On Purpose: AACN’s 2026 Theme

During her NTI 2025 address, AACN President Rebekah Marsh (then president-elect) revealed the new AACN theme, On Purpose, by exploring her modest, rural upbringing and her path to second-career ICU nurse and nurse educator. “Let there be room for change and wonder. That spirit of inquiry is the foundation of empathy for others, and an opening for art, beauty and purpose in our work.”

A self-described “artist of nursing,” Marsh shared a whimsical letter from her second-grade self that stated she never wanted to work in a hospital or teach, but perhaps wanted to “do art.” The irony was not lost on Marsh: “So, today I work in a hospital. I am an artist. I believe that to teach is to learn, and I am a student of life.”

Marsh studied art, and her path followed the contours of living. “Deciding to be an artist was the beginning of unmasking myself and embracing being neurodivergent.” Although she didn’t always know she was meant to be a nurse, her inspiration to pursue nursing came after a long shift bartending.

“While watching late-night TV, I saw a Johnson & Johnson commercial recruiting people like me to the nursing profession,” Marsh remembered. “I felt a sense of caring, purpose and human connection. This I could do. This felt like art!”

Later in her address, Marsh encouraged nurses to pursue a purpose-filled life and intentional nursing practice despite detours and doubts. She recounted stories of her first days as an ICU nurse, subjected to hurtful and dismissive comments from other nurses. She persisted and continues her nursing practice nearly 20 years later. “It isn’t about having a superpower or being born to be a nurse. It isn’t about faking it until you make it. Practice it until you become it.”

Marsh also discussed taking ownership of her career and path, seeking mentors and allies. “Maintaining my CCRN certification for more than a decade remains one of my proudest accomplishments.” She also spoke of her pride at becoming the first AACN president to be a Clinical Scene Investigator (CSI) Academy alum. “CSI Academy showed me what to do with my curiosity to help improve the delivery of care on my unit,” Marsh said. “The optimal way to drive change from the bedside is to give nurses autonomy over their practice. This just makes sense.”

Marsh concluded her address by discussing how nursing autonomy can revitalize and bring joy to our practice, but we need collaboration to help us shape the future of nursing. “Through the collaborative pursuit of practice improvement, through the wisdom and examples of others, we find our best selves,” Marsh said. “We are nurses. We are leaders. But we are also artists, architects and gardeners. We are building the future. Together, we grow it … On Purpose.”

Helen D'Souza designed original art to illustrate the ideas of this year’s theme. Purposeful phrases are incorporated, forming a bridge, telling a story, and creating a journey along a path.

In the final art, words lead along the path, showing the way, creating a journey and suggesting actions taken "On Purpose." The illustration connects rural settings, love of and respect for nature, and living life through the lens of an artist. The theme art bridges these words of intention and the imagery in a way that nurses can interpret and implement into their own personal and professional journeys.

Poet and environmental activist Wendell Berry — who is also Marsh’s godfather — wrote on the difference between a path and a road, "A path is contact with a known landscape … it is not destructive … it is the perfect adaptation … It obeys the natural contours and obstacles it meets, and goes around. A road, on the other hand, embodies a resistance against the landscape. It moves with haste. Its wish is to avoid contact with the landscape and go over it, rather than through it."

We are pleased to provide the theme artwork for your use. Here are some suggestions for integrating the theme into your daily work:

• Think about how the artwork relates to your interpretation of this year's AACN theme. Discuss its meaning with your co-workers and other colleagues.
• Use it on printed material such as newsletters, flyers, posters, handouts and announcements.
• Use PowerPoint templates for internal presentations, such as those that promote your chapter/institution's meetings and events.
• Use approved theme art products from the AACN Store to generate revenue for your chapter.

Please note that the theme art:

• Must always appear in its entirety and not be modified or altered in any way.
• May be used to promote local chapter events and activities.
• May be used in social media in a posting but not as an identifier for a chapter, institution or individual (e.g., profile picture or cover photo on Facebook).
• May not be imprinted on any item (T-shirt, hat, mug, etc.) that will be sold.

To download the artwork, right click on a link, choose "Save Target As ..." and save to your computer.

2026 Theme Graphic - Chapters
2026 Theme Poster - Large
2026 Theme Poster - Small
2026 Theme PowerPoint Template

Please contact the AACN Creative Partners team with questions.