Partners

A message from CEO Emeritus Donna Meyer

“Collaboration is the cornerstone for our ongoing efforts to advocate for community college nursing education and the associate degree pathway. OADN values the significant contributions of our Premier and Allied Partners, and we are committed to working together to enrich the nursing profession and promote the delivery of quality health care for the communities we serve.”

Premier Partners

CastleBranch

As our exclusive compliance partner, CastleBranch and OADN collaborate daily to advance nursing education and promote the associate degree pathway nationally. Serving over 80% of nursing students nationwide, CastleBranch’s comprehensive screening solutions and customizable clinical experience management tools help keep nursing programs and students safe, informed, and thriving. Through CastleBranch’s generous support, the OADN Foundation provides scholarships and awards for nursing research, faculty development, and academic progression for both students and educators. OADN also advises CastleBranch on trends and issues of importance in associate degree nursing education. Additionally, OADN members interface directly with CastleBranch research and development staff to provide advice on the needs and concerns of nurse educators, students, and the nursing workforce.

The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)

The ACEN and OADN entered a formal partnership in 2017 to strengthen the support network for associate degree nursing (ADN) programs and their students. Through this partnership, OADN members have direct access to a myriad of accreditation resources, including useful continuing education, current best practices, and expert guidance and support throughout every stage of the initial and continuing accreditation process. Faculty members associated with the ACEN’s accredited programs and OADN members can increase their skill development, team building, and leadership competencies through separate and joint programming offered by the ACEN and OADN. They are also able to share ideas, establish valuable connections, and network with a national community of ADN program faculty. The partnership also facilitates ACEN accredited programs and OADN members’ access to timely and important information about academic progression to further advance the success of graduates from ADN programs.

Allied Partners

American Nurses Association (ANA)

OADN is an Organizational Affiliate of ANA

ANA Organizational Affiliates are specialty nursing organizations that hold organizational-level membership of ANA. This collaborative structure allows for greater information sharing and coordination on common issues facing the nursing profession and health care at large.

While each organization maintains its autonomy; the nursing profession and patients benefit from a shared voice that speaks on health care issues from a position of unrivaled experience and expertise. In 2015, ANA and OADN issued a joint position statement on the need for seamless academic progression opportunities for all nursing students. In 2021, ANA appointed OADN to the National Commission to Address Racism in Nursing, where OADN’s Chief Executive Officer represents the perspective of associate degree nursing and serves on the education workgroup.

American Association of Community Colleges (AACC)

OADN is an Affiliated Council of AACC and a member of the AACC Commission on Economic and Workforce Development.

AACC Affiliated Councils are non-profit organizations that are determined by AACC to be committed to advancing the role of community colleges in serving society consistent with the policies and priorities of the AACC. This service is done through providing specialized services or engaging in activities for, or in support of community colleges. OADN and AACC work together to ensure that community college-based registered nursing education pathways remain robust and are accessible to students in all communities.

American Red Cross

OADN and the American Red Cross partnership provides opportunities for OADN members to contribute to Red Cross programs across the country. Additionally, through affiliate agreements with local Red Cross Chapters, clinical learning experiences are available for nursing students. OADN members are encouraged to become Red Cross Disaster Health Services volunteers and respond to disasters in their communities as well as offer their expertise and support in large national disasters. Additionally, OADN members can assist their communities to be prepared for emergencies through Red Cross programs like the Home Fire Campaign and the Pillowcase Project. OADN member programs are encouraged to collaborate with local Red Cross chapters to host blood drives and educate the public about the need for blood donations.

Community College Baccalaureate Association (CCBA)

OADN is an affiliate of the Community College Baccalaureate Association

As the leading resource for institutions seeking to re-define their higher education practices and offerings, CCBA aims to promote affordable access to community college baccalaureate degrees as a means of closing the nation’s racial, ethnic and economic gaps. CCBA’s mission is to serve as the nation’s leading network of community colleges that build and sustain high-value baccalaureate degree programs. OADN and CCBA collaboratively advocate for removing barriers that prevent community colleges from conferring the baccalaureate of science in nursing (BSN) degree, as well as providing data and educating policymakers on the success of community college BSN programs around the country.

National Education Progression in Nursing Collaborative (NEPIN)

OADN serves on the executive leadership team and was one of the original organizational founders of NEPIN. The OADN Foundation serves as NEPIN’s fiduciary organization.

NEPIN provides opportunities for key stakeholders to invest in advancing nursing education, with a focus on increasing self-actualization for nurses and thereby improve patient outcomes. OADN members have the opportunity to serve in one of NEPIN’s specialized interest groups (SIGs), comprised of education, industry, and regulatory experts from across the country.  SIGs address key concepts around academic progression and identify opportunities that will have a meaningful impact on the nursing profession. OADN members benefit from the NEPIN resource library, which provides the tools necessary to implement succession pathways, build key partnerships, and achieve success in education progression.  Current resource topics include, but are not limited to, assessing progress and quality of academic progression; Covid-19’s impact nursing education; equity and diversity initiatives; current publications, research, and statements; and supporting evidence for progression and implementation toolkits.

Nursing Community Coalition (NCC)

OADN is a member of the Nursing Community Coalition

The Nursing Community Coalition is comprised of national professional nursing associations dedicated to building consensus and advocating on a wide spectrum of healthcare issues, including practice, education, research, and regulation. The NCC is committed to improving the health and health care of our nation by collaborating to support the education and practice of registered nurses (RNs) and advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs). Collectively, the NCC is comprised of 63 national nursing organizations. OADN membership in the NCC ensures that the voice of the associate degree nursing programs, students, and faculty are considered in the drafting of federal legislation that impacts OADN member programs and their communities. The NCC also provides a forum for connecting with other nursing organizations on shared advocacy interests, as well as meeting directly with legislators, congressional staff, and administration officials.

Nurses on Boards Coalition (NOBC)

OADN was an inaugural member of the NOBC in 2014 and currently is represented on the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee.

The Nurses on Boards Coalition (NOBC) represents national nursing and other organizations working to build healthier communities in America by increasing nurses’ presence on corporate, health-related, and other boards, panels, and commissions. OADN members are strongly encouraged to be counted by registering their board service with the NOBC. The Coalition also regularly posts new board service leadership opportunities and houses numerous resources on their website to help you on your journey to becoming board-ready.

Nursing Organizational Alliance (NOA)

OADN is a member of NOA.

The purpose of NOA is to inspire and develop leaders in the community of nursing organizations.  As a member association of NOA, OADN interfaces with other nursing associations to share organizational best practices and bring educational opportunities to OADN members. These activities include the Nurse in Washington Institute (NIWI) where OADN members can develop and hone their advocacy skills at the national level; the Nursing Alliance Leadership Academy (NALA) that provides governance training for OADN’s elected leadership; opportunities for OADN staff to connect with other nursing association staff on best practices in meeting member needs, as well as other online educational opportunities for OADN members throughout the year.

The DAISY Foundation

OADN collaborates with The DAISY Foundation to issue a National Call for Nurse Faculty Recognition to honor nursing faculty who prepare the next generation of nursing professionals by role modeling compassionate, extraordinary care, whether to patients and families or to their own students. Exceptional faculty in community colleges must be recognized for their expertise in all areas of the academic spectrum. OADN invites every community college leader to consider The DAISY Award program to meaningfully recognize outstanding nursing faculty. OADN is honored to partner with the DAISY Foundation in this call to action as we work together to pay tribute to nursing faculty across the continuum of nursing education programs.