing (FAAN) highlighted a milestone few academic nurse leaders achieve.1
FAAN represents the profession's highest honor, recognizing contributions that shape health policy, curriculum, and clinical practice. For nursing deans, the credential is especially rare: fewer than one in twenty sitting deans hold it, according to Academy data.
The designation signals not only past impact but a seat at the table where national nursing priorities are set.
What Is Fellowship in the American Academy of Nursing (FAAN)?
Over 3,000 nurse leaders currently hold the FAAN credential, representing a network that shapes health policy, education, and practice worldwide. Fellowship in the American Academy of Nursing (FAAN) is one of the highest honors in nursing, recognizing individuals who have made enduring national or international contributions to the profession. It is not a membership anyone applies for casually: candidates must be nominated by two current Fellows and demonstrate a track record of exceptional leadership in nursing practice, education, research, or policy.
A Distinction Among Healthcare Honors
FAAN is distinct from two other recognitions that often cause confusion. AAN Honorary Fellowships are awarded to non-nurse leaders, such as philanthropists or policymakers, who have significantly supported nursing. Meanwhile, election to the National Academy of Medicine (NAM) is a separate, highly prestigious honor open to all health disciplines; some nurse leaders hold both FAAN and NAM membership, but the pathways are unrelated.
The Annual Induction and the Power of the Network
New Fellows are formally inducted at an annual ceremony; the 2026 class will be installed on Oct. 10 in Washington, D.C.1 Once inducted, fellows use the FAAN credential and join a living think tank of more than 3,000 experts. For nursing deans and those pursuing a nursing program director career path, this network becomes a strategic asset: access to policy committees, expert panels, and national committees that influence nursing education standards, innovative teaching strategies in nursing education, and healthcare legislation.
Case Study: Dean Cameron Duncan’s Path to AAN Fellowship
The journey to Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing (FAAN) rarely follows a single track. For Cameron G. Duncan, Ph.D., DNP, APRN, FNP-C, PMHNP-BC, CNE, FAANP, the path wove together advanced clinical practice, research, and academic administration before culminating in his 2026 induction into the Academy.
A Clinical Foundation Built on Dual Specialties
Duncan's clinical roots run deep. He earned his family nurse practitioner credentials and later a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner certification, both from the University of Arizona. That dual focus prepared him to bridge primary care and behavioral health, a combination central to his later work integrating mental health services into community-based primary care. While practicing, he also pursued a Ph.D. at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, completing it in 2022 and grounding his clinical insight in research methodology.
Stepping Into Academic Leadership
Duncan moved into administration at the University of Nevada, Reno, where he directed the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Program and later served as interim dean of the Orvis School of Nursing2. In January 2025, he was appointed Holli Rockwell Trubinsky Eminent Dean of Florida Atlantic University's Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing, becoming only the fourth dean in its 45-year history. He also took on the role of CEO for the FAU/Northwest Community Health Alliance Community Health Center3, linking academic leadership directly with community care delivery.
Impact That Resonates with the Academy's Mission
The American Academy of Nursing selects Fellows whose work advances health policy and practice. Duncan's record, from translational research to mentoring students in evidence-based care, aligns squarely with that mission. His induction, set for October 10, 2026 in Washington, D.C.1, places him among nurse leaders from 39 states and 17 countries. Reflecting on the honor, Duncan said, "It is a great honor to be named a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing."1
Mentorship and Policy Influence
Duncan's mentorship of graduate students and focus on integrating mental health into primary care illustrate the kind of sustained impact the Academy recognizes. By modeling how deans can shape both education and health systems, his career offers a blueprint for those in careers in nurse education aiming to influence national policy through FAAN fellowship.
Questions to Ask Yourself
AAN Fellowship Eligibility and Requirements for Nursing Deans
Some deans view AAN Fellowship as a research-intensive distinction; others see it as a nurse educator career advancement milestone that validates a broader impact on education, policy, and practice. The reality sits closer to the latter: the Academy seeks nurses who have made a substantive, sustained contribution to health or health care, regardless of domain. For nursing deans, this opens a powerful pathway to formalize institutional transformation.
Core Eligibility Criteria
The Academy evaluates candidates on one primary criterion: evidence of a substantive, sustained, and outstanding contribution to health or health care. This impact must be demonstrable at a national or international level, or, for state and regional work, must clearly show potential for scalable impact. There is no rigid minimum years-of-experience rule, but successful portfolios typically reflect 5 to 10 years of progressive leadership. Recognized impact domains include education, policy, practice, research, advocacy, military service, and more. For deans, the sweet spot often lies in documenting how your academic programs, curricular innovations, or interprofessional collaborations have influenced nursing education beyond your institution.
Sponsorship and Membership Requirements
The application requires sponsorship by two current Regular Fellows. At least one sponsor must be a Regular Fellow who holds membership in an ANA Constituent or State Nurses Association. This sponsorship model ensures that candidates are peer-validated before formal review. In addition, U.S. applicants must hold active membership in the American Nurses Association through a state association or direct membership (e-membership does not suffice); international applicants must belong to a national nurses association that is part of the International Council of Nurses.1
Building a Competitive Portfolio
Your portfolio must connect your work to measurable outcomes. The Academy expects both quantitative and qualitative evidence: outcome metrics, policy changes, media coverage, changes in practice standards, and formal recognition. Typical components include a detailed curriculum vitae, a narrative describing your contributions and their significance, and supporting documents such as publications, letters of impact, and policy briefs. The narrative should explicitly answer: “How did your work advance the nursing profession?” Deans might spotlight nursing program development, faculty development initiatives, or successful accreditation achievements that shifted regional or national norms.
What Deans Should Emphasize
Although the criteria are uniform, deans naturally bring distinct strengths. Highlight institutional transformation, such as launching a nurse residency program that improved retention across multiple hospitals, or interprofessional partnerships that elevated nursing’s voice in health system decisions. Evidence of mentoring faculty into leadership roles or influencing statewide education policy also resonates. The key is to frame your decanal work not as administrative routine, but as strategic contributions that ripple well beyond your campus.
According to the American Academy of Nursing, an application cannot be reviewed without sponsorship from two current Fellows in good standing. This prerequisite makes early relationship-building with FAAN holders a non-negotiable part of the pathway, and it is frequently cited as a major hurdle for aspiring Fellows.
How to Get Nominated: The Application and Review Process
How do you navigate the nomination process from start to finish as a nursing dean? While each year’s timeline may shift slightly, the AAN uses a structured, multistep system that rewards advance planning.
Locating the Official Call for Fellows
Each year the Academy publishes a detailed Call for Fellows document. Head to aan.com and search for “Fellowship” or “Nomination Process.” The page will include the current cycle’s deadlines, sponsor requirements, and a link to the online submission portal. Bookmark the AAN events calendar while you’re there: induction ceremony dates and related webinars are posted months ahead, giving you a target date to work toward.
Securing Sponsorship from Two Current Fellows
All applicants must have two active FAAN sponsors who know their work intimately. Sponsors submit confidential evaluations that carry significant weight. If you aren’t yet connected to Fellows nationally, begin building those relationships through AAN conference attendance, committee service, and nurse-led research. The Call for Fellows document explains how sponsors register in the system and what materials they must provide.
Compiling the Portfolio of Evidence
The application centers on a curated portfolio that maps your contributions to the Academy’s impact criteria. Typical components include a detailed curriculum vitae, a personal narrative describing your leadership and policy influence, and supporting exhibits such as publications, funded research summaries, or letters of endorsement. Follow the formatting guidelines precisely: incomplete or incorrectly assembled portfolios are often returned without review.
Submitting Through the Online Portal
Once you have secured your sponsors and assembled your materials, you submit through the AAN’s secure online system. The deadline typically falls in the late spring, and late submissions are not accepted. After submission, you can expect a rigorous, blinded review by a panel of current Fellows. Notification of the outcome generally occurs in mid to late summer. For example, the 2026 class of Fellows will be inducted on October 10 in Washington, D.C.1
If any part of the process feels unclear, reach out directly to the AAN membership department via the contact information on the website. They can clarify review panel structure, sponsorship documentation, or technical issues with the portal without navigating through a general inbox.
From Faculty to Dean to FAAN: The Nursing Leadership Ladder
The path from bedside to boardroom to national fellowship is a deliberate climb. Below is the typical career ladder for nurse educators aiming for FAAN status.
AAN Fellowship by the Numbers: The 2025 and 2026 Classes
The 2025 AAN Fellows class drew from 42 states, Washington D.C., and 12 countries1 , a geographic spread that mirrors states with highest demand for nurse educators , making it the largest and most geographically diverse cohort in the Academy’s history at the time of announcement.
By 2026, the international footprint expanded further, with new Fellows hailing from 39 states, the District of Columbia, and 17 countries, a 42 percent increase in global representation in just one year. This jump underscores the Academy’s growing commitment to global nursing leadership and reflects the expanding influence of U.S. nursing education models abroad.
Geographic Reach and Role Representation
While the Academy does not release a detailed breakdown of inductees by job title, academic leaders, including deans, associate deans, and program directors, consistently form a significant portion of each class. Nursing deans, in particular, bring a blend of administrative acumen, scholarly output, and policy experience that aligns with the AAN’s mission to shape health care through leadership. Exact counts of deans within the 2025 or 2026 classes are not publicly segmented, but the presence of notable leaders like FAU Dean Cameron Duncan (2026 inductee) and the longstanding tradition of dean Fellows suggest that academic leadership remains a core pipeline to FAAN status.
Trends: Bigger Classes, Broader Impact
Both the 2025 and 2026 classes point to a strategic expansion by the Academy. The sheer size of these cohorts, with the 2025 class described as the largest ever at the time, indicates a proactive effort to accelerate the integration of nurse leaders into national and international policy conversations. For nurse educators eyeing the FAAN credential, this trend comes as the nurse educator shortage underscores the need for more seats at the table, bringing wider recognition of the unique expertise that nursing deans contribute.
FAAN designation remains a rare distinction among nursing deans. Although the American Academy of Nursing inducts a diverse class of Fellows each year, only a handful serve in dean-level academic roles, making the credential a powerful signal of leadership in nursing education and policy.
How FAAN Status Impacts Deans, Faculty, and Institutions
FAAN status fundamentally transforms a nursing dean's influence across academia, policy, and practice.
National Influence and Policy Access
Achieving fellowship instantly elevates a dean's credibility in national policy conversations. FAAN deans are routinely invited to serve on federal advisory panels, grant review committees for agencies like the NIH and HRSA, and editorial boards of top-tier nursing journals. Their opinions carry weight during congressional briefings and in shaping health policy recommendations. They often contribute to white papers and expert testimony, amplifying both personal and institutional influence.
Curriculum and Accreditation Leadership
FAAN deans play a direct role in advancing nursing education standards. Through Academy expert panels and collaborations with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), they influence curriculum frameworks, competency-based education models, and accreditation criteria. Their leadership ensures that academic programs stay aligned with evolving healthcare needs and evidence-based practice. By piloting innovative teaching methods such as active learning strategies nursing and assessment tools, these deans help set national benchmarks for quality.
Institutional Reputation and Resource Attraction
A dean with FAAN credentials signals excellence to the academic marketplace. In a time of nursing faculty shortage, institutions gain a competitive edge in recruiting high-caliber faculty, attracting motivated doctoral students, and securing research funding from foundations and government sources. The fellowship stamp often becomes a key factor in program rankings and donor confidence. Faculty candidates perceive FAAN leadership as a promise of strong mentorship, while grant reviewers recognize the dean's track record in advancing the discipline.
Mentoring the Next Generation
FAAN deans actively cultivate future fellows within their own colleges. They identify promising faculty, guide them through the nomination process, and provide sponsorship when appropriate. This intentional mentoring strengthens the leadership pipeline and creates a culture of excellence that perpetuates institutional growth long after the dean's tenure. By building a community of scholars, FAAN deans ensure that the legacy of nursing leadership continues to expand.
FAAN status transforms a nursing dean from a campus administrator into a national thought leader. As one dean noted, "It elevates a dean from campus leader to national voice, amplifying their influence on health policy and nursing education." The credential opens doors to policy committees, editorial boards, and interdisciplinary collaborations.
AAN Fellowship Vs. NAM and AACN Leadership Programs
Different Purposes: Recognition, Immersion, or Skill-Building
The American Academy of Nursing Fellowship (FAAN) is primarily an honor, a peer-reviewed recognition of distinguished contributions to nursing. Earning FAAN signals that you have made a significant impact on education, research, practice, or policy. In contrast, the AAN Fellowship at the National Academy of Medicine (NAM) is a structured two-year immersive experience for current FAANs who want to translate their expertise into national health policy. It places nurse scholars directly into NAM’s policy environment, working on evidence-based studies with a senior mentor. AACN’s Advancing Academic Leadership for Deans (AALD) program serves yet another purpose: it is a year-long leadership development program designed specifically for deans and directors of nursing programs who want to strengthen their executive skills. It fills a developmental gap, not a recognition gap.
Eligibility and Selection: Who Can Apply?
Becoming a FAAN requires a demonstrated record of extraordinary achievement and sponsorship from two current Fellows, followed by a rigorous peer-review process. The AAN Fellowship at NAM accepts only current AAN Fellows1; candidates are nominated and then selected by AAN for a two-year term. This is not an open application; it is an earned opportunity for advanced policy engagement. AALD, by contrast, is open to deans, associate deans, and directors who have held their position for at least one year. Applicants submit materials and are selected by AACN on a competitive basis, focusing on potential for growth.
Duration, Cost, and Time Commitment
FAAN is a lifetime designation with annual dues and a one-time induction fee; the review process itself takes months. The NAM fellowship runs for two years, requires a 10-20% effort commitment, and carries no cost to the fellow; in fact, it provides a $25,000 grant to support participation1. AALD is a one-year program with a tuition fee (check AACN’s site for current cost) and includes three in-person sessions plus ongoing mentorship.
Key Focus and Outcomes
FAAN emphasizes broad influence across the profession, opening doors to national advisory roles, editorial boards, and policy panels. The NAM fellowship zeroes in on health policy and public health evidence, embedding fellows in NAM boards and study committees. AALD focuses squarely on academic leadership: financial acumen, faculty development, strategic planning, and navigating institutional politics. For a dean, combining FAAN with AALD can create a powerful blend of scholarly credibility and refined leadership, all essential qualities of a good nurse educator.
Common Questions About AAN Fellowship and Academic Leadership
Achieving Fellow status in the American Academy of Nursing is a major milestone for academic nurse leaders. Below, we answer common questions about what FAAN means, how to get nominated, and how it can shape your career in nursing education and leadership.
Preparing for Fellowship: Steps for Nurse Educators at Every Stage
What exactly should I be doing right now to position myself for AAN Fellowship down the road?
Fellowship in the American Academy of Nursing is a multi-year pursuit that rewards deliberate, forward-looking career management. Whether you are a faculty member building a dossier or a dean eyeing the next milestone, these actions will strengthen your trajectory.
Build a Portfolio of National Impact
- Scholarship and policy: Develop a body of work that influences nursing education, practice, or health policy, including how nurse educators promote health equity, beyond your institution. Publish in peer-reviewed journals, present at national conferences, and seek opportunities to serve on expert panels or task forces.
- Educational innovation: Lead curriculum redesign, develop novel clinical teaching models, or create interprofessional education programs that gain recognition outside your own school. Document outcomes and dissemination.
Cultivate Fellowship Mentors and Sponsors
- Identify current FAAN Fellows early: Attend AAN and AACN events to meet potential mentors. Seek informational interviews and informal guidance. Genuine relationships with Fellows can evolve into sponsorship when it is time to apply.
- Sponsorship requirements: The AAN requires sponsorship letters from two current Fellows who know your work. Nurture these professional connections throughout your career, not just during application season.
Document Contributions Systematically
- Maintain a dynamic CV and evidence notebook: From mid-career onward, capture all leadership roles, committee service, policy contributions, funded research (including nursing education grant writing), awards, and mentoring outcomes. Use a consistent tracking method so nothing is overlooked when you compile your application.
- Quantify impact where possible: Note reach, adoption metrics, policy changes influenced, and student or colleague outcomes directly tied to your efforts.
Engage with AAN and AACN Communities
- Attend annual conferences: The AAN Annual Policy Conference and AACN Doctoral Education Conference offer visibility and networking. Volunteer for committees or abstract review roles to demonstrate commitment.
- Contribute to expert panels: Seek invitations to serve on think tanks or advisory groups that inform nursing education standards and health policy.
Consider the AACN AALD as a Stepping Stone
- AACN’s Advancing Academic Leadership for Deans (AALD) program: For those not yet in a deanship, this program builds executive skills and a peer network, often serving as a launching pad for the kind of sustained leadership AAN Fellowship celebrates. Many AALD alumni later become FAAN Fellows.
Above all, treat AAN Fellowship as a natural extension of a career built on improving nursing education on a broad scale. Start early, stay organized, and let your growing impact speak for itself.
