2026 FAONL Spotlight: Monica Tucker-Schwartz

What motivated you to apply for the FAONL designation?
I was motivated to apply for the FAONL designation as a meaningful milestone in a leadership journey shaped by service, resilience, and deep commitment to the nursing profession. Over time, I came to see FAONL not simply as a personal honor, but as recognition of the collective work done alongside mentors, colleagues, and frontline teams to advance professional nursing practice and leadership. Applying felt like a way to formally honor those experiences, reflect on the impact of nurse leadership across clinical, operational, and academic environments, and affirm a responsibility to continue contributing to the profession at a national and even international level—through mentorship, advocacy, and the development of future nurse leaders.

How has being an FAONL designee impacted your leadership journey and leadership style?
Being named an FAONL Fellow has been a defining moment in my leadership journey, reinforcing that leadership in nursing is both a privilege and a responsibility to the profession. The designation deepened my commitment to stewarding AONL’s values—advancing inclusive, evidence‑informed leadership while strengthening the pipeline of future nurse leaders through mentorship and sponsorship. It has influenced my leadership style to be more intentional and reflective, balancing operational excellence with advocacy, strategic vision, and an unwavering connection to the lived experiences of nurses across care settings. Most importantly, FAONL has affirmed my role as a lifelong contributor to the national dialogue on nursing leadership and healthcare transformation.

What value have you received by achieving your FAONL designation?
Achieving the FAONL designation has provided meaningful value both professionally and personally. Professionally, it created space for reflection and growth, reinforcing my responsibility to steward the nursing profession with purpose, integrity, and national perspective. The FAONL community has been especially impactful—connecting me with peer leaders whose collective wisdom, honesty, and advocacy continue to challenge and inspire my own leadership practice. Personally, the designation strengthened my commitment to mentorship and sponsorship, reminding me that the true value of FAONL lies not in the credential itself, but in the relationships, shared responsibility, and collective impact we have in advancing nursing leadership and shaping the future of healthcare.

What advice would you give to someone working towards achieving FAONL status?
My advice—especially for early‑ and mid‑career leaders—is to view FAONL as a journey rooted in service, growth, and contribution rather than a title to pursue later. Say yes early and often to opportunities at the local, regional, and national levels—committee work, speaking engagements, project leadership, and professional organization involvement—because those experiences compound over time and shape both your impact and your perspective. Seek out mentors who will challenge and sponsor you, be intentional about documenting your leadership contributions, and remain reflective about how your leadership evolves with each role. Most importantly, lead with purpose and humility; FAONL recognizes sustained commitment to advancing the profession and lifting others as much as individual achievement.