The AANP Leadership Academy: The Loretta Ford Visionary Leadership Program
Equipping the Next Generation of Nurse Practitioner (NP) Leaders!
You already inspire your patients and serve as a trusted pillar in your community — now elevate your impact by honing your leadership skills! The American Association of Nurse Practitioners® (AANP) proudly presents the newly relaunched Loretta Ford Visionary Leadership Program, thoughtfully designed by leading NP experts to empower you with essential leadership tools.
This comprehensive program offers approximately 48 contact hours of continuing education, seamlessly blending virtual and in-person experiences. Engage in interactive, weekly virtual sessions every Wednesday for six weeks, culminating in an immersive capstone workshop at the prestigious 2026 AANP National Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Celebrate your achievement with a special certificate and pin awarded during a memorable recognition ceremony at the 2026 AANP National Conference. Step forward and become the visionary leader you’re meant to be!
A two-part program with content and networking with top experts.
- Part 1: Interactive virtual classroom sessions every Wednesday from Feb. 11 - March 18, 2026.
- Part 2: An immersive in-person workshop on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, followed by a celebratory pinning ceremony and meet-and-greet event on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, at the prestigious 2026 AANP National Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada.
AANP invites applicants from diverse backgrounds and varied life experiences to join this transformative leadership journey.
The application period closed on Aug. 28, 2025, at 6 p.m. ET (5 p.m. CT).
Program Objectives
- Cultivate a leadership mindset building upon basic leadership concepts that emphasize innovation and adaptability in the rapidly evolving health care landscape.
- Design and implement systemic changes to enhance patient care, business outcomes and NP-led health care delivery models at the organizational level.
- Develop advanced political advocacy skills to effectively engage with congressional delegations on health care issues, focusing on expanding NP practice authority and improving access to care.
- Foster a culture of continuous learning and professional development among NPs to strengthen the leadership pipeline within the profession.
Program Cost and Details
Participant Costs:
- Nonrefundable $2,000 participant fee, due upon acceptance to the program.
- All costs associated with travel and meals.
AANP Provides:
- Hotel costs for three nights, not including incidentals.
- A waiver for the 2026 AANP National Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada.
- A celebratory pinning ceremony and meet and greet at the 2026 AANP National Conference, Wednesday, June 24, 2026.
Participant Also Receives:
- Relevant reading materials.
- Thank-you gift, pin and certificate of completion.
Eligibility
- Must be an AANP member with at least one year of continuous membership since June 15, 2024.
- Must have completed the prerequisite AANP Introduction to Leadership Program (all 12-modules) or The Jan Towers Foundational Leadership Program (all 13 modules) on or before 11:59 p.m. CT on Aug. 15, 2025. For this prerequisite course to be considered complete, applicants must complete each individual module, submit the required evaluation and have a certificate generated.
- Must have at least one year’s experience as a practicing NP.
- Cannot be an AANP staff member.
- Cannot be a current board member, elected AANP official or current state liaison.
Supporting Documents
- Current CV or resume that adheres to the provided template.
- Two current, professional letters of reference must be provided, written on the referrer’s letterhead and signed. One reference must be your current supervisor, whose reference letter must address the following:
- Identify how long they have known the applicant.
- Speak to the applicant’s leadership potential and provide examples.
- Confirm their understanding and support of the time commitments required by the program.
Do You Have Questions?
Contact leadership-program@aanp.org.