
Nurse Director Fellowship
Breadcrumb
Applications for the 2026 Fellowship cohort are now open!
Immerse yourself in an in-depth environment of learning with an AONL fellowship. AONL offers fellowships for nurses entering managerial, director and executive roles.
The application period closes August 18.
The AONL Nurse Director Fellowship is a year-long professional development program targeting the unique leadership development needs of individuals accountable for the planning, directing and coordinating the operations of multiple units/departments or service lines in support of the strategic direction of nursing and the organization. The program provides an in-depth environment of learning and incorporates the AONL Nurse Executive Competencies. Participants strengthen their current skills, acquire new competencies and continue life-long learning needed for the next generation of successful nurse executives.


The Nurse Director Fellowship includes
Fellowship retreats
Five meetings during the course of the year.
COHORT OF PEERS
Develop a life-long, supportive network.
ATTENDANCE AT NATIONAL LEADERSHIP MEETINGS
The AONL Annual Conference, AONL Advocacy Day and the AHA Leadership Summit.
ADDITIONAL VIRTUAL LEARNING
Pre-AONL Advocacy Day prep webinar.
Program Dates & Locations
Session 1 - NDF Retreat | Feb. 10-13, 2026
Location: Atlanta
Session 2 - AONL 2024 Annual Conference | March 29-April 1, 2026
Location: Chicago
Session 3 - AONL Advocacy Day | June 1-2, 2026
Location: Washington, D.C.
Session 4 - NDF Retreat & AHA Annual Leadership Summit | July 11-14, 2026
Location: Denver
Session 5 - NDF Retreat | November 10-13, 2026
Location: Chicago
SPECIAL ASSISTANCE
AONL complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and strives to ensure that no individual with a disability is deprived of the opportunity to participate in the program solely by reason of that disability. Through its agents, AONL will provide reasonable accommodations for a candidate with a disability who requests accommodations. Requests can be made by sending a written request 21 days in advance of the program. Contact AONL Fellowships for questions.
CANCELLATION
A refund minus 20% will be granted to written requests as directed in the application. Cancellations must be submitted in writing via email to aonleducation@aha.org. No refunds will be granted after that date. No refunds will be granted for no-shows. Registration is non-transferrable.
ACCREDITATION STATEMENT AND NURSING CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CREDIT

The American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL) is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. The program offers attendees the opportunity to earn up to 45+ contact hours.
AONL is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, provider number 15740.