Beyond Competencies: Understanding the 2026 AONL Framework for Leadership Excellence

Aug. 13 at 12 pm CT

Beyond Competencies: Understanding the 2026 AONL Framework for Leadership Excellence

For more than two decades, AONL's leadership competencies have guided the development of nurse leaders across the continuum of care. In response to the growing complexity of healthcare and evolving leadership expectations, AONL introduced a refreshed Nurse Leader Competency Framework in March 2026.
 

Join members of the AONL Competency Task Force for an engaging discussion of the framework's evolution, current state and future direction. Participants will gain insight into the updated competency domains, competency statements and core leadership behaviors which exemplify leadership effectiveness across nursing roles and settings.
 

The panel will also preview the next phase of the framework, which will introduce Functional Developing and Competent behavioral indicators for each competency statement that demonstrate how leadership capabilities progress from nurse manager to chief nurse executive leadership roles. These role-based behaviors will provide a practical roadmap for professional growth, succession planning, performance development and leadership excellence.
 

Featured panelists include Competency Task Force Co-Chairs and AONL Board Members Dr. Marie Prothero and Dr. Tera Gross, alongside Task Force members Dr. Sue Weaver and Dr. Douglas Dacenzo, who will share perspectives on the future of nurse leadership and competency-based development.

Learning Outcomes:

• Navigate the domains and structure of the 2026 AONL Nurse Leader Competency Framework.
• Differentiate between Core Competencies, Core Behaviors and Functional Behaviors.
• Apply the framework to leadership development, performance discussions and succession planning.
• Support leadership growth across career stages and organizational settings.

This session offers a first look at the future of nurse leader development and provides practical strategies for integrating the framework into leadership practice and organizational talent development initiatives.

About the Presenters

Marie Prothero, PhD, RN, FACHE - Associate Professor, Brigham Young University

Dr. Marie Prothero has over 35 years of experience in hospital and nursing executive roles, emphasizing team development related to patient safety, performance improvement and hospital operations. She is currently the undergraduate program coordinator and an associate professor at Brigham Young University’s College of Nursing in Provo, Utah. Dr. Prothero is a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives. Additionally, she serves on the Board of the American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL), the Revere Health Board and the Revere Health Foundation Board. Her academic achievements include a Ph.D. in nursing from the University of Utah’s College of Nursing, where she was honored as a Jonas Nurse Leader Scholar. Her research concentrates on advancing nursing leadership and practice through studies on patient safety, preventing medical errors and enhancing caregiver well-being.

Tera L. Gross, DNP, RN, CENP, FACHE - Chief Nursing Officer, Mayo Clinic Florida

Tera L. Gross, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, CENP, FACHE is the Chief Nursing Officer for Mayo Clinic in Florida.  She has served in leadership roles at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota and Jacksonville, Florida for over 25 years. She is also an Adjunct Faculty Member at Florida State University. Tera obtained a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Master of Science in Nursing with a focus in Nursing Administration from South Dakota State University and a Doctorate of Nursing Practice from the University of Minnesota.  

Tera is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and Assistant Professor of Nursing in the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, and a recipient of the Diamond Quality Fellow Award from the Mayo Quality Fellows Program. She is personally committed to lead and empower healthcare professionals with the skills and opportunities needed to thrive and achieve success.  As such, Tera is the Region 4 Director on the American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL) Board of Directors and a member of the FONL Board encouraging and supporting Florida Nursing Leaders to influence healthcare and professional nursing practice. 

Susan H. Weaver, PhD, RN, CRNI, NEA-BC - Nurse Scientist, Hackensack Meridian Health and New Jersey Collaborating Center for Nursing

Susan H. Weaver, PhD, RN, CRNI, NEA-BC is a nurse scientist at Hackensack Meridian Health and the New Jersey (NJ) Collaborating Center for Nursing. Inspired by her years of 
experience as an administrative (house) supervisor, her program of research is dedicated to strengthening critical roles within the nursing workforce, including administrative supervisors, licensed practical nurses and night shift nurses to improve patient and nurse outcomes.

Dr. Weaver holds a PhD in Nursing from Rutgers University, an MSN from Seton Hall University and a BSN from Penn State University.

Doug Dascenzo, DNP, RN, CENP, FAONL - Vice President of Nursing Operations, Henry Ford Health

Doug Dascenzo is a healthcare executive specializing in innovation, health justice and care experience improvements. He is currently Vice President of Nursing Operations at Henry Ford Health and previously served over a 9-year period as Regional Chief Nursing Officer at Trinity Health-Michigan. Doug holds nursing degrees from Wayne State University, Madonna University and the University of Detroit Mercy, along with Certification in Executive Nursing Practice. He has attained fellowship designation from the American Organization for Nursing Leadership and the American College of Healthcare Executives. He has led organizations such as the Michigan Organization for Nursing Leadership and Sigma Kappa Iota and serves on numerous boards, including board chair of the Michigan Health and Hospital Association Keystone Center for Patient Safety and Quality. Over more than a decade, he has served as an editorial board member for the On-line Journal of Issues in Nursing. Doug also holds faculty positions at the University of Detroit Mercy and Madonna University. 

Julibeth Lauren,  - Managing Editor, American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL)

Julibeth Lauren, PhD, APRN, ACNS-BC, CENP is the Managing Editor for Professional Practice at the American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL) and adjunct faculty in the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and PhD Nursing Executive Leadership programs at Walden University. A nationally recognized nurse executive, educator, author and speaker, she has extensive experience advancing nursing leadership, professional practice, patient education and clinical excellence.  

Prior to her current roles, Dr. Lauren served as System Vice President of Nursing Practice, Clinical and Patient Education for a large healthcare system in Minnesota. She also held executive leadership positions with Elsevier Clinical Solutions, including Vice President and Editor in Chief for Nursing and Allied Health Practice and Patient Education, where she led the development of evidence-based clinical and patient education resources used by healthcare organizations nationwide.

Dr. Lauren earned a PhD from Capella University, an MSN from the University of Phoenix and completed the Adult Health Clinical Nurse Specialist program at the University of Minnesota. She also holds an MBA Certificate in Organizational Leadership and is a 2023 graduate of the AONL Executive Fellowship Program. She is board certified as an Adult Clinical Nurse Specialist (ACNS-BC), holds Certified in Executive Nursing Practice (CENP) certification and maintains APRN licensure through the Minnesota Board of Nursing.