Nomination Council Candidate
Campaign Message
I am honored to be a candidate for the AANP Nomination Council. As a proud LGBTQ Filipino American, I believe representation matters; when we show up authentically, we make space for others to do the same. That is how passion turns into progress, and real change happens. Throughout my career, I have focused on supporting and lifting others through teaching, mentorship, or simply creating opportunities for people to grow. Serving on the Council feels like a natural extension of my passions. Moreover, it can help identify and support diverse, highly qualified leaders who will continue to strengthen AANP and carry our profession forward. At a time when the political and healthcare landscape is so complex, I believe it is more important than ever for NPs to stand visibly, work together, and keep patient-centered care at the heart of what we do. I am ready to serve and help AANP thrive.
Bio Sketch
Al Aguilar is an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, for over 10 years, mostly in the MICU at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH), where he provides patient- and family-centered care and serves as senior preceptor for graduate APPs and fellows. He also teaches AGACNP didactic and clinical courses at Rutgers School of Nursing (RSON) and serves as faculty for FCCS and system-wide POCUS training programs. He is a team member of the first ANCC-accredited APP Fellowship Program in New Jersey and currently directs the Acute and Critical Care APP Symposium (ACCAPPS), creating platforms that elevate colleagues and strengthen interprofessional learning. Nationally, he is facilitating the PNAA-Sigma Nurse Learning Exchange, helping to expand accessible continuing education for nurses across the U.S. His scholarship includes multiple publications and national presentations. In recognition of his contributions, he has received the RSONAA Rising Star Alumni Award, RWJUH APP Excellence Award, and NJSNA/IFN Honorable Mention in Clinical Practice. He views each role as an act of service--honoring those who came before him while fostering pathways for others to grow. Guided by lifelong learning and a growth mindset, he seeks to bring his commitment to inclusivity, collaboration, and collective advancement to the AANP Nomination Council.
What do you think is the biggest challenge facing NPs in the delivery of health care over the next decade? How should AANP address this issue to support NPs and the populations they serve?
The greatest challenge for NP healthcare delivery over the next decade is related to other professions' fear of NP scope creep, leading to limited collaboration with non-NP organizations and NP restriction from practicing to the full extent of our education and licensure. AANP should foster co-led events and initiatives with interprofessional organizations where NPs and other APPs already have a strong presence, building other professional allies while increasing recognition of our role as essential healthcare team members and strong contributors across all spaces, from patient care to education to research to advocacy.
Describe, in detail, leadership and other professional skills that you will bring to AANP and provide at least one initiative or outcome that occurred because of these skills.
I bring collaboration, mentorship, and a passion for building bridges amongst disciplines and institutions to AANP. I am actively supporting system-wide NP-facing initiatives such as the first ANCC-accredited (with distinction) APP fellowship program in New Jersey, while teaching POCUS, FCCS, and ACNP courses that allow me to mentor or support future NP leaders. Additionally, I am actively leading initiatives such as the Acute and Critical Care APP Symposium (ACCAPPS) and PNAA-Sigma Nurse Learning Exchange, initiatives that not only bring people together and reach shared goals, but expand education and visibility for nurses, strengthening presence and impact across healthcare.
Identify one major challenge that could impact your ability to fulfill the responsibilities of the position you are seeking. How do you plan to manage this challenge to be successful?
One challenge I anticipate with serving on the AANP Nomination Council is balancing the time commitment with my clinical, academic, professional development, and leadership roles. The review process can be intense, with multiple applications and tight deadlines. To manage this, I plan to use structured time-blocking, simple review rubrics to stay efficient, and clear boundaries of my other roles during peak periods. I also believe in collaboration - sharing the work and supporting one another if needed. With these strategies, I can stay on top of the workload while ensuring the process remains fair, transparent, and thoughtful.
AANP’s mission is to empower all NPs to advance accessible, person-centered, equitable, high-quality health care for diverse communities through practice, education, advocacy, research, and leadership. If elected, how do you propose to advance AANP's mission and strategic plan?
If elected to the AANP Nomination Council, I will help identify and support diverse, highly qualified leaders who strengthen our profession's visibility and impact. Using a fair and inclusive lens, I will ensure representation and uplift candidates who embody excellence and advocacy. I will foster collaboration, build partnerships, and expand AANP's reach through education, mentoring, and interprofessional initiatives. By sharing NP-driven outcomes through scholarship and advocacy, I aim to amplify our collective voice, advance scope of practice, and position AANP to lead the future of patient-centered care.