Leadership Think Tanks
AONL Foundation Think Tanks
Bringing leaders from health care practice and industry together to discuss important issues and brainstorm next steps to move the needle on hot topics in nursing and health care.
Upcoming Think Tanks
Check back for more information when we announce out next think tank.
On-Demand Think Tanks
Artificial Intelligence and Nurse Leaders: Learning Together
February 2025
This Think Tank was focused on use cases for artificial intelligence (AI) in nursing, the state of education for nurses and nurse leaders about AI and how nurse leaders can get involved in AI initiatives and professional development. Led by moderators Patricia J. Mook and Kelly Aldrich, the Think Tank featured a group of more than 30 experts in industry, practice, and academia to discuss how artificial intelligence can empower nurses, reduce practice burdens and allow nurses to focus their expertise where it matters most.
Promoting Workplace Safety and Preventing Violence Through the Nursing Leadership Lens
December 2025
This Leadership Symposium consisted of three facilitated virtual panel discussions about workplace violence prevention efforts. The program will bring together health leaders from national organizations including the AONL, Institute for Health Improvement, American Nurses Association, International Association of Healthcare Security and Safety and others for a dialogue about one of the most important issues facing nurse leaders today.
Data Usability
November 2023
AONL Foundation convened a Leadership Think Tank program around the topic of data usability through a nurse leadership lens. The next steps for this Think Tank are ongoing, and outcomes overlap with the work of the AONL Technology Committee.
Retaining New-to-Practice Nurses
September 2023
The AONL Foundation convened industry leaders in a Leadership Think Tank program to address the challenges faced by new nursing graduates and identify next steps to retain new-to-practice nurses. Next steps from this program are ongoing.
Exploring Social Media through the Nurse Leader Lens
August 2023
Nurse leaders gathered to discuss the current state of social media engagement, and what approaches work best for nurse leaders who want to engage with social media. With support from participants of this Think Tank, AONL Foundation suggested and supported the creation of both guidelines and training to optimize the utilization of social media by nurse leaders. This work was taken up by the AONL Social Media Ambassadors who have developed a toolkit for nurse leaders.
Technology to Support Nurse Leaders
August 2023
Thought leaders from the healthcare technology industry and nurse leadership practice met to share case studies and discuss how nurse leaders can make the case to their organizations to implement beneficial technology solutions. The outcomes of this Think Tank are ongoing, with some continuation within the work of the AONL Workforce Task Force.
Nurse Managers and Front Line Leaders
December 2022
Nurse leaders gathered to discuss the evolving role of Nurse Managers, how to define the role, manage the workload of those in the role, and face the staffing shortage. The Nursing Leadership Workforce Compendium has additional information to support the outcomes of this Think Tank.
Innovative Technology, Virtual Nursing and Artificial Intelligence
December 2022
Nurse leaders came together to discuss virtual nursing, and what resources and technologies play into the implementation of virtual nursing in various healthcare settings. The discussion and awareness around virtual nursing tools will continue through the work of the AONL Workforce Task Force.
Innovative Care Delivery Models, Hospital-at-Home
November 2022
This Think Tank was focused on use cases for artificial intelligence (AI) in nursing, the state of education for nurses and nurse leaders about AI and how nurse leaders can get involved in AI initiatives and professional development. Led by moderators Patricia J. Mook and Kelly Aldrich, the Think Tank featured a group of more than 30 experts in industry, practice, and academia to discuss how artificial intelligence can empower nurses, reduce practice burdens and allow nurses to focus their expertise where it matters most.