Media Contacts:
Ilse Zuniga, AARP Communications, izuniga@aarp.org
Kristie Aylett, AACN Communications, kristie.aylett@aacn.org

AARP continues its collaboration with the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses to support initiatives to strengthen the nursing workforce with grants from the 2025 Nursing Innovations Fund

ALISO VIEJO, Calif. – Feb. 20, 2025 – Proposals are being accepted for grants from the 2025 Nursing Innovations Fund, a continuing collaboration between the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN Critical Care) and AARP to strengthen the nursing workforce.

This program seeks innovative and replicable solutions to create and sustain healthy work environments and improve recruitment and retention rates of registered nurses, through implementation of one or more AACN Critical Care’s Standards for Establishing and Sustaining Healthy Work Environments.   

“Nurses play a critical role in protecting the health of our nation, but they cannot effectively deliver care without healthy work environments. AARP is proud to provide ongoing support to ensure a strong nursing workforce across all care settings where nurses practice,” said Megan O’Reilly, AARP Vice President of Government Affairs for Health and Family.

“Stressful working conditions and unhealthy work environments are key reasons nurses are leaving their profession at alarming rates. Research has shown that nurses who work where healthy work environments are actively created report higher job satisfaction, better quality of care, more shifts with appropriate staffing, and less intent to leave their current positions,” said AACN Chief Clinical Officer Vicki Good.

Projects will use AACN’s Healthy Work Environment Assessment Tool as a pre- and post-measure. The free online tool helps teams assess and measure progress in establishing and sustaining a healthy work environment. Awardees will submit a final report on the impact of the project as part of the grant’s emphasis on sustainability and sharing best practices.

Proposals are due by April 4, 2025, with finalists notified in May and funded projects to commence July 1. Awards of up to $20,000 will be given for projects completed in one year.  AARP will administer the grants.

For complete information about the awards, eligibility criteria, application and other details, visit https://campaignforaction.org/2025-innovations-fund/.

AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering Americans 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to the more than 100 million Americans 50-plus and their families: health and financial security, and personal fulfillment.

To learn more, visit www.aarp.org/about-aarp or follow @AARP,
@AARPenEspañol, and @AARPadvocates on social media.  

American Association of Critical-Care Nurses is the world’s largest specialty nursing organization, with more than 135,000 members and nearly 200 chapters in the United States. To achieve its vision of a healthcare system driven by the needs of patients and families, where nurses make their optimal contribution, AACN’s advocacy priority is to establish and sustain healthy work environments that support nursing excellence.

American Association of Critical-Care Nurses, 27071 Aliso Creek Road, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656; 949-362-2000; www.aacn.org; facebook.com/aacnface; x.com/aacnme