Scholars Academy Events
Leaders in Magnet: A Dialogue on Nursing Culture, Impact & Real-world Insights
Association of California Nurse Leaders join us for an interactive virtual discussion with Magnet leaders from the Bay Area! Free Event! ACNL Members & Non-members welcome!!
Disruptive Innovation
Join us for an engaging Grand Rounds session, Disruptive Innovation. This presentation will highlight the importance of celebrating nursing innovation. It will show how nurse leaders can embrace innovation by learning from others, using science to improve practice, applying liberating structures, and following the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN) standards for a healthy work environment.
Illumination Series: Reconceptualizing Nursing Transition to Practice
Join Tim Porter-O’Grady, DM, EdD, APRN, FAAN, and Kathy Malloch, PhD, MBA, RN, FAAN, for an examination of how intentional preceptor development and organizational infrastructure can strengthen nursing retention, engagement, and professional practice.
Drawing from the outcomes and lessons of Arizona’s statewide 2023–2026 preceptor grant initiative, this session will examine the role of structured preceptorship in supporting nursing students, newly licensed nurses, and nurses transitioning into new specialties. Participants will explore the Six Domains of Nursing Preceptor Practice and consider how technical competence, professional development, relational capacity, communication, peer integration, and organizational culture function together to shape the transition-to-practice experience.
The session will also address practical strategies for leading large-scale workforce change, including standardized curriculum, leadership engagement, protected learning time, data infrastructure, and a sustained focus on measurable outcomes. This presentation is designed for nursing leaders, educators, professional development specialists, and others responsible for building environments where nurses can successfully enter, remain, and grow in practice.
EquuSatori: Equine Assisted Learning for Healthcare Professionals
Learning that strengthens leadership, communication, and heart-centered care
Through ground-based equine-assisted learning, participants are invited to slow down, engage in inward reflection, and develop self-awareness, coherence, and presence. Participants work alongside the horses as collaborative partners, receiving immediate, non-judgmental feedback that supports the development on intuition, reflective practice, and embodied awareness.
Application Deadline: ACNL 2026 Scholarships
In pursuit of its mission to cultivate nurse leaders and encourage lifelong learning, ACNL sponsors several scholarships. These include academic scholarships for nurse leaders engaged in research or pursuing graduate degrees; leadership scholarships for concentrated healthcare studies; and research scholarships for nursing practice advancements. To review eligibility requirements and apply, please use the button below.
CNOR Exam Prep and Review Course
This two-day course, held in Sacramento, is designed to prepare perioperative nurses to take the CNOR exam and demonstrate clinical competence and knowledge of practice standards.
Nomination Deadline: ACNL 2026 Recognition Awards
Each year, ACNL recognizes the outstanding contributions of nurse leaders in various areas, including healthcare delivery, leadership, fostering healthy work environments, and advancing education and research in nursing.
Nominations are now open for the 2026 ACNL Recognition Awards—honor an outstanding colleague by submitting your nomination using the link below.
Illumination Series: A Seat at the Table
Join Dr. Cole Edmonson as he discusses why nurses belong in governance roles, how board service supports communities and organizations, and what steps nurses can take to prepare for service.
EquuSatori: Equine Assisted Learning for Healthcare Professionals
Learning that strengthens leadership, communication, and heart-centered care
Through ground-based equine-assisted learning, participants are invited to slow down, engage in inward reflection, and develop self-awareness, coherence, and presence. Participants work alongside the horses as collaborative partners, receiving immediate, non-judgmental feedback that supports the development on intuition, reflective practice, and embodied awareness.
Perianesthesia Exam Prep and Review
This two-day course, held in Santa Clara, is designed to prepare Perianesthesia nurses to take the Perianesthesia exams and to demonstrate clinical competence and knowledge of practice standards.
CNOR Exam Prep and Review Course
This two-day course, held in Santa Clara, is designed to prepare perioperative nurses to take the CNOR exam and to demonstrate clinical competence and knowledge of practice standards.
