2026 FAONL Spotlight: Corrin Steinhauer

What motivated you to apply for the FAONL designation?
I was motivated to apply for FAONL after attending the FAONL learning session at the AONL Annual Meeting in 2025, where I gained a deeper appreciation for the impact and legacy of fellows within our profession. Seeing respected colleagues such as Esther Chipps and Jackie Buck achieve this recognition further inspired me, as it reflected the caliber of leadership and contribution I strive to embody. FAONL represents an opportunity to both contribute to and learn from a distinguished community committed to advancing nursing leadership.

How has being an FAONL designee impacted your leadership journey and leadership style?
I was motivated to apply for FAONL after attending the FAONL learning session at the AONL Annual Meeting 2025, where I gained a deeper appreciation for the impact and legacy of fellows within our profession. Seeing respected colleagues such as Esther Chipps and Jackie Buck achieve this recognition further inspired me, as it reflected the caliber of leadership and contribution I strive to embody. FAONL represents an opportunity to both contribute to and learn from a distinguished community committed to advancing nursing leadership.

What value have you received by achieving your FAONL designation?
Achieving FAONL has provided meaningful validation of my work as a nursing leader, particularly in developing and mentoring the next generation of nurse leaders. It has also expanded my professional community through a distinguished network within AONL, creating opportunities for deeper collaboration and shared learning. Overall, it has reinforced both the impact of my contributions and my commitment to advancing the profession.

What advice would you give to someone working towards achieving FAONL status?
Start early and be intentional about your preparation, giving yourself time to thoughtfully reflect on and articulate your impact. Form a small, trusted group of colleagues who know your work well to help review and strengthen your essay responses, and take advantage of AONL’s FAONL mentors for guidance and perspective. Finally, remember that meaningful involvement at the state affiliate level is highly valued and absolutely counts toward your overall contributions.