The Academy of Canadian Executive Nurses represents the voice of nursing leadership in Canada. Founded over thirty years ago, ACEN was created as a network of chief nursing officers of major teaching hospitals and deans and directors of Schools of nursing. ACEN long provided a forum for discussion of mutual challenges and a source of support to nurse executives in dealing with unique challenges.

A few years ago, members of ACEN came to realize that their collective knowledge and experience should be leveraged more strategically. They determined that the time had come to influence federal policies on several health-related subjects in the interest of better health care for Canadians. They also decided to work in partnership with other national groups/associations to accomplish common goals and objectives. To that end, a head office was established in Ottawa, the membership was broadened to include all nurses in executive and leadership positions in health care, education, research, government and health and/or nursing association chief executive officers. A number of committees were formed to carry out the work of the Academy.